Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
KR-12-a5 is a non-cytotoxic agent with potent antimicrobial effects against oral pathogens

Abstract This study evaluated the cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of analogs of cationic peptides against microorganisms associated with endodontic infections. L-929 fibroblasts were exposed to LL-37, KR-12-a5 and hBD-3–1CV and chlorhexidine (CHX, control), and cell metabolism was evaluated with MTT. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) of the peptides and CHX were determined against oral pathogens associated with endodontic infections. Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans biofilms were cultivated in bovine dentin blocks, exposed to different concentrations of the most efficient antimicrobial peptide and analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. CHX and peptides affected the metabolism of L-929 at concentrations > 31.25 and 500 μg ml−1, respectively. Among the peptides, KR-12-a5 inhibited growth of both the microorganisms tested with the lowest MIC/MBC/MFC values. In addition, KR-12-a5 significantly reduced E. faecalis and S. mutans biofilms inside dentin tubules. In conclusion, KR-12-a5 is a non-cytotoxic agent with potent antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity against oral pathogens associated with endodontic infections.
Anxiety: There is an app for that. A systematic review of anxiety apps

Smartphones and mobile devices have become ubiquitous, and with the rapid advance of technology, the number of health applications (apps) that are available for consumers on these devices is constantly growing. In particular, there has been a recent proliferation of anxiety apps. However, there has been no review of the quality or content of these anxiety apps and little is known about their purpose, the features they contain, and their empirical support. The goal of this systematic review was to assess the commercially available anxiety apps.
Sulfur Dioxide Contributes to the Cardiac and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Rats.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between sulfur dioxide (SO2) and an increase of morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia. Mitochondrion is the most sensitive organelle in myocardium of animals exposed to SO2 Here we study the molecular characterization of mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiac muscles of rat after SO2 exposure. We found that the cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), ATP contents, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) contents, and mRNA expression of complexes IV and V subunits encoded by mtDNA were decreased after NaHSO3 treatment in vitro or SO2 inhalation in vivo The mitochondrial dysfunctions were accompanied by depressions of co-activator of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1, and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) mRNA and protein. We observed swollen mitochondria and lower amounts of cristae in hearts of rats after 3.5 mg/m(3) SO2 inhalation for 30 days. Interestingly, NaHSO3 induced mitochondrial dysfunctions marked by ΔΨm and ATP reduction could be inhibited by an antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC), accompanied by the restoration of transcriptional factors expressions. The cardiac mitochondrial dysfunctions could also be alleviated by overexpression of TFAM. SO2 induced abnormal left ventricular function was restored by NALC in vivo Our findings demonstrate that SO2 induces cardiac and mitochondrial dysfunction. And inhibition of reactive oxygen species and enhancing the transcriptional network controlling mitochondrial biogenesis can mitigate the SO2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
Autophagy is required for ectoplasmic specialization assembly in sertoli cells

ABSTRACT The ectoplasmic specialization (ES) is essential for Sertoli-germ cell communication to support all phases of germ cell development and maturity. Its formation and remodeling requires rapid reorganization of the cytoskeleton. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of ES assembly is still largely unknown. Here, we show that Sertoli cell-specific disruption of autophagy influenced male mouse fertility due to the resulting disorganized seminiferous tubules and spermatozoa with malformed heads. In autophagy-deficient mouse testes, cytoskeleton structures were disordered and ES assembly was disrupted. The disorganization of the cytoskeleton structures might be caused by the accumulation of a negative cytoskeleton organization regulator, PDLIM1, and these defects could be partially rescued by Pdlim1 knockdown in autophagy-deficient Sertoli cells. Altogether, our works reveal that the degradation of PDLIM1 by autophagy in Sertoli cells is important for the proper assembly of the ES, and these findings define a novel role for autophagy in Sertoli cell-germ cell communication.
Influence of Hypoxia and Glucose Deprivation on Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Granulocyte- Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Expression in Human Cultured Monocytes

Ischaemia in wounds may modulate the expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The release of these and other cytokines by stimulated macrophages influences wound healing. Our aim was to examine the separate and combined effects of hypoxia and glucose deprivation on TNF-α and GM-CSF mRNA levels in human monocytes isolated from peripheral blood by density gradient centrifugation and purified by adherence. Cells were incubated for a 16-hour period in a hypoxic (3% O2) or normoxic (21% O2) environment in the presence or absence of glucose followed by a further 4 h under normoxic conditions in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 pg/ml). These different incubation conditions had no effect on cell viability, cell number, lactate dehydrogenase release or superoxide anion generation (n = 5, p > 0.05, paired t test). However, Northern hybridisation showed that hypoxia decreased the expression of GM-CSF mRNA in LPS-stimulated human monocytes by 46% (n = 9, p < 0.05, paired t test) and increased the expression of TNF-α by 102% (n = 7, p < 0.05, paired t test). The increase in the level of immunoreactive TNF-α in the cell supernatants paralleled the increase in TNF-α mRNA. The combination of glucose deprivation and hypoxia decreased the expression of both GM-CSF and TNF-α mRNA in LPS-stimulated human monocytes. Similarly, a decrease in the level of TNF-α in the cell supernatants was observed (n = 3–5, p < 0.05, two-way ANOVA). These data suggest that incubation conditions simulating ischaemia reduce LPS-induced cytokine expression.
A NEED FOR DYNAMIC HEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY REFERENCE TOOLS: NOVEL USE OF SINE WAVE FUNCTIONS TO PRODUCE SEASONALLY VARYING REFERENCE CURVES IN PLATYPUSES (ORNITHORHYNCHUS ANATINUS)

Abstract Seasonal changes in hematology and serum biochemistry results, described by separate reference intervals for different seasons, have been reported in many animals. We developed a novel method to investigate seasonal variation in values and a reference tool (the reference curve) based on sine wave functions that, for suitable variables, represents data more appropriately than a fixed reference interval. We applied these techniques to values observed in blood samples from 126 adult wild platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus; 58 females and 68 males). Samples were collected under isoflurane anesthesia from animals captured in the Inglis Catchment in northwest Tasmania. In general, packed cell volume (PCV), red cell count (RCC), and hemoglobin (Hb) values appeared to be lower than those in two studies that previously reported platypus hematology reference intervals. This likely resulted from reduced stress-related splenic contraction or isoflurane-associated splenic sequestration of red blood cells in our study. Reference curves were described for five variables (PCV, RCC, Hb, albumin, and magnesium). We found evidence that this seasonal variation may result from metabolic changes associated with seasonal variations in environmental temperature. These observations suggest that it is important for researchers reporting platypus hematology and serum biochemistry to look for seasonal changes in their data to ensure it is appropriately interpreted.
Intimate Partner Violence and Animal Abuse in an Immigrant-Rich Sample of Mother–Child Dyads Recruited From Domestic Violence Programs

We examined rates of animal abuse in pet-owning families experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). We also examined whether higher levels of IPV (as measured by subscales from the Conflict Tactics Scales) predicted increased risk for partner-perpetrated animal abuse. Our sample included 291 mother–child dyads, where the mothers sought services from domestic violence agencies. Nearly half the sample is comprised of Mexican immigrants. Mothers reported that 11.7% of partners threatened to harm a pet and 26.1% actually harmed a pet, the latter of which represents a lower rate than in similar studies. When examining animal abuse by “Hispanic status,” follow-up analyses revealed significant omnibus differences between groups, in that non-Hispanic U.S.-born partners (mostly White) displayed higher rates of harming pets (41%) than either U.S.-born or Mexican-born Hispanic groups (27% and 12.5%, respectively). Differences in rates for only threatening (but not harming) pets were not significant, possibly due to a small number of partners (n = 32) in this group. When examining whether partners’ IPV predicted only threatening to harm pets, no IPV subscale variables (Physical Assault, Psychological Aggression, Injury, or Sexual Coercion) were significant after controlling for income, education, and Hispanic status. When examining actual harm to pets, more Psychological Aggression and less Physical Assault significantly predicted slightly higher risk of harm. However, Mexican-born partners had nearly 4 times lower risk of harming a pet. Overall, these results suggest that Hispanic men who are perpetrators of IPV are less likely to harm pets than non-Hispanic perpetrators of IPV, particularly if Mexican-born. Considering that the United States has a significant proportion of Mexican immigrants, it may be worthwhile to explore the topics of IPV and animal abuse within this group.
Transcriptional Changes in Dorsal Spinal Cord Persist after Surgical Incision Despite Preemptive Analgesia with Peripheral Resiniferatoxin

Background: Peripheral nociceptors expressing the ion channel transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1, play an important role in mediating postoperative pain. Signaling from these nociceptors in the peri- and postoperative period can lead to plastic changes in the spinal cord and, when controlled, can yield analgesia. The transcriptomic changes in the dorsal spinal cord after surgery, and potential coupling to transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1–positive nociceptor signaling, remain poorly studied. Methods: Resiniferatoxin was injected subcutaneously into rat hind paw several minutes before surgical incision to inactivate transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1–positive nerve terminals. The effects of resiniferatoxin on postincisional measures of pain were assessed through postoperative day 10 (n = 51). Transcriptomic changes in the dorsal spinal cord, with and without peripheral transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1–positive nerve terminal inactivation, were assessed by RNA sequencing (n = 22). Results: Peripherally administered resiniferatoxin increased thermal withdrawal latency by at least twofold through postoperative day 4, increased mechanical withdrawal threshold by at least sevenfold through postoperative day 2, and decreased guarding score by 90% relative to vehicle control (P < 0.05). Surgical incision induced 70 genes in the dorsal horn, and these changes were specific to the ipsilateral dorsal horn. Gene induction with surgical incision persisted despite robust analgesia from resiniferatoxin pretreatment. Many of the genes induced were related to microglial activation, such as Cd11b and Iba1. Conclusions: A single subcutaneous injection of resiniferatoxin before incision attenuated both evoked and nonevoked measures of postoperative pain. Surgical incision induced transcriptomic changes in the dorsal horn that persisted despite analgesia with resiniferatoxin, suggesting that postsurgical pain signals can be blocked without preventing transcription changes in the dorsal horn.
CloudSat Observations of Three-Dimensional Distribution of Cloud Types in Tropical Cyclones

The present study investigates the three-dimensional distribution of various cloud types in tropical cyclones formed in the North Indian Ocean surrounding the Indian subcontinent using CloudSat observations of 25 cyclones occurred during 2006–2014. A composite cloud type distribution of cirrus (Ci), altostratus (As), altocumulus, stratocumulus, cumulus, nimbostratus and deep convective (DC) is constructed by combining all the observations as a function of the radial distance from the eye of a cyclone for the first time. The present analysis shows that the peak frequency of occurrence of the DC clouds is 50% at ∼50–100 km radial distance from the cyclone's eye. The Ci clouds are found at altitudes around 13–15 km with a maximum frequency of occurrence of 30% at ∼200 km from the center of the cyclone's eye. The present results suggest that there could be a possible discrepancy in classifying the observed clouds into DC and As clouds using CloudSat observations. All the observations during the study period led to the construction of composite cloud type distribution in the tropical cyclones, which aids in visualizing what type of clouds dominates in which part of the cyclone. Thus, the present study provides a three-dimensional distribution of various clouds embedded in tropical cyclones and associated dynamics, which is very important in better representation of tropical cyclones in numerical weather models and can be used to evaluate the tropical cyclone simulations.
Plant–arthropod interactions: who is the winner?

Herbivorous arthropods have interacted with plants for millions of years. During feeding they release chemical cues that allow plants to detect the attack and mount an efficient defense response. A signaling cascade triggers the expression of hundreds of genes, which encode defensive proteins and enzymes for synthesis of toxic metabolites. This direct defense is often complemented by emission of volatiles that attract beneficial parasitoids. In return, arthropods have evolved strategies to interfere with plant defenses, either by producing effectors to inhibit detection and downstream signaling steps, or by adapting to their detrimental effect. In this review, we address the current knowledge on the molecular and chemical dialog between plants and herbivores, with an emphasis on co-evolutionary aspects.
Prognostic model for mantle cell lymphoma in the rituximab era: a nationwide study in Japan

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is essentially incurable with conventional chemotherapy. The MCL International Prognostic Index (MIPI) is a validated specific prognostic index, but was derived from patients with advanced‐stage disease primarily in the pre‐rituximab era. We analysed 501 MCL patients (median age, 67 years; range 22–90) treated with rituximab‐containing chemotherapy, and evaluated the prognostic factors adjusted by the treatment. Five‐year overall survival (OS) in the low, intermediate and high MIPI groups was 74%, 70% and 35%, respectively. Additional to MIPI risk factors, multivariate analysis revealed that low serum albumin and bone‐marrow involvement were also significantly associated with a poor outcome. The revised‐MIPI (R‐MIPI) was constructed using six factors, namely age, performance status, white blood cell count, serum lactate dehydrogenase, bone‐marrow involvement and serum albumin, which is divided into four prognostic groups. Five‐year OS in low, low‐intermediate (L‐I), high‐intermediate (H‐I) and high R‐MIPI groups was 92%, 75%, 61% and 19%, respectively. Hazard ratio for OS of L‐I, H‐I and high risk to low risk patients were 5·4, 8·3 and 33·0, respectively. R‐MIPI, a new prognostic index with easy application to the general patient population, shows promise for identifying low‐ and high‐risk MCL patients in the rituximab era.
Assessing Key Factor that Influence on the Acceptance of Mobile Commerce Based on Modified UTAUT

This study presents a modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to examine keyfactors that affect the intention to accept and the subsequent use of mobile commerce (M-commerce) amongJordanian consumers. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 447 undergraduate universitystudents using a stratified random sample, and analyzed by using a structural equation modeling (SEM); byusing the WarpPLS 3.0 software. Results show that user acceptance and use of Mobile commerce services canbe predicted from the users’ behavioral intentions, which are affected significantly by Performance Expectancy,Effort Expectancy, and Social Influence. From among these variables, Social Influence is the most significantdeterminant that directly affects behavioral intention to use M-commerce services in Jordan followed by EffortExpectancy then Performance Expectancy. Facilitating Conditions and moderating variables (gender, age,monthly expense, and experience) have no significant effect on Behavioral Intention to use M-commerceservices in Jordan.Ultimately, this study finds that there is a direct effect between behavioral intention and the eventual use ofM-commerce services in Jordan. This research should help merchandisers avoid spending thousands or evenmillions of dollars that may on investments that will have little effect on whether or not the consumer willactually accept and use M-commerce. The study also gives quantified indicators and presents a model that mighthelp in understanding the M-commerce environment in Jordan. It concludes with an examination of theimplications of the research findings and offers suggestions for future research.
The use of the balanced scorecard in small companies

The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is a performance measurement and strategic management system which appears suitable for use by all types and sizes of business. The BSC’s greatest strength for most businesses comes from its innate ability to integrate financial and non-financial measures together by measuring both strategic and business performance across four interrelated perspectives. Many studies have shown that the BSC can be successfully implemented within large-scale companies and organizations. However, there is limited empirical evidence regarding the use of the BSC within small companies. This study adds to the existing literature by reporting the results of a comparative investigation of BSC awareness and use within small companies located in the UK and Cyprus. In addition, the study examines the reasons for non-adoption by small companies and whether these companies use performances measures that are similar to those typically contained within the BSC model. The research data was collected from self-completed questionnaires that were distributed to 500 companies in the UK and Cyprus. The findings of the survey suggest that the majority of small companies, especially in the UK, are unaware of the BSC, and consequently levels of BSC usage are extremely low. Certain respondents believed that BSC is an unsuitable tool for small companies and that its implementation is beyond the resources available to such entities. However, the findings also suggest that even though very few small companies actually use the BSC, many such companies appear to use performances measures and indicators similar to those typically included within a BSC model.
Blindness, low vision and cataract surgery outcome among adults in Hohhot of Inner Mongolia: a Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) study

Background To determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment (VI), and to describe the characteristics of cataract surgery coverage and related barriers among adults aged ≥50 years residing in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study was performed. Presenting visual acuity (PVA) was measured using the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) methodology. All VI cases were defined using the WHO definition, based on the PVA of the better-seeing eye. Details on history of cataract surgery and barriers to cataract surgery were also obtained using a standardised questionnaire. Results Of 4500 eligible individuals, 3985 (88.6% response rate) were examined. The age-standardised prevalence of moderate VI (PVA <6/18 to ≥6/60) was 5.4% (95% CI 4.6% to 6.3%), and severe VI (PVA <6/60 to ≥3/60) was 0.9% (95% CI 0.6% to 1.3%). The age-standardised prevalence of blindness (PVA <3/60) was 1.2% (95% CI 0.8% to 1.6%). Uncorrected refractive error (40.1%) and cataract (37.9%) were the leading causes of overall VI. Cataract (34.9%) was the leading cause of blindness. Among individuals with blindness, cataract surgical coverage was 80.7%. Among individuals with blindness due to cataract, the main barriers to cataract surgery were lack of awareness (38.1%). Conclusions The age-standardised prevalence rate of blindness in Hohhot was lower compared with other RAAB studies in China. Cataract was the leading cause of blindness. These findings provide useful information for the planning of public healthcare services in Inner Mongolia.
Multi‐loci diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with high‐throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis

High‐throughput sequencing (HTS) is considered a technical revolution that has improved our knowledge of lymphoid and autoimmune diseases, changing our approach to leukaemia both at diagnosis and during follow‐up. As part of an immunoglobulin/T cell receptor‐based minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients, we assessed the performance and feasibility of the replacement of the first steps of the approach based on DNA isolation and Sanger sequencing, using a HTS protocol combined with bioinformatics analysis and visualization using the Vidjil software. We prospectively analysed the diagnostic and relapse samples of 34 paediatric patients, thus identifying 125 leukaemic clones with recombinations on multiple loci (TRG, TRD, IGH and IGK), including Dd2/Dd3 and Intron/KDE rearrangements. Sequencing failures were halved (14% vs. 34%, P = 0.0007), enabling more patients to be monitored. Furthermore, more markers per patient could be monitored, reducing the probability of false negative MRD results. The whole analysis, from sample receipt to clinical validation, was shorter than our current diagnostic protocol, with equal resources. V(D)J recombination was successfully assigned by the software, even for unusual recombinations. This study emphasizes the progress that HTS with adapted bioinformatics tools can bring to the diagnosis of leukaemia patients.