Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No evidence of involvement of E-cadherin in cell fate specification or the segregation of Epi and PrE in mouse blastocysts

During preimplantation mouse development stages, emerging pluripotent epiblast (Epi) and extraembryonic primitive endoderm (PrE) cells are first distributed in the blastocyst in a “salt-and-pepper” manner before they segregate into separate layers. As a result of segregation, PrE cells become localised on the surface of the inner cell mass (ICM), and the Epi is enclosed by the PrE on one side and by the trophectoderm on the other. During later development, a subpopulation of PrE cells migrates away from the ICM and forms the parietal endoderm (PE), while cells remaining in contact with the Epi form the visceral endoderm (VE). Here, we asked: what are the mechanisms mediating Epi and PrE cell segregation and the subsequent VE vs PE specification? Differences in cell adhesion have been proposed; however, we demonstrate that the levels of plasma membrane-bound E-cadherin (CDH1, cadherin 1) in Epi and PrE cells only differ after the segregation of these lineages within the ICM. Moreover, manipulating E-cadherin levels did not affect lineage specification or segregation, thus failing to confirm its role during these processes. Rather, we report changes in E-cadherin localisation during later PrE-to-PE transition which are accompanied by the presence of Vimentin and Twist, supporting the hypothesis that an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process occurs in the mouse peri-implantation blastocyst.
First-Principles Study of the Electronic, Vibrational Properties and Anharmonic Effects of Some Si-Based Type-II Binary Clathrates

Electronic, vibrational, and anharmonic studies on some binary clathrate AxSi136 (A = Na, K, Rb, Cs; 0 < x ≤ 24) are theoretically presented. The Fermi energy lies in the range of 1.1 eV to 1.4 eV for NaxSi136 and increases as stoichiometry (x) is tuned from 8 to 12 to 16. The determined isotropic “Mexican-hat” shape of the guest-host potential describing Na motion in the Si28 cage indicates the “off-center” position when the temperature is elevated beyond zero. Accordingly, the calculated Na “off-center” displacements correlate well with the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) data (0.4 Å–0.5 Å) for a similar composition range (0 < x < 24). The lack of first-principles analysis on quartic anharmonicity motivates us to initiate a self-consistent model to examine the temperature-dependent rattling frequency Ω(T) of the guest (Na, Rb). The predicted values of Ω(T) for Na24Si136 at 300 K are significantly higher (approximately six times larger) than the value at absolute zero, which contrasts with the case of Rb8Si136. Moreover, underestimation of the isotropic atomic displacement parameter Uiso is caused by the temperature-dependent quartic anharmonicity of Na, and this discrepancy might be offset by the square of the “off-center” displacement.
Evolution of the modular, disordered stress proteins known as dehydrins

Dehydrins, plant proteins that are upregulated during dehydration stress conditions, have modular sequences that can contain three conserved motifs (the Y-, S-, and K-segments). The presence and order of these motifs are used to classify dehydrins into one of five architectures: Kn, SKn, KnS, YnKn, and YnSKn, where the subscript n describes the number of copies of that motif. In this study, an architectural and phylogenetic analysis was performed on 426 dehydrin sequences that were identified in 53 angiosperm and 3 gymnosperm genomes. It was found that angiosperms contained all five architectures, while gymnosperms only contained Kn and SKn dehydrins. This suggests that the ancestral dehydrin in spermatophytes was either Kn or SKn, and the Y-segment containing dehydrins first arose in angiosperms. A high-level split between the YnSKn dehydrins from either the Kn or SKn dehydrins could not be confidently identified, however, two lower level architectural divisions appear to have occurred after different duplication events. The first likely occurred after a whole genome duplication, resulting in the duplication of a Y3SK2 dehydrin; the duplicate subsequently lost an S- and K- segment to become a Y3K1 dehydrin. The second split occurred after a tandem duplication of a Y1SK2 dehydrin, where the duplicate lost both the Y- and S- segment and gained four K-segments, resulting in a K6 dehydrin. We suggest that the newly arisen Y3K1 dehydrin is possibly on its way to pseudogenization, while the newly arisen K6 dehydrin developed a novel function in cold protection.
Is there an association between consent rates in Swiss hospitals and critical care staffs' attitudes towards organ donation, their knowledge and confidence in the donation process?

This study investigated the critical care staff’s attitude, knowledge and involvement with donation, skills and confidence with donation-related tasks and their association with consent rates at the hospital level. In 2015, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among critical care staff of hospitals involved in organ donation using an anonymous online questionnaire with a response rate of 56.4% (n = 2799). The hospital level consent rate was obtained from the Swiss Monitoring of Potential Donors database (2013–2015). For each hospital, we calculated a mean score for each predictor of interest of the Hospital Attitude Survey and investigated the association with hospital consent rates with generalized linear mixed-effect models. In univariable analysis, one score point increase in doctors' confidence resulted in a 66% (95% CI: 45%–80%) reduction in the odds to consent, and one score point increase in nurses' attitudes resulted in a 223% (95% CI: 84%–472%) increase in the odds to consent. After simultaneously adjusting for all major predictors found in the crude models, only levels of education of medical and nursing staff remained as significant predictors for hospital consent rates. In Switzerland, efforts are needed to increase consent rates for organ donation and should concentrate on continuous support as well as specific training of the hospital staff involved in the donation process.
Diabetes Alters pH Control in Rat Retina

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether the ability of the rat retina to control its pH is affected by diabetes. Methods Double-barreled H+-selective microelectrodes were used to measure extracellular [H+] in the dark-adapted retina of intact control and diabetic Long-Evans rats 1 to 6 months after intraperitoneal injection of vehicle or streptozotocin, respectively. Two manipulations—increasing of blood glucose and intravenous injection of the carbonic anhydrase blocker dorzolamide (DZM)—were used to examine their effects on retinal pH regulation. Results An increase of retinal acidity was correlated with the diabetes-related increase in blood glucose, but only between 1 and 3 months of diabetes, not earlier or later. Adding intravenous glucose had no noticeable effect on the retinal acidity of control animals. In contrast, similar injections of glucose in diabetic rats significantly increased the acidity of the retina. Again, the largest increase of retinal acidity due to artificially elevated blood glucose was observed at 1 to 3 months of diabetes. Suppression of carbonic anhydrase by DZM dramatically increased the retinal acidity in both control and diabetic retinas to a similar degree. However, in controls, the strongest effect of DZM was recorded within 10 minutes after the injection, but in diabetics, the effect tended to increase with time and after 2 hours could be two to three times larger than at the beginning. Conclusions During development of diabetes in rats, the control over retinal pH is partly compromised so that conditions that perturb retinal pH lead to larger and/or more sustained changes than in control animals.
The Biochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Ozone: The Smell of Protection in Acute and Chronic Diseases

Ozone therapy has been widely used in everyday clinical practice over the last few years, leading to significant clinical results in the treatment of herniated discs and pain management. Nevertheless, further studies have demonstrated its potential efficacy and safety under other clinical and experimental conditions. However, some of these studies showed controversial results regarding the safety and efficacy of ozone therapy, thus mining its potential use in an everyday clinical practice. To this regard, it should be considered that extensive literature review reported the use of ozone in a significant different dose range and with different delivery systems. The aim of the present review is to describe the various pharmacological effects of ozone in different organs and clinical conditions and to provide possible biochemical and molecular insights for ozone biological properties, thus providing a possible explanation for various controversial clinical outcomes described in the scientific literature.
Financial risk protection at the bedside: How Ethiopian physicians try to minimize out-of-pocket health expenditures

Background Out-of-pocket health expenditures can pose major financial risks, create access-barriers and drive patients and families into poverty. Little is known about physicians’ role in financial protection of patients and families at the bedside in low-income settings and how they perceive their roles and duties when treating patients in a health care system requiring high out-of-pocket costs. Objective Assess physicians’ concerns regarding financial welfare of patients and their families and analyze physicians’ experiences in reducing catastrophic health expenditures for patients in Ethiopia. Method A national survey was conducted among physicians at 49 public hospitals in six regions in Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics were used. Results Totally 587 physicians responded (response rate 91%) and 565 filled the inclusion criteria. Health care costs driving people into financial crisis and poverty were witnessed by 82% of respondants, and 88% reported that costs for the patient are important when deciding to use or not use an intervention. Several strategies to save costs for patients were used: 37–79% of physicians were doing this daily or weekly through limiting prescription of drugs, limiting radiologic studies, ultrasound and lab tests, providing second best treatments, and avoiding admission or initiating early discharge. Overall, 75% of the physicians reported that ongoing and future costs to patients influenced their decisions to a greater extent than concerns for preserving hospital resources. Conclusion In Ethiopia, a low-income country aiming to move towards universal health coverage, physicians view themselves as both stewards of public resources, patient advocates and financial protectors of patients and their families. Their high concern for family welfare should be acknowledged and the economic and ethical implications of this practice must be further explored.
Ninety-day postoperative cost in primary total hip arthroplasty: an economic model comparing surgical approaches

Background While primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a safe and effective procedure, it is unclear whether choice of surgical approach influences health care cost. Methods We developed an economic model in which patients receiving THA via the anterior approach (AA) by high volume anterior hip surgeons were compared to a propensity-score matched cohort of primary THA cases performed by high volume surgeons that were identified from Medicare claims (Control). Cost elements included the procedure and hospital stay, postacute care, readmission, and outpatient care through 90 days postoperatively. Costs were derived from Medicare claims and adjusted to account for nationwide payer mix. Results Health care costs over 90 days postoperative were $17,763 with AA and $23,969 with Control, a difference of $6,206 (95% CI: $5,210–$7,204) per patient. The cost savings with AA were mainly attributable to lower per-patient costs of the index hospitalization ($13,578 vs $16,017), postacute care ($3,123 vs $6,037), and hospital readmissions ($700 vs $1,584). Conclusion The AA for primary THA was found to lower 90-day health care costs when compared to a matched sample of THA cases. These study findings may be used to inform hospitals and health care payers regarding the cost implications associated with selection of different surgical approaches to primary THA.
Exonuclease domain mutants of yeast DIS3 display genome instability

ABSTRACT The exosome functions to regulate the cellular transcriptome through RNA biogenesis, surveillance, and decay. Mutations in Dis3, a catalytic subunit of the RNA exosome with separable endonuclease and exonuclease activities, are linked to multiple myeloma. Here we report that a cancer-associated DIS3 allele, dis3E729K, provides evidence for DIS3 functioning in mitotic fidelity in yeast. This dis3E729K allele does not induce defects in 7S→5.8S rRNA processing, although it elicits a requirement for P-body function. While it does not significantly influence cell cycle progression alone, the allele reduces the efficiency of cell cycle arrest in strains with defects in kinetochore assembly. Finally, point mutations in the exonuclease domains of yeast Dis3 elicit genome instability phenotypes; however, these DIS3 mutations do not increase DNA damage or RNA processing defects that lead to the accumulation of polyadenylated RNA in the nucleus. These data suggest that specific DIS3 activities support mitotic fidelity in yeast.
Natural durability of subfossil oak: wood chemical composition changes through the ages

Abstract In recent years, subfossil oak has become increasingly popular, particularly in the manufacture of small wooden products. Due to the long period of its underground preservation, detailed knowledge of its properties is essential to properly use this material. In this study, subfossil oak samples dated to approximately 1000, 2000 and 3000 years BP and recent oak samples were chemically analyzed to determine the contents of extractives, the main wood components, and inorganic elements. The results were then evaluated in light of their natural durability. The mass loss of subfossil oak was 2–3 times lower than that of the recent sample, but the age of the subfossil oak itself had no influence on its durability. The long-term leaching process of water-soluble ellagitannins, together with their hydrolysis and bonding in ferric tannate complexes, were responsible for the decreased durability. The oldest subfossil oak had the lowest amount of phenolic compounds and the highest content of inorganic elements. Optical emission spectrometry proved an increase in inorganic elements 5–7 times higher than recent oak content, with the highest increase found for calcium and iron. Compared to recent oaks, subfossil oaks manifested decreased content of carbohydrates and correspondingly increased lignin content. Our results revealed that subfossil oak cannot be considered a suitable material for exterior use under aerobic conditions.
The transverse facial artery anatomy: Implications for plastic surgery procedures

Background The transverse facial artery (TFA) perfuses the lateral face. Knowledge of topographical anatomy of the lateral face is crucial for safe procedural performance in aesthetic and plastic surgery, especially the face lift flap and face transplant. The aim of the present study was to assess detailed TFA morphometrical features. Patients and methods One-hundred computed tomography head angiographies were analyzed. TFA numbers and origins were recorded bilaterally (200 cases). TFA diameters and lengths in addition to their positions in relation to neighboring vessels and the zygomatic arches were measured. Results TFA was present in 96% of cases (192/200, left = 97, right = 95). A single TFA was present in 95.3% and double TFAs were present in 4.7% of cases. In 91.7%, the TFA originated from the superficial temporal artery, and in 3.1%, it originated from the external carotid artery. One left TFA originated from the maxillary artery. The TFA was significantly longer on the right than on the left side (56.6±26.0 versus 47.3±22.2 mm; p = 0.03). The TFA mean diameter was 1.0±0.4 mm (range: 0.4–2.2 mm) with no difference between face sides. TFA length correlated with its diameter (r = 0.46, p <0.05). The TFA always originated below the zygomatic arch, and it should be found in the 8.8 mm wide area beginning 17.0mm below the lower border of the zygomatic arch. Conclusions The TFA has a significant role in lateral face vascularization, and absence of this vessel is very uncommon.
Monogenean fauna of alien tilapias (Cichlidae) in south China

Tilapias are important aquaculture fishes that have been introduced widely all over the world, often carrying their monogenean parasites with them. An extensive investigation on monogeneans of invasive tilapias was conducted in 19 natural water sources in south China between July 2015 and December 2017. We found nine known species of monogeneans, i.e., Enterogyrus coronatus, E. malmbergi, Cichlidogyrus cirratus, C. halli, C. sclerosus, C. thurstonae, C. tilapiae, Scutogyrus longicornis, Gyrodactylus cichlidarum, and one unknown Gyrodactylus species. In addition to reporting ten new hosts and four new geographical records, we observed new morphological characteristics of these species. Observation on living specimens of Enterogyrus spp. demonstrated that these two species have characteristic opisthaptoral retraction capacities, while the opisthaptor glands were not observed in our specimens of E. coronatus and E. malmbergi. The morphological differences of the accessory piece of the male copulatory complex between C. cirratus and C. mbirizei (character for species differentiation) could result from the observation at different perspectives, which indicates that C. mbirizei is likely a synonym of C. cirratus. A more detailed structure of the sclerotized parts of Cichlidogyrus spp. and S. longicornis were revealed by scanning electron microscopy. As was the case for the monogeneans found on alien tilapias from other geographic regions, the present study confirmed the high potential of these monogeneans to establish populations in new habitats.
Synthesis of New Proteomimetic Quinazolinone Alkaloids and Evaluation of Their Neuroprotective and Antitumor Effects

New quinazolinone derivatives of the marine-derived alkaloids fiscalin B (3) and fumiquinazoline G (1), with neuroprotective and antitumor effects, were synthesized. Eleven quinazolinone-containing indole alkaloids were synthesized, proceeding the anti analogs via a one-pot method, and the syn analogs by the Mazurkiewicz-Ganesan approach. The neuroprotection capacity of these compounds on the rotenone-damage human neuroblastoma cell SH-SY5y was evaluated using the MTT assay. Compounds 1, 3, 5, and 7 showed more than 25% protection. The antitumor activity was investigated using the sulforhodamine B assay and some compounds were tested on the non-malignant MCF-12A cells. Fumiquinazoline G (1) was the most potent compound, with GI50 values lower than 20 µM. Compounds 5, 7, and 11 were more active in all tumor cell lines when compared to their enantiomers. Compounds 5, 7, 10, and 11 had very little effect in the viability of the non-malignant cells. Differences between enantiomeric pairs were also noted as being essential for these activities the S-configuration at C-4. These results reinforce the previously described activities of the fiscalin B (3) as substance P inhibitor and fumiquinazoline G (1) as antitumor agent showing potential as lead compounds for the development of drugs for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, respectively.
Neonicotinoid Insecticides Alter the Transcriptome of Soybean and Decrease Plant Resistance

Neonicotinoids are widely used systemic insecticides that have been associated with spider mite outbreaks on diverse plants. These insecticides have complex effects on plant physiology, which have been speculated to drive enhanced performance of spider mites. We used RNA-Seq to explore how neonicotinoids modify gene expression in soybean thereby lowering plant resistance. We exposed soybean (Glycine max L.) to two neonicotinoid insecticides, thiamethoxam applied to seeds and imidacloprid applied as a soil drench, and we exposed a subset of these plants to spider mites (Tetranychus cinnabarinus). Applications of both insecticides downregulated genes involved in plant—pathogen interactions, phytohormone pathways, phenylpropanoid pathway, and cell wall biosynthesis. These effects were especially pronounced in plants exposed to thiamethoxam. Introduction of spider mites restored induction of genes in these pathways in plants treated with imidacloprid, while expression of genes involved in phenylpropanoid synthesis, in particular, remained downregulated in thiamethoxam-treated plants. Our outcomes indicate that both insecticides suppress genes in pathways relevant to plant–arthropod interactions, and suppression of genes involved in cell wall synthesis may explain lower plant resistance to spider mites, cell-content feeders. These effects appear to be particularly significant when plants are exposed to neonicotinoids applied to soybean seeds.
Development Of V6-16S DNA Probe-Hybridization As A Rapid Method For Detecting Bacterial Pathogens In Blood Culture Samples

To develop a rapid technique for detecting the pathogenic bacteria, V6 regions of 16S rRNA gene were carried out for PCR probe-hybridization. We used eight bacterial strains; Cardiobacterium hominis, Haemophilus influenzae, Psuedomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila, Francisella tularensis, Kingella kingae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterobacter aerogines in this study. Forty-seven isolates collected from 139 standard haemo-cultures, which were collected routinely from three laboratories, were identified by the development method. We found that all results were not differently significant (p ≤ 0.001, kappa agreement = 1.0) when compared to the standard culture. Specificity and sensitivity of this technique were as high as 100%. In conclusion, the V6-16S DNA probehybridization was able to detect 8 pathogenic bacterial species within 2 days which was more rapid than a week of the routine culture. Our method is a very useful and might be the alternative tool for detecting these bacterial pathogens simultaneously. Rapid detection will benefit to patient treatment and reduce unnecessary antibiotic usage. List of Abbreviations 2X of SSC; double times of standard saline-citrate buffer concentration; 16S rRNA, 16S ribosomal RNA; A, adenine; ATCC, American Type Culture Collection; BM blue POD substrate, 3,3′-5,5′Tetramethylbenzidine; C, cytosine; dATP, 2’-Deoxyadenosine 5’triphosphate; dCTP, 2'-Deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate; DEPC, Diethyl pryrocarbonate; dGTP, 2’-Deoxyguanosine 5'-triphosphate; DIG-11-dUTP, Digoxigenin-11-deoxyuridine triphosphate; dNTP, 2 ́-Deoxynucleoside 5 ́-triphosphates; DMST, Department of Medical Sciences Thailand; dTTP, 2'-Deoxythymidine 5’triphosphate; G, guanine ; MALDI-TOF MS, matrix-assisted laser desorption/Ionization mass spectrometer; MDR, multidrugresistant; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; PCR-ELISA, polymerase chain reaction-Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; SDS, sodium dodecyl sulphate; SPSS, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences; T, thymine; Taq, Thermus aquaticus; UV, ultraviolet; V6-16S DNA, V6 region of 16S DNA; XDR, extensively drug-resistant