Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gestational nanomaterial exposures: microvascular implications during pregnancy, fetal development and adulthood

Air pollution particulate matter and engineered nanomaterials are encompassed in the broad definition of xenobiotic particles. While the effects of perinatal air pollution exposure have been investigated, elucidation of outcomes associated with nanomaterial exposure, the focus of this review, is still in its infancy. As the potential uses of nanomaterials, and therefore exposures, increase exponentially so does the need for thorough evaluation. Up to this point, the majority of research in the field of cardiovascular nanotoxicology has focused on the coronary and vascular reactions to pulmonary exposures in young adult, healthy, male models; however, as intentional and unintentional contacts persist, the non‐pulmonary risks to under‐represented populations become a critical concern. Development of the maternal–fetal circulation during successful mammalian gestation is one of the most unusual complex, dynamic, and acutely demanding physiological systems. Fetal development in a hostile gestational environment can lead to systemic alterations, which may encourage adult disease. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to highlight the few knowns associated with gestational engineered nanomaterial exposure segmented by physiological periods of development or systemic targets: preconception and maternal, gestational, fetal and progeny (Abstract figure). Overall, the limited studies currently available provide compelling evidence of maternal, fetal and offspring dysfunctions after engineered nanomaterial exposure. Understanding the mechanisms associated with these multigenerational effects may allow pregnant women to safely reap the benefits of nanotechnology‐enabled products and assist in the implementation of exposure controls to protect the mother and fetus allowing for development of safety by design for engineered nanomaterials.
Non‐proteolytic functions of microbial proteases increase pathological complexity

Proteases are enzymes that catalyse hydrolysis of peptide bonds thereby controlling the shape, size, function, composition, turnover and degradation of other proteins. In microbes, proteases are often identified as important virulence factors and as such have been targets for novel drug design. It is emerging that some proteases possess additional non‐proteolytic functions that play important roles in host epithelia adhesion, tissue invasion and in modulating immune responses. These additional “moonlighting” functions have the potential to obfuscate data interpretation and have implications for therapeutic design. Moonlighting enzymes comprise a subcategory of multifunctional proteins that possess at least two distinct biological functions on a single polypeptide chain. Presently, identifying moonlighting proteins relies heavily on serendipitous empirical data with clues arising from proteins lacking signal peptides that are localised to the cell surface. Here, we describe examples of microbial proteases with additional non‐proteolytic functions, including streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B, PepO and C5a peptidases, mycoplasmal aminopeptidases, mycobacterial chaperones and viral papain‐like proteases. We explore how these non‐proteolytic functions contribute to host cell adhesion, modulate the coagulation pathway, assist in non‐covalent folding of proteins, participate in cell signalling, and increase substrate repertoire. We conclude by describing how proteomics has aided in moonlighting protein discovery, focusing attention on potential moonlighters in microbial exoproteomes.
Re-Exploration for Bleeding or Tamponade after Cardiac Surgery: Impact of Timing and Indication on Outcome

Abstract Objectives Re-exploration after cardiac surgery remains a frequent complication with adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of timing and indication of re-exploration on outcome. Methods A retrospective, observational study on a cohort of 209 patients, who underwent re-exploration after cardiac surgery between January 2005 and December 2011, was performed. The cohort was matched for age, gender, and procedure with patients who were not re-explored during the same period. Results The intraoperative and postoperative transfusion requirements were higher in the re-exploration group (p < 0.01). Patients in the re-exploration group had significantly higher incidences of postoperative acute renal injury (10.0 vs. 3.3%), sternal wound (9.1 vs. 2.4%) and pulmonary (13.4 vs. 4.3%) infections, longer ventilation time (22 [range, 14–52] vs. 12 [range, 9–16] hours) and intensive care unit stay (5 [range, 3–7] vs. 2 [range, 2–4] days), and higher mortality rate (9.6 vs. 3.3%). However, the multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that not the re-exploration itself, but the deleterious effects of re-exploration (blood loss and transfusion requirement) were independent risk factors for mortality. Mortality was 5.3% for patients who were re-explored within the first 12 hours and 20.3% for patients who were re-explored after 12 hours (p = 0.003). Mortality was 3.6% for patients with bleeding and 31.4% for patients with cardiac tamponade for indication of re-exploration (p < 0.001). Conclusions This study suggests that re-exploration after cardiac surgery is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Patients with delayed re-exploration and suffering from cardiac tamponade have adverse outcome.
Plant hormone signalling through the eye of the mass spectrometer

Plant growth and development are regulated by hormones and the associated signalling pathways share several common steps, the first being the detection of the signal by receptor proteins. This typically leads to conformational changes in the receptor, thereby modifying its spectrum of interaction partners. Next, secondary signals are transmitted via rapid post‐translational cascades, such as targeted phosphorylation or ubiquitination, resulting in the activation/deactivation, relocalization or degradation of target proteins. These events finally give rise to the signal‐dependent read‐out, such as changes in gene expression and regulation of protein activity. So far, the majority of studies aimed at unravelling hormone signalling pathways in plants relied on genetic or transcriptomic approaches. During the last decade however, MS‐driven proteomic methods became increasingly popular tools in plant research as they reveal the specific mechanisms controlled by phytohormones, which for a large part occur on the level of the proteome. Here, we provide an up‐to‐date review on the growing body of work in these areas using MS‐based techniques, with a focus on nonpeptide plant hormones.
Aptidão física relacionada à saúde de alunos do ensino fundamental do município de Rio Grande, RS, Brasil

Although the benefits of physical fitness on health and prevention of diseases are extensively reported in the literature, there are few investigations about this theme, mainly among children and adolescents. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the health-related physical fitness (HRPF) components according to characteristics such as sex, age, type of school (public or private) and geographic area of the school (urban or rural), in individuals aged 7-15 years. The data collected belong to the Projeto Esporte Brasil (Brazil Sport Project) (PROESP-BR), and the HRPF components assessed were: body mass index (BMI), flexibility ("sit-and-reach" test), localized muscular resistance (LMR) (one-minute sit-up test) and aerobic capacity (nine-minute running test). The sample comprised 665 students, randomly selected from elementary schools of the Rio Grande County, Brazil. To compare the means of the measures and the tests according to the independent variables, simple and multivariate linear regression was used. Amongst the main results, it can be emphasized that the HRPF components were more associated with biological characteristics (sex and age), with no expressive differences by type of school, nor by geography area of school (indicators of socioeconomic level). Further studies are needed for the establishment of national reference parameters of HRPF of children and adolescents.
Journal of Documentation Emerald Article : Development of Arabic library and information science : An analysis utilizing Whitley ' s theory of the intellectual and social organization of sciences

Purpose – This paper aims to utilize Whitley’s theory of the intellectual and social organization of the sciences and build on research carried on by Aarek et al., Vakkari, Rochester and Vakkari, and Åström, to analyze both intellectual and institutional characteristics of Arabic library and information science (LIS). Design/methodology/approach – Data derived from a content analysis of sampled research articles published in seven core peer-reviewed Arabic LIS journals and from an inventory of the currently identified Arabic LIS educational institutions, professional associations, and scholarly communication channels were analyzed in terms of Whitley’s theory and relevant LIS research. Findings – The social organization of Arabic LIS has highly influenced its intellectual organization. An analysis of types and diversity of institutional affiliations, determination of terminology, resources and fund accessibility, scholarly communication of intellectual productivity, and research collaboration point to high levels of “tasks uncertainty”, low levels of “mutual dependency” and uncontrolled “reputational autonomy”. Research limitations/implications – Because Arabic LIS institutions, associations, and research channels are poorly represented on the internet or in accessible literature, it was difficult to collect data comprehensively. While the findings are suggestive and are in agreement with views from the Arabic LIS literature, the results cannot be generalized to regions beyond the Arab world. This investigation is not primarily intended as a contribution to the philosophy of LIS, but to describe the development of LIS in the Arab States within a broad social and intellectual framework. Originality/value – While there is a considerable body of theoretically-oriented interpretations for bibliometric findings, no research has been conducted to analyze the social and intellectual dimensions of LIS in the Arab world. This paper also fills a gap for this type of the research in Arabic LIS and creates awareness of Arabic LIS for English-speaking readers.
Use of cybercafés: study of Gaborone City, Botswana

This paper reports on a study to determine the use of cybercafes in Gaborone, Botswana. The study involved questionnaires, interviews and observations of the management and users of the 13 cybercafes in Gaborone. The results showed that the majority of cybercafe users were students, workers and business people. Cybercafes were used largely for communication, entertainment, meeting other people, and for education. The study made recommendations to enhance Internet uptake through cybercafes in Botswana. Privacy and diversity of other services were reasons cited by users for their preference for using cybercafes rather than libraries to access the Web.
Dysferlin deficiency blunts β‐adrenergic‐dependent lusitropic function of mouse heart

Deficiency of dysferlin causes limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy 2B and Miyoshi myopathy with cardiac involvement that leads to dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. The pathogenesis and pathophysiology of dysferlin cardiomyopathy are not fully understood. We studied cardiac phenotypes of young dysferlin gene knockout mice to investigate the primary pathological and pathophysiological changes. In comparison with wild‐type controls, dysferlin‐deficient cardiomyocytes showed slower Ca2+ re‐sequestration, and dysferlin deficiency blunted the β‐adrenergic effect on relaxation and pumping function of ex vivo working hearts. Dysferlin deficiency increased phosphorylation of ventricular myosin light chain 2, suggesting a compensatory response to the impaired cardiac lusitropic function. The data suggest that delayed calcium re‐sequestration and post‐translational modification of myofilament proteins may provide potential targets to develop new treatments for dysferlin cardiomyopathy.
Coping strategies in web searching

Purpose – This paper seeks to report selective findings of a wider study to identify the mechanisms that end users employ to overcome their information seeking failure on the web.Design/methodology/approach – Data collection was conducted by semi‐structured and in‐depth interviews. The study adopted a qualitative approach and was carried out based on grounded theory. The biology community at the University of Sheffield was selected as the research population.Findings – Identified coping strategies are divided into active and passive categories. Active strategies such as revising and help‐seeking require further actions to obtain more satisfactory results. In contrast, passive strategies entail less action to modify the situation and mainly relate to accepting the existing circumstances. Web users prioritise their coping strategies according to the importance of the search topic and their determination to fulfil the search successfully. They develop coping strategies through training courses, using trial a.
Effects of unsaturated fatty acids on the kinetics of voltage‐gated proton channels heterologously expressed in cultured cells

Arachidonic acid (AA) greatly enhances the activity of the voltage‐gated proton (Hv) channel, although its mechanism of action and physiological function remain unclear. In the present study, we analysed the effects of AA on proton currents through Hv channels heterologously expressed in HEK293T cells. The dramatic increase in proton current amplitude elicited by AA was accompanied by accelerated activation kinetics and a leftward shift in the voltage‐dependence of activation. Mutagenesis studies suggest the two aforementioned effects of AA reflect two distinct structural mechanisms. Application of phospholipase A2, which liberates AA from phospholipids in the membrane, also enhances Hv channel activity, supporting the idea that AA modulates Hv channel activity within physiological contexts.
Emerging roles for vascular smooth muscle cell exosomes in calcification and coagulation

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic conversion from a contractile to ‘synthetic’ state contributes to vascular pathologies including restenosis, atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. We have recently found that the secretion of exosomes is a feature of ‘synthetic’ VSMCs and that exosomes are novel players in vascular repair processes as well as pathological vascular thrombosis and calcification. Pro‐inflammatory cytokines and growth factors as well as mineral imbalance stimulate exosome secretion by VSMCs, most likely by the activation of sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 3 (SMPD3) and cytoskeletal remodelling. Calcium stress induces dramatic changes in VSMC exosome composition and accumulation of phosphatidylserine (PS), annexin A6 and matrix metalloproteinase‐2, which converts exosomes into a nidus for calcification. In addition, by presenting PS, VSMC exosomes can also provide the catalytic surface for the activation of coagulation factors. Recent data showing that VSMC exosomes are loaded with proteins and miRNA regulating cell adhesion and migration highlight VSMC exosomes as potentially important communication messengers in vascular repair. Thus, the identification of signalling pathways regulating VSMC exosome secretion, including activation of SMPD3 and cytoskeletal rearrangements, opens up novel avenues for a deeper understanding of vascular remodelling processes.
Significance of urinary binucleated podocytes in IgA nephropathy

Background: We have reported clinico-pathological significance of podocytes excreted in urine in previous papers. During these studies we found the presence of binucleated podocytes in urine. The aim of the present study was to look for the significance of urinary binucleated podocytes in IgA nephropathy. Patients and methods: 123 patients aged 2–25-year-old with various renal diseases were studied: UTI, five cases; nephrotic syndrome, 30 cases; MGN, three cases; MPGN, six cases; Alport syndrome, five cases; lupus nephritis, seven cases; HSPN, 12 cases; IgA GN, 50 cases. A total of 1225 urine samples from these diseases were examined. As a control, 203 urine samples from 100 normal healthy children were examined. Usual IF using monoclonal antibody to podocalyxin was used to detect urinary podocytes and binucleated podocytes. The presence of urinary binucleated podocytes were confirmed by immunoelectron microscopic examination and confocal immunofluorescent examination. Pathological changes were scored into six items: acute intracapillary, chronic intracapillary, acute extracapillary, chronic extracapillary, acute tubulo-interstitial and chronic tubulo-interstitial lesions. Results: 1 Urinary binucleated podocytes were found in various renal disases. 2 In IgA GN, patients with u-binucleated podocytes had significantly higher level of proteinuria. 2 The number of u-binucleated podocytes paralleled that of u-mononucleated podocytes. 4. Patients with u-binucleated podocytes had significantly more acute lesions histologically. Conclusion: Urinary binucleated podocytes were found in IgA GN with acute glomerular lesions.
The Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on Neonatal Outcomes in Iranian Hospitals: A Review

Context: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a supportive technique that beings at the neonatal period and is one of the skin-to-skin contact methods of holding neonate by mother. This method has an important role in exclusive breastfeeding and thermal care of neonates. This study aimed to investigate the application of KMC and evaluate the effect of this technique in different neonatal outcomes, particularly in Iranian neonates. Moreover, this review can be a tool for formative evaluation for this newly introduced treatment intervention in Iran. Evidence Acquisition: This review was conducted in national and international databases concerning experience with KMC on term and preterm neonates admitted in Iranian hospitals from 2006 to 2014. The measured outcomes included physiologic, psychologic, and clinical effects of this practice on newborn infants. Results: In this study, 42 Persian and English language papers were reviewed and finally 26 articles were selected. Various effects of KMC on different factors such as analgesia; physiological effects, breastfeeding, icterus, length of hospitalization, infection, psychologic effects, and weight gain were found. Conclusions: The results showed that as a simple and suitable strategy for increasing the health status of the mothers and newborns, KMC had an important role in improvement of neonatal outcomes in neonatal wards of Iranian hospitals in recent ten years. Therefore, promoting this technique in all neonatal wards of the country can promote health status of this population.
Rebuttal from Ulrik Wisløff, Jeff Coombes and Øivind Rognmo

We appreciate the discussion with Drs Holloway and Spriet about the role of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate intensity endurance training (ET) in risk reduction or treatment of chronic disease (Holloway and Spriet, 2015). Unsurprisingly, we do have a few comments to their views. Firstly, when presenting evidence for the negative effects of HIIT they present data from their single rat study (published across two articles) using a model of hypertension-induced heart failure. From these findings we would agree that HIIT doesn’t look advisable for our furry friends. However, other studies in ‘furry hypertensive models’ indicate that HIIT may be highly beneficial (e.g. Bowen et al. 2015). In clinical ‘hypertensive-trials’ directly comparing ET and HIIT, data suggests that HIIT is a highly potent, and more so than ET, blood pressure lowering drug (e.g. Molmen-Hansen et al. 2012). Secondly, although the majority of studies on HIIT have been undertaken in healthy subjects there exists enough evidence from more than 50 clinical trials in different patient groups to conclude that HIIT may be a very beneficial ‘drug’ for improved cardiovascular health profile (e.g. Guiraud et al. 2012; MolmenHansen et al. 2012; Hollekim-Strand et al. 2014; Weston et al. 2014; Chrysohoou et al. 2015). Furthermore, they present comparisons of longer-term ET and HIIT on blood pressure using data from the Osaka Gas Company study. In this observational study people were asked if they did higher intensity exercise not HIIT. We do agree with Drs Holloway and Spriet that there exists no large randomized clinical trial with hard endpoints (e.g. mortality) using both HIIT and ET, and we are doing this now (Stensvold et al. 2015). In terms of safety, and the need of a moderate intensity pre-conditioning phase prior to HIIT, more studies are always wanted, but to date there is no evidence that ET is safer than HIIT, or that a pre-conditioning phase improves safety. Thirdly, and contrary to the authors’ statement, there is a myriad of papers describing the cellular effects of both ET and HIIT, in addition to more than 40 papers from our groups the last 15 years (e.g. Wisloff et al. 2009). The majority of these studies also suggest that ‘HIIT wins over ET’. In summary, we continue to believe that HIIT does have a role in risk reduction and the treatment of chronic disease and quote O ́Keefe and Lavie: ‘Regular vigorous exercise is probably the single best step a person can take to ensure robust cardiovascular health’ (O’Keefe & Lavie, 2013).
The International Journal of Biostatistics Statistical Classification of Abnormal Blood Profiles in Athletes

Blood doping has been challenging the scientific community since the early 1970's, where it was demonstrated that blood transfusion significantly improves physical performance. Here, we present through 3 applications how statistical classification techniques can assist the implementation of effective tests to deter blood doping in elite sports. In particular, we developed a new indirect and universal test of blood doping, called Abnormal Blood Profile Score (ABPS), based on the statistical classification of indirect biomarkers of altered erythropoiesis. Up to 601 hematological profiles have been compiled in a reference database. Twenty-one of them were obtained from blood samples withdrawn from professional athletes convicted of blood doping by other direct tests. Discriminative training algorithms were used jointly with cross-validation techniques to map these labeled reference profiles to target outputs. The strict cross-validation procedure facilitates the adherence to medico-legal standards mandated by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA). The test has a sensitivity to recombinant erythropoietin (rhEPO) abuse up to 3 times better than current generative models, independently whether the athlete is currently taking rhEPO or has stopped the treatment. The test is also sensitive to any form of blood transfusion, autologous transfusion included. We finally conclude why a probabilistic approach should be encouraged for the evaluation of evidence in anti-doping area of investigation.
Time‐course proteome analysis of developing extrafloral nectaries of Ricinus communis

Floral and extrafloral nectaries are unique organs that secrete energy rich chemical components, but their contribution for nectar production is largely unknown. Here, we present the first comparative proteome dataset of four developmental stages of the extrafloral nectaries from castor plant (Ricinus communis), an important biofuel crop. Respectively, from stage I—IV, we identified 626, 613, 449 and 356 proteins, respectively, summing up 882 nonredundant proteins. Surprisingly, we identified two isoforms of the potent toxin ricin, indicating that ricin expression is not limited to seeds, but it may serve a general defense purpose for the castor plant. To date, this is the most complete dataset of proteins either from floral or extrafloral nectaries, thus contributing to lay the foundations for investigations on their ecological and evolutionary importance.