Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sevoflurane Suppresses Colon Cancer Cell Malignancy by Regulating circ-PI4KA

Purpose To explore the effect of SEV on colon cancer cells through circ-PI4KA. Methods The RNA level of circular RNA_0062389, microRNA-331-3p and LIM and SH3 protein 1 was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression was detected by Western blot. Cell proliferation was investigated by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide, cell colony formation and 5-ethynyl-29-deoxyuridine assays. Cell apoptosis was demonstrated using Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double staining assay. Cell migration and invasion were detected by transwell assay. The target relationship between miR-331-3p and circ-PI4KA or LASP1 was predicted by starBase v2.0 online database, and identified by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. The effects between SEV treatment and circ-PI4KA knockdown on tumor formation were presented by in vivo tumor formation assay. Results Circ-PI4KA and LASP1 expressions were dramatically upregulated, while miR-331-3p was downregulated in colon cancer tissues and cells, respectively. SEV exposure significantly decreased the expression of circ-PI4KA and LASP1, but increased miR-331-3p expression. SEV inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis by regulating circ-PI4KA. Furthermore, circ-PI4KA interacted with miR-331-3p, and miR-331-3p interacted with LASP1. SEV inhibited tumor growth by controlling circ-PI4KA in vivo. Conclusion Circ-PI4KA attenuated SEV-treated colon cancer cell malignancy by upregulating LASP1 through binding to miR-331-3p, which provided a new mechanism for studying surgery-mediated therapy of colon cancer.
Plant Feed Additives as Natural Alternatives to the Use of Synthetic Antioxidant Vitamins on Yield, Quality, and Oxidative Status of Poultry Products: A Review of the Literature of the Last 20 Years

Scientific evidence demonstrates that plant feed additives (PFA) can be a viable alternative to synthetic antioxidant vitamins in poultry nutrition. PFA are represented by plants, essential oils, plant extracts, and by-products from herbal or crop processing. The use of PFA in the feed industry has increased in recent years as their biologically active compounds (polyphenols) have demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant effects in food-producing animals. However, few trials have directly compared the effects of PFA with synthetic vitamins. After a systematic literature review of studies comparing the effects of PFA and synthetic vitamins on poultry products in the last 20 years (2000–2020), a total of 44 peer-reviewed articles were included in the present work. A positive effect of PFA on poultry products’ oxidative stability during storage, organoleptic characteristics, and fatty acids profile has been observed without a specific impact on their performances. The effects of PFA are variable but often similar to those of vitamin E, suggesting the opportunity for a partial substitution of the latter in poultry diets.
High-Yield Mucosal Olfactory Ensheathing Cells Restore Loss of Function in Rat Dorsal Root Injury

In a previous study, we reported that no axons were crossing from the severed dorsal roots to the spinal cord using the rat dorsal rhizotomy paradigm. The injury caused ipsilateral deficits of forepaw function. An attempt to restore the function by transplanting cells containing 5% olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) cultured from the olfactory mucosa did not succeed. However, obtaining OECs from the olfactory mucosa has an advantage for clinical application. In the present study, we used the same rhizotomy paradigm, but rats with an injury received cells from a modified mucosal culture containing around 20% OECs mixed in collagen. The forelimb proprioception assessment showed that 80% of the rats receiving the transplants had functional improvement over six weeks of the study. The adhesive removal test showed that the time taken for the rats to notice the adhesive label and remove it almost returned to the normal level after receiving the transplants. Transplanted cells were identified with the expression of green fluorescent protein (ZsGreen). Some regeneration fibres immunostained for neurofilament (NF) or traced by biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) in the injury area were associated with the transplanted cells. The evidence in this study improves the prospect of clinical application using OECs from the olfactory mucosa to treat CNS injuries.
Contribution of Solid Food to Achieve Individual Nutritional Requirement during a Continuous 438 km Mountain Ultramarathon in Female Athlete

Background: Races and competitions over 100 miles have recently increased. Limited information exists about the effect of multiday continuous endurance exercise on blood glucose control and appropriate intake of food and drink in a female athlete. The present study aimed to examine the variation of blood glucose control and its relationship with nutritional intake and running performance in a professional female athlete during a 155.7 h ultramarathon race with little sleep. Methods: We divided the mountain course of 438 km into 33 segments by timing gates and continuously monitored the participant’s glucose profile throughout the ultramarathon. The running speed in each segment was standardized to the scheduled required time-based on three trial runs. Concurrently, the accompanying runners recorded the participant’s food and drink intake. Nutrient, energy, and water intake were then calculated. Results: Throughout the ultramarathon of 155.7 h, including 16.0 h of rest and sleep, diurnal variation had almost disappeared with the overall increase in blood glucose levels (25–30 mg/dL) compared with that during resting (p < 0.0001). Plasma total protein and triglyceride levels were decreased after the ultramarathon. The intake of protein and fat directly or indirectly contributed to maintaining blood glucose levels and running speed as substrates for gluconeogenesis or as alternative sources of energy when the carbohydrate intake was at a lower recommended limit. The higher amounts of nutrient intakes from solid foods correlated with a higher running pace compared with those from liquids and gels to supply carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Conclusion: Carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake from solid foods contributed to maintaining a fast pace with a steady, mild rise in blood glucose levels compared with liquids and gels when female runner completed a multiday continuous ultramarathon with little sleep.
Modified Gold Nanoparticles for Efficient Delivery of Betulinic Acid to Cancer Cell Mitochondria

Advances in nanomedicine have seen the adaptation of nanoparticles (NPs) for subcellular delivery for enhanced therapeutic impact and reduced side effects. The pivotal role of the mitochondria in apoptosis and their potential as a target in cancers enables selective induction of cancer cell death. In this study, we examined the mitochondrial targeted delivery of betulinic acid (BA) by the mitochondriotropic TPP+-functionalized epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-capped gold NPs (AuNPs), comparing the impact of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly-L-lysine-graft-polyethylene glycol (PLL-g-PEG) copolymer on delivery efficacy. This included the assessment of their cellular uptake, mitochondrial localization and efficacy as therapeutic delivery platforms for BA in the human Caco-2, HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. These mitochondrial-targeted nanocomplexes demonstrated significant inhibition of cancer cell growth, with targeted nanocomplexes recording IC50 values in the range of 3.12–13.2 µM compared to that of the free BA (9.74–36.31 µM) in vitro, demonstrating the merit of mitochondrial targeting. Their mechanisms of action implicated high amplitude mitochondrial depolarization, caspases 3/7 activation, with an associated arrest at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. This nano-delivery system is a potentially viable platform for mitochondrial-targeted delivery of BA and highlights mitochondrial targeting as an option in cancer therapy.
The Effect of Contextual Variables on Match Performance across Different Playing Positions in Professional Portuguese Soccer Players

This study investigated the position-specific physical demands of professional Portuguese players. The effects of situational variables on the physical performance demands were also analysed (match location, match half and match result). Match performance observations were collected using Global Navigation Satellite System devices across 11 matches during a competitive season (2019–2020). Data were analysed according to five playing positions: goalkeepers (n = 11), central defenders (n = 42), wide defenders (n = 31), central midfielders (n = 34), open attackers (n = 28), and centre forwards (n = 14). Central midfield players completed the greatest total distance (10,787 ± 1536 m), while central defenders covered the least distance (9272 ± 455; p < 0.001). Open attackers covered the greatest high and very-high-speed distance (1504 ± 363 m), number of high-speed decelerations per match (11 ± 4) and were the fastest players (30.6 ± 1.5 km/h), along with center forwards (30.6 ± 2.0 km/h), versus all other positions (p < 0.05). Greater distances were performed in teams that were winning (9978 ± 1963 m) or drawing (10,395 ± 875 m) versus losing (9415 ± 2050) p = 0.036 and p = 0.006, respectively. Increases in distance covered at walking speeds were observed during the 2nd half (1574 ± 179 m) compared with the 1st half (1483 ± 176; (p < 0.003). A higher number of decelerations across all speeds were performed in the 1st half (144 ± 39) versus the 2nd half (135 ± 37). The distance covered in home matches (10,206 ± 1926 m) far exceeded away matches (9471 ± 1932 m; p < 0.001). The number of faster accelerations were higher in away (7 ± 5) versus home matches (6 ± 4; p < 0.049). The data demonstrate the different physical demands of each playing position and suggest that situational variables influence physical performance. These findings suggest position-specific physical training is required to condition players for the bespoke demands of each playing position.
Clinical Outcome of Dental Implants after Maxillary Sinus Augmentation with and without Bone Grafting: A Retrospective Evaluation

(1) Background: The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate and compare the outcome of two sinus augmentation grafting protocols using a xenograft or blood clot alone over a 72-month follow-up. (2) Methods: Patients who received simultaneous lateral sinus floor augmentation and implant placement were included. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the grafting material, namely xenograft or blood clot, and into sub-groups based on the residual alveolar bone height (RABH) below the maxillary sinus, namely 4 to 6 mm or >6 mm. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were calculated for each material group and for each sub-group at 1, 3, and 6 years. (3) Results: In total, 289 implants inserted in 136 patients with a one-stage procedure were considered. A total of 35 failures were registered. Overall survival rates were 94.2% for xenograft and 85.9% for blood clot alone at 1 year, 91.1% and 81.6% at 3 years, and 91.1% and 78.7% at 6 years. (4) Conclusions: In patients with 4–6 mm RABH, graftless interventions exploiting blood clot alone were not as successful as those using xenograft. When the RABH is low, sinus floor augmentation associated with grafting materials should be preferred whenever possible.
Time-Restricted Feeding and Metabolic Outcomes in a Cohort of Italian Adults

Background: research exploring the effects of food timing and frequency on health and disease is currently ongoing. While there is an increasing body of scientific literature showing the potential health benefits of intermittent fasting (IF) in laboratory settings and in animals, studies regarding IF on humans are limited. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the relationship between the feeding/fasting time window and metabolic outcomes among adult individuals. Methods: dietary and demographic data of 1936 adult subjects living in the south of Italy were examined. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) were administered to determine the period of time between the first and the last meal of a typical day. Subjects were then divided into those with a time feeding window lasting more than 10 h, within 8 h (TRF-8) and within 10 h. Results: after adjustment for potential confounding factors related to eating habits (such as adherence to the Mediterranean diet, having breakfast/dinner), TRF-10 was inversely associated with being overweight/obese (OR = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.07), hypertension (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.45), and dyslipidemias (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.63), while TRF-8 only with being overweight/obese (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.15) and hypertension (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.60). No associations were found with type-2 diabetes. Conclusions: individuals with a restricted feeding time window were less likely to be overweight, obese and hypertensive. Further studies are needed to clearly validate the results of the present study.
Urban–Rural Disparities in the Magnitude and Determinants of Stunting among Children under Five in Tanzania: Based on Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys 1991–2016

Our study aims to examine the disparity of under-5 child stunting prevalence between urban and rural areas of Tanzania in the past three decades, and to explore factors affecting the rural–urban disparity. Secondary analyses of Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHS) data drawn from 1991–1992, 1996, 1999, 2004–2005, 2009–2010, and 2015–2016 surveys were conducted. Under-5 child stunting prevalence was calculated separately for rural and urban children and its decline trends were examined by chi-square tests. Descriptive analyses were used to present the individual-level, household-level, and societal-level characteristics of children, while multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine determinants of stunting in rural and urban areas, respectively. Additive interaction effects were estimated between residence and other covariates. The results showed that total stunting prevalence was declining in Tanzania, but urban–rural disparity has widened since the decline was slower in the rural area. No interaction effect existed between residence and other determinants, and the urban–rural disparity was mainly caused by the discrepancy of the individual-level and household-level factors between rural and urban households. As various types of determinants exist, multisector nutritional intervention strategies are required to address the child stunting problem. Meanwhile, the intervention should focus on targeting vulnerable children, rather than implementing different policies in rural and urban areas.
Sensitization of MCF7 Cells with High Notch1 Activity by Cisplatin and Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Applied Together

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) are promising anti-cancer agents that inhibit proliferation of many types of cancer cells including breast carcinoma (BC) cells. In the present study, we investigated the influence of the Notch1 activity level on the pharmacological interaction between cisplatin (CDDP) and two HDIs, valproic acid (VPA) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, vorinostat), in luminal-like BC cells. The type of drug–drug interaction between CDDP and HDIs was determined by isobolographic analysis. MCF7 cells were genetically modified to express differential levels of Notch1 activity. The cytotoxic effect of SAHA or VPA was higher on cells with decreased Notch1 activity and lower for cells with increased Notch1 activity than native BC cells. The isobolographic analysis demonstrated that combinations of CDDP with SAHA or VPA at a fixed ratio of 1:1 exerted additive or additive with tendency toward synergism interactions. Therefore, treatment of CDDP with HDIs could be used to optimize a combined therapy based on CDDP against Notch1-altered luminal BC. In conclusion, the combined therapy of HDIs and CDDP may be a promising therapeutic tool in the treatment of luminal-type BC with altered Notch1 activity.
Wartość odżywcza i przydatność technologiczna mleka produkowanego w systemie intensywnym i tradycyjnym w trzech rejonach wschodniej Polski

S t r e s z c z e n i e Badaniami objeto 68 gospodarstw zlokalizowanych w 3 rejonach wschodniej Polski, tzn. na nizinach (tereny nadbuzanskie i biebrzansko-narwianskie), w Beskidzie Niskim i Bieszczadach, wyrozniając gospodarstwa produkujące mleko w systemie intensywnym i tradycyjnym. W 1589 probach mleka oznaczono: zawartośc tluszczu, bialka, kazeiny, laktozy i suchej masy, kwasowośc (pH), stabilnośc cieplną, czas krzepniecia mleka pod wplywem podpuszczki, zawartośc α-laktoalbuminy, β-laktoglobuliny, albuminy serum, laktoferyny i lizozymu. W wybranych 298 probkach oznaczono takze profil kwasow tluszczowych. Wykazano istotny (p ≤ 0,01 i p ≤ 0,05) wplyw systemu produkcji mleka (intensywny vs tradycyjny) na podstawowy sklad chemiczny, zawartośc bialek serwatkowych, profil kwasow tluszczowych, kwasowośc, czas krzepniecia i stabilnośc cieplną. Mniej wyraźny, chociaz w wielu przypadkach takze statystycznie istotny byl wplyw rejonu produkcji mleka. Najwiecej skladnikow podstawowych i niektorych frakcji bialek serwatkowych zawieralo mleko pozyskiwane w rejonie Beskidu Niskiego. Moze to wynikac z dominującej w tym rejonie rasą krow (polska czerwona) i wiekszą roznorodnością skladu botanicznego zielonki ląkowej i pastwiskowej. Stwierdzono istotne (p ≤ 0,001) interakcje tych dwoch analizowanych czynnikow, tzn. systemu i rejonu produkcji prawie w przypadku wszystkich ocenianych podstawowych skladnikow mleka i frakcji bialek serwatkowych. Slowa kluczowe: mleko, wartośc odzywcza, przydatnośc technologiczna, lokalne rasy bydla, system produkcji
Development and Validation of an Up-to-Date Highly Sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of Current Anti-HIV Nucleoside Analogues in Human Plasma

Therapeutic options to treat HIV infection have widened in the past years, improving both effectiveness and tolerability, but nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are still considered the standard backbone of the combination regimens. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can be useful for these drugs, due to concentration–effect relationship, with risk of ineffectiveness, toxicity or adherence concerns: in this scenario, robust and multiplexed methods are needed for an effective TDM activity. In this work, the first validated ultra-high spectrometry liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method is described for the high-sensitive simultaneous quantification of all the currently used NRTIs in human plasma, including tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), following FDA and EMA guidelines. The automated sample preparation consisted in the addition of an internal standard (IS) working solution, containing stable-isotope-linked drugs, protein precipitation and drying. Dry extracts were reconstituted with water, then, these underwent reversed phase chromatographic separation: compounds were detected through electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring. Accuracy, precision, recovery and IS-normalized matrix effect fulfilled guidelines’ requirements. The application of this method on samples from people living with HIV (PLWH) showed satisfactory performance, being capable of quantifying the very low concentrations of tenofovir (TFV) in patients treated with TAF.
Is the Cyanobacterial Bloom Composition Shifting Due to Climate Forcing or Nutrient Changes? Example of a Shallow Eutrophic Reservoir

Cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic freshwater is a global threat to the functioning of ecosystems, human health and the economy. Parties responsible for the ecosystems and human health increasingly demand reliable predictions of cyanobacterial development to support necessary decisions. Long-term data series help with identifying environmental drivers of cyanobacterial developments in the context of climatic and anthropogenic pressure. Here, we analyzed 13 years of eutrophication and climatic data of a shallow temperate reservoir showing a high interannual variability of cyanobacterial development and composition, which is a less occurring and/or less described phenomenon compared to recurrant monospecific blooms. While between 2007–2012 Planktothrix agardhii dominated the cyanobacterial community, it shifted towards Microcystis sp. and then Dolichospermum sp. afterwards (2013–2019). The shift to Microcystis sp. dominance was mainly influenced by generally calmer and warmer conditions. The later shift to Dolichospermum sp. was driven by droughts influencing, amongst others, the N-load, as P remained unchanged over the time period. Both, climatic pressure and N-limitation contributed to the high variability of cyanobacterial blooms and may lead to a new equilibrium. The further reduction of P-load in parallel to the decreasing N-load is important to suppress cyanobacterial blooms and ameliorate ecosystem health.
Effect of Cryptorchidism on the Histomorphometry, Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Autophagy in Boar Testes

Simple Summary Body temperature has detrimental effects on sperm quality in mammalian species, including pigs. However, the molecular mechanism of this is not yet well understood. Cryptorchidism is when one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum, which leads the testes to be exposed to the body temperature. The aims of present study were to investigate the effect of body temperature on the histomorphometry, apoptosis and the expression of the proliferation-associated protein PCNA and the autophagy-associated protein LC3 in spontaneous unilateral cryptorchid boar testes. Our findings showed that cryptorchidism had no evident influence on the number of Sertoli cells in boars. In cryptorchid testes, spermatogonia markedly decreased and the seminiferous tubule contained only a few spermatogonia, but did not contain post-meiotic germ cells. The altered seminiferous epithelium of the cryptorchid testis showed a low proliferation of its spermatogonia, with apoptosis and autophagy like that of scrotal testis, which probably entailed a gradual degeneration of the epithelium and the impossibility of its recovery. Although the number of Sertoli cells did not change, it was likely that their functionality was altered and that this affected the proliferation capacity of spermatogonia, causing the arrest of spermatogenesis. Abstract Spontaneous unilateral cryptorchid boars have one testis in the abdomen or inguinal canal, causing its temperature to be at or near the body temperature, which impairs spermatogenesis, although the histomorphometry and molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the histomorphometry, proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy alterations in spermatogonia and Sertoli cells in unilateral cryptorchid, scrotal (contrascrotal), and preweaning piglet (preweaning) testes. Histomorphometrical analysis of cryptorchid testes showed that the seminiferous tubules contained only Sertoli cells and a few spermatogonia, but did not contain post-meiotic germ cells. The number of spermatogonia markedly decreased, and the number of Sertoli cells did not change remarkably in cryptorchid testes. TUNEL assay results showed that apoptosis signals were predominantly observed in spermatogonia. In cryptorchid and contrascrotal testes, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and LC3 were located in spermatogonia. The number of PCNA-positive, TUNEL-positive, and LC3-positive germ cells was low, and the protein and mRNA levels of PCNA and LC3 were significantly decreased in cryptorchid testes. Taken together, the number of Sertoli cells did not change remarkably, whereas the number of germ cells decreased in the cryptorchid testes, compared with that in the contrascrotal testes. Insufficient proliferation, excessive apoptosis, and autophagy were involved in the regulation of the decrease in spermatogonia in cryptorchid boar testes.