Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Symptom appraisal in uncertainty: a theory-driven thematic analysis with survivors of childhood cancer

Abstract Objective Somatic symptoms capture attention, demand interpretation, and promote health behaviors. Symptom appraisal is particularly impactful within uncertain health contexts such as cancer survivorship. Yet, little is known about how individuals make sense of somatic symptoms within uncertain health contexts, nor how this process guides health behaviors. Design 25 adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer completed semi-structured interviews regarding how they appraise and respond to changing somatic sensations within the uncertain context of survivorship. Main Outcome Measures Interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to a hybrid deductive-inductive thematic analysis, guided by the Cancer Threat Interpretation model. Results We constructed three themes. Symptoms as signals of bodily threat (theme 1) captured that participants described commonly interpreting and worrying about everyday sensations as indicating cancer recurrence or new illness. Playing detective with bodily signals (theme 2) captured participants' felt need to employ cognitive and behavioral strategies to determine whether somatic sensations indicated a credible health threat. These two themes are qualified by the final theme, Living with symptom-related uncertainty (theme 3), which captured participants' recognition that post-cancer symptoms are wily and influenced by psychological factors such as anxiety. Conclusions These data highlight that making sense of everday somatic sensations can be particularly challenging following an experience of cancer. There is a need for novel symptom management approaches that target how somatic sensations are appraised and responded to as signals of bodily threat.
Arthropod toxins inhibiting Ca2+ and Na+ channels prevent AC‐1001 H3 peptide‐induced apoptosis

Peptide toxins of arthropods are one of the potential sources of bioactive substances. Toxins are able to bind to calcium channels and block them. Ca2+ ions play an important role in many cell processes, in particular, in apoptosis. In this work, we study the effect of some arthropod toxins on intracellular processes associated with the induction of apoptosis.
Modulation of signal transduction pathways by dietary cancer chemopreventive agents

Matthew Simon Squires The means by which the dietary cancer chemopreventive agents, curcumin, epigallocatechin3-gallate (EGCG) and indole-3-carbinol (I3C) inhibit growth of human breast cell lines was investigated by examining their effects on various signal transduction pathways. Curcumin inhibited the growth of HBL 100, T47D and MDA 468 cell lines to a similar extent (IC50 5pM), while EGCG and I3C were most effective against the MDA 468 line (IC50 10pM and 40 pM respectively). Curcumin inhibited epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated phosphorylation of the EGF receptor (EGFR) in MDA 468 cells, phosphorylation and activity of extracellular regulated kinases (ERK) 1 and 2 in all three cell lines and Akt phosphorylation induced by several agents in HBL 100 cells. Curcumin inhibited the ability of anisomycin to activate c-jun N terminal kinase (JNK) and MAPK kinase 4 (MKK4), although it did not inhibit activation of p38. Further studies suggested that the target of curcumin upstream of JNK may lie at the MAPK kinase kinase (MEKK) level. EGCG did not inhibit EGFR or ERK phosphorylation. Instead an increase in phosphorylation was observed. Nor did this agent inhibit JNK activity in pre-treated cells, although inhibition was observed when it was added directly to the assay. Similarly EGCG was a potent inhibitor of p38 activity in vitro, but did not affect its ability to activate the downstream kinase MAPK activating protein kinase-2 (MAPKAP K2) when added to cells. I3C had no effect on ERK phosphorylation, JNK or p38 activity. The global effect of curcumin treatment (10pM) on transcription was investigated using cDNA microarrays. Several genes were shown to be affected, including downregulation of a number of matrix metalloproteinases. Results suggest that the three agents mediate their growth inhibitory effects through very different molecular targets. The mode of action of curcumin may include components of the ERK and JNK pathways, while activation of the ERK pathway by EGCG may be involved in some tumour cells. I3C had no effect on any of the pathways investigated so its inhibitory effects must be exerted through a different mechanism.
Analyzing factors affecting quality of life in patients hospitalized with chronic wound

Studies have reported associations between health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), social support, and mental stress of patients with chronic wound, while the causal relationship is unclear and little is known about the HRQOL of hospitalized them. We therefore investigated the status of HRQOL of hospitalized patients with chronic wound and the causal relationships among social support, mental stress (anxiety and depression) and HRQOL of which.
Whole Grain Food Definition Effects on Determining Associations of Whole Grain Intake and Body Weight Changes: A Systematic Review.

Within epidemiological and intervention studies, whole grain consumption has generally shown positive associations with reductions in markers of overweight and obesity. However, studies use varied methods of determining whole grain intake, including different definitions of a whole grain food, which may explain varied results. This systematic review aimed to identify how different methods of reporting and calculating whole grain intake, including whole grain food definitions, affect reported associations between whole grain intake and body weight measures in adults. Systematic searching of PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and MEDLINE (all years to 11 June, 2020) identified eligible studies. Cohort and cross-sectional studies assessing whole grain intake and body weight measures in adults were included. Studies that did not specify methods used to calculate whole grain intake were excluded. Twenty-one cross-sectional studies (from 24 articles) and 9 prospective cohort studies (from 7 articles) were included in the review. Many cross-sectional studies showed whole grain intake was, to some degree, significantly associated with body weight measures, whereas associations varied greatly among cohort studies. Studies calculating whole grain intake using total grams of intake, USDA databases, or ≥25% whole grain in combination with listing specific foods, showed consistent beneficial effects of increasing whole grain intake on body weight. Studies with general lists of foods included as "whole grain foods" or lower cut-offs for whole grain content were inconsistent. The majority of studies reported whole grain intake as servings/day or grams whole grain/day. This review suggests that an association between whole grain and body weight measures remains likely, although precise associations are difficult to determine due to heterogeneity in methodologies and an inability to formally compare studies. Moving forward, application of a standardized methodology to calculate whole grain intake is essential.
Zinc alleviates cadmium effects on growth, membrane lipid biosynthesis and peroxidation in Solanum lycopersicum leaves

Abstract The interaction between zinc and cadmium was studied in tomato leaves (Solanum lycopersicum), in a hydroponic medium. Ten-day-old seedlings were treated with 25 μM CdCl2 associated to different concentrations of ZnCl2 (10, 50, 100, and 150 μM). We first observed that seven days after the metallic exposure Zn supply clearly reduced Cd concentration in leaves and simultaneously increased Zn uptake. Moreover, the addition of 10 μM ZnCl2 relieved the leaves growth inhibition observed under Cd stress. At the same concentration (10 μM), Zn repaired the Cd damages on the membrane lipid content and fatty acids composition. In fact, Zn supplementation at low level (10 μM) restored and enhanced the quantities of the total lipid (TL), galactolipids (GL), phospholipids (PL) and neutral lipids (NL) that were reduced by 25 μM CdCl2. There was also a substantial amelioration in total lipid biosynthesis that was noticeably altered with Cd treatment. In 10 μM Zn-Cd treated leaves the [1-14C]acetate incorporation in total lipids as well as in all lipid classes was similar to that of control leaves. Likewise, levels of tri-unsaturated fatty acids that dropped in total lipids of Cd treated leaves showed an increase after supplementation of 10 μM Zn. Moreover, the beneficial effect of the same dose of Zn (10 μM) on Cd toxicity was confirmed by a significant decrease in the oxidative stress state which was marked by a reduction in thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) levels and a reduction in lipoxygenase (LOX, E.C.1.11.1.7) activity that was significantly enhanced by Cd treatment. These results suggest that 10 μM Zn supplementation proved to be inhibitory for Cd-induced oxidative stress and beneficial for the plant’s survival. However, higher Zn concentrations (50, 100 and 150 μM) and Cd are synergistic in their effect on plant growth parameters and lipid content.
Glutathione-S-transferase P1 as a risk factor for Egyptian patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

Background The interest in glutathione-S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes has increased because of their regulatory role in the interaction with critical kinases involved in controlling stress response, apoptosis, and proliferation. GSTP1 is of particular interest with regard to cancer, because many tumors are characterized by high GSTP1 expression. Aim of the work We aimed at evaluating the role of GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Patients and methods We genotyped 40 CML patients and 30 healthy individuals of matched age and sex. Results Wild GSTP1 was found in 15/40 CML patients (37.5%) and in 21/30 (70%) controls, whereas mutant allele (homozygous and heterozygous) was present in 25/40 (62.5%) and 9/30 (30%) CML patients and controls, respectively. The odds ratio for GSTP1 was 3.889 (95% confidence interval, 1.417-10.674; P = 0.009FNx01) with four-fold increased risk for CML. No significant difference in genotype frequency was present between wild and mutant genotypes when age of onset, sex, white blood cell count over 100×10 9 /l at presentation, or smoking status were considered. Conclusion These data indicate that GSTP1 mutant allele may contribute significantly to the susceptibility to CML in a sample of the Egyptian patients. These results should be considered preliminary and must be confirmed in studies with larger sample sizes.
Signal transduction of abscisic acid in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a major role in regulating plant growth and development. Signal transduction is regulated by the protein phosphatases ABI1/ABI2. In this work, 13 interacting proteins of the ABA-response regulator ABI2 were identified from Arabidopsis using yeast interaction analysis. Analysis of DNA and protein sequences revealed that the primary interacting partners of ABI2 included: catalase (ATU43340), fibrillin (AF075598), Erd15 (ATHERD15), RibA (ATHJ0053), glutamyl tRNA synthetase (AF067773), AtHB-6 (ATH5J17), Cab binding protein (CAA39534), hypothetical protein (AF007271), a mitochondrial protein (MIATGENB), peroxiredoxin (CAA71503), and unknown proteins (ATAC006587, AB025622 and AC023628) of Arabidopsis thaliana. Two of them, fibrillin and glutamyl tRNA synthetase (AtGluRS) were selected for further characterisation of their functions in ABA signal pathway. Fibrillin interacted physically with ABI2 and its gene expression was up-regulated by ABA in an ABI1-dependent manner. RNA interference analysis in transgenic plants reveals that fibrillin is likely to act as a negative regulator in ABA signal transduction pathway. AtGluRS revealed a strong preference for ABI1 and abi1 compared to ABI2. Ectopic expression of AtGluRS in Arabidopsis resulted in ABA-hypersensitivity. It supported a role for AtGluRS as a positive regulator in ABA signalling by inhibition of the PP2C activity of the negative regulator ABI1.
Body condition as a quantitative tool to guide hand‐rearing decisions in an endangered seabird

The use of wildlife rehabilitation for conservation is growing, but quantitative criteria are rarely used to guide whether and when to remove animals from the wild. Since 2006, large numbers of African penguin Spheniscus demersus chicks have been abandoned annually when adults enter moult with dependent young still in the nest. As part of conservation initiatives for this endangered species, these chicks were collected and hand reared to fledging age. Post‐release survival has been well documented; in this study we develop models to predict survival of individuals during rehabilitation with the aim of improving hand‐rearing success and guiding the use of scarce resources. For 1455 chicks abandoned between 2008 and 2013, we assessed whether a chick body condition index (BCI) could predict outcome (death or release) and time spent in rearing. In addition, for a subset of 173 chicks in 2012, we assessed whether BCI at admission influenced chick growth rates during rehabilitation and examined whether the use of additional structural measurements and sex provided additional power to predict outcome. Models predicted an 82.9% (95% confidence interval: 73.3–89.5%) release rate for chicks admitted with a BCI >0, the proposed guideline for removal from colonies. This fell below 50% for BCIs < −1.05; 66% of chicks were admitted with BCIs between these thresholds. Adding bill length to BCI improved the relative model fit, but in both cases only ~70% of rehabilitation outcomes were correctly predicted. Chicks that grew more quickly were more likely to be released and, for those that were released, had lower BCI at admission suggesting compensatory growth. Chicks were generally removed at an appropriate time to ensure successful hand‐rearing. However, 32% were admitted in good condition, highlighting the importance of using adaptive management to guide wildlife rehabilitation and the allocation of conservation resources.
Parasites in a hotspot: diversity and specificity patterns of apicomplexans infecting reptiles from the Socotra Archipelago

Abstract Although parasites represent a major component of biodiversity, they remain poorly assessed, especially in remote regions. In this study, we screened 461 reptiles from Socotra, the largest and most biologically diverse archipelago in Arabia. Using 18S rRNA primers, we detected various apicomplexan parasites, namely haemogregarines, sarcocystids and eimeriids. Haemogregarines were the most common and genetically diverse, followed by sarcocystids (genus Sarcocystis) and eimeriids (genera Isospora and Lankesterella). All were related to parasites of other reptiles, including species from Arabia, Northern Africa and Asia. Like their 29 endemic reptile hosts, almost all Socotran parasites presented high genetic divergence and ecological differences from those found elsewhere, and probably represent undescribed endemic species. Among hosts, skinks were the most parasitized, which contrasted with similar studies from other areas, probably due to their more generalist diet and habitat use. As expected due to its high species richness, geckos harboured the highest parasite diversity in the archipelago. Parasite diversity also seemed to be correlated to island size, as the largest island harboured most haplotypes. This study emphasizes the importance of screening parasites in wild hosts from remote regions and of considering host ecology to understand disease transmission across taxa.
Innate Immune Nod1/RIP2 Signaling Is Essential for Cardiac Hypertrophy but Requires Mitochondrial Antiviral Signaling Protein for Signal Transductions and Energy Balance

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Cardiac hypertrophy is a key biological response to injurious stresses such as pressure overload and, when excessive, can lead to heart failure. Innate immune activation by danger signals, through intracellular pattern recognition receptors such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (Nod1) and its adaptor receptor-interacting protein 2 (RIP2), might play a major role in cardiac remodeling and progression to heart failure. We hypothesize that Nod1/RIP2 are major contributors to cardiac hypertrophy, but may not be sufficient to fully express the phenotype alone. Methods: To elucidate the contribution of Nod1/RIP2 signaling to cardiac hypertrophy, we randomized Nod1–/–, RIP2–/–, or wild-type mice to transverse aortic constriction or sham operations. Cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and cardiac function were examined in these mice. Results: Nod1 and RIP2 proteins were upregulated in the heart after transverse aortic constriction, and this was paralleled by increased expression of mitochondrial proteins, including mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS). Nod1–/– and RIP2–/– mice subjected to transverse aortic constriction exhibited better survival, improved cardiac function, and decreased cardiac hypertrophy. Downstream signal transduction pathways that regulate inflammation and fibrosis, including NF (nuclear factor) κB and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)-GATA4/p300, were reduced in both Nod1–/– and RIP2–/– mice after transverse aortic constriction compared with wild-type mice. Coimmunoprecipitation of extracted cardiac proteins and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy showed that Nod1/RIP2 interaction was robust and that this complex also included MAVS as an essential component. Suppression of MAVS expression attenuated the complex formation, NF κB signaling, and myocyte hypertrophy. Interrogation of mitochondrial function compared in the presence or ablation of MAVS revealed that MAVS serves to suppress mitochondrial energy output and mediate fission/fusion related dynamic changes. The latter is possibly linked to mitophagy during cardiomyocytes stress, which may provide an intriguing link between innate immune activation and mitochondrial energy balance under stress or injury conditions. Conclusions: We have identified that innate immune Nod1/RIP2 signaling is a major contributor to cardiac remodeling after stress. This process is critically joined by and regulated through the mitochondrial danger signal adapter MAVS. This novel complex coordinates remodeling, inflammatory response, and mitochondrial energy metabolism in stressed cardiomyocytes. Thus, Nod1/RIP2/MAVS signaling complex may represent an attractive new therapeutic approach toward heart failure.
The Responsiveness of Thymic Stromal Cells to semaphorin-3A

ABSTRACT Background The thymus is responsible for thymocyte differentiation into immunocompetent T lymphocytes. Different cell types in the thymic microenvironment actively cooperate in this process, interacting with the developing thymocytes through soluble factors, extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, and receptors. In addition, this microenvironment can be influenced by several factors, such as semaphorin-3A (Sema3A), which is a multifunctional protein involved in cell migration. We evaluated the Sema3A effects on the cellular parameters and functional features of thymic stromal cells. Methods Thymic stromal cells were obtained by enzymatic digestion of the murine thymus. These cells were treated with Sema3A and evaluated as follows: cell morphology by scanning electron microscope, F-actin cytoskeleton and deposition of ECM molecules by fluorescence microscopy, and adhesion assays with freshly obtained thymocytes. Results The obtained thymic stroma was composed of 67% of thymic epithelial cells (TECs), and 90% of the TECs were positive for the Sema3A receptor neuropilin-1. These cells secreted CXCL12, IL-7 and extended thymocyte survival. Sema3A changed the morphology of thymic stromal cells and promoted F-actin reorganization. In addition, the fibronectin fibers were reoriented, and the laminin production was increased in Sema3A-treated thymic stromal cells. In the adhesion assays, there was an increase in the number of adhered thymocytes when thymic stromal cells were pretreated with Sema3A. Conclusion Our data strongly suggest the active participation of Sema3A in thymic physiology, highlighting its role as an immunomodulatory molecule. This may provide important knowledge for understanding the interactions of thymic cells.
Assessment of Myosteatosis on Computed Tomography by Automatic Generation of a Muscle Quality Map Using a Web-Based Toolkit: Feasibility Study

Background Muscle quality is associated with fatty degeneration or infiltration of the muscle, which may be associated with decreased muscle function and increased disability. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of automated quantitative measurements of the skeletal muscle on computed tomography (CT) images to assess normal-attenuation muscle and myosteatosis. Methods We developed a web-based toolkit to generate a muscle quality map by categorizing muscle components. First, automatic segmentation of the total abdominal muscle area (TAMA), visceral fat area, and subcutaneous fat area was performed using a predeveloped deep learning model on a single axial CT image at the L3 vertebral level. Second, the Hounsfield unit of each pixel in the TAMA was measured and categorized into 3 components: normal-attenuation muscle area (NAMA), low-attenuation muscle area (LAMA), and inter/intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) area. The myosteatosis area was derived by adding the LAMA and IMAT area. We tested the feasibility of the toolkit using randomly selected healthy participants, comprising 6 different age groups (20 to 79 years). With stratification by sex, these indices were compared between age groups using 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Correlations between the myosteatosis area or muscle densities and fat areas were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient r. Results A total of 240 healthy participants (135 men and 105 women) with 40 participants per age group were included in the study. In the 1-way ANOVA, the NAMA, LAMA, and IMAT were significantly different between the age groups in both male and female participants (P≤.004), whereas the TAMA showed a significant difference only in male participants (male, P<.001; female, P=.88). The myosteatosis area had a strong negative correlation with muscle densities (r=–0.833 to –0.894), a moderate positive correlation with visceral fat areas (r=0.607 to 0.669), and a weak positive correlation with the subcutaneous fat areas (r=0.305 to 0.441). Conclusions The automated web-based toolkit is feasible and enables quantitative CT assessment of myosteatosis, which can be a potential quantitative biomarker for evaluating structural and functional changes brought on by aging in the skeletal muscle.