Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carbon black nanoparticles induce HDAC6-mediated inflammatory responses in 16HBE cells

Long-term inhalation of carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs) leads to pulmonary inflammatory diseases. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) has been identified as an important regulator in the development of inflammatory disorders. However, the direct involvement of HDAC6 in CBNPs-induced pulmonary inflammatory responses remains unclear. To explore whether HDAC6 participates in CBNPs-induced pulmonary inflammation, human bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBE cells) was transfected with HDAC6 small interference RNA (siRNA) and then exposed to CBNPs at concentrations of 0, 25, and 50 µg/ml for 24 h. Intracellular HDAC6 and intraflagellar transport protein 88 (IFT88) mRNA and protein were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. The secretions of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CBNPs induced a significant increase in the expressions of IL-8 and IL-6, accompanied by a high level of intracellular HDAC6 mRNA when compared with a blank control group (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes in the levels of TNF-α secretion, intracellular HDAC6 and IFT88 protein induced by CBNPs (p > 0.05). The HDAC6 mRNA expression was significantly suppressed in HDAC6 siRNA-transfected cells (p < 0.05). The secretions of IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-6 were significantly less in HDAC6 siRNA-transfected cells than that in normal 16HBE cells with exposure to 25 or 50 µg/ml of CBNPs, but intracellular IFT88 mRNA expression was markedly increased in HDAC6 siRNA-transfected cells when compared with normal 16HBE cells exposed to 50 µg/ml of CBNPs (all p < 0.05). Downregulation of the HDAC6 gene inhibits CBNPs-induced inflammatory responses in bronchial epithelial cells, partially through regulating IFT88 expression. It is suggested that CBNPs may trigger inflammatory responses in bronchial epithelial cells by an HDAC6/IFT88-dependent pathway.
Toward Discriminating and Synthesizing Motion Traces Using Deep Probabilistic Generative Models

Mining knowledge from human mobility, such as discriminating motion traces left by different anonymous users, also known as the trajectory-user linking (TUL) problem, is an important task in many applications requiring location-based services (LBSs). However, it inevitably raises an issue that may be aggravated by TUL, i.e., how to defend against location attacks (e.g., deanonymization and location recovery). In this work, we present a Semisupervised Trajectory- User Linking model with Interpretable representation and Gaussian mixture prior (STULIG)—a novel deep probabilistic framework for jointly learning disentangled representation of user trajectories in a semisupervised manner and tackling the location recovery problem. STULIG characterizes multiple latent aspects of human trajectories and their labels into separate latent variables, which can be then used to interpret user check-in styles and improve the performance of trace classification. It can also generate synthetic yet plausible trajectories, thus protecting users’ actual locations while preserving the meaningful mobility information for various machine learning tasks. We analyze and evaluate STULIG’s ability to learn disentangled representations, discriminating human traces and generating realistic motions on several real-world mobility data sets. As demonstrated by extensive experimental evaluations, in addition to outperforming the state-of-the-art methods, our method provides intuitive explanations of the classification and generation and sheds lights on the interpretable mobility mining.
Modifying Faba Bean Protein Concentrate Using Dry Heat to Increase Water Holding Capacity

We investigated the effect of dry-heat treatment on the properties of faba bean protein concentrate using soy protein concentrate as a benchmark. While soy protein—widely used as an ingredient in meat replacers—is recovered through a wet fractionation, protein recovery from starch bearing pulses like faba bean can be done via dry fractionation. This process does not require drying or heating steps and therefore, keeps the original protein functionality intact. This results in differences in properties such as water binding capacity of the protein fraction. Faba bean protein concentrate was dry-heated at temperatures from 75–175 °C, which resulted in higher water-holding capacity and less soluble protein, approaching values of soy protein concentrate. These changes were due to partial denaturation of protein, changing the structure of the protein, and exposing hydrophobic sites. This led to protein aggregation, as observed by light microscopy. Only noncovalent bonds caused the decrease of solubility of dry-heated faba bean protein concentrate. We conclude that dry-heating of dry fractionated faba bean protein can change the functional properties of the protein fraction to desired properties for certain applications. The effect is similar to that on soy, but the underlying mechanisms differ.
Cordycepin research and exploitation:progress and problems

Cordycepin,the first nucleoside antibiotic isolated from Fungi,has been a hotspot nowadays due to a variety of bio-activities,such as antimicrobial,anti-tumor,anti-inflammatory activities and so on.The previous studies on cordycepin,including the fungal sources,extraction,purification and molecular biology,were summarized in the present paper.The patents on cordycepin both at home and abroad have also been analyzed and evaluated.It was suggested that broadening the fungal strain sources,optimizing the method of extraction and purification as well as deepening the research on biosynthesis pathway are useful to overcome the bottleneck in cordycepin production.In addition,the importance of the scientific names used in the study of mycology was emphasized.
Effects of Anthocyanin Extracts from Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and Purple Potato (Solanum tuberosum L. var. ‘Synkeä Sakari’) on the Plasma Metabolomic Profile of Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats

This study compared the effects of the nonacylated and acylated anthocyanin-rich extracts on plasma metabolic profiles of Zucker diabetic fatty rats. The rats were fed with the nonacylated anthocyanin extract from bilberries (NAAB) or the acylated anthocyanin extract from purple potatoes (AAPP) at daily doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight for 8 weeks. 1H NMR metabolomics was used to study the changes in plasma metabolites. A reduced fasting plasma glucose level was seen in all anthocyanin-fed groups, especially in the groups fed with NAAB. Both NAAB and AAPP decreased the levels of branched-chain amino acids and improved lipid profiles. AAPP increased the glutamine/glutamate ratio and decreased the levels of glycerol and metabolites involved in glycolysis, suggesting improved insulin sensitivity, gluconeogenesis, and glycolysis. AAPP decreased the hepatic TBC1D1 and G6PC messenger RNA level, suggesting regulation of gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis. This study indicated that AAPP and NAAB affected the plasma metabolic profile of diabetic rats differently.
Comparative Analysis of Primer–Probe Sets for RT-qPCR of COVID-19 Causative Virus (SARS-CoV-2)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly emerging human infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, also previously known as 2019-nCoV). Within 8 months of the outbreak, more than 10,000,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide. Since human-to-human transmission occurs easily and the rate of human infection is rapidly increasing, sensitive and early diagnosis is essential to prevent a global outbreak. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced various primer–probe sets for SARS-CoV-2 developed at different institutions: China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC, China), Charité (Germany), The University of Hong Kong (HKU, Hong Kong), National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Japan (Japan NIID, Japan), National Institute of Health in Thailand (Thailand NIH, Thailand), and US CDC (USA). In this study, we compared the ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA among seven primer–probe sets for the N gene and three primer–probe sets for the Orf1 gene. The results revealed that “NIID_2019-nCOV_N” from the Japan NIID and “ORF1ab” from China CDC represent a recommendable performance of RT-qPCR analysis for SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostics without nonspecific amplification and cross-reactivity for hCoV-229E, hCoV-OC43, and MERS-CoV RNA. Therefore, the appropriate combination of NIID_2019-nCOV_N (Japan NIID) and ORF1ab (China CDC) sets should be selected for sensitive and reliable SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostics.
Possibilities to estimate the personal UV radiation exposure from ambient UV radiation measurements

People are exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) throughout their entire lives. Exposure to UVR is vital but also poses serious risks. The quantification of human UVR exposure is a complex issue. Personal UVR exposure is related to ambient UVR as well as to a variety of factors such as the orientation of the exposed anatomical site with respect to the sun and the duration of exposure. This is mainly determined by personal behaviour. A variety of efforts have been made in the past to measure or model the personal UVR exposure of people and often personal UVR exposure has been expressed as the percentage of ambient UVR. On the other hand, ambient UVR is being monitored at a variety of places and measurements are available even online. This suggests that both the knowledge of personal UVR exposure and measurements of ambient UVR is required. In this paper, a summary on the different methods, which use ambient UVR measurements to estimate personal UVR exposure of people, as well as a few examples, are given. Advantages and disadvantages will be discussed as well as possibilities and limitations. This also includes an overview of appropriate terminology, units and basic statistic parameters to describe personal UVR exposure.
Augmented Reality System for Digital Rectal Examination Training and Assessment: System Validation

Background Digital rectal examination is a difficult examination to learn and teach because of limited opportunities for practice; however, the main challenge is that students and tutors cannot see the finger when it is palpating the anal canal and prostate gland inside the patients. Objective This paper presents an augmented reality system to be used with benchtop models commonly available in medical schools with the aim of addressing the problem of lack of visualization. The system enables visualization of the examining finger, as well as of the internal organs when performing digital rectal examinations. Magnetic tracking sensors are used to track the movement of the finger, and a pressure sensor is used to monitor the applied pressure. By overlaying a virtual finger on the real finger and a virtual model on the benchtop model, students can see through the examination and finger maneuvers. Methods The system was implemented in the Unity game engine (Unity Technologies) and uses a first-generation HoloLens (Microsoft Inc) as an augmented reality device. To evaluate the system, 19 participants (9 clinicians who routinely performed digital rectal examinations and 10 medical students) were asked to use the system and answer 12 questions regarding the usefulness of the system. Results The system showed the movement of an examining finger in real time with a frame rate of 60 fps on the HoloLens and accurately aligned the virtual and real models with a mean error of 3.9 mm. Users found the movement of the finger was realistic (mean 3.9, SD 1.2); moreover, they found the visualization of the finger and internal organs were useful for teaching, learning, and assessment of digital rectal examinations (finger: mean 4.1, SD 1.1; organs: mean 4.6, SD 0.8), mainly targeting a novice group. Conclusions The proposed augmented reality system was designed to improve teaching and learning of digital rectal examination skills by providing visualization of the finger and internal organs. The initial user study proved its applicability and usefulness.
Interdiction of Protein Folding for Therapeutic Drug Development in SARS CoV-2

In this article, we predict the folding initiation events of the ribose phosphatase domain of protein Nsp3 and the receptor binding domain of the spike protein from the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus-2. The calculations employ the sequential collapse model and the crystal structures to identify the segments involved in the initial contact formation events of both viral proteins. The initial contact locations may provide good targets for therapeutic drug development. The proposed strategy is based on a drug binding to the contact location, thereby aiming to prevent protein folding. Peptides are suggested as a natural choice for such protein folding interdiction drugs.
Disrupting the system constructively: Testing the effectiveness of nonnormative nonviolent collective action.

Collective action research tends to focus on motivations of the disadvantaged group, rather than on which tactics are effective at driving the advantaged group to make concessions to the disadvantaged. We focused on the potential of nonnormative nonviolent action as a tactic to generate support for concessions among advantaged group members who are resistant to social change. We propose that this tactic, relative to normative nonviolent and to violent action, is particularly effective because it reflects constructive disruption: a delicate balance between disruption (which can put pressure on the advantaged group to respond) and perceived constructive intentions (which can help ensure that the response to action is a conciliatory one). We test these hypotheses across 4 contexts (total N = 3650). Studies 1-3 demonstrate that nonnormative nonviolent action (compared with inaction, normative nonviolent action, and violent action) is uniquely effective at increasing support for concessions to the disadvantaged among resistant advantaged group members (compared with advantaged group members more open to social change). Study 3 shows that constructive disruption mediates this effect. Study 4 shows that perceiving a real-world ongoing protest as constructively disruptive predicts support for the disadvantaged, whereas Study 5 examines these processes longitudinally over 2 months in the context of an ongoing social movement. Taken together, we show that nonnormative nonviolent action can be an effective tactic for generating support for concessions to the disadvantaged among those who are most resistant because it generates constructive disruption. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
The Experience of Post-Stroke Pain and The Impact on Quality of Life: An Integrative Review

Background: Many people experience post-stroke pain (PSP). It is a long-term consequence of stroke that commonly goes unrecognised and untreated. As a result, an integrative review is needed to identify the primary factors that affect PSP and determine the impact on quality of life (QOL). Methods: An integrative review using a quantitatively led data synthesis, supported by qualitative evidence, was conducted. Results: Fourteen studies were identified and 2415 (968 females, 1447 males) people were included. Five primary themes were identified as effecting the experience of PSP; anxiety, depression, fatigue, cognitive function and physical function. Anxiety, depression and fatigue increase PSP. Pain, depression, fatigue and reduced physical function lower QOL. Conclusions: It is essential that clinicians recognise PSP in order to optimize QOL and function post-stroke. Further research is needed to employ a strategy to identify and objectively quantify PSP and its impact on QOL.
Leptospiral LPS escapes mouse TLR4 internalization and TRIF‑associated antimicrobial responses through O antigen and associated lipoproteins

Leptospirosis is a worldwide re-emerging zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. All vertebrate species can be infected; humans are sensitive hosts whereas other species, such as rodents, may become long-term renal carrier reservoirs. Upon infection, innate immune responses are initiated by recognition of Microbial Associated Molecular Patterns (MAMPs) by Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs). Among MAMPs, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is recognized by the Toll-Like-Receptor 4 (TLR4) and activates both the MyD88-dependent pathway at the plasma membrane and the TRIF-dependent pathway after TLR4 internalization. We previously showed that leptospiral LPS is not recognized by the human-TLR4, whereas it signals through mouse-TLR4 (mTLR4), which mediates mouse resistance to acute leptospirosis. However, although resistant, mice are known to be chronically infected by leptospires. Interestingly, the leptospiral LPS has low endotoxicity in mouse cells and is an agonist of TLR2, the sensor for bacterial lipoproteins. Here, we investigated the signaling properties of the leptospiral LPS in mouse macrophages. Using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, we showed that the LPS of L. interrogans did not induce internalization of mTLR4, unlike the LPS of Escherichia coli. Consequently, the LPS failed to induce the production of the TRIF-dependent nitric oxide and RANTES, both important antimicrobial responses. Using shorter LPS and LPS devoid of TLR2 activity, we further found this mTLR4-TRIF escape to be dependent on both the co-purifying lipoproteins and the full-length O antigen. Furthermore, our data suggest that the O antigen could alter the binding of the leptospiral LPS to the co-receptor CD14 that is essential for TLR4-TRIF activation. Overall, we describe here a novel leptospiral immune escape mechanism from mouse macrophages and hypothesize that the LPS altered signaling could contribute to the stealthiness and chronicity of the leptospires in mice.
Impact of arterio–ventricular interaction on first-phase ejection fraction in aortic stenosis

Abstract Aims First-phase ejection fraction (EF1), the EF at the time to peak aortic jet velocity, has been proposed as a novel marker of peak systolic function in aortic stenosis (AS). This study aimed to explore the association of myocardial contractility and arterial load with EF1 in AS patients. Methods and results Data from a prospective, cross-sectional study of 114 patients with mild, moderate, and severe AS with preserved left ventricular EF (>50%) were analysed. EF1 was measured as the volume change from end-diastole to the time that corresponded to peak aortic jet velocity. Myocardial contractility was assessed by strain rate measured by speckle tracking echocardiography. Arterial stiffness was assessed by central pulse pressure/stroke volume index ratio (PP/SVi). The total study population included 48% women, median age was 73 years, and mean peak aortic jet velocity was 3.47 m/s. In univariable linear regression analyses, lower EF1 was associated with higher age, higher peak aortic jet velocity, lower global EF, lower global longitudinal strain, lower strain rate, and higher PP/SVi. There was no significant association between EF1 and heart rate or sex. In multivariable linear regression analysis, EF1 was associated with lower strain rate and higher PP/SVi, independent of AS severity. Replacing PP/SVi by valvular impedance did not change the results. Conclusion In patients with AS, reduced myocardial contractility and increased arterial load were associated with lower EF1 independent of the severity of valve stenosis.
Voltage-gated potassium channel proteins and stereoselective S-nitroso-l-cysteine signaling

S-nitroso-l-cysteine (L-CSNO) behaves as a ligand. Its soluble guanylate cyclase–independent (sGC-independent) effects are stereoselective — that is, not recapitulated by S-nitroso-d-cysteine (D-CSNO) — and are inhibited by chemical congeners. However, candidate L-CSNO receptors have not been identified. Here, we have used 2 complementary affinity chromatography assays — followed by unbiased proteomic analysis — to identify voltage-gated K+ channel (Kv) proteins as binding partners for L-CSNO. Stereoselective L-CSNO–Kv interaction was confirmed structurally and functionally using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy; hydrogen deuterium exchange; and, in Kv1.1/Kv1.2/Kvβ2-overexpressing cells, patch clamp assays. Remarkably, these sGC-independent L-CSNO effects did not involve S-nitrosylation of Kv proteins. In isolated rat and mouse respiratory control (petrosyl) ganglia, L-CSNO stereoselectively inhibited Kv channel function. Genetic ablation of Kv1.1 prevented this effect. In intact animals, L-CSNO injection at the level of the carotid body dramatically and stereoselectively increased minute ventilation while having no effect on blood pressure; this effect was inhibited by the L-CSNO congener S-methyl-l-cysteine. Kv proteins are physiologically relevant targets of endogenous L-CSNO. This may be a signaling pathway of broad relevance.
Knockdown of Tcirg1 inhibits large-osteoclast generation by down-regulating NFATc1 and IP3R2 expression

The TCIRG1 gene encodes the a3 isoform of vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase), which forms a proton transport channel in osteoclasts. Defects in this gene lead to functional impairment of osteoclasts and increased bone mass; however, the molecular mechanisms of TCIRG1 loss have not been fully elucidated. In the current study, we transfected mouse bone marrow-derived monocytes with control or Tcirg1-knockdown lentiviruses to further investigate the mechanisms of TCIRG1. Our results demonstrate that knockdown of Tcirg1 inhibits large-osteoclast (>100 μm) generation by decreasing the expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1 (NFATc1) and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 2 (IP3R2). The decreased IP3R2 reduces intracellular calcium levels, which limits the nuclear translocation of NFATc1 in RANKL-induced mouse bone marrow-derived monocytes. These findings provide a mechanism to explain the effects of TCIRG1 impairment, with potential implications for the development of therapies for osteopetrosis.
Protrusion of the carotid canal into the sphenoid sinuses: evaluation before endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery.

BACKGROUND Many reports have previously indicated the vast number of anatomical variations of the sphenoid sinuses, e.g. presence of the recesses. Notwithstanding, there are a few crucial neurovascular structures directly neighbouring with the sinuses. The following research aimed to evaluate frequency prevalence of the carotid canal's protrusion into the sphenoid sinuses in adult population. MATERIALS AND METHODS Computed tomography (CT) scans of the paranasal sinuses of 296 patients (147 females, 149 males) were analysed in this retrospective study. The patients did not present any pathologies in the sinuses. Spiral CT scanner- -Siemens Somatom Sensation 16 was used in the standard procedure in the option Siemens CARE Dose 4D. RESULTS Protrusion of the carotid canal was found in the majority of the patients - 55.74%, more frequently in males (65.1% of the patients) than in females (46.26% of the patients). The said variant - regardless of gender - was noted more often bilaterally (41.55% of the cases: 29.93% females, 53.02% males) than unilaterally (14.19% of the cases: 16.33% females, 12.08% males). In the unilateral type (regardless of gender), the protrusion was more common for the left sphenoid sinus - 10.81% of the patients (12.24% females, 9.4% males) than for the right - 3.38% of the patients (4.08% females, 2.68% males). CONCLUSIONS Complicated structure of the paranasal sinuses, derived from the high prevalence of their anatomical variations, may perplex routine surgical interventions. Henceforth, referral for aCT scan is imperative in order to abate the risks associated with an invasive procedure in the said region.