Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Many Days are Necessary to Represent Typical Daily Leg Movement Behavior for Infants at Risk of Developmental Disabilities?

Background: Movement characteristics can differentiate between infants at risk and infants with typical development. However, it is unknown how many days are needed to accurately represent typical daily behavior for infants at risk of developmental disabilities when using wearable sensors. To consider the balance between participant burden and the amount of data collected and optimizing the efficiency of data collection, our study determined (1) how many days were necessary to represent typical movement behavior for infants at risk of developmental disabilities and (2) whether movement behavior was different on weekend days and weekdays. Methods: We used Opal wearable sensors to collect at least 5 days of 11 infants’ leg movement data. The standard (average of 5 days) was compared with four methods (average of the first 1/2/3/4 days) using the Bland–Altman plots and the Spearman correlation coefficient. We also compared the data from the average of 2 weekend days to the average of the first 2 weekdays for 8 infants. Results: The Spearman correlation coefficient comparing the average of the first 2 days of data and the standards were all above 0.7. The absolute differences between them were all below 10% of the standards. The Bland–Altman plots showed more than 90% of the data points comparing the average of 2 days and the standards fell into the limit of agreement for each variable. The absolute difference between weekend days and weekdays for the leg movement rate, duration, average acceleration, and peak acceleration was 15.2%, 1.7%, 6.8% and 6.3% of the corresponding standard, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggest 2 days is the optimal amount of data to represent typical daily leg movement behavior of infants at risk of developmental disabilities while minimizing participant burden. Further, leg movement behavior did not differ distinctly across weekend days and weekdays. These results provide supportive evidence for an efficient amount of data collections when using wearable sensors to evaluate movement behavior in infants at risk of developmental disabilities.
Micropropagation of the rare Eucrosia stricklandii (Amaryllidaceae) by twin-scaling and shake liquid culture

Summary Bulbs of E. stricklandii were introduced into in vitro culture by the twin-scaling technique. Different Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 0.5% w/v activated charcoal, naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)/benzyladenine (BA) 0.54/4.44 μM or NAA/Thidiazuron (TDZ) 0.54/0.45 μM were used for shoot induction. Media with different combinations of 2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and BA were tested during the secondary multiplication. The shoots obtained in the multiplication step were then transferred to a liquid medium with different sucrose concentrations (from 0.088 to 0.351 M) to increase biomass. Shoot bulbing was induced in 0.263. M sucrose semi-solid medium without growth regulators. Several media containing different concentrations of NAA (ranging from 0 to 5.37 μM) combined with various sucrose concentrations (from 0.044 to 0.263 M) were also tested for root induction and the bulblets were finally transplanted to soil. The best induction of shoots was obtained in the media with activated charcoal or with TDZ, but those treated with activated charcoal showed a better regeneration rate and the shoots were better formed. The best development of new shoots was obtained in the medium containing 0.45 and 4.44 μM of 2,4-D and BA, respectively. 0.175–0.263 M sucrose in the liquid medium appeared to be the most appropriate condition for increase in biomass. Rooting was promoted by low NAA concentrations (0.537–1.343 μM), and 0.175 M sucrose was the best treatment for root development.
Non-Viral Targeted Nucleic Acid Delivery: Apply Sequences for Optimization

In nature, genomes have been optimized by the evolution of their nucleic acid sequences. The design of peptide-like carriers as synthetic sequences provides a strategy for optimizing multifunctional targeted nucleic acid delivery in an iterative process. The optimization of sequence-defined nanocarriers differs for different nucleic acid cargos as well as their specific applications. Supramolecular self-assembly enriched the development of a virus-inspired non-viral nucleic acid delivery system. Incorporation of DNA barcodes presents a complementary approach of applying sequences for nanocarrier optimization. This strategy may greatly help to identify nucleic acid carriers that can overcome pharmacological barriers and facilitate targeted delivery in vivo. Barcode sequences enable simultaneous evaluation of multiple nucleic acid nanocarriers in a single test organism for in vivo biodistribution as well as in vivo bioactivity.
Chasing the Major Sphingolipids on Earth: Automated Annotation of Plant Glycosyl Inositol Phospho Ceramides by Glycolipidomics

Glycosyl inositol phospho ceramides (GIPCs) are the major sphingolipids on earth, as they account for a considerable fraction of the total lipids in plants and fungi, which in turn represent a large portion of the biomass on earth. Despite their obvious importance, GIPC analysis remains challenging due to the lack of commercial standards and automated annotation software. In this work, we introduce a novel GIPC glycolipidomics workflow based on reversed-phase ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. For the first time, automated GIPC assignment was performed using the open-source software Lipid Data Analyzer (LDA), based on platform-independent decision rules. Four different plant samples (salad, spinach, raspberry, and strawberry) were analyzed and the results revealed 64 GIPCs based on accurate mass, characteristic MS2 fragments and matching retention times. Relative quantification using lactosyl ceramide for internal standardization revealed GIPC t18:1/h24:0 as the most abundant species in all plants. Depending on the plant sample, GIPCs contained mainly amine, N-acetylamine or hydroxyl residues. Most GIPCs revealed a Hex-HexA-IPC core and contained a ceramide part with a trihydroxylated t18:0 or a t18:1 long chain base and hydroxylated fatty acid chains ranging from 16 to 26 carbon atoms in length (h16:0–h26:0). Interestingly, four GIPCs containing t18:2 were observed in the raspberry sample, which was not reported so far. The presented workflow supports the characterization of different plant samples by automatic GIPC assignment, potentially leading to the identification of new GIPCs. For the first time, automated high-throughput profiling of these complex glycolipids is possible by liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry and subsequent automated glycolipid annotation based on decision rules.
Saikosaponin D inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells by inhibiting the STAT3 pathway

Objective To study the effects of saikosaponin D (SSD) on proliferation and apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, and to explore underlying mechanisms. Methods Following treatment with saikosaponin D, A549 and H1299 cells were assessed for anti-proliferation effects using cell cycle kit-8 assays, changes in nuclear morphology using 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, and cell apoptosis using annexin V/propidium iodide double staining. Proliferation- and apoptosis-related proteins were detected by immunoblotting. Results Saikosaponin D had dose-dependent inhibitory effects on A549 cells (IC50, 3.57 µM) and H1299 cells (IC50, 8.46 µM). DAPI staining revealed decreased cell numbers, and most H1299 cells became round after treatment with 20 µM saikosaponin D. As saikosaponin D concentration increased, the proportions of cells in G0/G1 phase, and cells undergoing apoptosis, increased. Levels of phosphorylated p44/42 and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 were significantly downregulated in both cell lines, while total STAT3 levels were not significantly affected. The cleaved form of caspase 3 was significantly upregulated. Conclusions Saikosaponin D inhibits proliferation, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, in lung cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, possibly through inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation and activation of caspase 3.
The Identification and Cost of Acute Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations in a United States Population Healthcare Claims Database

Abstract Almost half of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations are estimated to be inaccurately reported by patients, inconsistently recorded in medical records, or not measured due to coding errors inherent to administrative claims. This retrospective observational study aimed to develop an algorithm capable of detecting acute COPD exacerbations (AECOPD) in healthcare claims and estimate costs associated with AECOPD over a 12-month period. Commercial and Medicare Advantage healthcare plan members (≥40 years old) with evidence of COPD were identified from US healthcare-claims database. To refine the algorithm detecting AECOPD in claims data, sensitivity and positive-predictive value calculations were performed to compare AECOPD identification in healthcare claims versus medical charts. Analyses were also performed to examine total exacerbation-related costs for events identified with the new claims algorithm plus events missed. The final algorithm had a sensitivity of 84.9%, with a positive-predictive value of 67.5%. Medical records were abstracted for 402 patients. In the overall sample of healthcare claims (n = 243,998), the algorithm detected ≥1 AECOPD event in 61.3% of patients. The mean cost per patient during an AECOPD episode, identified by the final algorithm, was USD 6,760 (n = 301), with an incremental average cost of USD 607 (n = 122) to ‘unobserved’ episodes (not reported in claims data) among the chart sample. After multivariate modeling, predicted yearly exacerbation costs translated to USD 1.12 billion per 100,000 patients (USD 12,000 per patient), with 35.76 million associated with unobserved exacerbations. While the final algorithm warrants further validation and study, these findings highlight unobserved AECOPD and their economic burden.
Selective Targeting of αvβ5 Integrin in HepG2 Cell Line by RGDechi15D Peptide

Recently, the research community has become increasingly concerned with the receptor αvβ5, a member of the well-known integrin family. Different ongoing studies have evidenced that αvβ5 integrin regulates not only physiological processes but also a wide array of pathological events, suggesting the receptor as a valuable biomarker to specifically target for therapeutic/diagnostic purposes. Remarkably, in some tumors the involvement of the receptor in cell proliferation, tumor dissemination and angiogenesis is well-documented. In this scenario, the availability of a selective αvβ5 antagonist without ‘off-target’ protein effects may improve survival rate in patients with highly aggressive tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. We recently reported a cyclic peptide, RGDechi15D, obtained by structure-activity studies. To our knowledge it represents the first peptide-based molecule reported in the literature able to specifically bind αvβ5 integrin and not cross react with αvβ3. Here we demonstrated the ability of the peptide to diminish both adhesion and invasion of HepG2 cells, an in vitro model system for hepatocellular carcinoma, to reduce the cell proliferation through an apoptotic process, and to interfere with the PI3K pathway. The peptide, also decreases the formation of new vessels in endothelial cells. Taken together these results indicate that the peptide can be considered a promising molecule with properties suited to be assessed in the future for its validation as a selective therapeutic/diagnostic weapon in hepatocarcinoma.
Improving rehabilitation in sarcopenia: a randomized‐controlled trial utilizing a muscle‐targeted food for special medical purposes

Sarcopenia is a disease associated with aging and a negative prognosis. Consensus‐based treatment consists in targeting muscle mass and function through physical exercise, optimization of protein intake, and vitamin D supplementation, but evidence is lacking. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a muscle‐targeted nutritional support on the outcome of a physical exercise rehabilitation programme.
Enhanced Surveillance for Histoplasmosis-9 States, 2018-2019.

Background Histoplasmosis is often described as the most common endemic mycosis in the United States, but much remains unknown about its epidemiology among the general population. Methods We conducted enhanced surveillance in 9 states during 2018-2019 by identifying cases through routine surveillance and interviewing 301 patients about their clinical features and exposures. Results Before being tested for histoplasmosis, 60% saw a health care provider ≥3 times, and 53% received antibacterial medication. The median time from seeking health care to diagnosis (range) was 23 (0-269) days. Forty-nine percent were hospitalized, and 69% said that histoplasmosis interfered with their daily activities (median [range], 56 [2-3960] days). Possible exposures included handling plants (48%) and bird or bat droppings (24%); 22% reported no specific exposures. Only 15% had heard of histoplasmosis before their illness. Conclusions Histoplasmosis can be severe and prolonged. Additional educational efforts to increase public and provider awareness and reduce delays in diagnosis are needed.
Blockade of bradykinin receptors or angiotensin II type 2 receptor prevents paclitaxel‐associated acute pain syndrome in mice

Paclitaxel (PCX) is the first‐line choice for the treatment of several types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancers. However, patients who receive even a single dose with PCX commonly develop mechanical and cold allodynia, a symptom known as PCX‐associated acute pain syndrome (P‐APS). Here, we assessed possible involvement of kinin–kallikrein and renin‐angiotensin systems in P‐APS in mice.
Repositioning the Alpha Cell in Postprandial Metabolism

Abstract Glucose homeostasis is maintained in large part due to the actions of the pancreatic islet hormones insulin and glucagon, secreted from β- and α-cells, respectively. The historical narrative positions these hormones in opposition, with insulin primarily responsible for glucose-lowering and glucagon-driving elevations in glucose. Recent progress in this area has revealed a more complex relationship between insulin and glucagon, highlighted by data demonstrating that α-cell input is essential for β-cell function and glucose homeostasis. Moreover, the common perception that glucagon levels decrease following a nutrient challenge is largely shaped by the inhibitory effects of glucose administration alone on the α-cell. Largely overlooked is that a mixed nutrient challenge, which is more representative of typical human feeding, actually stimulates glucagon secretion. Thus, postprandial metabolism is associated with elevations, not decreases, in α-cell activity. This review discusses the recent advances in our understanding of how α-cells regulate metabolism, with a particular focus on the postprandial state. We highlight α- to β-cell communication, a term that describes how α-cell input into β-cells is a critical axis that regulates insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis. Finally, we discuss the open questions that have the potential to advance this field and continue to evolve our understanding of the role that α-cells play in postprandial metabolism.
Early adolescent subchronic low-dose nicotine exposure increases subsequent cocaine and fentanyl self-administration in Sprague-Dawley rats.

An exponential rise in nicotine-containing electronic-cigarette use has been observed during the period of adolescence. Preclinical studies have shown that nicotine exposure during early adolescence, but not adulthood, increases subsequent drug intake and reward. Although growing clinical trends highlight that stimulant use disorders are associated with the opioid epidemic, very few studies have assessed the effects of adolescent nicotine exposure on opioid intake. The objective of our current study is to develop a new animal model to assess the causal relationship of adolescent nicotine exposure on subsequent opioid intake. In this effort, we first replicate previous studies using a well-established 4-day nicotine paradigm. Rats are pretreated with a low dose of nicotine (2 × , 30 μg/kg/0.1 mL, intravenous) or saline during early adolescence (postnatal days 28-31) or adulthood (postnatal days 86-89). Following nicotine pretreatment on postnatal day 32 or postnatal day 90, animals underwent operant intravenous self-administration for the psychostimulant, cocaine [500 μg/kg/infusion (inf)] or the opioid, fentanyl (2.5 μg/kg/inf). We successfully show that adolescent but not adult, nicotine exposure enhances cocaine self-administration in male rats. Furthermore, we illustrate early adolescent but not adult nicotine exposure enhances fentanyl self-administration, independent of sex. Overall, our findings highlight that adolescence is a unique period of development that is vulnerable to nicotine-induced enhancement for cocaine and fentanyl self-administration in rats.
Notch3 and DeltaB maintain Müller glia quiescence and act as negative regulators of regeneration in the light‐damaged zebrafish retina

Damage to the zebrafish retina stimulates resident Müller glia to reprogram, reenter the cell cycle, divide asymmetrically, and produce neuronal progenitor cells that amplify and differentiate into the lost neurons. The transition from quiescent to proliferative Müller glia involves both positive and negative regulators. We previously demonstrated that the Notch signaling pathway represses retinal regeneration by maintaining Müller glia quiescence in zebrafish. Here we examine which Notch receptor is necessary to maintain quiescence. Quantitative RT‐PCR and RNA‐Seq analyses reveal that notch3 is expressed in the undamaged retina and is downregulated in response to light damage. Additionally, Notch3 protein is expressed in quiescent Müller glia of the undamaged retina, is downregulated as Müller glia proliferate, and is reestablished in the Müller glia. Knockdown of Notch3 is sufficient to induce Müller glia proliferation in undamaged retinas and enhances proliferation during light damage. Alternatively, knockdown of Notch1a, Notch1b, or Notch2 decreases the number of proliferating cells during light damage, suggesting that Notch signaling is also required for proliferation during retinal regeneration. We also knockdown the zebrafish Delta and Delta‐like proteins, ligands for the Notch receptors, and find that the deltaB morphant possesses an increased number of proliferating cells in the light‐damaged retina. As with Notch3, knockdown of DeltaB is sufficient to induce Müller glia proliferation in the absence of light damage. Taken together, the negative regulation of Müller glia proliferation in zebrafish retinal regeneration is mediated by Notch3 and DeltaB.
Comparison of biogenic silver nanoparticles formed by Momordica charantia and Psidium guajava leaf extract and antifungal evaluation

Exploiting plant extracts to form metallic nanoparticles has been becoming the promising alternative routes of chemical and physical methods owing to environmentally friendly and abundantly renewable resources. In this study, Momordica charantia and Psidium guajava leaf extract (MC.broth and PG.broth) are exploited to fabricate two kinds of biogenic silver nanoparticles (MC.AgNPs and PG.AgNPs). Phytoconstituent screening is performed to identify the categories of natural compounds in MC.broth and PG.broth. Both extracts contain wealthy polyphenols which play a role of reducing agent to turn silver (I) ions into silver nuclei. Trace alkaloids, rich saponins and other oxygen-containing compounds creating the organic corona surrounding nanoparticles act as stabilizing agents. MC.AgNPs and PG.AgNPs are characterized by UV-vis and FTIR spectrophotometry, EDS and TEM techniques. FTIR spectra indicate the presence of O-H, C = O, C-O-C and C = C groups on the surface of silver nanoparticles which is corresponded with three elements of C, O and Ag found in EDS analysis. TEM micrographs show the spherical morphology of MC.AgNPs and PG.AgNPs. MC.AgNPs were 17.0 nm distributed in narrow range of 5–29 nm, while the average size of PG.AgNPs were 25.7 nm in the range of 5–53 nm. Further, MC.AgNPs and PG.AgNPs exhibit their effectively inhibitory ability against A. niger, A. flavus and F. oxysporum as dose-dependence. Altogether, MC.AgNPs and PG.AgNPs will have much potential in scaled up production and become the promising fungicides for agricultural applications.
Post-menopausal osteoporosis: do body composition, nutritional habits, and physical activity affect bone mineral density?

AIM to evaluate the effect of body composition, nutritional habits (NH), and physical activity (PA) levels on bone mineral density (BMD) in osteoporotic postmenopausal women (OPW). SUBJECTS AND METHOD the demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, PA status, information on NH, some biochemical findings, and BMD measurements of 100 OPWs were evaluated. RESULTS in this study, 48 % of the women were classified as obese. The obese women were found to have lower vitamin D levels and higher parathyroid hormone levels than those of the over-weight women. A positive correlation was found between body mass index and L1L4, L2L4, and femur BMD (r = 0.268, p < 0.001; r = 0.241, p < 0.01; r = 0.369, p < 0.001, respectively). There was a significant decrease in L1L4 and femur BMD with increasing age (r = -0.224, p < 0.05; r = -0.366, p < 0.001, respectively). Femur BMD showed a positive correlation with duration (hours/week) and frequency of PA (days/week). According to the logistic regression analysis, body weight, daily tea consumption, and PA were positively associated with femur BMD, while advanced age, the age of menarche, salt and coffee consumption, and postmenopausal fracture status were negatively associated. CONCLUSION we observed that body weight, some nutritional factors, and active lifestyle have seemed to effect BMD in OPWs. An adequate, balanced nutrition maintaining the ideal weight, and regular physical activity may improve bone health in OPWs.
The Link between the Consumer and the Innovations in Food Product Development

New lifestyles, higher incomes and better consumer awareness are increasing the demand for a year-round supply of innovative food products. In past decades, important developments have been achieved in areas related to food and the food industry. This review shows that factors influencing performance in new product development (NPD) are dynamic and continuously guiding project development. The data obtained by direct involvement of consumers can impact positively successful product development and enhance the company’s financial performance. The study of consumer behaviour and attitudes towards new foods encompasses multiple aspects, such as preference, choice, desire to eat certain foods, buying intentions and frequency of consumption. Additionally, both the consumers’ willingness to purchase and the willingness to pay a premium are important in NPD, launching and success.