Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immune-stimulating Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum Ln1 Isolated from the Traditional Korean Fermented Food, Kimchi

This study aimed to determine the immune-stimulating effects of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum Ln1 (HK-Ln1) through the production of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokine achieved by inducing NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-signaling pathways in macrophages. HK-Ln1 showed higher NO and cytokine production compared to control (nonstimulated lipopolysaccharide); in addition, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was induced through HK-Ln1treatment. The phosphorylation of IκB-α and p65 increased following treatment by HK-Ln1, which implicates IκB-α degradation and the translocation of p65 to nucleus. In addition, the phosphorylation of MAPKs, ERK 1/2, JNK, and p38 was induced following HK-Ln1 treatment.
Reconsidering Garth Robinson: fluid flow and the glomerular filtration barrier.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The goal of this review is to present recent models of the filtration barrier that may suggest mechanism-based treatments for proteinuric renal disease. The vast majority of renal failure occurs in diseases of glomerular proteinuria. The physiology of the filtration barrier remains incompletely understood, preventing invention of mechanism-based therapies. Research is currently dominated by molecular biology approaches to the kidney instead of engineering-based filtration and transport models. RECENT FINDINGS Reexamination of two older paradigms (basement membrane and slit diaphragm) and critical analysis of newer models may provide mechanistic insight to guide further research. We expand on our theory of podocyte-basement membrane mechanical interactions and speculate on mechanisms of action of the leading treatment for proteinuria, angiotensin blockade. SUMMARY Treatment of proteinuria remains largely empiric and based on inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, with additional benefit from statins and vitamin D. Improved definition of transport phenomena in the capillary wall may suggest rational design of new interventions.
Bee Venom Phospholipase A2 Induces Regulatory T Cell Populations by Suppressing Apoptotic Signaling Pathway

Bee venom phospholipase A2 is a lipolytic enzyme in bee venom that catalyzes hydrolysis of the sn-2 ester bond of membrane phospholipids to produce free fatty acid and lysophospholipids. Current evidence suggests that bee venom phospholipase A2 (bvPLA2) induces regulatory T cell expansion and attenuates several immune system-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. The induction of Treg cells is directly mediated by binding to mannose receptors on dendritic cells. This interaction induces the PGE2-EP2 signaling pathway, which promotes Treg induction in CD4+ T cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of bvPLA2 treatment on the apoptotic signaling pathway in Treg populations. Flow cytometry was performed to identify early apoptotic cells. As a result, early apoptotic cells were dramatically decreased in bvPLA2-treated splenocytes, whereas rapamycin-treated cells showed levels of apoptotic cells similar to those of PBS-treated cells. Furthermore, bvPLA2 treatment increased expression of anti-apoptotic molecules including CTLA-4 and PD-1. The survival rate increased in bvPLA2-treated Tregs. Our findings indicate that bvPLA2-mediated modulation of apoptotic signaling is strongly associated with the Treg induction, which exhibits protective effects against various immune-related diseases. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that bvPLA2 is the major bee venom (BV) compound capable of inducing Treg expansion through altering apoptotic signal.
Aberrant gut microbiota alters host metabolome and impacts renal failure in humans and rodents

Objective Patients with renal failure suffer from symptoms caused by uraemic toxins, possibly of gut microbial origin, as deduced from studies in animals. The aim of the study is to characterise relationships between the intestinal microbiome composition, uraemic toxins and renal failure symptoms in human end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Design Characterisation of gut microbiome, serum and faecal metabolome and human phenotypes in a cohort of 223 patients with ESRD and 69 healthy controls. Multidimensional data integration to reveal links between these datasets and the use of chronic kidney disease (CKD) rodent models to test the effects of intestinal microbiome on toxin accumulation and disease severity. Results A group of microbial species enriched in ESRD correlates tightly to patient clinical variables and encode functions involved in toxin and secondary bile acids synthesis; the relative abundance of the microbial functions correlates with the serum or faecal concentrations of these metabolites. Microbiota from patients transplanted to renal injured germ-free mice or antibiotic-treated rats induce higher production of serum uraemic toxins and aggravated renal fibrosis and oxidative stress more than microbiota from controls. Two of the species, Eggerthella lenta and Fusobacterium nucleatum, increase uraemic toxins production and promote renal disease development in a CKD rat model. A probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis decreases abundance of these species, reduces levels of toxins and the severity of the disease in rats. Conclusion Aberrant gut microbiota in patients with ESRD sculpts a detrimental metabolome aggravating clinical outcomes, suggesting that the gut microbiota will be a promising target for diminishing uraemic toxicity in those patients. Trial registration number This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03010696).
Double jeopardy: Intimate partner violence vulnerability among emerging adult women through lenses of race and sexual orientation

Abstract Objective: Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a public health concern for women age 18-25. While much is known about the IPV risk and experiences of heterosexual women, little is known about the IPV risk and experiences of their LGBTQ + counterparts and any contributions of multiple marginalization in such risk. This study examines the emotional, physical, and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) vulnerability of emerging adult college women with and without multiple minority statuses (e.g., women with both racial/ethnic and sexual minority identities). Participants: Participants were 9,435 women ages 18-25 from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA). Results: Findings demonstrate that being a sexual minority increases risk vulnerability for all forms of IPV, regardless of race. Conclusions: The risk for college women with multiple marginalized identities is exponentially greater than either their White or heterosexual counterparts. Implications for colleges/universities, university counseling centers and professionals, and future research directions are discussed.
Convergent spectral shifts to blue-green vision in mammals extends the known sensitivity of vertebrate M/LWS pigments

Daylight vision in most mammals is mediated predominantly by a middle/long wavelength-sensitive (M/LWS) pigment. Although spectral sensitivity and associated shifts in M/LWS are mainly determined by five critical sites, predicted phenotypic variation is rarely validated, and its ecological significance is unclear. We experimentally determine spectral tuning of M/LWS pigments and show that two highly divergent taxa, the gerbil and the elephant-shrew, have undergone independent dramatic blue-green shifts to 490 nm. By generating mutant proteins, we identify additional critical sites contributing to these shifts. Our results, which extend the known range of spectral tuning of vertebrate M/LWS, provide a compelling case of functional convergence, likely related to parallel adaptive shifts from nocturnal to brighter light conditions in similar habitats.
The surface tension of surfactant-containing, finite volume droplets

Significance Atmospheric aerosol particles cool Earth’s climate by serving as cloud droplet seeds. This cooling effect represents both the single most uncertain and the largest negative radiative forcing. Cloud droplet activation is strongly influenced by aerosol particle surface tension, which in climate models is assumed equivalent to that of pure water. We directly measure the surface tensions of surfactant-coated, high surface-to-volume ratio droplets, demonstrating that their surface tensions are significantly lower than pure water but do not match the surface tension of the solution from which they were produced and depend on finite droplet size. These results suggest surfactants could potentially significantly modify radiative forcing and highlight the need for a better understanding of atmospheric surfactant concentrations and properties. Surface tension influences the fraction of atmospheric particles that become cloud droplets. Although surfactants are an important component of aerosol mass, the surface tension of activating aerosol particles is still unresolved, with most climate models assuming activating particles have a surface tension equal to that of water. By studying picoliter droplet coalescence, we demonstrate that surfactants can significantly reduce the surface tension of finite-sized droplets below the value for water, consistent with recent field measurements. Significantly, this surface tension reduction is droplet size-dependent and does not correspond exactly to the macroscopic solution value. A fully independent monolayer partitioning model confirms the observed finite-size-dependent surface tension arises from the high surface-to-volume ratio in finite-sized droplets and enables predictions of aerosol hygroscopic growth. This model, constrained by the laboratory measurements, is consistent with a reduction in critical supersaturation for activation, potentially substantially increasing cloud droplet number concentration and modifying radiative cooling relative to current estimates assuming a water surface tension. The results highlight the need for improved constraints on the identities, properties, and concentrations of atmospheric aerosol surfactants in multiple environments and are broadly applicable to any discipline where finite volume effects are operative, such as studies of the competition between reaction rates within the bulk and at the surface of confined volumes and explorations of the influence of surfactants on dried particle morphology from spray driers.
Increased intrinsic default-mode network activity as a compensatory mechanism in aMCI: a resting-state functional connectivity MRI study

Numerous studies have investigated the differences in the mean functional connectivity (FC) strength between amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients and normal subjects using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. However, whether the mean FC is increased, decreased or unchanged in aMCI patients compared to normal controls remains unclear. Two factors might lead to inconsistent results: the determination of regions of interest and the reliability of the FC. We explored differences in FC and the degree centrality (Dc) constructed by the bootstrap method, between and within networks (default-mode network (DN), frontoparietal control network (CN), dorsal attention network (AN)), and resulting from a hierarchical-clustering algorithm. The mean FC within the DN and CN was significantly increased (P < 0.05, uncorrected) in patients. Significant increases (P < 0.05, uncorrected) in the mean FC were found in patients between DN and CN and between DN and AN. Five pairs of FC (false discovery rate corrected) and the Dc of six regions (Bonferroni corrected) displayed a significant increase in patients. Lower cognitive ability was significantly associated with a greater increase in the Dc of the left superior temporal sulcus. Our results demonstrate that the early dysfunctions in aMCI disease are mainly compensatory impairments.
Knowledge and perception of sexual and reproductive rights among married women in Nigeria

Abstract Married women of reproductive age can experience violations of their sexual and reproductive rights (SRRs). Adequate knowledge and understanding of SRRs are critical to their ability to protect themselves. This mixed methods study assessed the knowledge and perception of SRRs among ever-married women in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. Quantitative data (N = 423) were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and summarised by computing scores for knowledge and perception. Qualitative data were obtained from five focus groups. Findings showed that 45.2% of the respondents said that they were aware of SRRs, yet 81.8% had poor knowledge scores. Regarding perceptions about SRRs, 73% of respondents obtained scores over the mean. In focus group discussions, participants generally could not explain the meaning of SRRs. However, they had positive perception of some SRRs, such as rights to family planning and freedom from violence/abuse. Overall, this study revealed that respondents had poor knowledge of SRRs but positive perceptions about them. A concerted effort is needed to raise public awareness and achieve basic education for women of reproductive age.
Mastitis in Autoimmune Diseases: Review of the Literature, Diagnostic Pathway, and Pathophysiological Key Players

Mastitis frequently affects women of childbearing age. Of all the pathological breast conditions requiring specific management, autoimmune mastitis is in the third position after infection and breast cancer. The aim of this literature review was to make a comprehensive description of autoimmune diseases targeting the mammary gland. Four main histological patterns of autoimmune mastitis are described: (i) lymphocytic infiltrates; (ii) ductal ectasia; (iii) granulomatous mastitis; and (iv) vasculitis. Our literature search found that all types of autoimmune disease may target the mammary gland: organ-specific diseases (diabetes, thyroiditis); connective tissue diseases (such as systemic erythematosus lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome); vasculitides (granulomatosis with polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, giant cell arteritis, polyarteritis nodosa, Behçet’s disease); granulomatous diseases (sarcoidosis, Crohn’s disease); and IgG4-related disease. Cases of breast-specific autoimmune diseases have also been reported, including idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. These breast-limited inflammatory diseases are sometimes the first symptom of a systemic autoimmune disease. Although autoimmune mastitis is rare, it is probably underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Early diagnosis may allow us to detect systemic diseases at an earlier stage, which could help to initiate a prompt, appropriate therapeutic strategy. In case of suspected autoimmune mastitis, we hereby propose a diagnostic pathway and discuss the potential pathophysiological pathways leading to autoimmune breast damage.
The Effect of Acute and Chronic Moderate and High Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Serum Nitric Oxide in Untrained Overweight Males

Background: The present study aimed at comparing the serum concentration of nitric oxide (NO) after 4 weeks of aerobic activity at 2 diﬀerent intensities in overweight males. Methods: For this purpose, 20 inactive obese males between 25 and 35 years old were randomly selected as subjects. Their body mass index (BMI) was 29.9 ± 3.04. They were randomly divided to 2 moderate (n = 10) and high (n = 9) intensity groups. They exercised in accordance of speciﬁc instructions and were observed by the researcher. Blood samples were collected 3 times: ﬁrst, in themorningafteranovernightfast,second,aftertheﬁrstsession,andthird,immediatelyafter4weeksof exercise. Concentrationof nitricoxideserumwasmeasuredusingtheenzymelinkedimmunosorbentassay(ELISA). Impedanceanalysis(Bodystate)wasused todeterminethebodycomposition. Thecollecteddatawereanalyzedbystatisticalanalysisusingdependentt-testandindependent t-test analysis. The level of statistical signiﬁcance was set at P < 0.05. Values were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Results: There was no diﬀerence in concentration of nitric oxide serum in the moderate intensity group, after exercise for 4 weeks (P = 1.0). Concentration of nitric oxide serum in the high intensity group was signiﬁcantly higher after 4 weeks (P = 0.004) and in comparison with the moderate intensity group (P = 0.004). Conclusions: It seems that short-term aerobic activity with moderate intensity does not induce a concentration of nitric oxide serum in overweight males while nitric oxide increases during a similar period at high intensity.
Access to the Unified Health System in the perspective of male homosexuals.

OBJECTIVES To analyze the perception of male homosexuals regarding the access to the Unified Health System. METHODS A qualitative study with male homosexuals in a city in the Northeast Brazil. Eight subjects participated, a socioeconomic questionnaire was used for data collection and a focal group was carried out, in which the narratives were recorded and later transcribed. For the analysis of the speeches, the analysis of thematic content was used. RESULTS The analysis revealed five thematic categories that express the limitations on humanization and reception, as well as in the quality of health care offered to subjects, disregarding the psychosocial and lifestyle-related demands. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS It was emphasized that the focus group technique contributed to the approach of the research with the perception of male homosexuals marked by prejudice and discrimination, reflecting the subjects' dissatisfaction with the care received in the health services.
Metastatic Heterogeneity of Breast Cancer: Companion and Theranostic Approach in Nuclear Medicine

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women throughout the world. Metastatic dissemination to vital organs is the leading cause of breast cancer-related deaths. The treatment of metastases is mainly based on the primary tumor characteristics. However, breast cancer metastases exhibit high heterogeneity leading to different prognosis and therapeutic responses. Getting access to phenotype of metastases would allow better management of patients. The advent of theranostics in nuclear medicine has opened new opportunities for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of current knowledge and future directions in nuclear medicine for therapeutic management of metastatic breast cancer patients.
Psychometric Properties of a Theory of Planned Behavior Questionnaire for Assessing the Midwives’ Intention to Provide Planned Home Birth Services in Nigeria

ABSTRACT We developed and psychometrically tested a Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) questionnaire which focused on assessing the midwives’ intention to provide planned home birth (PHB) services. This is a quantitative, cross-sectional survey, conducted among 226 midwives working in ten participating health facilities. The reliability and validity of the theoretical constructs were assessed. The Cronbach’s alpha values were >0.8 for all scales, suggesting satisfactory internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed sufficient convergent validity (the average variance extracted was >0.5 for each construct) and discriminant validity. The study gathered an evidence of the usefulness of TPB in the specific context of PHB.
Expression of transferrin receptor‐1 (TFR‐1) in canine osteosarcomas

Abstract Due to high rates of proliferation and DNA synthesis, neoplastic cells have higher requirements of iron than normal cells. For that reason, neoplastic cells have remodelled iron metabolism pathways, over‐expressing genes encoding for iron uptake proteins, among which Transferrin Receptor‐1 (TFR‐1). Accumulating evidence has proven that overexpression of TFR‐1 and high Iron concentration, are both widespread condition of cancer cells, both essential to tumour onset and progression. We studied TFR‐1 and PCNA immunohistochemical expression in fifteen (15) Canine osteoblastic osteosarcomas (COS). After immunohistochemical staining, counting of TFR‐1 positive cells by two independent observers showed that 85%–95% of neoplastic cells were strongly labelled at cytoplasmic level by anti‐TFR‐1 antibody in all examined COS. Furthermore, 70%–80% of neoplastic cells were positively labelled at the nuclear level by PCNA. Surprisingly, about 100% of intratumour vascular endothelial cells were also positive, whereas extratumour vascular endothelial cells were negative. The latter is an interesting finding, as TFR‐1 is usually not expressed in normal vasculature, with the exception of normal brain vascular endothelium, where it allows transport of transferrin, and thus iron, into tissues, suggesting a similar function here to support cancer growth. The early results presented highlight the relevance of TFR‐1 expression in canine OS, suggesting therapies involving both TFR‐1 and Iron metabolisms in dogs with osteosarcoma should be developed.
Associations Among BMI, Dietary Macronutrient Consumption, and Climacteric Symptoms in Korean Menopausal Women

Many postmenopausal women individually experience varying degrees of climacteric symptoms. Among the many influencing factors, body weight and diet are recognized as important contributors to the incidence and severity of these symptoms. This study was performed to investigate the interaction effect of BMI (body mass index) and dietary consumption on the risk of climacteric symptoms among Korean women. Approximately half of the subjects (48.8%) experienced climacteric symptoms. After adjusting for the covariates, the subjects who are overweight or obese showed significantly greater total scores of climacteric symptoms (p = 0.010) and subscales of symptoms (p = 0.027 for physical climacteric symptoms and p = 0.007 for psychological climacteric symptoms), except for urogenital climacteric symptoms (p = 0.085), than those subjects at a normal weight. When subjects were divided into groups according to dietary macronutrient consumption, those who are overweight or obese were 2.84-fold (adjusted odds ratio, 95% CI = 1.18-6.80, p = 0.019) more likely to experience climacteric symptoms than those at a normal weight among the subjects with high fat consumption. However, the BMI category did not affect the adjusted odds ratio for experiencing climacteric symptoms among subjects who consumed a low-fat diet.
Increased neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio is associated with all-cause mortality in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock

Abstract There has been no study exploring the prognostic values of neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR). We hypothesised that NPAR is a novel marker of inflammation and is associated with all-cause mortality in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Patient data were extracted from the MIMIC-III V1.4 database. Only the data for the first intensive care unit (ICU) admission of each patient were used and baseline data were extracted within 24 h after ICU admission. The clinical endpoints were 30-, 90- and 365-day all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Cox proportional hazards models and subgroup analyses were used to determine the relationship between NPAR and these clinical endpoints. A total of 2166 patients were eligible for this analysis. In multivariate analysis, after adjustments for age, ethnicity and gender, higher NPAR was associated with increased risk of 30-, 90- and 365-day all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Furthermore, after adjusting for more confounding factors, higher NPAR remained a significant predictor of all-cause mortality (tertile 3 vs. tertile 1: HR, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.04–1.61; 1.41, 1.16–1.72; 1.44, 1.21–1.71). A similar trend was observed in NPAR levels stratified by quartiles. Higher NPAR was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.