Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of melatonin on bovine sperm characteristics and ultrastructure changes following cryopreservation

Abstract The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during cryopreservation of semen alters the sperm motion and mobility characteristics, resulting in poor or failure of conception rate after artificial insemination (AI). Melatonin an antioxidant is able to modulate the effect of ROS and prevents spermatozoa by reducing the oxidative stress during freezing process. Eight ejaculates from eight healthy HF bulls diluted with Tris egg yolk glycerol extender were divided into five equal aliquots. The Computer Assisted Semen Analyser (CASA) results showed no significant difference between the control—post‐ thaw samples and melatonin‐treated samples; however, the velocity of spermatozoa with regard to the VAP, VSL showed highest increase in the 0.25 mM MLT‐treated semen followed by 0.1 mM MLT treated semen except for VCL where velocity increased with increase in the concentration of melatonin. The vigour of spermatozoa regard to BCF, STR and LIN recorded highest increase in the 0.25 mM MLT treated semen followed by 0.1 mM MLT‐treated semen except for the ALH where vigour increased with increase in the concentration of melatonin. The electron micrography images illustrated that the addition of 0.1 mM melatonin protected the plasma membrane and acrosome region and maintained the ultrastructure integrity of the cryopreserved spermatozoa when compared to control group, whereas the electron micrography of spermatozoa treated with 0.2 and 0.25 mM melatonin illustrated highest damage to the plasma and acrosome membrane. Thus concluding that inclusion of melatonin to sperm extender can improve the post‐thaw quality of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa.
Visual Scanpath Prediction Using IOR-ROI Recurrent Mixture Density Network

A visual scanpath represents the human eye movements when scanning the visual field for acquiring and receiving visual information. Predicting visual scanpaths when a certain stimulus is presented plays an important role in modeling overt human visual attention and search behavior. In this paper, we presented an ’Inhibition of Return - Region of Interest’ (IOR-ROI) recurrent mixture density network based framework learning to produce human-like visual scanpaths under task-free viewing conditions. The proposed model simultaneously predicts a sequence of ordered fixation positions and their corresponding fixation durations. Our model integrates bottom-up features and semantic features extracted by convolutional neural networks. Then the integrated feature maps are fed into the IOR-ROI Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) which is the core component of the proposed model. The IOR-ROI LSTM is a dual LSTM unit, i.e., the IOR-LSTM and the ROI-LSTM, capturing IOR dynamics and gaze shift behavior simultaneously. IOR-LSTM simulates the visual working memory to adaptively maintain and update visual information regarding previously fixated regions. ROI-LSTM is responsible for predicting the next possible ROIs given the spatially inhibited image feature maps on the feature-wise basis. Fixation duration is predicted by a regression neural network given the viewing history and image feature maps corresponding to currently fixated ROI. Considering the eye movement pattern variations among subjects, a mixture density network is adopted to model the next fixation distribution as Gaussian mixtures and the fixation duration is also modeled using Gaussian distribution. Our model is evaluated on the OSIE and MIT low resolution eye-tracking datasets and experimental results indicate that the proposed method can achieve superior performance in predicting visual scanpaths. The code will be publicly available on URL: https://github.com/sunwj/scanpath.
Cryoablation: physical and molecular basis with putative immunological consequences

Abstract Cryoablation (CA) is unique as the singular energy deprivation therapy that impacts all cellular processes. CA is independent of cell cycle stage and degree of cellular stemness. Importantly, CA is typically applied as a non-repetitive (single session) treatment that does not support adaptative mutagenesis as do many repetitive therapies. CA is characterized by the launch of multiple forms of cell death including (a) ice-related physical damage, (b) initiation of cellular stress responses (kill switch activation) and launch of necrosis and apoptosis, (c) vascular stasis, and (d) likely activation of ablative immune responses. CA is not without limitation related to the thermal gradient formed between cryoprobe surface (∼−185°C) and the distal surface of the freeze zone (∼0°C) requiring freeze margin extension beyond the tumor boundary (up to ∼1 cm). This limitation is mitigated in part by commonly applied dual freeze thaw cycles and the use of freeze sensitizing adjuvants. This review will (1) identify the cascade of damaging effects of the freeze–thaw process, its physical and molecular-based relationships, (2) a likely immunological involvement (abscopic effect), and (3) explore the use of freeze-sensitizing adjuvants necessary to limit freezing beyond the tumor margin.
Identification of the Genes Involved in Anthocyanin Biosynthesis and Accumulation in Taxus chinensis

Taxus chinensis is a precious woody species with significant economic value. Anthocyanin as flavonoid derivatives plays a crucial role in plant biology and human health. However, the genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis have not been identified in T. chinensis. In this study, twenty-five genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were identified, including chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, flavanone 3-hydroxylase, anthocyanidin synthase, flavonoid 3’-hydroxylase, flavonoid 3’,5’-hydroxylase, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, anthocyanidin reductase, and leucoanthocyanidin reductase. The conserved domains and phylogenetic relationships of these genes were characterized. The expression levels of these genes in different tissues and different ages of xylem were investigated. Additionally, the anthocyanin accumulation in xylem of different ages of T. chinensis was measured. The results showed the anthocyanin accumulation was correlated with the expression levels of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, anthocyanidin synthase, flavonoid 3’-hydroxylase, and flavonoid 3’,5’-hydroxylase. Our results provide a basis for studying the regulation of the biosynthetic pathway for anthocyanins and wood color formation in T. chinensis.
Comparing the performance of artificial intelligence and conventional diagnosis criteria for detecting left ventricular hypertrophy using electrocardiography.

AIMS Although left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has a high incidence and clinical importance, the conventional diagnosis criteria for detecting LVH using electrocardiography (ECG) has not been satisfied. We aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for detecting LVH. METHODS AND RESULTS This retrospective cohort study involved the review of 21 286 patients who were admitted to two hospitals between October 2016 and July 2018 and underwent 12-lead ECG and echocardiography within 4 weeks. The patients in one hospital were divided into a derivation and internal validation dataset, while the patients in the other hospital were included in only an external validation dataset. An AI algorithm based on an ensemble neural network (ENN) combining convolutional and deep neural network was developed using the derivation dataset. And we visualized the ECG area that the AI algorithm used to make the decision. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the AI algorithm based on ENN was 0.880 (95% confidence interval 0.877-0.883) and 0.868 (0.865-0.871) during the internal and external validations. These results significantly outperformed the cardiologist's clinical assessment with Romhilt-Estes point system and Cornell voltage criteria, Sokolov-Lyon criteria, and interpretation of ECG machine. At the same specificity, the AI algorithm based on ENN achieved 159.9%, 177.7%, and 143.8% higher sensitivities than those of the cardiologist's assessment, Sokolov-Lyon criteria, and interpretation of ECG machine. CONCLUSION An AI algorithm based on ENN was highly able to detect LVH and outperformed cardiologists, conventional methods, and other machine learning techniques.
Chitinase-like protein YKL-40 regulates human bronchial epithelial cells proliferation, apoptosis, and migration through TGF-β1/Smads pathway

In order to study the effects of chitinase-like protein YKL-40 on proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B), and the underlying mechanisms, we cultured BEAS-2B alone or with different concentrations of YKL-40. thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to examine the cell proliferation. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer (FITC)/propidium iodide staining and scratch assay were performed to test the cell apoptosis and migration. The concentrations of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad3, Smad7, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, and IL-8 in the cell culture supernatant were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The messenger RNA and protein levels of YKL-40, TGF-β1, Smad3, Smad7, and α-SMA were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. BEAS-2B cells cultured with different concentrations of YKL-40 showed significantly higher cell proliferation and migration and inflammatory cytokines compared with that of control group, while the cell apoptosis was significantly lower than that of control group (p < 0.05). In addition, BEAS-2B cells cultured with YKL-40 had increased TGF-β1, Smad3, Smad7, and α-SMA levels in the supernatant, compared with that of BEAS-2B cells cultured alone (p < 0.05). Furthermore, LY364947, as TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway inhibitor, decreased cell proliferation and migration ability and enhanced cell apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells compared with control group (p < 0.05). However, YKL-40 administration reversed the effect of LY364947 on the biological behavior of BEAS-2B cells. YKL-40 could affect the biological behaviors of BEAS-2B cells, which might be related to the TGF-β1/Smads pathway.
Excessive use of medically important antimicrobials in food animals in Pakistan: a five-year surveillance survey

ABSTRACT Demand for poultry meat is rising in low- and middle-countries, driving the expansion of large commercial farms where antimicrobials are used as surrogates for hygiene, good nutrition. This routine use of antimicrobials in animal production facilitates the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Despite potentially serious consequences for the animal industry, few studies have documented trends in antimicrobial use (AMU) at the farm-level in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to estimate AMU in a broiler chicken farm in Pakistan over a five-year period and to extrapolate national AMU in commercial broiler farming. Between 2013 and 2017, we monitored AMU in 30 flocks from a commercial broiler farm in Punjab, the most populous province of Pakistan. The amount of antimicrobials administered was calculated in milligram/population unit of the final flock weight (mg/fPU) and in used daily dose (UDD). The annual on-farm antimicrobial use was 250.84 mg of active ingredient per kilogram of the final flock weight. This consumption intensity exceeds the amount of antimicrobial used per kilogram of chicken of all countries in the world except China. Measured in mg per kg of final flock weight or population unit (fPU), medically important drugs such as colistin (31.39 mg/fPU), tylosin (41.71 mg/fPU), doxycycline (81.81 mg/fPU), and enrofloxacin (26.19 mg/fPU) were the most frequently used antimicrobials for prophylactic or therapeutic use. Lincomycin was the most frequently used antimicrobial used in-feed (29.09 mg/fPU). Our findings suggest that the annual consumption of antimicrobials in the broiler sector in Pakistan could be as high as 568 tons. This alarmingly high consumption estimate is the first baseline study on antimicrobial use in animals in Pakistan. Our findings call for immediate actions to reduce antimicrobial use in Pakistan, and countries with comparable farming practices.
Identification of novel genes associated with longevity in Drosophila melanogaster - a computational approach

Despite a growing number of studies on longevity in Drosophila, genetic factors influencing lifespan are still poorly understood. In this paper we propose a conceptually new approach for the identification of novel longevity-associated genes and potential target genes for SNPs in non-coding regions by utilizing the knowledge of co-location of various loci, governed by the three-dimensional architecture of the Drosophila genome. Firstly, we created networks between genes/genomic regions harboring SNPs deemed to be significant in two longevity GWAS summary statistics datasets using intra- and inter-chromosomal interaction frequencies (Hi-C data) as a measure of co-location. These networks were further extended to include regions strongly interacting with previously selected regions. Using various network measures, literature search and additional bioinformatics resources, we investigated the plausibility of genes found to have genuine association with longevity. Several of the newly identified genes were common between the two GWAS datasets and these possessed human orthologs. We also found that the proportion of non-coding SNPs in borders between topologically associated domains is significantly higher than expected by chance. Assuming co-location, we investigated potential target genes for non-coding SNPs. This approach therefore offers a stepping stone to identification of novel genes and SNP targets linked to human longevity.
Effects of Heavy Metal Exposure on Shipyard Welders: A Cautionary Note for 8-Hydroxy-2′-Deoxyguanosine

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of diseases induced by welding fumes. To our knowledge, little information is available on the relationship between multiple heavy metal exposure and oxidative stress in welders. We assessed the relationship between multiple heavy metal exposure and oxidative damage by analyzing 174 nonsmoking male welders in a shipyard. Urinary metals were used as the internal dose of exposure to metals in welding fumes, and urinary 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was used as an oxidative DNA damage marker. The relationship between workers’ metal levels and 8-OHdG was estimated using a multiple linear regression model. The geometric mean levels of urinary chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) were considerably higher in welders than in controls. Urinary Cr and Ni were determined as effective predictors of urinary 8-OHdG levels after adjusting for covariates. Oxidative DNA damage was associated with both Cr and Ni of welding fume exposure in shipyard welders (Ln Cr: β = 0.33, 95%C.I. = 0.16–0.49; Ln Ni: β = 0.27, 95%C.I. = 0.12–0.43). In this study, we investigated the significantly positive relationship between urinary metals (especially Cr and Ni) and 8-OHdG in nonsmoking shipyard welders. Moreover, the use of particulate respirators did not reduce metal exposure and oxidative damage. Therefore, we infer that hazard identification for welders should be conducted.
Bone conduction stimulation of the otic capsule: a finite element model of the temporal bone.

PURPOSE Bone conduction stimulation applied on the otic capsule may be used in a conductive hearing loss treatment as an alternative to the bone conduction implants in clinical practice. A finite element study was used to evaluate the force amplitude and direction needed for the stimulation. METHODS A finite element model of a female temporal bone with a precisely reconstructed cochlea was subjected to a harmonic analysis assuming two types of stimulation. At first, the displacement amplitude in the form of air conduction stimulation was applied on the stapes footplate. Then the force amplitude was applied on the otic capsule in the form of bone conduction stimulation. The two force directions were considered: 1) the primary direction, when a typical opening is performed during mastoidectomy, and was coincident with the axis of an imaginary cone, inscribed in the opening, and 2) the direction perpendicular to the stapes footplate. The force amplitude was set so that the response from the cochlea corresponded to the result of air conduction stimulation applied on the stapes footplate. RESULTS The amplitude and phase of vibration and the volume displacement on the round window membrane were considered as well as vibrations of the basilar membrane, spiral lamina, and promontory. CONCLUSIONS The cochlear response was comparable for the two types of stimulation. The efficiency of bone conduction stimulation depended on the force direction. For the primary direction, the force was a few times smaller than for the direction perpendicular to the stapes footplate.
Cellular senescence and senescence‐associated secretory phenotype via the cGAS‐STING signaling pathway in cancer

Cellular senescence is historically regarded as a tumor suppression mechanism to prevent damaged cells from aberrant proliferation in benign and premalignant tumors. However, recent findings have suggested that senescent cells contribute to tumorigenesis and age‐associated pathologies through the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Therefore, to control age‐associated cancer, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms of the SASP in the cancer microenvironment. New findings have suggested that the cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS)‐stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway, a critical indicator of innate immune response, triggers the SASP in response to accumulation of cytoplasmic DNA (cytoplasmic chromatin fragments, mtDNA and cDNA) in senescent cells. Notably, the cGAS‐STING signaling pathway promotes or inhibits tumorigenesis depending on the biological context in vivo, indicating that it may be a potential therapeutic target for cancer. Herein, we review the regulatory machinery and biological function of the SASP via the cGAS‐STING signaling pathway in cancer.
A Meta-Analysis of Relationships between Measures of Wisconsin Card Sorting and Intelligence

The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) represents a widely utilized neuropsychological assessment technique for executive function. This meta-analysis examined the discriminant validity of the WCST for the assessment of mental shifting, considered as an essential subcomponent of executive functioning, against traditional psychometric intelligence tests. A systematic search was conducted, resulting in 72 neuropsychological samples for the meta-analysis of relationships between WCST scores and a variety of intelligence quotient (IQ) domains. The study revealed low to medium-sized correlations with IQ domains across all WCST scores that could be investigated. Verbal/crystallized IQ and performance/fluid IQ were indistinguishably associated with WCST scores. To conclude, the WCST assesses cognitive functions that might be partially separable from common conceptualizations of intelligence. More vigorous initiatives to validate putative indicators of executive function against intelligence are required.
Recent Advances in Mono- and Combined Stem Cell Therapies of Stroke in Animal Models and Humans

Following the failure of acute neuroprotection therapies, major efforts are currently made worldwide to promote neurological recovery and brain plasticity in the subacute and post-acute phases of stroke. Currently, there is hope that stroke recovery might be promoted by cell-based therapies. The field of stem cell therapy for cerebral ischemia has made significant progress in the last five years. A variety of stem cells have been tested in animal models and humans including adipose stem cells, human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells, human amnion epithelial cells, human placenta amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells, adult human pluripotent-like olfactory stem cells, human bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells, electrically-stimulated human neuronal progenitor cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of human origin. Combination therapies in animal models include a mix of two or more therapeutic factors consisting of bone marrow stromal cells, exercise and thyroid hormones, endothelial progenitor cells overexpressing the chemokine CXCL12. Mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of transplanted cells include the “bystander” effects, paracrine mechanisms, or extracellular vesicles-mediated restorative effects. Mitochondria transfer also appears to be a powerful strategy for regenerative processes. Studies in humans are currently limited to a small number of studies using autologous stem cells mainly aimed to assess tolerability and side-effects of human stem cells in the clinic.
MODE OF DELIVERY DOES NOT EFFECT C - REACTIVE PROTEIN AND FERRITIN LEVELS

Objective: C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, increases rapidly in ischemia or traumatic injury. Ferritin, an acute phase reactant, has been found to be elevated in many chronic inflammation-related diseases. The aim of the present prospective study was to investigate and compare serum CRP and ferritin levels after vaginal birth and cesarean section. Methods: One hundred sixty pregnant women who gave birth in our hospital were included in the study. Vaginal birth (n=80) and cesarean section (n=80) groups were matched for age and gestational age. In all subjects, CRP and plasma levels of ferritin were determined. Results: Maternal age, gestational age and body mass index were not significantly different between the groups. Ferritin levels were similar in vaginal birth and cesarean section subjects. There were also no significant differences in serum concentrations of CRP between the two groups. Serum CRP was 5.8 ± 3.7 mg/L in vaginal birth group and 7.0 ± 6.8 mg/L in cesarean section group (p=0.190). Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings reveal that mode of delivery has no effect on the acute-phase proteins namely, ferritin and CRP.
Towards a new application of amaranth seed oil as an agent against Candida albicans

Abstract Amaranthus spp. (Amaranthaceae family), known as amaranth, are plants native of Central America, today produced in many parts of the world. due to their popularity popular as a health food. Because of its composition, amaranth can be considered to be attractive not only as a food but also for pharmaceutical and cosmetics uses. To date, antifungal activity of amaranth extracts has not been totally investigated, therefore the scope of this study was to evaluate the antifungal effect of the apolar fraction from Amaranthus cruentus L. seeds extract, alone and in association with antifungal drugs terbinafine, a common antifungal agent, which itself has only fungistatic effect on Candida albicans strains without exerting fungicidal activity. Our results demonstrate that this amaranth oil in combination with terbinafine has synergic fungistatic and fungicidal activity, with FICI of 0.466 and 0.496, respectively. No fungistatic and fungicidal activity of terbinafine alone at concentrations up to 64 μg/mL and amaranth oil alone at concentrations up to 2000 μg/mL, against all tested C. albicans strains, were observed. does not show activity towards Candida albicans strains but it can effectively potentiate the antifungal activity of terbinafine, a common antifungal agent which itself This result suggests the possible application of amaranth oil in the preparation of formulations with terbinafine for topical use. Graphical Abstract