Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extracellular vesicles from in vivo liver tissue accelerate recovery of liver necrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride

Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano‐sized vesicles composed of proteolipid bilayers carrying various molecular signatures of the cells. As mediators of intercellular communications, EVs have gained great attention as new therapeutic agents in the field of nanomedicine. Therefore, many studies have explored the roles of cell‐derived EVs isolated from cultured hepatocytes or stem cells as inducer of liver proliferation and regeneration under various pathological circumstances. However, study investigating the role of EVs directly isolated from liver tissue has not been performed. Herein, to understand the pathophysiological role and to investigate the therapeutic potential of in vivo liver EVs, we isolated EVs from both normal and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced damaged in vivo liver tissues. The in vivo EVs purified from liver tissues display typical features of EVs including spherical morphology, nano‐size, and enrichment of tetraspanins. Interestingly, administration of both normal and damaged liver EVs significantly accelerated the recovery of liver tissue from CCl4‐induced hepatic necrosis. This restorative action was through the induction of hepatocyte growth factor at the site of the injury. These results suggest that not only normal liver EVs but also damaged liver EVs play important pathophysiological roles of maintaining homeostasis after tissue damage. Our study, therefore, provides new insight into potentially developing in vivo EV‐based therapeutics for preventing and treating liver diseases.
The effect of Macleaya cordata extract on in vitro ruminal fermentation and methanogenesis

Abstract Methane production is the main gas energy loss in ruminants and generates a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate changes. Macleaya cordata is a plant commonly utilized additive in livestock diet as it contains various chemical compounds with beneficial health effects. This study aimed to explore the influence of M. cordata extract on in vitro methanogenesis and rumen fermentation. Three cannulated Jingjiang cattle were used as rumen fluid donors. The mixture of rumen fluid and a buffer (60 ml, 1:2 volume ratio) was treated with 6 different concentrations of M. cordata extract (0.01%, 0.11%, 0.21%, 0.31%, 0.41%, and 0.51%) and incubated for 12 and 24 hr. The control sample, with no addition of plant extract, was also analyzed. At each time point, pH, total gas, methane, dry matter (DM) digestibility, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ammonia nitrogen (NH3‐N), microbial protein (MCP), and volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations were determined. Total gas production decreased with increasing the amount of M. cordata extract at all time points. Methane production also decreased dose‐dependently with M. cordata extract after 3, 6, 9, and 12 hr of incubation, but increased after 24 hr. M. cordata extract decreased the concentration of NH3‐N and VFA, and the amount of acetic, propionic, and butyric acid. M. cordata extract decreased the MCP concentration after 12 hr, but its level returned to the initial value after 24 hr. Supplementation with 0.01, 0.11, and 0.21% of M. cordata extract did not affect the DM digestibility. However, supplementation with 0.31, 0.41, and 0.51% of M. cordata extract significantly decreased the DM digestibility. Supplementation with 0.11% of M. cordata extract effectively reduced methane production without affecting the DM digestion in vitro. However, its effect on in vivo methane production, rumen fermentation, and ruminant production requires further investigation.
FOXO1 and ANGPT2 relative gene expression in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction among patients with or without type 2 diabetes

Introduction It is well known that chronic hyperglycemia or chronic inflammation leads to both FOXO1 and Ang-2 gene (ANGPT2) expression induction in endothelial cells. ANGPT2 and FOXO1 relative gene expression in peripheral blood cells in diabetes and myocardial ischemia were not researched extensively. Aim Our objective was to evaluate ANGPT2 and FOXO1 gene expression in peripheral blood cells in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), both with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and compare them to the results obtained from T2DM and control subjects. Material and methods This was a multi-center, prospective study of 138 NSTEMI patients with/without T2DM, T2DM and a control group. FOXO1, ANGPT2, TBP (TATA box binding protein – as a reference gene) gene expression levels in peripheral blood cells were measured in each patient. Electrocardiography and echocardiography with assessment of ejection fraction (EF) were performed. Patients with NSTEMI underwent urgent (< 24 h) coronarography and the SYNTAX score and GRACE 2.0 score were calculated. Results The ANGPT2 gene relative expression in buffy coat in the analyzed samples was very low and detectable only in 11 patients from all groups (8.66% of all patients). The level of FOXO1 gene relative expression was significantly higher in patients with NSTEMI (median relative expression = 1.39) than in non-NSTEMI patients (median = 1.09) (W = 1578, p < 0.05) regardless of the presence of T2DM. The FOXO1 gene relative expression was not correlated with GRACE 2.0 score or SYNTAX score of NSTEMI patients. We did not observe any significant change in FOXO1 gene expression after successful angioplasty. Conclusions On the basis of our results we can conclude that analyzing the ANGPT2 gene relative expression in peripheral blood cells has no role in assessment of CAD complexity among patients with and without T2DM. FOXO1 gene relative expression in blood peripheral cells is elevated in patients with NSTEMI regardless of the presence of T2DM. FOXO1 expression does not decrease after successful percutaneous coronary intervention and is not correlated with the severity of CAD in patients with NSTEMI.
Hypoglycemic effect of camel milk powder in type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial

Abstract Fresh camel milk was widely accepted to help to prevent and control of diabetes, especially in Africa, Middle East, and cooler dry areas of Asia. In this study, type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled to supplement with 10 g of camel milk powder twice a day for 4 weeks (n = 14), cow milk powder served as the placebo (n = 13). It was found that camel milk supplement decreased fasting blood glucose, 2‐hr postprandial blood glucose, serum content of total cholesterol, resistin, and lipocalin‐2. There was also a significant increase in serum content of osteocrin, amylin, and GLP‐1in camel milk group, indicating an improvement on adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Camel milk powder supplement significantly enriched the relative abundance of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and [Eubacterium]_eligens_group compared with cow milk after the 4‐week intervention. This study suggested that camel milk powder can be used as a functional food help to treat type 2 diabetes.
Multidetector Computed Tomography Findings of Acute Abdominal Intussusception Due to Peutz–Jeghers Syndrome

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant inheritance characterized by intestinal hamartomatous polyps and hyperpigmented mucocutaneous macules. Bleeding, bowel obstruction, and intussusception are the most common complications in PJS patients. Individuals are infrequently present for the first time with bowel obstruction secondary to intussusception. Intestinal intussusception presentation is often observed clearly on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with characteristic findings, such as “target” and “pseudo-kidney” signs, and sometimes shows the cause of lead-point polyp. A complemental examination is needed to attain more diagnostic symptoms of this disorder, including pigmented spots on the oral cavity and lips, family history with multiple gastrointestinal polyps. Here, we report a case of a 17-year-old male who showed traits of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. However, the diagnosis was not made until he later developed bowel obstruction caused by an ileo-ileal intussusception manifestation on MDCT and eventually proved in typical hamartoma on postoperative histopathology.
Testing the combined effects of probiotics and prebiotics against neurotoxic effects of propionic acid orally administered to rat pups

Abstract The present study investigated the combined effects of mixed probiotic and bee pollen on brain intoxication induced by propionic acid (PPA) in rat pups. Thirty western albino rats were divided into five groups, six animals each: (1) Control group receiving phosphate‐buffered saline; (2) Probiotic and bee pollen‐treated group being administered at the same dose with 200 mg/kg body weight; (c) PPA‐treated group receiving a neurotoxic dose 250 mg/kg body weight of PPA for 3 days; (d) Therapeutic group being administered the neurotoxic dose of PPA followed by probiotic and bee pollen treatment 200 mg/kg body weight; (e) Protective group receiving probiotic and bee pollen mixture treatment followed by neurotoxic dose of PPA. Selected biochemical parameters linked to oxidative stress, energy metabolism, and neurotransmission were investigated in brain homogenates from all the five groups. PPA treatment showed an increase in oxidative stress markers like lipid peroxidation coupled with a significant decrease in glutathione level. Impaired energy metabolism was ascertained via the alteration of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities. Dramatic increase of Na+ and K+ concentrations together with a decrease of GABA and IL‐6 and an elevation of glutamate levels in PPA‐treated rat's pups confirmed the neurotoxicity effect of PPA. Interestingly, the mixed probiotic and bee pollen treatment were effective in restoring the levels of glutamate, GABA, and IL‐6 in addition to normalizing the levels of lipid peroxidation and glutathione and the activities of CK and LDH. The present study indicates that mixed probiotic and bee pollen treatment can improve poor detoxification, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation as mechanisms implicated in the etiology of autism.
1‐Methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) retards the senescence of Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum by regulating the cellular energy status and membrane lipid metabolism

Abstract 1‐MCP is an ethylene inhibitor which can delay the ripening and senescence of fruits and vegetables effectively. Pteridium aquilinum var. Latiusculum (PA) is one of the wild vegetables which is famous and nutrient in China. However, the mechanism of PA preservation treated with 1‐MCP has not been reported. Consequently, the effects of postharvest 1‐MCP treatment on the changes in quality, energy metabolism, and membrane lipid metabolism of PA were investigated in this study. The results indicated that 1‐MCP treatment could effectively inhibit the decreases in firmness, titratable acid (TA) content and the increases in weight loss rate, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, membrane permeability, and membrane lipid metabolism‐related enzymes in PA. The cellular energy charge (EC) and the levels of ATP, ATP/ADP, and ATP/AMP, the activities of energy metabolism‐related enzymes, NAD+, and NADH were maintained, and the decreases in unsaturated fatty acids and the ratio of unsaturated‐to‐saturated fatty acids in the membrane of PA cells were effectively retarded by 1‐MCP treatment. A positive correlation was observed between cellular ATP levels and the ratio of unsaturated‐to‐saturated fatty acids, while negative correlations were observed between the ratio of unsaturated‐to‐saturated fatty acids and both lipid peroxidation and membrane permeability. These results indicated that higher levels of energy status, unsaturated‐to‐saturated fatty acid ratios, and lipid metabolism in the membrane could preserve the membrane integrity of postharvest PA and effectively extend its shelf life.
Endometrial and follicular development following stair-step and traditional protocols in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: An RCT

Abstract Background Various strategies have been proposed for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treatment. Objective To investigate and compare the number and size of ovarian follicles, endometrial thickness, and ovulation rate by traditional protocol (TP) and stair-step protocol (SSP). Materials and Methods Sixty infertile PCOS women were allocated into two groups (SSP = 30 and control TP = 30) between May and October 2019 in the Besat Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran. In the SSP group, the infertile women were treated with 50 mg/daily clomiphene citrate (CC) for five days, while the nonresponsive women were prescribed 100 mg daily CC for five days in the same cycle. The maximum dose (150 mg) was administered until ovulation occurred. In the control group, in non-ovulatory cases, the dose was increased in the next cycle. Ultrasound was used to detect ovulation. Results Endometrial thickness changes with various doses of CC were significantly different in the TP. The comparison of both protocols showed a significant difference in endometrial thickness only at 50 mg CC. The number of follicles in the left ovary was significantly different in both protocols at 150-mg CC. The size of ovarian follicles in the left ovary was significantly different between the two protocols at 100-mg CC. The ovulation rate was significantly different in the SSP at 100- and 150-mg doses of CC. Moreover, 86% of ovulation occurred at 100-mg CC in the SSP, while this rate was 73% in the TP. Conclusion The most appropriate dose for ovulation in patients with PCOS is 100 mg CC.
High-precision 41K/39K measurements by MC-ICP-MS indicate terrestrial variability of δ41K

Potassium is a major component in continental crust, the fourth-most abundant cation in seawater, and a key element in biological processes. Until recently, difficulties with existing analytical techniques hindered our ability to identify natural isotopic variability of potassium isotopes in terrestrial materials. However, measurement precision has greatly improved, and a range of K isotopic compositions has now been demonstrated in natural samples. In this study, we present a new technique for high-precision measurement of K isotopic ratios using high-resolution, cold plasma multi-collector mass spectrometry. We apply this technique to demonstrate natural variability in the ratio of 41K to 39K in a diverse group of geological and biological samples, including silicate and evaporite minerals, seawater, and plant and animal tissues. The total range in 41K/39K ratios is ca. 2.6‰, with a long-term external reproducibility of 0.17‰ (2σ, N = 108). Seawater and seawater-derived evaporite minerals are systematically enriched in 41K compared to silicate minerals by ca. 0.6‰, a result consistent with recent findings. Although our average bulk-silicate Earth value (−0.54‰) is indistinguishable from previously published values, we find systematic δ41K variability in some high-temperature sample suites, particularly those with evidence for the presence of fluids. The δ41K values of biological samples span a range of ca. 1.2‰ between terrestrial mammals, plants, and marine organisms. Implications of terrestrial K isotope variability for the atomic weight of K and K-based geochronology are discussed. Our results indicate that high-precision measurements of stable K isotopes, made using commercially available mass spectrometers, can provide unique insights into the chemistry of potassium in geological and biological systems.
Association study of taste preference: Analysis in the Lithuanian population

Abstract Taste has strong evolutionary basis in the sense of survival by influencing our behavior to obtain food/medicine or avoid poisoning. It is a complex trait and varies among individuals and distinct populations. We aimed to investigate the association between known genetic factors (673 SNPs) and taste preference in the Lithuanian population, as well as to determine a reasonable method for qualitative evaluation of a specific taste phenotype for further genetic analysis. Study group included individuals representing six ethnolinguistic regions of Lithuania. Case and control groups for each taste were determined according to the answers selected to the taste‐specific and frequency of specific food consumption questions. Sample sizes (case/control) for each taste are as follows: sweetness (55/179), bitterness (82/208), sourness (32/259), saltiness (42/249), and umami (96/190). Genotypes were extracted from the Illumina HumanOmniExpress‐12v1.1 arrays’ genotyping data. Analysis was performed using PLINK v1.9. We found associations between the main known genetic factors and four taste preferences in the Lithuanian population: sweetness—genes TAS1R3, TAS1R2, and GNAT3 (three SNPs); bitterness—genes CA6 and TAS2R38 (six SNPs); sourness—genes PKD2L1, ACCN2, PKD1L3, and ACCN1 (48 SNPs); and saltiness—genes SCNN1B and TRPV1 (five SNPs). We found our questionnaire as a beneficial aid for qualitative evaluation of taste preference. This was the first initiative to analyze genetic factors related to taste preference in the Lithuanian population. Besides, this study reproduces, supports, and complements results of previous limited taste genetic studies or ones that lack comprehensive results concerning distinct (ethnic) human populations.
Reconceptualising Atrial Fibrillation Using Renewal Theory: A Novel Approach to the Assessment of Atrial Fibrillation Dynamics

Despite a century of research, the mechanisms of AF remain unresolved. A universal motif within AF research has been unstable re-entry, but this remains poorly characterised, with competing key conceptual paradigms of multiple wavelets and more driving rotors. Understanding the mechanisms of AF is clinically relevant, especially with regard to treatment and ablation of the more persistent forms of AF. Here, the authors outline the surprising but reproducible finding that unstable re-entrant circuits are born and destroyed at quasi-stationary rates, a finding based on a branch of mathematics known as renewal theory. Renewal theory may be a way to potentially unify the multiple wavelet and rotor theories. The renewal rate constants are potentially attractive because they are temporally stable parameters of a defined probability distribution (the exponential distribution) and can be estimated with precision and accuracy due to the principles of renewal theory. In this perspective review, this new representational architecture for AF is explained and placed into context, and the clinical and mechanistic implications are discussed.
Theoretical investigation of mixing properties of Sb-Sn binary liquid alloy at 905K

The thermodynamic, microscopic, surface and transport properties of Sb-Sn liquid alloy at 905K have been studied using regular solution model. In thermodynamic properties, free energy of mixing(GM) , activity(a), entropy of mixing(SM), heat of mixing (HM) have been studied. To understand structural behavior of the liquid alloys concentration fluctuations in the long wavelength limit i.e. (Scc(0)) and short range order parameter (α1) have been computed. Surface property is studied with the help of Butler’s model while transport property is computed from Moelwyn-Hughes equation. The theoretical and experimental values of thermodynamic and microscopic properties of Sb-Sn liquid alloy at 905K have been compared. In present work the value of interchange energy (w) is found to be negative suggesting that there is a tendency of unlike atoms pairing (i.e. Sb-Sn) as the nearest neighbor indicating the ordering behavior in Sb-Sn liquid alloy. The symmetric behavior of concentration fluctuations of the liquid alloy has been well explained by the model. The temperature dependence of interchange energy (w) has been found during the computation of entropy of mixing (SM) and heat of mixing (HM) of the liquid alloy.BIBECHANA 15 (2018) 1-10
Optimal Approximation with Sparse Neural Networks and Applications

We use deep sparsely connected neural networks to measure the complexity of a function class in $L^2(\mathbb R^d)$ by restricting connectivity and memory requirement for storing the neural networks. We also introduce representation system - a countable collection of functions to guide neural networks, since approximation theory with representation system has been well developed in Mathematics. We then prove the fundamental bound theorem, implying a quantity intrinsic to the function class itself can give information about the approximation ability of neural networks and representation system. We also provides a method for transferring existing theories about approximation by representation systems to that of neural networks, greatly amplifying the practical values of neural networks. Finally, we use neural networks to approximate B-spline functions, which are used to generate the B-spline curves. Then, we analyse the complexity of a class called $\beta$ cartoon-like functions using rate-distortion theory and wedgelets construction.
(216) Kleopatra, a low density critically rotating M-type asteroid

Context. The recent estimates of the 3D shape of the M / Xe-type triple asteroid system (216) Kleopatra indicated a density of ∼ 5 g.cm − 3 , which is by far the highest for a small Solar System body. Such a high density implies a high metal content as well as a low porosity which is not easy to reconcile with its peculiar “dumbbell” shape. Aims. Given the unprecedented angular resolution of the VLT / SPHERE / ZIMPOL camera, here, we aim to constrain the mass (via the characteri-zation of the orbits of the moons) and the shape of (216) Kleopatra with high accuracy, hence its density. Methods. We combined our new VLT / SPHERE observations of (216) Kleopatra recorded during two apparitions in 2017 and 2018 with archival data from the W.M. Keck Observatory, as well as lightcurve, occultation, and delay-Doppler images, to derive a model of its 3D shape using two di ﬀ erent algorithms ( ADAM , MPCD). Furthermore, an N-body dynamical model allowed us to retrieve the orbital elements of the two moons as explained in the accompanying paper. Results. The shape of (216) Kleopatra is very close to an equilibrium dumbbell ﬁgure with two lobes and a thick neck. Its volume equivalent di- ameter (118 . 75 ± 1 . 40)km and mass (2 . 97 ± 0 . 32)·10 18 kg (i.e., 56% lower than previously reported) imply a bulk density of (3 . 38 ± 0 . 50)gcm − 3 . Such a low density for a supposedly metal-rich body indicates a substantial porosity within the primary. This porous structure along with its near equilibrium shape is compatible with a formation scenario including a giant impact followed by reaccumulation. (216) Kleopatra’s current rotation period and dumbbell shape imply that it is in a critically rotating state. The low e ﬀ ective gravity along the equator of the body, together with the equatorial orbits of the moons and possibly rubble-pile structure, opens the possibility that the moons formed via mass shedding. Conclusions. (216) Kleopatra is a puzzling multiple system due to the unique characteristics of the primary. This system certainly deserves particular attention in the future, with the Extremely Large Telescopes and possibly a dedicated space mission, to decipher its entire formation history.
Robust Beamforming Design for Rate Splitting Multiple Access-Aided MISO Visible Light Communications

—In this paper, we focus on the optimal beamformer design for rate splitting multiple access (RSMA)-aided multiple- input single-output (MISO) visible light communication (VLC) networks. First, we derive the closed-form lower bounds of the achievable rate of each user, which are the ﬁrst theoretical bound of achievable rate for RSMA-aided VLC networks. Second, we investigate the optimal beamformer design for RSMA-aided VLC networks to maximize the sum rate under the optical and electrical power constraints. In addition, we show that the proposed RSMA-aided networks can achieve superior performance compared with space-division multiple access (SDMA) and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA).