Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combinatorial Effect of Cold Atmosphere Plasma (CAP) and the Anticancer Drug Cisplatin on Oral Squamous Cell Cancer Therapy

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been extensively investigated in the local treatment of cancer due to its potential of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in biological systems. In this study, we examined the synergistic effect of combination of CAP and cisplatin-mediated chemotherapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in vitro. SCC-15 OSCC cells and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) cells were treated with cisplatin, and then, the cells were irradiated with CAP. Following this, viability and apoptosis behavior of the cells were investigated. The viability of SCC-15 cells was inhibited by cisplatin with a dose-dependent manner and CAP treatment time. HGF-1 cells also showed decreased viability by treatment with cisplatin and CAP. Combination of 1 μM cisplatin plus 3 min of CAP treatment or 3 μM cisplatin plus 1 min of CAP treatment showed a synergistic anticancer effect with appropriate cytotoxicity against normal cells. ROS generation and dead cell staining were also increased by the increase in CAP treatment time. Furthermore, tumor-suppressor proteins and apoptosis-related enzymes also increased according to the treatment time of CAP. We showed the synergistic effect of cisplatin and CAP treatment against SCC-15 cells with low cytotoxicity against normal cells.
Group Positive Affect and Beyond: An Integrative Review and Future Research Agenda

Group positive affect is defined as homogeneous positive affect among group members that emerges when working together. Considering that previous research has shown a significant relationship between group positive affect and a wide variety of group outcomes (e.g., behaviors, wellbeing, and performance), it is crucial to boost our knowledge about this construct in the work context. The main purpose is to review empirical research, to synthesize the findings and to provide research agenda about group positive affect, in order to better understand this construct. Through the PsycNET and Proquest Central databases, an integrative review was conducted to identify articles about group positive affect published between January 1990 and March 2019. A total of 44 articles were included and analyzed. Finding suggests that scholars have been more interested in understanding the outcomes of group positive affect and how to improve the productivity of groups than in knowing what the antecedents are. A summary conclusion is that group positive affect is related to leadership, job demands, job resources, diversity/similarity, group processes, and contextual factors, all of which influence the development of several outcomes and different types of wellbeing at the individual and group levels. However, with specific combinations of other conditions (e.g., group trust, negative affect, and interaction), high levels of group positive affect could cause harmful results. Conclusions shed light on group positive affect research and practice and might help Human Resources professionals to initiate empirically-based strategies related to recruitment, group design and leadership training.
Upholding Success: Asian Americans, Egg Freezing, and the Fertility Paradox

ABSTRACT Asian American women are turning to oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing) at rates higher than would be expected, given that Asian Americans make up less than six percent of the total United States population. Based on ethnographic interviews with 23 women of East, Southeast, and South Asian ancestry, we examine the “fertility paradox” faced by highly educated Asian American professional women. Despite achieving multiple “pillars of success,” these women have difficulty finding educated partners with whom to pursue childbearing. Egg freezing offers feelings of empowerment and relief from pressure for Asian American women, holding open the possibility of future biogenetic motherhood. Video Abstract Read the transcript Watch the video on Vimeo
Sensitivity to interaural time differences and localization accuracy in cochlear implant users with combined electric-acoustic stimulation

Objectives In this study, localization accuracy and sensitivity to acoustic interaural time differences (ITDs) in subjects using cochlear implants with combined electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) were assessed and compared with the results of a normal hearing control group. Methods Eight CI users with EAS (2 bilaterally implanted, 6 unilaterally implanted) and symmetric binaural acoustic hearing and 24 normal hearing subjects participated in the study. The first experiment determined mean localization error (MLE) for different angles of sound incidence between ± 60° (frontal and dorsal presentation). The stimuli were either low-pass, high-pass or broadband noise bursts. In a second experiment, just noticeable differences (JND) of ITDs were measured for pure tones of 125 Hz, 250 Hz and 500 Hz (headphone presentation). Results Experiment 1: MLE of EAS subjects was 8.5°, 14.3° and 14.7°, (low-, high-pass and broadband stimuli respectively). In the control group, MLE was 1.8° (broadband stimuli). In the differentiation between sound incidence from front and back, EAS subjects performed on chance level. Experiment 2: The JND-ITDs were 88.7 μs for 125 Hz, 48.8 μs for 250 Hz and 52.9 μs for 500 Hz (EAS subjects). Compared to the control group, JND-ITD for 125 Hz was on the same level of performance. No statistically significant correlation was found between MLE and JND-ITD in the EAS cohort. Conclusions Near to normal ITD sensitivity in the lower frequency acoustic hearing was demonstrated in a cohort of EAS users. However, in an acoustic localization task, the majority of the subjects did not reached the level of accuracy of normal hearing. Presumably, signal processing time delay differences between devices used on both sides are deteriorating the transfer of precise binaural timing cues.
Immune responses in genomically simple SWI/SNF–deficient cancers

INTRODUCTION Immunogenic tumor cells can be recognized by the immune system with resultant antitumor responses by effector cells, whereas immunoediting processes can blunt this response and facilitate tumor expansion. Successful immunotherapies based on immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) have been particularly associated with the promotion of T-cell responses against tumor antigens. The tumor mutational burden (TMB) in the coding genome has been previously correlated with the number of neoantigens and with the response to ICB. Tumors with defects in mismatch repair are the epitome of this association. The contributions to the antitumor immune response of other classes of potential tumor-specific antigens, arising from sources such as mutations in the noncoding genome, defects in the splicing machinery, and altered epigenetic silencing of transposable elements (TEs), are far less investigated. The switch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) complex is an adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase)–dependent chromatin remodeler and ubiquitous regulator of the chromatin state and gene expression. Mammalian SWI/SNF complexes are variably composed of the products of 29 genes and result in either BAF or PBAF canonical complexes as well as noncanonical complexes. Genetic variations in genes encoding SWI/SNF subunits such as ARID1A, ARID2, PBRM1, and SMARCA4 have been reported altogether in approximately 20% of human malignancies. Although these often occur in the background of numerous other mutations in common cancers, deficiencies in specific SWI/SNF members are considered to be the primary oncogenic drivers in several otherwise lowly mutated cancers (eg, SMARCB1 in rhabdoid tumor [RT], renal medullary carcinoma [RMC], and undifferentiated chordoma [UC] and SMARCA4 in small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type). Unexpectedly, recent studies have reported that some SWI/SNF-deficient tumors are infiltrated by immune cells and that they can respond to immune checkpoint blockers in both mouse models and in humans despite their simple genome. Here, we aim to summarize these studies reporting an immune response against SWI/SNF-driven tumor types and the different epigenetic and cellular mechanisms underlying immunogenicity. Finally, we discuss potential clinical applications, including immunotherapy and combination approaches targeting these mechanisms, that could be developed for patients with these tumor types.
Efficacy of axitinib in metastatic head and neck cancer with novel radiographic response criteria

There are limited treatment options for unresectable recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Vascular endothelial growth factor is of significant interest for targeted therapy in R/M HNSCC because of its central role in tumorigenesis and immunosuppression. Axitinib is a potent inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 1 , VEGFR2, VEGFR3, platelet‐derived growth factor receptor, as well as c‐kit and offers such an approach.
Polymerase δ promotes chromosomal rearrangements and imprecise double-strand break repair

Significance We identify the replicative polymerase polymerase δ (Pol δ) as a promoter of aberrant DNA double-strand break end-joining events in human cells, including chromosomal translocations between targeted double-strand breaks. These studies identify a previously unknown role for Pol δ in human cells of multiple lineages and suggest a mechanism of Pol δ-dependent mutagenesis. Recent studies have implicated DNA polymerases θ (Pol θ) and β (Pol β) as mediators of alternative nonhomologous end-joining (Alt-NHEJ) events, including chromosomal translocations. Here we identify subunits of the replicative DNA polymerase δ (Pol δ) as promoters of Alt-NHEJ that results in more extensive intrachromosomal mutations at a single double-strand break (DSB) and more frequent translocations between two DSBs. Depletion of the Pol δ accessory subunit POLD2 destabilizes the complex, resulting in degradation of both POLD1 and POLD3 in human cells. POLD2 depletion markedly reduces the frequency of translocations with sequence modifications but does not affect the frequency of translocations with exact joins. Using separation-of-function mutants, we show that both the DNA synthesis and exonuclease activities of the POLD1 subunit contribute to translocations. As described in yeast and unlike Pol θ, Pol δ also promotes homology-directed repair. Codepletion of POLD2 with 53BP1 nearly eliminates translocations. POLD1 and POLD2 each colocalize with phosphorylated H2AX at ionizing radiation-induced DSBs but not with 53BP1. Codepletion of POLD2 with either ligase 3 (LIG3) or ligase 4 (LIG4) does not further reduce translocation frequency compared to POLD2 depletion alone. Together, these data support a model in which Pol δ promotes Alt-NHEJ in human cells at DSBs, including translocations.
An Evaluation of the Activity of Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein on Differentiated Neutrophil-Like Cells from Human Cell Lines

Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) treatment ameliorated the survival rate of septic mice by suppressing excess immunothrombus formation. Although such findings suggested that HRG may be one of the most useful drugs for sepsis, obtaining a stable experimental system to standardize the HRG drug product is difficult to achieve using neutrophils isolated from volunteers. This is due to the short survival time and individual differences of human neutrophils. In the present study, we determined whether the differentiated neutrophil-like cell lines exhibited similar responses to HRG compared with human purified neutrophils. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was employed to induce the differentiation of the human myeloid leukemia cell lines HL-60 and NB-4. Thereafter, the cells were treated with Hank’s balanced salt solution, human serum albumin, or HRG. The effects of HRG on these cells were evaluated according to cell shape, microcapillary passage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation, the expression of activated CD11b, and cell viability. HRG maintained the round shape of differentiated neutrophil-like cells, decreased the time required by cells to pass through the microcapillaries, and inhibited ROS production, NETs formation, and the expression of activated CD11b on the cell surface. Moreover, the cells could survive longer in the presence of HRG than the control. The ATRA-induced differentiated cell lines could be used as alternatives to neutrophils to investigate the effects of HRG on neutrophils. This method can thus be used as an essential standardization test in pharmaceutical development. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Human neutrophils exhibit varying responses to histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG); however, all-trans retinoic acid–induced differentiated neutrophil-like cell lines can be used as reliably proxies to investigate the effects of HRG on neutrophils. Additionally, these cell lines can be employed in the development of therapies for the treatment of sepsis.
Magnetorheological Effect of Magnetoactive Elastomer with a Permalloy Filler

Within the frames of this study, the synthesis of a permalloy to be used as a filler for magnetoactive and magnetorheological elastomers (MAEs and MREs) was carried out. By means of the mechanochemical method, an alloy with the composition 75 wt. % of Fe and 25 wt. % of Ni was obtained. The powder of the product was utilized in the synthesis of MAEs. Study of the magnetorheological (MR) properties of the elastomer showed that in a ~400 mT magnetic field the shear modulus of the MAE increased by a factor of ~200, exhibiting an absolute value of ~8 MPa. Furthermore, we obtained experimentally a relative high loss factor for the studied composite; this relates to the size and morphology of the synthesized powder. The composite with such properties is a very perspective material for magnetocontrollable damping devices. Under the action of an external magnetic field, chain-like structures are formed inside the elastomeric matrix, which is the main determining factor for obtaining a high MR effect. The effect of chain-like structures formation is most pronounced in the region of small strains, since structures are partially destroyed at large strains. A proposed theoretical model based on chain formation sufficiently well describes the experimentally observed MR effect. The peculiarity of the model is that chains of aggregates of particles, instead of individual particles, are considered.
Comparison of Clonogenic Survival Data Obtained by Pre- and Post-Irradiation Methods

Clonogenic assays are the gold standard to measure in vitro radiosensitivity, which use two cell plating methods, before or after irradiation (IR). However, the effect of the plating method on the experimental outcome remains unelucidated. By using common cancer cell lines, here we demonstrate that pre-IR and post-IR plating methods have a negligible effect on the clonogenic assay-derived photon sensitivity as assessed by SF2, SF4, SF6, SF8, D10, or D50 (N.B. SFx indicates the survival at X Gy; Dx indicates the dose providing X% survival). These data provide important biological insight that supports inter-study comparison and integrated analysis of published clonogenic assay data regardless of the plating method used.
Comments on: Fertility-sparing treatment for intramucous, moderately differentiated, endometrioid endometrial cancer: a Gynecologic Cancer Inter-Group (GCIG) study

https://ejgo.org Recently, Falcone et al. [1] reported the oncologic and reproductive outcomes of fertilitysparing treatment in women with endometrium-confined, grade 2, endometrioid endometrial cancer using Gynecologic Cancer Inter-Group (GCIG)-endorsed registry. This is the largest series ever reported on the grade 2, endometrial cancer [1]. The complete response rate (73.9%) and recurrence rate (41.1%) in this report was similar with those obtained in grade 1 endometrial cancer [1]. Therefore, it seems that fertility-sparing treatment can be a reasonable treatment option for women with endometrium-confined, grade 2, endometrioid endometrial cancer. In order to expand the indication of fertilitysparing treatment in endometrial cancer, studies are being conducted to apply fertilitysparing treatment not only to grade 2 but also to endometrial cancer with superficial myometrial invasion [2]. There are several additional considerations to apply fertility-sparing treatment in endometrial cancer which is more advanced than endometrium-confined, grade 1, endometrioid endometrial cancer.
Comparative Study of Nanostructured CuSe Semiconductor Synthesized in a Planetary and Vibratory Mill

Copper(II) selenide, CuSe was prepared from Cu and Se powders in a stoichiometric ratio by a rapid, and convenient one-step mechanochemical synthesis, after 5 and 10 min of milling in a planetary, and an industrial vibratory, mill. The kinetics of the synthesis, and the structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of CuSe products prepared in the two types of mill were studied. Their crystal structure, physical properties, and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction, specific surface area measurements, particle size distribution, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. The products crystallized in a hexagonal crystal structure. However, a small amount of orthorhombic phase was also identified. The scanning electron microscopy revealed that both products consist of agglomerated particles of irregular shape, forming clusters with a size ~50 μm. Transmission electron microscopy proved the nanocrystalline character of the CuSe particles. The optical properties were studied using UV–Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The determined band gap energies of 1.6 and 1.8 eV for the planetary- and vibratory-milled product, respectively, were blue-shifted relative to the bulk CuSe. CuSe prepared in the vibratory mill had lower resistivity and higher conductivity, which corresponds to its larger crystallite size in comparison with CuSe prepared in the planetary mill.
Tenacibaculum piscium sp. nov., isolated from skin ulcers of sea-farmed fish, and description of Tenacibaculum finnmarkense sp. nov. with subdivision into genomovars finnmarkense and ulcerans.

Results of previous multilocus sequence and whole-genome-based analyses have suggested that a homogeneous group of isolates belonging to the genus Tenacibaculum, represented by strain TNO020T and associated with skin ulcer development in sea-farmed fish, represents an as-yet-undescribed species. Comparative whole-genome analysis performed in the present study clustered five isolates, including TNO020T, in a distinct lineage within the genus Tenacibaculum. Phenotypic differences, high intra-cluster average nucleotide identity (ANI) values and low ANI values with other Tenacibaculum species support the proposal of a novel species, for which we propose the name Tenacibaculum piscium sp. nov. with strain TNO020T (=CCUG 73833T=NCIMB 15240T) as the type strain. Further, large-scale genome analyses confirmed the existence of two different phylogenetic lineages within 'T. finnmarkense', a species effectively but not validly published previously. ANI values just above the species delineation threshold of 95-96 % confirmed that both lineages belong to the same species. This result was also supported by DNA-DNA hybridization values. Phenotypically, the two conspecific lineages are distinguishable by differences in growth temperature range and ability to degrade l-proline. For the group of isolates already commonly known as 'T. finnmarkense', we propose the name Tenacibaculum finnmarkense sp. nov., with strain TNO006T (=CCUG 73831T=NCIMB 15238T) as the type strain. We further propose the subdivision of T. finnmarkense sp. nov. into two genomovars, T. finnmarkense genomovar finnmarkense with strain TNO006T (=CCUG 73831T=NCIMB 15238T) as the type strain and T. finnmarkense genomovar ulcerans with strain TNO010T (=CCUG 73832T=NCIMB 15239T) as the type strain.
Effects of Concurrent Training and a Multi-Ingredient Performance Supplement Containing Rhodiola rosea and Cordyceps sinensis on Body Composition, Performance, and Health in Active Men

Abstract Introduction Supplementation with Rhodiola Rosea (RR) and Cordyceps Sinensis (CS) has been shown to improve aerobic performance, but their influence on concurrent training (resistance training plus high intensity interval training) outcomes has not been established. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of supplementation with a multi-ingredient performance supplement (MIPS) containing RR and CS during a 14-week training and testing program on body composition, weekly exercise training outcomes, overall training and performance outcomes, and hormone profiles. Methods Active college-aged men (N = 21) were stratified into either a MIPS or a placebo (PLA) group. Both groups completed 14 weeks of training and testing. Body composition, overall training outcomes, and blood sample collection occurred at weeks 0, 7, and 14, while training performance was evaluated weekly. Results Both groups improved (p < 0.05) percent body fat (-1.3%), bench press (+4%) and squat strength (+8%), with no difference between groups. Serum cortisol concentrations significantly decreased (-11%) but there were no differences between groups. No other changes in blood hormone profiles occurred. Weekly exercise performance data suggests that MIPS improved sprint performance, bench press lifting volume, and total workload, but this did not lead to improved overall training performance compared to PLA over the14-week study. Conclusion Despite MIPS improving certain aspects of weekly training performance, supplementation with MIPS for 14 weeks did not improve body composition, overall training and performance outcomes, or blood biomarkers of health in response to concurrent training in young men compared to PLA. This study was registered with clinicaltrials. gov (NCT02383017).
Larval food affects oviposition preference, female fecundity and offspring survival in Yponomeuta evonymellus

1. Yponomeuta evonymellus is a monophagous moth that feeds on Prunus padus which is native to Europe. In recent years, larval feeding and egg clusters have also been observed on non‐native Prunus serotina plants; however, survival of larvae on this new host is very low.
High fat diet-induced obesity causes a reduction in brain tyrosine hydroxylase levels and non-motor features in rats through metabolic dysfunction, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress

ABSTRACT Obesity is a health problem that has been associated with neuroinflammation, decreased cognitive functions and development of neurodegenerative diseases. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative condition characterized by motor and non-motor abnormalities, increased brain inflammation, α-synuclein protein aggregation and dopaminergic neuron loss that is associated with decreased levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the brain. Diet-induced obesity is a global epidemic and its role as a risk factor for PD is not clear. Herein, we showed that 25 weeks on a high-fat diet (HFD) promotes significant alterations in the nigrostriatal axis of Wistar rats. Obesity induced by HFD exposure caused a reduction in TH levels and increased TH phosphorylation at serine 40 in the ventral tegmental area. These effects were associated with insulin resistance, increased tumor necrosis factor-α levels, oxidative stress, astrogliosis and microglia activation. No difference was detected in the levels of α-synuclein. Obesity also induced impairment of locomotor activity, total mobility and anxiety-related behaviors that were identified in the open-field and light/dark tasks. There were no changes in motor coordination or memory. Together, these data suggest that the reduction of TH levels in the nigrostriatal axis occurs through an α-synuclein-independent pathway and can be attributed to brain inflammation, oxidative/nitrosative stress and metabolic disorders induced by obesity.