Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CXCL12 Neutralizing Antibody Promotes Hair Growth in Androgenic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata

We had previously investigated the expression and functional role of C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 12 (CXCL12) during the hair cycle progression. CXCL12 was highly expressed in stromal cells such as dermal fibroblasts (DFs) and inhibition of CXCL12 increased hair growth. Therefore, we further investigated whether a CXCL12 neutralizing antibody (αCXCL12) is effective for androgenic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA) and studied the underlying molecular mechanism for treating these diseases. In the AGA model, CXCL12 is highly expressed in DFs. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of αCXCL12 significantly induced hair growth in AGA mice, and treatment with αCXCL12 attenuated the androgen-induced hair damage in hair organ culture. Androgens increased the secretion of CXCL12 from DFs through the androgen receptor (AR). Secreted CXCL12 from DFs increased the expression of the AR and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CXCR4) in dermal papilla cells (DPCs), which induced hair loss in AGA. Likewise, CXCL12 expression is increased in AA mice, while s.c. injection of αCXCL12 significantly inhibited hair loss in AA mice and reduced the number of CD8+, MHC-I+, and MHC-II+ cells in the skin. In addition, injection of αCXCL12 also prevented the onset of AA and reduced the number of CD8+ cells. Interferon-γ (IFNγ) treatment increased the secretion of CXCL12 from DFs through the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, and αCXCL12 treatment protected the hair follicle from IFNγ in hair organ culture. Collectively, these results indicate that CXCL12 is involved in the progression of AGA and AA and antibody therapy for CXCL12 is promising for hair loss treatment.
Dermoscopic, Histological, Confocal Microscopy Correlation of Atypical-Dysplastic Melanocytic Nevi

Introduction The term “atypical melanocytic nevus” (AMN) is used as a synonym for dysplastic nevus (DN) in clinical practice. Although the criteria for diagnosis of AMN/DN by the Agency for Research on Cancer helps to differentiate AMN/DN from common acquired nevi, they do not have high degrees of specificity, as they are similar to those used for the diagnosis of melanoma. Objectives In this retrospective study we evaluated the correlation and diagnostic concordance of dermoscopy, confocal microscopy, and histological examination in 50 AMN. Methods A graded scale was used to compare histological examination with dermoscopy and confocal microscopy. Low magnification histological images of only the central part of lesions were examined. This allowed histological diagnoses based almost exclusively on architectural criteria instead of simultaneously architectural and cytological, as in the global histological examination. Results Our data demonstrate that the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy and confocal microscopy diagnosis of the clinical aspects of AMN/DN as nevi or melanomas tends to be equivalent, being fair for nevi and excellent for melanomas. The total percentage of AMN suggested that the accuracy of confocal microscopy in the diagnosis of melanoma (86.7%) is greater than that of dermoscopy (73.3%). Conclusions This study demonstrated that diagnostic assessments of AMN/DN by dermoscopy and confocal microscopy are accurate and often coincide with those of histological examination and that their combined use helps to better manage and monitor these patients by facilitating early detection of melanomas and reducing unnecessary excisions of benign melanocytic lesions.
Response of northern winter polar cap to auroral substorms

The three‐phase substorm sequence has been generally accepted and is often tied to the Dungey cycle. Although previous studies have mostly agreed on the increase and decrease in the polar cap area during an episode of substorm, there are disparate views on when the polar cap starts to contract relative to substorm onset. Here we address this conflict using high‐resolution (~1–3 min) snapshot global auroral images from the ultraviolet imager on board the Polar spacecraft. On the basis of 28 auroral substorm events, all observed in the Northern Hemispheric winter, it is found that the polar cap inflated prior to onset in all events and it attained the largest area ~6 min prior to the substorm expansion phase onset, while the dayside polar cap area remained steady around the onset. The onset of nightside polar cap deflation is found to be attributed to intensifications of aurora on the poleward edge of the nightside oval, mostly in the midnight sector. Although this result supports the loading‐unloading and reconnection substorm models, it is not clear if the initial polar cap deflation and the substorm expansion are parts of the same process.
Secretome Analysis of Thermothelomyces thermophilus LMBC 162 Cultivated with Tamarindus indica Seeds Reveals CAZymes for Degradation of Lignocellulosic Biomass

The analysis of the secretome allows us to identify the proteins, especially carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), secreted by different microorganisms cultivated under different conditions. The CAZymes are divided into five classes containing different protein families. Thermothelomyces thermophilus is a thermophilic ascomycete, a source of many glycoside hydrolases and oxidative enzymes that aid in the breakdown of lignocellulosic materials. The secretome analysis of T. thermophilus LMBC 162 cultivated with submerged fermentation using tamarind seeds as a carbon source revealed 79 proteins distributed between the five diverse classes of CAZymes: 5.55% auxiliary activity (AAs); 2.58% carbohydrate esterases (CEs); 20.58% polysaccharide lyases (PLs); and 71.29% glycoside hydrolases (GHs). In the identified GH families, 54.97% are cellulolytic, 16.27% are hemicellulolytic, and 0.05 are classified as other. Furthermore, 48.74% of CAZymes have carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs). Observing the relative abundance, it is possible to state that only thirteen proteins comprise 92.19% of the identified proteins secreted and are probably the main proteins responsible for the efficient degradation of the bulk of the biomass: cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin.
Implementing data on targeted therapy from the INFORM registry platform for children with relapsed cancer in Sweden

Background Advances in treatment of childhood malignancies have improved overall cure rates to 80%. Nevertheless, cancer is still the most common cause of childhood mortality in Sweden. The prognosis is particularly poor for relapse of high-risk malignancies. In the international INFORM registry, tumor tissue from patients with relapsed, refractory, or progressive pediatric cancer as well as from very-high risk primary tumors is biologically characterized using next-generation sequencing to identify possible therapeutic targets. We analyzed data from Swedish children included in the INFORM registry concerning patient characteristics, survival, sequencing results and whether targeted treatment was administered to the children based on the molecular findings. Methods A registry-based descriptive analysis of 184 patients included in the INFORM registry in Sweden during 2016–2021. Results The most common diagnoses were soft tissue and bone sarcomas followed by high grade gliomas [including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)]. Complete molecular analysis was successful for 203/212 samples originating from 184 patients. In 88% of the samples, at least one actionable target was identified. Highly prioritized targets, according to a preset scale, were identified in 48 (24%) samples from 40 patients and 24 of these patients received matched targeted treatment but only six children within a clinical trial. No statistically significant benefit in terms of overall survival or progression free survival was observed between children treated with matched targeted treatment compared to all others. Conclusion This international collaborative study demonstrate feasibility regarding sequencing of pediatric high-risk tumors providing molecular data regarding potential actionable targets to clinicians. For a few individuals the INFORM analysis was of utmost importance and should be regarded as a new standard of care with the potential to guide targeted therapy.
Assessment of nutritional chemicals and antioxidant activities of some food components for their potential as functional foods and prebiotics

Functional foods are known to contain some nutritional chemicals and/or possess antioxidant properties. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the nutritional chemicals and antioxidant activities of date, walnut, cashew nut and bush mango seeds for their potential as functional foods. Proximate, mineral, phytochemical, anti-nutritional, antioxidant and amino acid compositions of the food samples were investigated using standard methods. The moisture content observed in the four functional foods was highest in cashew nut with a percentage value of 6.25% and lowest in walnut (4.33%). Also, cashew nut had the highest amount of protein, with a value of 28.55%. Fat ranged from 0.98 – 1.78%; There was a noticeable high amount of total carbohydrate as its value ranged from 42.45 – 56.55%. Proximate analysis also revealed low ash contents. Mineral analysis revealed the presence of magnesium, calcium, potassium, nitrogen, sodium and phosphorus. Date had the highest amount of potassium (2.67%) whereas walnut had the highest amount of phosphorus (1.22%). Energy contribution from protein ranged from 12.21 – 16.37% while that of fat ranged from 1.69 – 2.86%. Anti-nutritional analysis showed the presence of oxalate, phytic acid, tannin and cyanide. Several phytochemicals like saponin, alkaloid, flavonoid and steroid were detected in all the samples. Essential amino acids were present in the samples in varied concentrations. Concentration of glutamic acid was highest in walnut (13.02 g/100g) followed by cashew nut (12.87 g/100g). All the samples showed antioxidant activities which was significant. This study has revealed that date, walnut, cashew nut and bush mango seed possess potential as functional foods which provide a wide range of essential nutrients and antioxidant properties with many potential health benefits.
Relationships between psychopathological symptoms, pandemic-related stress, perceived social support, and COVID-19 infection history: a network analysis in Chinese college students

Introduction Previous coronavirus, 2019 (COVID-19) research has applied network analysis to examine relationships between psychopathological symptoms but rarely extended to potential risk and protective factors or the influence of COVID-19 infection history. This study examined complex inter-relationships between psychopathological symptoms, COVID-19–related stressors, perceived social support, and COVID-19 infection history among Chinese university/college students during the peak of fifth pandemic wave using a network analysis approach. Methods A Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator–regularized partial correlation network using Gaussian graphical model was constructed in 1,395 Chinese university/college students in Hong Kong who completed a survey between 15 March and 3 April, 2022. Depressive, anxiety, and acute/traumatic stress symptoms were measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Impact of Event Scale-6, respectively. COVID-19–related stressors and perceived social support were measured. Network differences by COVID-19 infection history (COVID-network vs. no_COVID-network) and network communities were examined. Results Our results showed that the most influential nodes were depressed mood, uncontrollable worries, and uncontrollable thoughts about COVID-19. The main bridging symptoms were concentration problems and psychomotor problems. The COVID-network, comprising participants with a history of COVID-19 infection only, was significantly stronger than the no_COVID-network. Perceived social support and stress from conflicts with family/friends formed a unique community with negative cognition and suicidal idea in the COVID-network only. Conclusion Our findings indicate that specific interventions targeting interpersonal conflicts and concentration problems as well as facilitating stress buffering effects of social support may represent effective strategies to reduce psychological distress in university/college students during COVID-19 and should be considered for future pandemic preparedness.
Can the Revolution in mRNA-Based Vaccine Technologies Solve the Intractable Health Issues of Current Ruminant Production Systems?

To achieve the World Health Organization’s global Sustainable Development Goals, increased production of high-quality protein for human consumption is required while minimizing, ideally reducing, environmental impacts. One way to achieve these goals is to address losses within current livestock production systems. Infectious diseases are key limiters of edible protein production, affecting both quantity and quality. In addition, some of these diseases are zoonotic threats and potential contributors to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Vaccination has proven to be highly successful in controlling and even eliminating several livestock diseases of economic importance. However, many livestock diseases, both existing and emerging, have proven to be recalcitrant targets for conventional vaccination technologies. The threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented global investment in vaccine technologies to accelerate the development of safe and efficacious vaccines. While several vaccination platforms emerged as front runners to meet this challenge, the clear winner is mRNA-based vaccination. The challenge now is for livestock industries and relevant stakeholders to harness these rapid advances in vaccination to address key diseases affecting livestock production. This review examines the key features of mRNA vaccines, as this technology has the potential to control infectious diseases of importance to livestock production that have proven otherwise difficult to control using conventional approaches. This review focuses on the challenging diseases of ruminants due to their importance in global protein production. Overall, the current literature suggests that, while mRNA vaccines have the potential to address challenges in veterinary medicine, further developments are likely to be required for this promise to be realized for ruminant and other livestock species.
Soil Stabilization with Fly ash and Industrial Waste

In this present work, it is aimed at developing a new building material from the lime scrap, an industrial The objective of this paper is to upgrade expansive soil as a construction material using industrial waste and fly ash, which are waste materials. Remolded expansive clay was blended with industrial waste and fly ash and strength tests were conducted. The potential of industrial waste -fly ash blend as a swell reduction layer between the footing of a foundation and sub grade was studied. In order to examine the importance of the study, a cost comparison was made for the preparation of the sub-base of a highway project with and without the admixture stabilizations. Stress strain behavior of unconfined compressive strength showed that failure stress and strains increased by 106% and 50% respectively when the fly ash content was increased from 0 to 25%. When the industrial waste content was increased from 0 to 12%, Unconfined Compressive Stress increased by 97% while CBR improved by 47%. Therefore, an industrial waste content of 12% and a fly ash content of 25% are recommended for strengthening the expansive sub grade soil. A fly ash content of 15% is recommended for blending into industrial waste for forming a swell reduction layer because of its satisfactory performance in the laboratory tests.
Retinal Alterations Predict Early Prodromal Signs of Neurodegenerative Disease

Neurodegenerative diseases are an increasingly common group of diseases that occur late in life with a significant impact on personal, family, and economic life. Among these, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are the major disorders that lead to mild to severe cognitive and physical impairment and dementia. Interestingly, those diseases may show onset of prodromal symptoms early after middle age. Commonly, the evaluation of these neurodegenerative diseases is based on the detection of biomarkers, where functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have shown a central role in revealing early or prodromal phases, although it can be expensive, time-consuming, and not always available. The aforementioned diseases have a common impact on the visual system due to the pathophysiological mechanisms shared between the eye and the brain. In Parkinson’s disease, α-synuclein deposition in the retinal cells, as well as in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra, alters the visual cortex and retinal function, resulting in modifications to the visual field. Similarly, the visual cortex is modified by the neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic amyloid β plaques typically seen in the Alzheimer’s disease brain, and this may reflect the accumulation of these biomarkers in the retina during the early stages of the disease, as seen in postmortem retinas of AD patients. In this light, the ophthalmic evaluation of retinal neurodegeneration could become a cost-effective method for the early diagnosis of those diseases, overcoming the limitations of functional and structural imaging of the deep brain. This analysis is commonly used in ophthalmic practice, and interest in it has risen in recent years. This review will discuss the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease with retinal degeneration, highlighting how retinal analysis may represent a noninvasive and straightforward method for the early diagnosis of these neurodegenerative diseases.
Nicotinamide Riboside Regulates Chemotaxis to Decrease Inflammation and Ameliorate Functional Recovery Following Spinal Cord Injury in Mice

Changes in intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels have been observed in various disease states. A decrease in NAD+ levels has been noted following spinal cord injury (SCI). Nicotinamide riboside (NR) serves as the precursor of NAD+. Previous research has demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and apoptosis-reducing effects of NR supplements. However, it remains unclear whether NR exerts a similar role in mice after SCI. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of NR on these changes in a mouse model of SCI. Four groups were considered: (1) non-SCI without NR (Sham), (2) non-SCI with NR (Sham +NR), (3) SCI without NR (SCI), and (4) SCI with NR (SCI + NR). Female C57BL/6J mice aged 6–8 weeks were intraperitoneally administered with 500 mg/kg/day NR for a duration of one week. The supplementation of NR resulted in a significant elevation of NAD+ levels in the spinal cord tissue of mice after SCI. In comparison to the SCI group, NR supplementation exhibited regulatory effects on the chemotaxis/recruitment of leukocytes, leading to reduced levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-22 in the injured area. Moreover, NR supplementation notably enhanced the survival of neurons and synapses within the injured area, ultimately resulting in improved motor functions after SCI. Therefore, our research findings demonstrated that NR supplementation had inhibitory effects on leukocyte chemotaxis, anti-inflammatory effects, and could significantly improve the immune micro-environment after SCI, thereby promoting neuronal survival and ultimately enhancing the recovery of motor functions after SCI. NR supplementation showed promise as a potential clinical treatment strategy for SCI.
Fjord light regime: Bio‐optical variability, absorption budget, and hyperspectral light availability in Sognefjord and Trondheimsfjord, Norway

Optically active constituents (OACs) in addition to water molecules attenuate light via processes of absorption and scattering and thereby determine underwater light availability. An analysis of their optical properties helps in determining the contribution of each of these to light attenuation. With an aim to study the bio-optical variability, absorption budget and 1% spectral light availability, hydrographical (temperature and salinity), and hyperspectral optical (downwelling irradiance and upwelling radiance) profiles were measured along fjord transects in Sognefjord and Trondheimsfjord, Norway. Optical water quality observations were also performed using Secchi disc and Forel-Ule scale. In concurrence, water samples were collected and analyzed via visible spectrophotometry, fluorometry, and gravimetry to quantify and derive inherent optical properties of the water constituents. An absorption model (R2 = 0.91, n = 36, p < 0.05) as a function of OACs is developed for Sognefjord using multiple regression analysis. Influenced by glacial meltwater, Sognefjord had higher concentration of inorganic suspended matter, while Trondheimsfjord had higher concentrations of CDOM. Increase in turbidity caused increased attenuation of light upstream, as a result of which the euphotic depth decreased from outer to inner fjord sections. Triangular representation of absorption budget revealed dominant absorption by CDOM at 443–555 nm, while that by phytoplankton at 665 nm. Sognefjord however exhibited much greater optical complexity. A significantly strong correlation between salinity and acdom440 is used to develop an algorithm to estimate acdom440 using salinity in Trondheimsfjord.
Arctic sounds on temperate shores : The occurrence of song and ground display in Knots Calidris canutus at spring staging sites

In May 1990, more than 4500 km away from, and up to three weeks before arriving on their high Arctic breeding grounds, individuals of two subspecies of Knots, Calidris canutus islandica and canutus, showed ground display and song whilst foraging in flocks on the tidal flats in the Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein, FRG. Similar displays and songs were recorded in May 1987 and 1988 on the staging areas of C.c. islandica in northwest Iceland. The display behaviour, identified as the 'tail-up display', is probably performed only by males towards females, and occurs commonly just after arrival at the tundra breeding sites. Tail-up displays may result in copulations both on the staging and on the breeding sites. On the staging sites, tail-up displays were most frequent in the days prior to the departure of flocks to a subsequent stopover area (Iceland) or for presumed direct flights to the Canadian and the Siberian Arctic. Our observations suggest that the behavioural condition required for reproduction may, at least in males, develop some weeks before the actual arrival in the breeding areas.