Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-21 inhibition attenuates airway inflammation and remodelling by modulating the transforming growth factor β–Smad7 pathway

Background/Aims Current asthma therapies remain unsatisfactory for controlling airway remodelling in asthma. MicroRNA-21 is a key player in asthma pathogenesis, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects on airway remodelling are not completely understood. We investigated the effects of inhibition of microRNA-21 on allergic airway inflammation and remodelling. Methods Female BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: control, ovalbumin-sensitized and -challenged for 3 months, microRNA-negative control-treated ovalbumin-treated, and microRNA-21 inhibitor-treated ovalbumin-treated groups. Parameters related to airway remodelling, cytokine production, airway inflammation, and airway hyperresponsiveness were compared between groups. Human bronchial smooth muscle cells were used in a mechanism study. Results In this asthma model, ovalbumin-sensitized and -challenged mice exhibited allergic airway inflammation and airway remodelling. MicroRNA-21 inhibitor-treated mice had fewer inflammatory cells, lower TH2 cytokine production, and suppressed parameters related to remodelling such as goblet cell hyperplasia, collagen deposition, hydroxyproline content, and expression of smooth muscle actin. Inhibition of microRNA-21 decreased transforming growth factor β1 expression and induced Smad7 expression in lung tissue. In human bronchial smooth muscle cells stimulated with transforming growth factor β1, microRNA-21 inhibition upregulated Smad7 expression and decreased markers of airway remodelling. Conclusions Inhibition of microRNA-21 had both anti-inflammatory and anti-remodelling effects in this model of ovalbumin-induced chronic asthma. Our data suggest that the microRNA-21–transforming growth factor β1–Smad7 axis modulates the pathogenesis of ovalbumin-induced chronic asthma and in human bronchial smooth muscle cells. MicroRNA-21 inhibitors may be a novel therapeutic target in patients with allergic asthma, especially those with airway remodelling.
Racial Residential Segregation and Colorectal Cancer Mortality in the Mississippi Delta Region

Introduction Few studies have examined the effects of racial segregation on colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes, and none has determined whether rurality moderates the effect of racial segregation on CRC mortality. We examined whether the effect of segregation on CRC mortality varied by rurality in the Mississippi Delta Region, an economically distressed and historically segregated region of the United States. Methods We used data from the US Census Bureau and the 1999–2018 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program to estimate mixed linear regression models in which CRC mortality rates among Black and White residents in Delta Region counties (N = 252) were stratified by rurality and regressed on White–Black residential segregation indices and 4 socioeconomic control variables. Results Among Black residents, CRC mortality rates in urban counties were a function of a squared segregation term (b = 162.78, P = .01), indicating that the relationship between segregation and CRC mortality was U-shaped. Among White residents, main effects of annual household income (b = 29.01, P = .04) and educational attainment (b = 34.58, P = .03) were associated with CRC mortality rates in urban counties, whereas only annual household income (b = 19.44, P = .04) was associated with CRC mortality rates in rural counties. Racial segregation was not associated with CRC mortality rates among White residents. Conclusion Our county-level analysis suggests that health outcomes related to racial segregation vary by racial, contextual, and community factors. Segregated rural Black communities may feature stronger social bonds among residents than urban communities, thus increasing interpersonal support for cancer prevention and control. Future research should explore the effect of individual-level factors on colorectal cancer mortality.
Psychiatric genomics research during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A survey of Psychiatric Genomics Consortium researchers

Between April 20, 2020 and June 19, 2020 we conducted a survey of the membership of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) to explore the impact of COVID‐19 on their research and academic careers. A total of 123 individuals responded representing academic ranks from trainee to full professor, tenured and fixed‐term appointments, and all genders. The survey included both quantitative and free text responses. Results revealed considerable concern about the impact of COVID‐19 on research with the greatest concern reported by individuals in nonpermanent positions and female researchers. Concerns about the availability of funding and the impact of the pandemic on career progression were commonly reported by early career researchers. Recommendations for institutions, organizations such as the PGC, as well as individual senior investigators have been provided to ensure that the futures of early career investigators, especially those underrepresented in academic medicine such as women and underrepresented minorities, are not disproportionately disadvantaged by the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Systemic manifestations – do not forget the small bowel

Purpose of review Systemic diseases can afflict the small bowel (SB) but be challenging to diagnose. In this review, we aim to provide a broad overview of these conditions and to summarise their management. Recent findings Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is an important modality to investigate pathology in the SB. SB imaging can be complementary to SBCE for mural and extramural involvement and detection of multiorgan involvement or lymphadenopathy. Device assisted enteroscopy provides a therapeutic arm, to SBCE enabling histology and therapeutics to be carried out. Summary SB endoscopy is essential in the diagnosis, management and monitoring of these multi-system conditions. Collaboration across SB centres to combine experience will help to improve the management of some of these rarer SB conditions.
Spectroscopic ellipsometry investigation of nickel silicide formation by rapid thermal process

Titanium and cobalt silicides are used widely in microelectronics fabrication. There are limitations for both silicides. With TiSi2, a linewidth dependence of sheet resistance for lines narrower than 0.35 μm has become dramatic. The transformation from the high-resistivity C49 phase to the low-resistivity C54 TiSi2 phase is nucleation limited. With CoSi2 there is much less linewidth dependence of the sheet resistance, but more Si is consumed to form the silicide. With the use of NiSi, these problems can be avoided as reported so far in literature. In this article we shall report an investigation of rapid thermal silicidation of nickel on single crystalline silicon wafers in the annealing range of 150–1150 °C. It has been found that there are five zones in the dependence of sheet resistance on silicidation temperatures as follows: below 175, 175–350, 350–650, 650–900, and above 900 °C. In order to extensively study the phase sequence for Ni/Si reactions and the kinetics of nickel silicide formation corresp.
Experience, but not age, is associated with volumetric mushroom body expansion in solitary alkali bees

ABSTRACT In social insects, changes in behavior are often accompanied by structural changes in the brain. This neuroplasticity may come with experience (experience-dependent) or age (experience-expectant). Yet, the evolutionary relationship between neuroplasticity and sociality is unclear, because we know little about neuroplasticity in the solitary relatives of social species. We used confocal microscopy to measure brain changes in response to age and experience in a solitary halictid bee (Nomia melanderi). First, we compared the volume of individual brain regions among newly emerged females, laboratory females deprived of reproductive and foraging experience, and free-flying, nesting females. Experience, but not age, led to significant expansion of the mushroom bodies – higher-order processing centers associated with learning and memory. Next, we investigated how social experience influences neuroplasticity by comparing the brains of females kept in the laboratory either alone or paired with another female. Paired females had significantly larger olfactory regions of the mushroom bodies. Together, these experimental results indicate that experience-dependent neuroplasticity is common to both solitary and social taxa, whereas experience-expectant neuroplasticity may be an adaptation to life in a social colony. Further, neuroplasticity in response to social chemical signals may have facilitated the evolution of sociality. Summary: Solitary bees experience neuroanatomical growth in response to social experience, but similar changes do not occur with age. This reveals how neuroplasticity may be related to social evolution.
Genetic loci associated with skin pigmentation in African Americans and their effects on vitamin D deficiency

A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) in African descent populations identified novel loci associated with skin pigmentation. However, how genomic variations affect skin pigmentation and how these skin pigmentation gene variants affect serum 25(OH) vitamin D variation has not been explored in African Americans (AAs). In order to further understand genetic factors that affect human skin pigmentation and serum 25(OH)D variation, we performed a GWAS for skin pigmentation with 395 AAs and a replication study with 681 AAs. Then, we tested if the identified variants are associated with serum 25(OH) D concentrations in a subset of AAs (n = 591). Skin pigmentation, Melanin Index (M-Index), was measured using a narrow-band reflectometer. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify variants associated with M-Index and to assess their role in serum 25(OH)D variation adjusting for population stratification and relevant confounding variables. A variant near the SLC24A5 gene (rs2675345) showed the strongest signal of association with M-Index (P = 4.0 x 10−30 in the pooled dataset). Variants in SLC24A5, SLC45A2 and OCA2 together account for a large proportion of skin pigmentation variance (11%). The effects of these variants on M-Index was modified by sex (P for interaction = 0.009). However, West African Ancestry (WAA) also accounts for a large proportion of M-Index variance (23%). M-Index also varies among AAs with high WAA and high Genetic Score calculated from top variants associated with M-Index, suggesting that other unknown genomic factors related to WAA are likely contributing to skin pigmentation variation. M-Index was not associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations, but the Genetic Score was significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D levels less than 12 ng/mL) (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.04–1.64). The findings support the hypothesis suggesting that skin pigmentation evolved responding to increased demand for subcutaneous vitamin D synthesis in high latitude environments.
Enhanced Cathodic Oxygen Reduction and Power Production of Microbial Fuel Cell Based on Noble‐Metal‐Free Electrocatalyst Derived from Metal‐Organic Frameworks

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) can generate electricity from organic substances based on anodic electrochemically active microorganisms and cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), thus exhibiting promising potential for harvesting electric energy from organic wastewater. The ORR performance is crucial to both power production efficiency and overall cost of MFC. A new type of metal‐organic‐framework‐derived electrocatalysts containing cobalt and nitrogen‐doped carbon (CoNC) is developed, which is effective to enhance activity, selectivity, and stability toward four‐electron ORR in pH‐neutral electrolyte. When glucose is used as the substrate, the maximum power density of 1665 mW m−2 is achieved for the optimized CoNC pyrolyzed at 900 °C, which is 39.8% higher than that of 1191 mW m−2 for commercial Pt/C catalyst in the single‐chamber MFC. The improved performance of CoNC catalyst can be attributed to large surface area, microporous nature, and the involvement of nitrogen‐coordinated cobalt species. These properties enable the efficient ORR by increasing the active sites and enhancing mass transfer of oxygen and protons at “water‐flooding” three‐phase boundary where ORR occurs. This work provides a proof‐of‐concept demonstration of a noble‐metal‐free high‐efficiency and cost‐effective ORR electrocatalyst for effective recovery of electricity from biomass materials and organic wastewater in MFC.
HYDRONIUM ION IN TFIE ALUNITE _ JAROSITE GROUP

Deuterated hydronium alunite and various members of the hydronium-potassium-alunite solid-solution series were synthesized, and characterized chemically and structurally. The lH nuclear maenetic resonance (NMR) technique with magic-angle spinning was used to confirm the existence of hydronium ion in tiese compounds. The 2H NMR lineshapes as a function oftemperature are less conclusive, but show motional narrowing of the D3O+ and D2O lineshapes between 77 and 160 K. A qualitative correlation between the NMR spectrum and the expected omount of hydronium ion in a member of the hydronium-potassiumalunite solid-solution series strongly suggests that observed alkali deficiencies are due to tlte charge-compensating substitution ofhydronium ion for the alkali. The presence of "excess water" in the alunite, confirmed by NMR, may indicate that tle hydronium ion is itself partly hydrated. By extension, the conclusions obtained for alunite most certainly also apply to jarosite.
NOX4/Src regulates ANP secretion through activating ERK1/2 and Akt/GATA4 signaling in beating rat hypoxic atria

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NOXs) are the major enzymatic source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). NOX2 and NOX4 are expressed in the heart but its role in hypoxia-induced atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion is unclear. This study investigated the effect of NOX on ANP secretion induced by hypoxia in isolated beating rat atria. The results showed that hypoxia significantly upregulated NOX4 but not NOX2 expression, which was completely abolished by endothelin-1 (ET-1) type A and B receptor antagonists BQ123 (0.3 µM) and BQ788 (0.3 µM). ET-1-upregulated NOX4 expression was also blocked by antagonists of secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2; varespladib, 5.0 µM) and cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2; CAY10650, 120.0 nM), and ET-1-induced cPLA2 expression was inhibited by varespladib under normoxia. Moreover, hypoxia-increased ANP secretion was evidently attenuated by the NOX4 antagonist GLX351322 (35.0 µM) and inhibitor of ROS N-Acetyl-D-cysteine (NAC, 15.0 mM), and hypoxia-increased production of ROS was blocked by GLX351322. In addition, hypoxia markedly upregulated Src expression, which was blocked by ET receptors, NOX4, and ROS antagonists. ET-1-increased Src expression was also inhibited by NAC under normoxia. Furthermore, hypoxia-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and protein kinase B (Akt) were completely abolished by Src inhibitor 1 (1.0 µM), and hypoxia-increased GATA4 was inhibited by the ERK1/2 and Akt antagonists PD98059 (10.0 µM) and LY294002 (10.0 µM), respectively. However, hypoxia-induced ANP secretion was substantially inhibited by Src inhibitor. These results indicate that NOX4/Src modulated by ET-1 regulates ANP secretion by activating ERK1/2 and Akt/GATA4 signaling in isolated beating rat hypoxic atria.
Intranasal oxytocin may help maintain romantic bonds by decreasing jealousy evoked by either imagined or real partner infidelity

Background: While romantic jealousy may help to maintain relationships, following partner infidelity and an irretrievable loss of trust it can also promote break-ups. The neuropeptide oxytocin can enhance the maintenance of social bonds and reduce couple conflict, although its influence on jealousy evoked by imagined or real infidelity is unclear. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effects of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) on romantic jealousy in both males and females in imagined and real contexts. Methods: Seventy heterosexual couples participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-subject design study. Jealousy was firstly quantified in the context of subjects imagining partner infidelity and secondly in a Cyberball game where their partner interacted preferentially with an opposite-sexed rival stranger to simulate partner exclusion, or rejected a neutral stranger but not the partner. Results: Oxytocin primarily decreased jealousy and arousal ratings towards imagined emotional and sexual infidelity by a partner in both sexes. During the Cyberball game, while male and female subjects in both groups subsequently threw the ball least often to the rival stranger, under oxytocin they showed reduced romantic jealousy and arousal ratings for stranger players, particularly the rival one, and reported reduced negative and increased positive feelings while playing the game. Conclusions: Together, our results suggest that oxytocin can reduce the negative emotional impact of jealousy in established romantic partners evoked by imagined or real infidelity or exclusive social interactions with others. This provides further support for oxytocin promoting maintenance of relationships.
Coming together at the hinges: Therapeutic prospects of IgG3

ABSTRACT The human IgG3 subclass is conspicuously absent among the formats for approved monoclonal antibody therapies and Fc fusion protein biologics. Concern about the potential for rapid degradation, reduced plasma half-life, and increased immunogenicity due to marked variation in allotypes has apparently outweighed the potential advantages of IgG3, which include high affinity for activating Fcγ receptors, effective complement fixation, and a long hinge that appears better suited for low abundance targets. This review aims to highlight distinguishing features of IgG3 and to explore its functional role in the immune response. We present studies of natural immunity and recombinant antibody therapies that elucidate key contributions of IgG3 and discuss historical roadblocks that no longer remain clearly relevant. Collectively, this body of evidence motivates thoughtful reconsideration of the clinical advancement of this distinctive antibody subclass for treatment of human diseases. Abbreviations: ADCC - Antibody-Dependent Cell-mediated CytotoxicityADE – Antibody-dependent enhancementAID – Activation-Induced Cytidine DeaminaseCH – Constant HeavyCHF – Complement factor HCSR – Class Switch RecombinationEM - Electron MicroscopyFab – Fragment, antigen bindingFc – Fragment, crystallizableFcRn – Neonatal Fc ReceptorFcγR – Fc gamma ReceptorHIV – Human Immunodeficiency VirusIg - ImmunoglobulinIgH – Immunoglobulin Heavy chain geneNHP – Non-Human Primate
Development of Math Attitudes and Math Self-Concepts: Gender Differences, Implicit-Explicit Dissociations, and Relations to Math Achievement.

Three hundred and ninety-one children (195 girls; Mage = 9.56 years) attending Grades 1 and 5 completed implicit and explicit measures of math attitudes and math self-concepts. Math grades were obtained. Multilevel analyses showed that first-grade girls held a strong negative implicit attitude about math, despite no gender differences in math grades or self-reported (explicit) positivity about math. The explicit measures significantly predicted math grades, and implicit attitudes accounted for additional variance in boys. The contrast between the implicit (negativity for girls) and explicit (positivity for girls and boys) effects suggest implicit-explicit dissociations in children, which have also been observed in adults. Early-emerging implicit attitudes may be a foundation for the later development of explicit attitudes and beliefs about math.
Combined near-infrared and X-ray diffraction investigation of the octahedral sheet composition of palygorskite

The octahedral composition of palygorskite in more than 300 samples from the Pefkaki deposit, W. Macedonia, Greece, has been studied by near-infrared (NIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and evaluated according to the formula $y{\rm{M}}{{\rm{g}}_5}{\rm{S}}{{\rm{i}}_8}{{\rm{O}}_{20}}{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)_2} \cdot x{\rm{M}}{{\rm{g}}_2}{\rm{Fe}}_{\rm{2}}^{{\rm{III}}}{\rm{S}}{{\rm{i}}_8}{{\rm{O}}_{20}}{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)_2} \cdot \left( {1 - x - y} \right)$yMg5Si8O20(OH)2⋅xMg2Fe2IIISi8O20(OH)2⋅(1−x−y) Mg2Al2Si8O20(OH)2. Included in the study were PFl-1 and several commercial palygorskites. Our analysis of 2nd derivative NIR spectra shows that the dioctahedral composition is adequately described by three sharp overtone bands representing AlAlOH, AlFeIIIOH and FeIIIFeIIIOH in M2 dioctahedral sites, and that the summed intensity of these bands is proportional to the amount of dioctahedral component present (1−y). The samples show large variations in the degree of dioctahedral FeIII-for-Al substitution with FeIII occupying up to 70% of the dioctahedral M2 sites. Ternary analysis shows that the distribution of dioctahedral Al and FeIII is not random, but displays a tendency towards homoionic pairing. An overtone band at 7214 cm−1 and several combination bands are indicative of a trioctahedral Mg3OH component (y), and their appearance correlates with a distinct palygorskite signature in thermogravimetric analysis. Nevertheless, these bands cannot be used reliably for the quantification of a trioctahedral palygorskite component due to their close similarity to those of sepiolite. To circumvent this problem, we have evaluated y indirectly by calculating the difference between 1−y and the total concentration of palygorskite determined by the normalized intensity of the d110 XRD peak of palygorskite at 10.4 Å. Using this methodology, we have found that the samples conform to a trioctahedral limit of y ≈ 0.55, although within this limit they display large variations in octahedral character. Finally, we extend the above methodology to PLS chemometrics and show how NIR can be used to determine palygorskite content routinely in multimineralic geological samples.