Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Silencing of LncRNA PVT1 inhibits the proliferation, migration and fibrosis of high glucose-induced mouse mesangial cells via targeting microRNA-93-5p

Abstract Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of long non-coding RNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) on high glucose (HG)-induced mouse mesangial cells (MMCs). Methods: PVT1 expression in diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice and HG-induced MMCs was detected by qRT-PCR. EdU and Colony formation, Annexin V-PI staining, Muse cell cycle, Scratch, and Transwell assays were performed to detect the cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, and invasion, respectively. The contents of fibrosis factors in cell-culture supernatants were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot was performed to detect the expression of factors involved in apoptosis, cell cycle, migration and invasion, fibrosis, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. The targeting relation between miR-93-5p and PVT1 was predicted by StarBase3.0 (an online software for analyzing the targeting relationship) and identified by Dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assay. Results: PVT1 was overexpressed in DN kidney tissues and HG-induced MMCs. HG-induced MMCs exhibited significantly increased EdU-positive cells, cell colonies, S and G2/M phase cells, migration and invasion ability, and contents of fibrosis factors, as well as significantly decreased apoptosis rate compared with NG-induced MMCs. HG significantly up-regulated Bcl-2, CyclinD1, CDK4, N-cadherin, vimentin, Col. IV, FN, TGF-β1 and PAI-1, and down-regulated Bax, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP, and E-cadherin in MMCs. Silencing of PVT1 eliminated the effects of HG in MMCs and blocked PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. MiR-93-5p was a target of PVT1, which eliminated the effects of PVT1 on HG-induced MMCs. Conclusions: PVT1 silencing inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion and fibrosis, promoted the apoptosis, and blocked PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in HG-induced MMCs via up-regulating miR-93-5p.
The Potential Health Care Costs And Resource Use Associated With COVID-19 In The United States.

With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, one of the major concerns is the burden COVID-19 will impose on the United States (U.S.) health care system. We developed a Monte Carlo simulation model representing the U.S. population and what can happen to each person who gets infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). We estimate resource use and direct medical costs per infection and at the national level, with various "attack rates" (infection rates) to understand the potential economic benefits of reducing the burden of the disease. A single symptomatic COVID-19 infection would cost a median of $3,045 in direct medical costs incurred only during the course of the infection. Eighty percent of the U.S. population getting infected could result in a median of 44.6 million hospitalizations, 10.7 million ICU admissions, 6.5 million ventilators used, and 249.5 million hospital bed days, costing $654.0 billion in direct costs over the course of the pandemic. If 20% were to become infected, there would be a median of 11.2 million hospitalizations, 62.3 million hospital bed days, and 1.6 million ventilators used, costing $163.4 billion. [Editor's Note: This fast-track Ahead-of-Print article is the accepted version of the peer-reviewed manuscript. The final edited version will appear in an upcoming issue of Health Affairs. ].
Associations of meal patterning, dietary quality and diversity with anemia and overweight-obesity among Indonesian school-going adolescent girls in West Java

Background Poor diet is a risk factor for anemia, overweight, and obesity among adolescent girls. However, comprehensive assessment on dietary quality and habits in this population is limited. We assessed the association of meal patterning, dietary quality, and dietary diversity with both anemia and overweight-obesity. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 335 school-going adolescent girls aged 12–19 years from three districts in West Java using multi-stage cluster sampling. Meal patterning, Dietary Quality Index for Adolescents (DQI-A), and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) were determined using 2-day 24-h recall. Results Of the girls, 45% were anemic and 17% overweight or obese. Eating occasions of 3–4 times (AOR 2.68, 95% CI 1.21–5.98) and >4 times (AOR 2.43, 95% CI 1.01–5.83) were associated with greater odds of developing anemia compared to eating occasions of <3 times. Adolescent girls who skipped dinner had greater odds of being overweight or obese (AOR 2.13, 95% CI 1.10–4.10) and were less likely to be anemic (AOR 0.56, 95%CI 0.33–0.95) compared to those who did not skip dinner. Difference in energy intake was found between girls who had dinner and skipped dinner (p = 0.05). Mean total DQI-A score was 44.4% ± 7.71% and DDS was 4.0 out of 9.0. DQI-A score was significantly higher in non-anemic compared to anemic girls. Moreover, each unit increment of 1% of total DQI-A score was associated with a 3.967 g/dL increases of hemoglobin after adjustment for confounders. We found differences in total DQI-A score between normal-weight and overweight or obese girls. DDS score was not significantly different between groups, although lower meat, chicken, and fish consumption were correlated with anemia (p<0.01). Conclusions Overall, the girls had poor dietary quality and diversity. The findings therefore indicated the importance of improving dietary quality and diversity in a regular meal pattern, especially meal frequency and meal skipping, to reduce the risk of anemia and overweight-obesity among adolescent girls.
The Multifaceted Nature of Tumor Microenvironment in Breast Carcinomas

Heterogeneity in breast carcinomas can be appreciated at various levels, from morphology to molecular alterations, and there are well-known genotypic-phenotypic correlations. Clinical decision-making is strictly focused on the evaluation of tumor cells and is based on the assessment of hormone receptors and of the HER2 status, by means of a combination of immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques. The tumor microenvironment (TME) also shows a multifaceted nature stemming from the different actors populating the intratumoral and the peritumoral stroma of breast carcinomas. Of note, we have now evidence that tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are clinically meaningful as their quantification in the intratumoral stroma strongly correlates with good prognosis, in particular in triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Nevertheless, TILs are just one of the many actors orchestrating the complexity of the TME, which is populated by immune and non-immune cells (cancer-associated fibroblasts, cancer-associated adipocytes), as well as non-cellular components such as chemical inflammation mediators. In this review article we will overview the main features of the distinct cell compartments by discussing (i) the potential impact the TME may have on the prognostic stratification of breast cancers and (ii) the possible predictive value of some markers in the context of immunotherapy in light of the recent results of phase III studies in advanced and early triple-negative breast cancer patients.
First report of molecular characterization and phylogeny of Trichuris fossor Hall, 1916 (Nematoda: Trichuridae)

Abstract Because species of Trichuris are morphologically similar and ranges of host preference are variable, using molecular data to evaluate species delineations is essential for properly quantifying biodiversity of and relationships within Trichuridae. Trichuris fossor has been reported from Thomomys spp. (Rodentia: Geomyidae, ‘pocket gophers’) hosts based on morphological features alone. Partial 18S rRNA sequences for specimens identified as T. fossor based on morphology, along with sequences from 26 additional taxa, were used for a phylogenetic analysis. Evolutionary histories were constructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. In both analyses, the specimens fell within the Trichuris clade with 100% support and formed a distinct subclade with 100% support. These results confirm that T. fossor is a distinct species and represent the first molecular report for it. Relatedness among species within the family were well resolved in the BI tree. This study represents an initial effort to obtain a more comprehensive view of Trichuridae by including a new clade member, T. fossor. A better understanding of Trichuridae phylogeny could contribute to further characterization of host-associations, including species that infect livestock and humans.
Plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria augment growth and salinity tolerance in rice plants.

Salt stress negatively affects growth and development of the plants. However, it is hypothesized that plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria greatly alleviate the adverse effects of salinity and can promote growth and development of the plants. In the present research, we aimed to isolate endophytic bacteria from halotolerant plants and evaluate their capabilities for promoting of crop plant growth. The bacterial endophytes were isolated from selected plants inhabiting sand dunes at Pohang beach, screen for plant growth promoting traits and applied on rice seedlings under salt stress (NaCl; 150 mM). Out of 59 endophytic bacterial isolates, only six isolates i.e. (Curtobacterium oceanosedimentum SAK1, Curtobacterium luteum SAK2, Enterobacter ludwigii SAK5, Bacillus cereus SA1, Micrococcus yunnanensis SA2, Enterobacter tabaci SA3) results a significant increase in the growth of Waito-C rice. The cultural filtrates (CFs) of bacterial endophytes were tested for phytohormones including indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellins and organic acid. Inoculation of the selected strains considerably reduced the amount of endogenous ABA in rice plants under NaCl stress, however, increased GSH and sugar content. Similarly, these strains augmented the expression of flavin monooxygenases (OsYUCCA1) and auxin efflux carrier (OsPIN1) genes under salt stress. Conclusively, the pragmatic application of the above selected strains alleviated the adverse effects of NaCl stress and enhanced rice growth attributes by producing various phytohormones.
Traditional Chinese Medicine for Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Impairment: A Review.

Cognitive impairment (CI) refers to the dysfunction of memory, language, visual space, execution, calculation, understanding, and judgment in one or more aspects. With global aging, CI will become prevalent worldwide. At present, there is no effective cure for CI. However, Nobel laureate Tu Youyou's research on artemisinin has inspired Chinese researchers to focus on traditional Chinese herbs (TCHs) for the treatment of CI. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has led to a theory for an independent CI system. The pathogenesis of such impairment involves deficiency, phlegm, and stagnation and involves a range of organs, including the brain, kidneys, heart, liver, and spleen. Our current understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of this condition has led to the realization that TCHs can improve cognitive dysfunction. Clinical research has shown that TCHs can improve the neuropsychological scale score of patients, the TCM symptom score, and the patient's quality of life. Research has also suggested that TCHs can retard Aβ deposits and tauopathy, regulate the metabolism of cholinergic neurotransmitters, and so on. However, due to their complexity, little is known of the safety and efficacy of TCHs in patients with CI. It is likely that we will be able to identify the precise mechanisms associated with the action of TCHs in such patients due to the integration of multiple technologies. This paper summarizes the pharmacokinetics, curative effect, and mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese herbs in order to provide a scientific basis for the improvement of cognitive dysfunction by TCHs.
Acceptance and Feasibility of a Guideline for the Animal Welfare Assessment of Fattening Pigs from Farmers’ Point of View

Simple Summary The German Association for Technology and Structures in Agriculture has published the guide “Animal Welfare Indicators: Practical Guide—Pigs”, which is intended to help farmers to evaluate the welfare of pigs. Crucial for the acceptance of the guide by farmers is a high degree of feasibility of the contained indicators as well as the proposed procedure for recording them. To evaluate this, 40 farmers keeping fattening pigs were interviewed. The result is that, apart from faecal soiling and tail length, all the other eleven indicators are accepted for the assessment of fattening pig welfare by a majority of the interviewed farmers (between 57.5% and 90% acceptance per indicator). The feasibility of the individual indicators is overall assessed as positive. However, the study also shows a need for revision of the guide and makes suggestions for its improvement. Abstract The welfare of farm animals is being increasingly discussed in society and politics. To evaluate animal welfare, indicator systems are often used. Such a system has been developed by the German Association for Technology and Structures in Agriculture and suggested in the publication “Animal Welfare Indicators: Practical Guide—Pigs”. The association’s aim is to provide farmers with a useful method for recording the welfare of pigs. Crucial for the acceptance of the guide by farmers is a high degree of feasibility of the recommended indicators as well as the proposed methods for their recording. To evaluate this, 40 farmers keeping fattening pigs were interviewed. The guided semi-structured interview was conducted on the farms after the farmers evaluated the welfare of their fattening pigs according to the guide. The results are: Apart from the indicators faecal soiling and tail length, all the other eleven indicators are accepted for the assessment of fattening pig welfare by a majority of the interviewed farmers (between 57.5% and 90% acceptance per indicator). Furthermore, the feasibility of the individual indicators was assessed as being positive. The relationship between time expenditure and benefit was rated on a five-point scale at an average of 3.1 (medium), which clearly shows that there is a need for further development of this guide. Some possible changes with a potential for improvement could be identified; for example, the aggregation of the results after the collection of the individual indicators to an overall result that can be compared and interpreted.
The effect on satiety of ingesting isosweet and isoenergetic sucrose- and isomaltulose-sweetened beverages: a randomised crossover trial

Abstract Generating feelings of satiety may be important in maintaining weight control. It has been hypothesised that the circulating concentration of glucose is a major determinant of satiety, yet the relationship between postprandial glycaemia and satiety is inconclusive. Our aim was to assess satiety following ingestion of beverages differing in glycaemic index (GI) containing either 50 g of sucrose (GI 65) or isomaltulose (PalatinoseTM) (GI 32). The beverages were matched for sweetness using a triangle sensory test. Seventy-seven participants were randomised to the order in which they received each beverage, 2 weeks apart. A standard lunch was given at 12.00 hours. Satiety was measured using 100-mm visual analogue scales (VAS) administered at 14.00 hours (baseline) and at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min after ingesting the beverage. Weighed diet records were kept from 17.00 to 24.00 hours. Mean differences for isomaltulose compared with sucrose AUC VAS were ‘How hungry do you feel? ’ 109 (95 % CI –443, 661) mm × min; ‘How satisfied do you feel? ’ 29 (95 % CI –569, 627) mm × min; ‘How full do you feel? ’ −91 (95 % CI –725, 544) mm × min and ‘How much do you think you can eat? ’ 300 (95 % CI –318, 919) mm × min. There was no between-treatment difference in satiety question responses or in dietary energy intake −291 (95 % CI −845, 267) kJ over the remainder of the day. In this experiment, feelings of satiety were independent of the GI of the test beverages. Any differences in satiety found between foods chosen on the basis of GI could be attributable to food properties other than the glycaemic-inducing potential of the food.
Modeling Sliding Friction Between Human Finger and Touchscreen Under Electroadhesion

When an alternating voltage is applied to the conductive layer of a capacitive touchscreen, an oscillating electroadhesive force (also known as electrovibration) is generated between the human finger and its surface in the normal direction. This electroadhesive force causes an increase in friction between the sliding finger and the touchscreen. Although the practical implementation of this technology is quite straightforward, the physics behind voltage-induced electroadhesion and the resulting contact interactions between human finger and the touchscreen are still under investigation. In this article, we first present the results of our experimental study conducted with a custom-made tribometer to investigate the effect of input voltage on the tangential forces acting on the finger due to electroadhesion during sliding. We then support our experimental results with a contact mechanics model developed for estimating voltage-induced frictional forces between human finger and a touchscreen as a function of the applied normal force. The unknown parameters of the model were estimated via optimization by minimizing the error between the measured tangential forces and the ones generated by the model. The estimated model parameters show a good agreement with the ones reported in the literature.
Coronavirus Disease Outbreak in Call Center, South Korea

We describe the epidemiology of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in a call center in South Korea. We obtained information on demographic characteristics by using standardized epidemiologic investigation forms. We performed descriptive analyses and reported the results as frequencies and proportions for categoric variables. Of 1,143 persons who were tested for COVID-19, a total of 97 (8.5%, 95% CI 7.0%–10.3%) had confirmed cases. Of these, 94 were working in an 11th-floor call center with 216 employees, translating to an attack rate of 43.5% (95% CI 36.9%–50.4%). The household secondary attack rate among symptomatic case-patients was 16.2% (95% CI 11.6%– 22.0%). Of the 97 persons with confirmed COVID-19, only 4 (1.9%) remained asymptomatic within 14 days of quarantine, and none of their household contacts acquired secondary infections. Extensive contact tracing, testing all contacts, and early quarantine blocked further transmission and might be effective for containing rapid outbreaks in crowded work settings.
DNA-Protein Crosslinks from Environmental Exposure: Mechanisms of Formation and Repair.

Many environmental carcinogens cause DNA damage, which can result in mutations and other alterations in genomic DNA if not repaired promptly. Because of the bulkiness of the lesions, DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) are one of the types of toxic DNA damage with potentially deleterious consequences. Despite the importance of DPCs, how cells remove these complex DNA adducts has been incompletely understood. However, major progress in the DPC repair field over the past five years now supports the view that cells are equipped with multiple mechanisms to cope with DPCs. Here, we first provide an overview of environmental substances that induce DPCs, describing the sources of exposure and mechanisms of DPC formation. We then review current models of DPC repair and discuss their significance for environmental carcinogens. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The Neurochemical Effects of Prazosin Treatment on Fear Circuitry in a Rat Traumatic Stress Model

Objective The timing of administration of pharmacologic agents is crucial in traumatic stress since they can either potentiate the original fear memory or may cause fear extinction depending on the phase of fear conditioning. Brain noradrenergic system has a role in fear conditioning. Data regarding the role of prazosin in traumatic stress are controversial. Methods In this study, we examined the effects of prazosin and the noradrenergic system in fear conditioning in a predator stress rat model. We evaluated the direct or indirect effects of stress and prazosin on noradrenaline (NA), gamma-aminobuytyric acid (GABA), glutamate, glycine levels and choline esterase activity in the amygdaloid complex, the dorsal hippocampus, the prefrontal cortex and the rostral pons. Results Our results demonstrated that prazosin might alleviate defensive behaviors and traumatic stress symptoms when given during the traumatic cue presentation in the stressed rats. However prazosin administration resulted in higher anxiety levels in non stressed rats when the neutral cue was presented. Conclusion Prazosin should be used in PTSD with caution because prazosin might exacerbate anxiety in non-traumatized subjects. However prazosin might as well alleviate stress responses very effectively. Stress induced changes included increased NA and GABA levels in the amygdaloid complex in our study, attributing noradrenaline a possible inhibitory role on fear acquisition. Acetylcholine also has a role in memory modulation in the brain. We also demonstrated increased choline esterase acitivity. Cholinergic modulation might be another target for indirect prazosin action which needs to be further studied.
PDE2A Is Indispensable for Mouse Liver Development and Hematopoiesis

Phosphodiesterase 2A (PDE2A) is a cAMP-cGMP hydrolyzing enzyme essential for mouse development and the PDE2A knockout model (PDE2A−/−) is embryonic lethal. Notably, livers of PDE2A−/− embryos at embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5) have extremely reduced size. Morphological, cellular and molecular analyses revealed loss of integrity in the PDE2A−/− liver niche that compromises the hematopoietic function and maturation. Hematopoietic cells isolated from PDE2A−/− livers are instead able to differentiate in in vitro assays, suggesting the absence of blood cell-autonomous defects. Apoptosis was revealed in hepatoblasts and at the endothelial and stromal compartments in livers of PDE2A−/− embryos. The increase of the intracellular cAMP level and of the inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) in liver of PDE2A−/− embryos might explain the impairment of liver development by downregulating the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2. In summary, we propose PDE2A as an essential gene for integrity maintenance of liver niche and the accomplishment of hematopoiesis.
Current pharmacological treatments for COVID‐19: What's next?

Since December 2019 SARS‐Cov‐2 was found responsible for the disease COVID‐19, which has spread worldwide. No specific therapies/vaccines are yet available for the treatment of COVID‐19. Drug repositioning may offer a strategy and a number of drugs have been repurposed, including lopinavir/ritonavir, remdesivir, favipiravir and tocilizumab. This paper describes the main pharmacological properties of such drugs administered to patients with COVID‐19, focusing on their antiviral, immune‐modulatory and/or anti‐inflammatory actions. Where available, data from clinical trials involving patients with COVID‐19 are reported. Preliminary clinical trials seem to support their benefit. However, such drugs in COVID‐19 patients have peculiar safety profiles. Thus, adequate clinical trials are necessary for these compounds. Nevertheless, while waiting for effective preventive measures i.e. vaccines, many clinical trials on drugs belonging to different therapeutic classes are currently underway. Their results will help us in defining the best way to treat COVID‐19 and reducing its symptoms and complications.