Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CHOROIDAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SYSTEMIC SEVERITY IN AMYLOIDOSIS

We examined the choroidal manifestations of 11 patients with systemic amyloidosis using a multimodal imaging system with a combination of optical coherence tomography and indocyanine green angiography. We suggest a grading system described to categorize choroidal amyloid features in relation to the systemic severity. Purpose: This study aimed to describe the choroidal features of ocular amyloidosis using multimodal imaging, to correlate these findings with systemic involvement, and to propose a choroidal grading system. Methods: Eleven patients with systemic amyloidosis were reviewed retrospectively. Each case was assigned a grade according to the severity of choroidal findings as determined by both enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography and indocyanine green angiography. The severity of systemic amyloidosis was then correlated with the choroidal involvement. Results: On indocyanine green angiography, all patients exhibited hyperfluorescent spots in the late stage and were classified according to preexisting criteria. On enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography, hyperreflective foci were seen in the choriocapillaris and Sattler's layer in Grade 1, partial loss of Sattler's layer was additionally seen in Grade 2, and a dense hyperreflective Haller's layer was seen in Grade 3. Choroidal grading scores were significantly correlated with the systemic severity score (P = 0.0014, Pearson's correlation coefficient; ρ = 0.83). Conclusion: With ocular amyloidosis, evaluation of choroidal characteristics using multimodal imaging may serve as a biomarker for systemic involvement.
Linking LOXL2 to Cardiac Interstitial Fibrosis

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death worldwide. CVD pathophysiology is often characterized by increased stiffening of the heart muscle due to fibrosis, thus resulting in diminished cardiac function. Fibrosis can be caused by increased oxidative stress and inflammation, which is strongly linked to lifestyle and environmental factors such as diet, smoking, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. These factors can affect gene expression through epigenetic modifications. Lysyl oxidase like 2 (LOXL2) is responsible for collagen and elastin cross-linking in the heart, and its dysregulation has been pathologically associated with increased fibrosis. Additionally, studies have shown that, LOXL2 expression can be regulated by DNA methylation and histone modification. However, there is a paucity of data on LOXL2 regulation and its role in CVD. As such, this review aims to gain insight into the mechanisms by which LOXL2 is regulated in physiological conditions, as well as determine the downstream effectors responsible for CVD development.
The applicability of social cognitive career theory in predicting life satisfaction of university students: A meta-analytic path analysis

Derived from the social cognitive career theory (SCCT), the present study developed a model for the empirical examination of factors affecting the life satisfaction of university students. A random-effects meta-analysis of zero-order correlations observed the results of 16 studies (20 samples, n = 7,967), and associations among the SCCT variables were examined by using a meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) according to a pooled correlation matrix. An alternative model was offered and then assessed. The findings showed a satisfactory fit of the new model as compared to the original SCCT. The results demonstrated support for the alternative model of SCCT in predicting life satisfaction. The present study suggested that researchers should embrace this alternative model when synthesizing SCCT factors. Limitations and avenues for future research were put forward for further consideration.
Spray-Dried Structured Lipid Carriers for the Loading of Rosmarinus officinalis: New Nutraceutical and Food Preservative

Rosemary, an aromatic herb with significant antioxidative activity, is frequently used as food preservative and a source of nutraceuticals. Its antioxidant effect is mainly related to the presence of phenolic compounds, molecules considerably unstable and prone to irreversible physicochemical changes when exposed to external agents. We here proposed the loading of rosemary into structured lipid systems to improve its physicochemical properties. Four formulations were prepared using the same amount of rosemary lyophilized extract. The lipid phase was composed of stearic acid and oleic acid, and the aqueous phase, a varying combination of drying carriers (whey protein concentrate or gum Arabic) and surfactant (Poloxamer 188). The formulations were sonicated, spray-dried, and the obtained powders were characterized regarding the density (0.18 g/mL to 0.26 g/mL), particle size distribution (7 µm and 52 µm), and water solubility (29% to 48%). The antioxidant activity was determined by applying ABTS•+ radical-scavenging assay and the results expressed per gram of lyophilized extract (150.6 μmol Trolox/g to 376.4 μmol Trolox/g), with a significantly lower/higher result seen for formulations containing gum Arabic and a higher concentration of Poloxamer. The prepared systems may have potential applications as preservative in foodstuff and as nutraceutical.
Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration from Sugi (Japanese Cedar, Cryptomeria japonica D. Don, Cupressaceae) Seed Families by Marker Assisted Selection for the Male Sterility Allele ms1

One of the possible countermeasures for pollinosis caused by sugi (Cryptomeria japonica), a serious public health problem in Japan, is the use of male sterile plants (MSPs; pollen-free plants). However, the production efficiencies of MSPs raised by conventional methods are extremely poor, time consuming, and resulting in a high seedling cost. Here, we report the development of a novel technique for efficient production of MSPs, which combines marker-assisted selection (MAS) and somatic embryogenesis (SE). SE from four full sib seed families of sugi, carrying the male sterility gene MS1, was initiated using megagametophyte explants that originated from four seed collections taken at one-week intervals during the month of July 2017. Embryogenic cell lines (ECLs) were achieved in all families, with initiation rates varying from 0.6% to 59%. Somatic embryos were produced from genetic marker-selected male sterile ECLs on medium containing maltose, abscisic acid (ABA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and activated charcoal (AC). Subsequently, high frequencies of germination and plant conversion (≥76%) were obtained on plant growth regulator-free medium. Regenerated plantlets were acclimatized successfully, and the initial growth of male sterile somatic plants was monitored in the field.
Genetic evidence for male-biased dispersal in Elliot's Pheasant (Syrmaticus ellioti) in China

Sex-biased dispersal, in which individuals of one sex tend to disperse and breed at a greater distance from their natal site than individuals of the opposite sex, appears to be common in vertebrate organisms and is very important to population structures and dynamics. Many studies have documented the dispersal patterns of monogamous birds; however, observations and data are few for polygynous birds. In our study, we report on the indication of sex-biased dispersal in Elliot's Pheasant (Syrmaticus ellioti), a vulnerable species endemic to China, using polymorphic DNA microsatellite loci (105 individual birds and seven loci) and mitochondrial DNA control-region sequences (63 birds). Contrary to the traditional con- cept that males are the more philopatric sex and females the more dispersing sex in birds, all the genetic information extracted from the two markers suggests that male-biased dispersal is predominant in Elliot's Pheasant. We argue that polygynous species in Galliformes without lekking behavior are more likely to ex- hibit male-biased dispersal patterns, consistent with the expected results based on the polygynous mating system of Elliot's Pheasant.
Blastfurnace Hybrid Cement with Waste Water Glass Activator: Alkali–Silica Reaction Study

Hybrid systems represent a new sustainable type of cement combining the properties of ordinary Portland cement and alkali-activated materials. In this study, a hybrid system based on blast furnace slag and Portland clinker was investigated. The economic aspects and appropriate waste management resulted in the usage of technological waste from water glass production (WG-waste) as an alkaline activator. Although the Portland clinker content was very low, the incorporation of this by-product significantly improved the mechanical properties. Nevertheless, the high amount of alkalis in combination with possible reactive aggregates raises concerns about the risk of alkali–silica reaction (ASR). The results obtained from expansion measurement, the uranyl acetate fluorescence method, and microstructure characterization revealed that the undesirable effects of alkali–silica reaction in mortars based on the hydration of hybrid cement are minimal.
High Immunogenicity to Influenza Vaccination in Crohn’s Disease Patients Treated with Ustekinumab

Influenza vaccination can be less effective in patients treated with immunosuppressive therapy. However, little is known about the effects of ustekinumab; an anti-IL-12/23 agent used to treat Crohn’s disease (CD), on vaccination response. In this prospective study, we assessed immune responses to seasonal influenza vaccination in CD patients treated with ustekinumab compared to CD patients treated with anti-TNFα therapy (adalimumab) and healthy controls. Humoral responses were assessed with hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) assays. Influenza-specific total CD3+, CD3+CD4+, and CD3+CD8+ T-cell responses were measured with flow cytometry. Fifteen patients treated with ustekinumab; 12 with adalimumab and 20 healthy controls were vaccinated for seasonal influenza in September 2018. Seroprotection rates against all vaccine strains in the ustekinumab group were high and comparable to healthy controls. Seroconversion rates were comparable, and for A/H3N2 highest in the ustekinumab group. HI titers were significantly higher in the ustekinumab group and healthy controls than in the adalimumab group for the B/Victoria strain. Post-vaccination T-cell responses in the ustekinumab group were similar to healthy controls. One-month post-vaccination proliferation of CD3+CD8+ T-cells was highest in the ustekinumab group. In conclusion, ustekinumab does not impair immune responses to inactivated influenza vaccination. Therefore, CD patients treated with ustekinumab can be effectively vaccinated for seasonal influenza.
Sustainable Food Production and Nutraceutical Applications from Qatar Desert Chlorella sp. (Chlorophyceae)

Simple Summary The world population is increasing rapidly, putting pressure on the existing resources, especially in the food sector. Besides having a continuous supply of food, it is also important to identify food sources that are nutritionally beneficial to the health of animals, fish, and humans. Hence, a balanced feed supplement including all the essential nutrients, such as amino acids, omega fatty acids, sugars, and carotenoids, is required. In this context, we have studied the beneficial effects of using a microalga, Chlorella sp. isolated from the desert environment in Qatar, as a potential feed supplement. We found that the local strain showed a rich biochemical profile, with high amounts of proteins and lipids having biomolecules essential for human. Furthermore, the hexane extracts of this strain showed high antiproliferative activity against leukemia, one of the deadliest cancers in the world, proving its potential in the path of drug discovery against cancers. Our research findings thus highlight the nutraceutical potential of the local Chlorella sp. , which can resist high temperatures of up to 40 °C, making it suitable for a large-scale production in ponds, year-round, for use as a sustainable food supplement. Abstract Microalgae isolated from the Qatari desert was identified as thermotolerant, with a rich metabolite profile that is appropriate for use as food and health supplements. In this research, a species of Chlorella, QUCCCM3, from the Qatar University Culture Collection of Cyanobacteria and Microalgae, was investigated for its growth characteristics and metabolite compositions for use as potential feedstock for food production. The strain was cultivated at 30, 35, and 40 °C, covering the annual average low and high temperatures in Qatar. The highest growth rates were recorded for cultures at 30 °C with 0.64 ± 0.04 day−1, followed by a growth rate of 0.54 ± 0.06 day−1 at 40 °C, indicating its thermotolerance ability. The biomass exhibited a high protein content (43 ± 2.3%), with existence of lysine (4.13%) as an essential amino acid, and docosahexaenoic acid, linoleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid as important omega fatty acids present. On the other hand, Chlorella sp. QUCCCM3 also exhibited a high capacity for scavenging free radicals with an antiproliferative effect against chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cancer cells. The results indicate that Chlorella sp. QUCCCM3 is a promising candidate that can be produced year-round, in the Qatar environment, for commercial applications such as feed and nutraceutical supplements.
Turning Community Elder Care into a Profession: Insights from Trainees, Developers, Employers and Supervisors

This study explores the process of turning elder care into a profession, by giving a voice to different professionals who took part in developing and implementing a new Israeli training program for community care workers. The program attempts to offer a response to the shortage of paid long-term carers for older adults by turning community elder care into a profession. Interviews with graduates, trainees who dropped out of the program, developers, employers and supervisors from three regions of the training program were conducted. Analysis explored attempts to transition community care from an occupation to a profession. The community care worker’s role and its uniqueness in comparison to the traditional paid long-term care worker are discussed. The difficulties that stem from the ambiguity of the definition of this new occupation are described.
Interaction of Macrophages and Cholesterol-Dependent Cytolysins: The Impact on Immune Response and Cellular Survival

Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) are key virulence factors involved in many lethal bacterial infections, including pneumonia, necrotizing soft tissue infections, bacterial meningitis, and miscarriage. Host responses to these diseases involve myeloid cells, especially macrophages. Macrophages use several systems to detect and respond to cholesterol-dependent cytolysins, including membrane repair, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling, phagocytosis, cytokine production, and activation of the adaptive immune system. However, CDCs also promote immune evasion by silencing and/or destroying myeloid cells. While there are many common themes between the various CDCs, each CDC also possesses specific features to optimally benefit the pathogen producing it. This review highlights host responses to CDC pathogenesis with a focus on macrophages. Due to their robust plasticity, macrophages play key roles in the outcome of bacterial infections. Understanding the unique features and differences within the common theme of CDCs bolsters new tools for research and therapy.
Organic Heterojunction Devices Based on Phthalocyanines: A New Approach to Gas Chemosensing

Organic heterostructures have emerged as highly promising transducers to realize high performance gas sensors. The key reason for such a huge interest in these devices is the associated organic heterojunction effect in which opposite free charges are accumulated at the interface making it highly conducting, which can be exploited in producing highly sensitive and faster response kinetics gas sensors. Metal phthalocyanines (MPc) have been extensively studied to fabricate organic heterostructures because of the large possibilities of structural engineering which are correlated with their bulk thin film properties. Accordingly, in this review, we have performed a comprehensive literature survey of the recent researches reported about MPc based organic heterostructures and their application in gas sensors. These heterostructures were used in Organic Field-Effect Transistor and Molecular Semiconductor—Doped Insulator sensing device configurations, in which change in their electrical properties such as field-effect mobility and saturation current in the former and current at a fixed bias in the latter under redox gases exposure were assessed to determine the chemosensing performances. These sensing devices have shown very high sensitivity to redox gases like nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone and ammonia (NH3), which monitoring is indispensable for implementing environmental guidelines. Some of these sensors exhibited ultrahigh sensitivity to NH3 demonstrated by a detection limit of 140 ppb and excellent signal stability under variable humidity, making them among the best NH3 sensors.
Hyporesponsivity to mu-opioid receptor agonism in the Wistar-Kyoto rat model of altered nociceptive responding associated with negative affective state.

Chronic pain is often comorbid with anxiety and depression, altering the level of perceived pain, which negatively affects therapeutic outcomes. The role of the endogenous mu-opioid receptor (MOP) system in pain-negative affect interactions and the influence of genetic background thereon is poorly understood. The inbred Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat, which mimics aspects of anxiety and depression, displays increased sensitivity (hyperalgesia) to noxious stimuli, compared to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Here, we report that WKY rats are hyporesponsive to the antinociceptive effects of systemically administered MOP agonist morphine in the hot plate and formalin tests, compared to SD counterparts. Equivalent plasma morphine levels in the two rat strains suggested that these differences in morphine sensitivity were unlikely to be due to strain-related differences in morphine pharmacokinetics. Although MOP expression in the ventrolateral periaqueductal grey (vlPAG) did not differ between WKY and SD rats, the vlPAG was identified as a key locus for the hyporesponsivity to MOP agonism in WKY rats in the formalin test. Moreover, morphine-induced effects on c-Fos (a marker of neuronal activity) in regions downstream of vlPAG, namely the rostral ventromedial medulla and lumbar spinal dorsal horn, were blunted in the WKY rats. Together, these findings suggest that a deficit in MOP-induced recruitment of the descending inhibitory pain pathway may underlie hyperalgesia to noxious inflammatory pain in the WKY rat strain genetically predisposed to negative affect.
Metabolic Responses of Carotenoid and Cordycepin Biosynthetic Pathways in Cordyceps militaris under Light-Programming Exposure through Genome-Wide Transcriptional Analysis

Cordyceps militaris is currently exploited for commercial production of specialty products as its biomass constituents are enriched in bioactive compounds, such as cordycepin. The rational process development is important for economically feasible production of high quality bioproducts. Light is an abiotic factor affecting the cultivation process of this entomopathogenic fungus, particularly in its carotenoid formation. To uncover the cell response to light exposure, this study aimed to systematically investigate the metabolic responses of C. militaris strain TBRC6039 using integrative genome-wide transcriptome and genome-scale metabolic network (GSMN)-driven analysis. The genome-wide transcriptome analysis showed 8747 expressed genes in the glucose and sucrose cultures grown under light-programming and dark conditions. Of them, 689 differentially expressed genes were significant in response to the light-programming exposure. Through integration with the GSMN-driven analysis using the improved network (iRT1467), the reporter metabolites, e.g., adenosine-5′-monophosphate (AMP) and 2-oxoglutarate, were identified when cultivated under the carotenoid-producing condition controlled by light-programming exposure, linking to up-regulations of the metabolic genes involved in glyoxalase system, as well as cordycepin and carotenoid biosynthesis. These results indicated that C. militaris had a metabolic control in acclimatization to light exposure through transcriptional co-regulation, which supported the cell growth and cordycepin production in addition to the accumulation of carotenoid as a photo-protective bio-pigment. This study provides a perspective in manipulating the metabolic fluxes towards the target metabolites through either genetic or physiological approaches.
Commentary: Role of choroidal thickness assessment in acute anterior uveitis

Choroidal thickness (CT) is known to be affected in acute phase inflammation of various posterior uveitic disorders, as choroid or retina is the primary site of involvement in these diseases. Although by definition, anterior uveitis (AU) denotes involvement of the anterior segment of the eye, a limited number of studies have also reported changes in the CT in patients with acute anterior uveitis (AAU) suggesting possible choroidal involvement in AU. [1-10] Recent advances in spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode and swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) have led to better imaging of the choroid providing further insight to pathogenesis of such entities.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caffeine Implications on the Eukaryotic Cell

Caffeine–a methylxanthine analogue of the purine bases adenine and guanine–is by far the most consumed neuro-stimulant, being the active principle of widely consumed beverages such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and cola. While the best-known action of caffeine is to prevent sleepiness by blocking the adenosine receptors, caffeine exerts a pleiotropic effect on cells, which lead to the activation or inhibition of various cell integrity pathways. The aim of this review is to present the main studies set to investigate the effects of caffeine on cells using the model eukaryotic microorganism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, highlighting the caffeine synergy with external cell stressors, such as irradiation or exposure to various chemical hazards, including cigarette smoke or chemical carcinogens. The review also focuses on the importance of caffeine-related yeast phenotypes used to resolve molecular mechanisms involved in cell signaling through conserved pathways, such as target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling, Pkc1-Mpk1 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, or Ras/cAMP protein kinase A (PKA) pathway.
[Mental Health Status in the Community During the COVID-19-Pandemic].

OBJECTIVE Analysis of associations between perceived daily life strain during the COVID-19-crisis and personality aspects with current psychological wellbeing in the general population and comparison of mental health indicators with those from a previous survey in 2018. METHODS Written survey in a random sample from the general population (n = 721) on Corona-related assessments, personality aspects and current mental health (WHO-5, PHQ-D). RESULTS Fear for the health of close persons, strain regarding going out restrictions, increased substance use and psychological risk- and resilience factors were independently related to current mental health. Extent and frequencies of mental health symptomatology did not differ between 2018 and 2020. CONCLUSION This is a first study in Germany reporting results from a population-based random sample on determinants of mental health during the COVID-19-crisis and a comparison of mental health symptomatology with prepandemic data from the same population.