Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unique Calibrators Derived from Fluorescence‐Activated Nanoparticle Sorting for Flow Cytometric Size Estimation of Artificial Vesicles: Possibilities and Limitations

The use of high‐throughput flow cytometry to characterize nanoparticles has received increased interest in recent years. However, to fully realize the potential of flow cytometry for the characterization of nanometer‐sized objects, suitable calibrators for size estimation must be developed and the sensitivity of conventional flow cytometers has to be advanced. Based on the scattered signal, silica and plastic beads have often been used as flow cytometric size calibrators to evaluate the size of extracellular vesicles and artificial vesicles (liposomes). However, several studies have shown that these beads are unable to accurately correlate scatter intensity to vesicle size. In this work, we present a novel method to estimate the size of individual liposomes in flow cytometry based on liposomal size calibrators prepared by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS), here coined fluorescence‐activated nanoparticle sorting (FANS). These calibration liposomes exhibit sizes, structures, and refractive indexes identical to the particles being studied and thus can serve as unique calibrators. First, a sample of polydisperse fluorophore‐labeled unilamellar liposomes was prepared and analyzed by flow cytometry. Next, different fractions of the polydisperse liposomes were FANS‐sorted according to their fluorescence intensity. Thereafter, we employed nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) to evaluate the liposome sizes of the FANS‐sorted liposome fractions. Finally, we correlated the flow cytometric readouts (side scatter and fluorescence intensity) of the FANS‐sorted liposome fractions with their corresponding size obtained by NTA. This procedure enabled us to translate the liposome fluorescence intensity to the liposome size in nanometers for all detected individual liposomes. We validated the size distribution of our polydisperse liposome sample obtained from flow cytometry in combination with our FANS‐calibrators against standard methods for sizing nanoparticles, including NTA and cryo‐transmission electron microscopy. This work also highlights the limitation of using the flow cytometric side scattering readout to determine the size of small (30–300 nm) artificial vesicles. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Coevolution between slave‐making ants and their hosts: host specificity and geographical variation

We explored the impact of a slave‐making ant, Protomognathus americanus, on two of its hosts, Leptothorax longispinosus and L. ambiguus. We showed that, on average, slave‐maker colonies conduct raids on 2.7 L. longispinosus and 1.4 L. ambiguus nests in a single year. The more common host, L. longispinosus, survives raiding and colony‐founding events in a third of the cases, but the less common host rarely survives attacks from the slave‐makers. We compare our results, collected in Vermont, to a study conducted in New York where the slave‐maker pressure is much stronger. Our results suggest that in Vermont the slave‐maker has a sparing strategy when raiding L. longispinosus, but not when raiding L. ambiguus. Thus coevolution between slave‐making ants and their hosts shows host specificity and geographical variation.
TRPM2 participates the transformation of acute pain to chronic pain during injury‐induced neuropathic pain

Transient receptor melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a nonselective Ca2+‐permeable cation channel highly expressed in brain and other tissues. Studies showed that TRPM2 contributed to the induction of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine of immune cells, resulted in neuropathic pain. However, how TRPM2 regulates neuropathic pain is not clear. The sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat model was used to induce chronic neuropathic pain. The RNA and protein level of TRPM2 was detected with real‐time PCR and western blot. SiRNA targeting TRPM2 was used to knockdown the expression of TRPM2. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined using H2DCFDA assay and NO production was analyzed by measuring the accumulated level of its stable metabolite (nitrite). We found that CCI significantly increased TRPM2 expression in dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord. Knockdown TRPM2 in early phase after CCI alleviated injury‐induced neuropathic pain. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that TRPM2 knockdown drastically inhibited the iNOS expression and NO generation, with decreased ROS generation in CCI rat. TRPM2 participates in the transformation of acute pain to chronic pain during injury‐induced neuropathic pain, which might serve as a potential therapeutic target for neuropathic pain.
A scoping review of interventions for vaccine stock management in primary health-care facilities

ABSTRACT One of the challenges facing the success of immunization programs is shortages of vaccines at health facilities, which could result from inadequate vaccine stock management. Several approaches have been designed by countries to improve vaccine stock management. This review summarizes currently available information on interventions for vaccine stock management. We considered both randomized trials and non-randomized studies eligible for inclusion in this review. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, World Health Organization Library Information System, Web of Science, and PDQ-Evidence. We searched the websites of the World Health Organization, Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization, PATH’s Vaccine Resources Library, and United Nations Children’s Fund. The reference lists of all the included studies were also searched. Two authors independently screened search outputs, reviewed full texts of potentially eligible articles, evaluated risk of bias, and extracted data; resolving disagreements through consensus. Four studies met our inclusion criteria (three before–after studies and one randomized trial). Three studies were conducted in low- and middle-income countries while one was conducted in Canada (a high-income country). All the studies had various limitations and were classified as having a high risk of bias. Study findings suggest that the use of digital information systems to improve information and stock visibility, coupled with other interventions (such as training of health-care workers on the use of innovative tools and redesign of the supply chain to tackle certain bottlenecks), has the potential to increase vaccine availability, reduce response times, and improve the quality of vaccine records.
Effect of Lithium-Slag in the Performance of Slag Cement Mortar Based on Least-Squares Support Vector Machine Prediction

There is a universally accepted view that environmental pollution should be controlled while improving cement mortar natural abilities. The purpose of this study is to develop a green cement mortar that has better compressive strength and anti-chloride ion permeability. Two industrial wastes, lithium-slag and slag, were added to cement mortar, and the role of lithium-slag was to activate slag. In addition, to save economic and time costs, this paper also used the least-squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) method to predict the property changes of cementitious-based materials. Then multiple natural abilities of samples, including compressive strength, anti-chloride ion permeability, and fluidity, were tested. In addition, LS-SVM and traditional support vector machine (SVM) were used to train and forecast the performance, including compressive strength. The results show that lithium-slag can activate slag to improve the compressive strength, anti-chloride ion permeability of mortar, and LS-SVM sharpens accuracy by 11% compared to SVM.
Strengthening Insights in Microbial Ecological Networks from Theory to Applications

Networks encode the interactions between the components in complex systems and play an essential role in understanding complex systems. Microbial ecological networks provide a system-level insight for comprehensively understanding complex microbial interactions, which play important roles in microbial community assembly. ABSTRACT Networks encode the interactions between the components in complex systems and play an essential role in understanding complex systems. Microbial ecological networks provide a system-level insight for comprehensively understanding complex microbial interactions, which play important roles in microbial community assembly. However, microbial ecological networks are in their infancy of both network inference and biological interpretation. In this perspective, we articulate the theory gaps and limitations in building and interpreting microbial ecological networks, emphasize developing tools for evaluating the predicted microbial interaction relationships, and predict the potential applications of microbial ecological networks in the long run.
The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - From Bedside to Bench.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs), which manifests clinically as progressive weakness. Although several epidemiological studies have found an association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ALS, there is not a consensus on whether TBI is an ALS risk factor. It may be that it can cause ALS in a subset of susceptible patients, based on a history of repetitive mild TBI and genetic predisposition. This cannot be determined based on clinical observational studies alone. Better pre-clinical models are necessary to evaluate the effects of TBI on ALS onset and progression. To date, only a small number of pre-clinical studies have been performed, mainly in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) transgenic rodents, which, taken together, have mixed results, and notable methodological limitations. The more recent incorporation of additional animal models such as Drosophila flies, as well as patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived neurons, should facilitate a better understanding of a potential functional interaction between TBI and ALS.
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE

S FROM MEDICAL LITERATUREOphthalmology . Oto-Rhino-Laryngology ORIGINAL ARTICI,ESBiology and Medtcin e, by F. M. Burnet . Early Breast Ca.nce r and its Management,by F. J. Gray, F.R. C.S. • . ProlongedSurvival of NeisseriaGonorrhrere:An Aid to the Diagnosis of Gonorrhcea, by C. B. G. Colquhoun, :\I.B. , B.S., and G. N. Cooper, M.Sc. The Mor'tality of Childhood in Australia: Part II. 'I'he School Ages, by H. O. Lancaster.
Psychometric validation of the Internet Gaming Disorder-20 Test among Chinese middle school and university students

Background and aims Internet gaming disorder (IGD) was proposed in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of American Psychiatric Association as an area warranting more research attention. High prevalence of excessive Internet game use and related addictions has been reported in China, especially among youth; however, there is a lack of psychometrically and theoretically sound instruments for assessing IGD in the Chinese language. Methods This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGD-20 Test) among Chinese middle school (n = 569; Mage = 13.34; 46.2% females) and university students (n = 523; Mage = 20.12; 48.4% females) samples in Beijing, China. All participants voluntarily completed an anonymous questionnaire. Results Confirmatory factor analysis results showed that the Chinese version of the IGD-20 Test had five factors (i.e., salience-tolerance, mood modification, withdrawal, conflict, and relapse). Measurement invariance was confirmed across the two samples. The test score was positively associated with the modified Young’s Internet Addiction Test for gaming addiction. Concurrent validation was further demonstrated by the IGD-20 Test’s positive correlation with weekly gameplay and depression symptoms. The latent profile analysis showed four different gamer classes (i.e., regular gamers, low-risk engaged gamers, high-risk engaged gamers, and probable disordered gamers), with the estimated prevalence of 2.1% of the last group. Discussion and conclusion The IGD-20 Test was applicable to Chinese youth and its Chinese version generally demonstrated good psychometric properties.
Dynamic analysis of a spindle-bearing system based on finite element method

Background: Most important component of the machine tool is the spindle-bearing system. Dynamic behavior of the spindle-bearing system directly affect to the machining productivity and quality of the work pieces. Therefore at the stage of design and development, it is necessary and very important to know its spindle dynamic behaviors for avoiding forced vibration due to resonance. Methods: The finite element method (FEM) has been adopted for obtaining spindle dynamic behaviors. The FEM model for the spindle-bearing systems is similiar to those developed in rotor-dynamic. The main purpose of this study, an ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL) program based on finite element method has been developed for obtaining full analysis of rotordynamic in order to investigate the spindle-bearing dynamic behaviors. The programs efficiently performed the full analysis by determining the Campbell diagrams, critical speeds, and response of unbalance due to mass unbalance at the cutting tool. In this paper, evaluation of the results and how the program was verified with beam finite element (FE) model are presented. For this purpose, a certain mechanical and geometrical properties of a grinding machine tools spindle-bearing system was modeled and its analysis of rotordynamic was done by ANSYS (APDL) program. Results: The results show that the accuracy of the model and the solution technique has been demonstrated by comparison and very good agreement has been obtained.
Kinase pathway inhibition restores PSD95 induction in neurons lacking fragile X mental retardation protein

Significance Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by loss of expression of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an RNA-binding protein that has been proposed to regulate local stimulus-dependent protein synthesis. However, how FMRP loss affects distributions of newly synthesized proteins remains unclear. Here, we report that local BDNF application promotes persistent accumulation of new PSD95 at stimulated synapses and dendrites, and that this accumulation is absent in FMRP-deficient mouse neurons. We further identify signaling pathways important for the protein synthesis abnormalities. These results provide direct evidence for deficits in local protein synthesis and accumulation in response to local stimulation in FXS, and support mTORC1-S6K1 pathway inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach for FXS. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading monogenic cause of autism and intellectual disability. FXS is caused by loss of expression of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an RNA-binding protein that regulates translation of numerous mRNA targets, some of which are present at synapses. While protein synthesis deficits have long been postulated as an etiology of FXS, how FMRP loss affects distributions of newly synthesized proteins is unknown. Here we investigated the role of FMRP in regulating expression of new copies of the synaptic protein PSD95 in an in vitro model of synaptic plasticity. We find that local BDNF application promotes persistent accumulation of new PSD95 at stimulated synapses and dendrites of cultured neurons, and that this accumulation is absent in FMRP-deficient mouse neurons. New PSD95 accumulation at sites of BDNF stimulation does not require known mechanisms regulating FMRP–mRNA interactions but instead requires the PI3K-mTORC1-S6K1 pathway. Surprisingly, in FMRP-deficient neurons, BDNF induction of new PSD95 accumulation can be restored by mTORC1-S6K1 blockade, suggesting that constitutively high mTORC1-S6K1 activity occludes PSD95 regulation by BDNF and that alternative pathways exist to mediate induction when mTORC1-S6K1 is inhibited. This study provides direct evidence for deficits in local protein synthesis and accumulation of newly synthesized protein in response to local stimulation in FXS, and supports mTORC1-S6K1 pathway inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach for FXS.
Exploring correlations between neuropsychological measures and domain-specific consistency in associations with n-3 LCPUFA status in 8-9 year-old boys and girls

Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) have in some studies been associated with cognitive and socioemotional outcomes in children, but results are inconsistent possibly due to the use of different tests and potential gender-specific effects. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to explore overall patterns in neuropsychological scores as well as correlations between scores within specific domains, and to examine potential gender differences and consistency in associations with n-3 LCPUFA status. In 199 Danish 8–9 year-old children, we performed a large battery of tests and questionnaires on attention, processing speed, executive functions, memory, and socioemotional traits, and measured erythrocyte fatty acid composition. Principal component analyses (PCA) showed that most of the variation in both cognitive performance and socioemotional traits was explained by overall performance, followed by speed-accuracy trade off and externalizing vs. internalizing problems, respectively. Boys had higher speed, lower attention and higher externalizing problem scores than girls. Measures of performance within both processing speed and attention domains correlated moderately, whereas no correlations were found for measures of executive functions apart from some weak correlations for impulsivity. Parent-rated scores for both externalizing and internalizing problems correlated strongly, whereas correlations with child-rated scores were weak. Scores within specific domains did not consistently associate with n-3 LCPUFA, except for processing speed measures which all pointed to faster processing with increased n-3 LCPUFA status. Gender differences in the associations were observed for attention and impulsivity. Child- but not parent-rated internalizing and social problems tended to associate directly with n-3 LCPUFA, supported by increased internalizing problems measured by the PCA component. In conclusion, measures of speed and attention seem to represent these domains in general, whereas single measures of more complex cognitive functions should be interpreted with caution. One approach could be to use multiple tests and create multivariate scores to guide interpretations. Furthermore, the results indicate a need to consider both parent- and child-rated socioemotional scores and gender differences in neuropsychological functions e.g. in investigations of n-3 LCPUFA effects.
Big‐sized trees overrule remaining trees' attributes and species richness as determinants of aboveground biomass in tropical forests

Large‐diameter, tall‐stature, and big‐crown trees are the main stand structures of forests, generally contributing a large fraction of aboveground biomass, and hence play an important role in climate change mitigation strategies. Here, we hypothesized that the effects of large‐diameter, tall‐stature, and big‐crown trees overrule the effects of species richness and remaining trees attributes on aboveground biomass in tropical forests (i.e., we term the “big‐sized trees hypothesis”). Specifically, we assessed the importance of: (a) the “top 1% big‐sized trees effect” relative to species richness; (b) the “99% remaining trees effect” relative to species richness; and (c) the “top 1% big‐sized trees effect” relative to the “99% remaining trees effect” and species richness on aboveground biomass. Using environmental factor and forest inventory datasets from 712 tropical forest plots in Hainan Island of southern China, we tested several structural equation models for disentangling the relative effects of big‐sized trees, remaining trees attributes, and species richness on aboveground biomass, while considering for the full (indirect effects only) and partial (direct and indirect effects) mediation effects of climatic and soil conditions, as well as interactions between species richness and trees attributes. We found that top 1% big‐sized trees attributes strongly increased aboveground biomass (i.e., explained 55%–70% of the accounted variation) compared to species richness (2%–18%) and 99% remaining trees attributes (6%–10%). In addition, species richness increased aboveground biomass indirectly via increasing big‐sized trees but via decreasing remaining trees. Hence, we show that the “big‐sized trees effect” overrides the effects of remaining trees attributes and species richness on aboveground biomass in tropical forests. This study also indicates that big‐sized trees may be more susceptible to atmospheric drought. We argue that the effects of big‐sized trees on species richness and aboveground biomass should be tested for better understanding of the ecological mechanisms underlying forest functioning.
Representations of cancer recurrence risk, recurrence worry, and health-protective behaviours: an elaborated, systematic review

ABSTRACT An expanded Common-Sense Model (CSM) contextualised to the self-regulation of cancer recurrence risk identifies risk representational attributes and recurrence worry as primary processes motivating protective behaviours in cancer survivors. A systematic review examined evidence for CSM hypotheses regarding how these processes influence diet and physical activity (PA) among survivors. A research agenda is outlined and used to evaluate the evidence base. Common databases were searched for eligible, peer-reviewed, English language reports, yielding 18 studies quantitatively testing hypothesised relationships among representations of prior cancer, recurrence risk representations, recurrence worry, and diet and PA. The findings provide promising, but mixed and limited evidence for some of the hypothesised associations of specific risk recurrence attributes with recurrence worry, and risk recurrence attributes and recurrence worry with diet and PA. Findings support the distinction of recurrence risk representations and illness representations of the prior cancer, with each showing different relationships with recurrence worry and behaviours. We discuss the status of the evidence base in relation to assessment, design, and analysis priorities and propose strategies that can yield more sensitive, rigorous tests of the CSM for cancer recurrence risk as applied to diet and PA.