Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Red Light on Mammalian Sperm Rely upon the Color of the Straw and the Medium Used

Simple Summary Several studies have shown that the exposure of semen to red light improves sperm quality and fertilizing ability, which could improve the efficiency of assisted reproductive techniques with irradiated semen. However, despite being considered as possible sources of variation, the effects of the color of the container (straws) or the medium have not yet been evaluated. In this study, 13 ejaculates from different stallions were split into equal fractions, diluted either with Kenney or Equiplus extender, and subsequently packed into straws of five different colors. After storage at 4 °C for 24 h, the sperm were irradiated and different variables, including sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential, were evaluated. Our results confirm that irradiation increases some motion characteristics and mitochondrial membrane potential without affecting sperm viability and demonstrate that the effects depend on the color of the straw and the extender used. Abstract Previous research has determined that irradiation of mammalian sperm with red light increases motility, mitochondrial activity, and fertilization capacity. In spite of this, no study has considered the potential influence of the color of the straw and the extender used. Therefore, this study tests the hypothesis that the response of mammalian sperm to red light is influenced by the color of the straw and the turbidity/composition of the extender. Using the horse as a model, 13 ejaculates from 13 stallions were split into two equal fractions, diluted with Kenney or Equiplus extender, and stored at 4 °C for 24 h. Thereafter, each diluted fraction was split into five equal aliquots and subsequently packed into 0.5-mL straws of red, blue, yellow, white, or transparent color. Straws were either nonirradiated (control) or irradiated with a light–dark–light pattern of 3–3–3 (i.e., light: 3 min, dark: 3 min; light: 3 min) prior to evaluating sperm motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular ROS and calcium levels. Our results showed that irradiation increased some motion variables, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular ROS without affecting the integrities of the plasma membrane and acrosome. Remarkably, the extent of those changes varied with the color of the straw and the extender used; the effects of irradiation were more apparent when sperm were diluted with Equiplus extender and packed into red-colored straws or when samples were diluted with Kenney extender and packed into transparent straws. As the increase in sperm motility and intracellular ROS levels was parallel to that of mitochondrial activity, we suggest that the impact of red light on sperm function relies upon the specific rates of energy provided to the mitochondria, which, in turn, vary with the color of the straw and the turbidity/composition of the extender.
The neuroimaging of neurodegenerative and vascular disease in the secondary prevention of cognitive decline

Structural brain changes indicative of dementia occur up to 20 years before the onset of clinical symptoms. Efforts to modify the disease process after the onset of cognitive symptoms have been unsuccessful in recent years. Thus, future trials must begin during the preclinical phases of the disease before symptom onset. Age related cognitive decline is often the result of two coexisting brain pathologies: Alzheimer’s disease (amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration) and vascular disease. This review article highlights some of the common neuroimaging techniques used to visualize the accumulation of neurodegenerative and vascular pathologies during the preclinical stages of dementia such as structural magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and white matter hyperintensities. We also describe some emerging neuroimaging techniques such as arterial spin labeling, diffusion tensor imaging, and quantitative susceptibility mapping. Recent literature suggests that structural imaging may be the most sensitive and cost-effective marker to detect cognitive decline, while molecular positron emission tomography is primarily useful for detecting disease specific pathology later in the disease process. Currently, the presence of vascular disease on magnetic resonance imaging provides a potential target for optimizing vascular risk reduction strategies, and the presence of vascular disease may be useful when combined with molecular and metabolic markers of neurodegeneration for identifying the risk of cognitive impairment.
Droplet-based mRNA sequencing of fixed and permeabilized cells by CLInt-seq allows for antigen-specific TCR cloning

Significance T cell receptors (TCRs) surveil cellular environment by recognizing peptides presented by the major histocompatibility complex. TCR sequencing allows for understanding the scope of T cell reactivity in health and disease. Specific TCR clones can be used as therapeutics in cancer and autoimmune disease. We present a technique that allows for TCR sequencing based on intracellular signaling molecules, such as cytokines and transcription factors. The core concept is highly generalizable and should be applicable to global gene expression analysis where intracellular marker-based cell isolation is required. T cell receptors (TCRs) are generated by somatic recombination of V/D/J segments to produce up to 1015 unique sequences. Highly sensitive and specific techniques are required to isolate and identify the rare TCR sequences that respond to antigens of interest. Here, we describe the use of mRNA sequencing via cross-linker regulated intracellular phenotype (CLInt-Seq) for efficient recovery of antigen-specific TCRs in cells stained for combinations of intracellular proteins such as cytokines or transcription factors. This method enables high-throughput identification and isolation of low-frequency TCRs specific for any antigen. As a proof of principle, intracellular staining for TNFα and IFNγ identified cytomegalovirus (CMV)- and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-reactive TCRs with efficiencies similar to state-of-the-art peptide-MHC multimer methodology. In a separate experiment, regulatory T cells were profiled based on intracellular FOXP3 staining, demonstrating the ability to examine phenotypes based on transcription factors. We further optimized the intracellular staining conditions to use a chemically cleavable primary amine cross-linker compatible with current single-cell sequencing technology. CLInt-Seq for TNFα and IFNγ performed similarly to isolation with multimer staining for EBV-reactive TCRs. We anticipate CLInt-Seq will enable droplet-based single-cell mRNA analysis from any tissue where minor populations need to be isolated by intracellular markers.
Shorter telomere lengths in patients with severe COVID-19 disease

The incidence of severe manifestations of COVID-19 increases with age with older patients showing the highest mortality, suggesting that molecular pathways underlying aging contribute to the severity of COVID-19. One mechanism of aging is the progressive shortening of telomeres, which are protective structures at chromosome ends. Critically short telomeres impair the regenerative capacity of tissues and trigger loss of tissue homeostasis and disease. The SARS-CoV-2 virus infects many different cell types, forcing cell turn-over and regeneration to maintain tissue homeostasis. We hypothesize that presence of short telomeres in older patients limits the tissue response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We measure telomere length in peripheral blood lymphocytes COVID-19 patients with ages between 29 and 85 years-old. We find that shorter telomeres are associated to increased severity of the disease. Individuals within the lower percentiles of telomere length and higher percentiles of short telomeres have higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 pathologies.
Electrochemically Produced Copolymers of Pyrrole and Its Derivatives: A Plentitude of Material Properties Using “Simple” Heterocyclic Co-Monomers

Polypyrrole is a classical, well-known conjugated polymer that is produced from a simple heterocyclic system. Numerous pyrrole derivatives exhibit biological activity, and the repeat unit is a common building block present in the chemical structure of many polymeric materials, finding wide application, primarily in optoelectronics and sensing. In this work, we focus on the variety of copolymers and their material properties that can be produced electrochemically, even though all these systems are obtained from mixtures of the “simple” pyrrole monomer and its derivatives with different conjugated and non-conjugated species.
Anal Intercourse among Heterosexual Young Adults: A Population-Based Survey in Switzerland

ABSTRACT Anal intercourse (AI) among heterosexuals is an understudied and taboo subject. This 2017 Swiss national study aimed to describe the characteristics and motivations of heterosexual young adults practicing AI. Participants with any same-sex experience, same-sex attraction or non-heterosexual identity were excluded. The Federal Statistical Office provided the initial sample and potential participants were recruited through postal mail inviting them to an online survey (response rate 15.1%). The sample comprised 3892 participants (52% males; 54% of the overall sample, mean age 26.3 years). Overall, 55% of women and 56% of men had never experienced AI, 17% and 12% had done it once and 28% and 32% more than once, respectively. We found that participants engaging in AI had higher odds of practicing intercourse while intoxicated, being younger at first sexual experience, not using a condom at last intercourse and reporting a history of sexual transmitted infections. The main reason reported by both genders for engaging in their first AI was being curious followed by being in love. In conclusion, AI is a widespread practice among heterosexual young adults and health professionals should be especially attentive to it.
Recent Advances and Future Perspectives in Cotton Research.

Cotton is not only the world's most important natural fiber crop, but it is also an ideal system in which to study genome evolution, polyploidization, and cell elongation. With the assembly of five different cotton genomes, a cotton-specific whole-genome duplication with an allopolyploidization process that combined the A- and D-genomes became evident. All existing A-genomes seemed to originate from the A0-genome as a common ancestor, and several transposable element bursts contributed to A-genome size expansion and speciation. The ethylene production pathway is shown to regulate fiber elongation. A tip-biased diffuse growth mode and several regulatory mechanisms, including plant hormones, transcription factors, and epigenetic modifications, are involved in fiber development. Finally, we describe the involvement of the gossypol biosynthetic pathway in the manipulation of herbivorous insects, the role of GoPGF in gland formation, and host-induced gene silencing for pest and disease control. These new genes, modules, and pathways will accelerate the genetic improvement of cotton. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Plant Biology, Volume 72 is May 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Comparison of Short- and Long-Term Prognosis between ST-Elevation and Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background: Available data comparing long-term prognosis according to the type of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are scarce, contradictory, and outdated. Our aim was to compare short- and long-term mortality in ST-elevated (STEMI) and non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (non-STEMI) ACS patients. Methods: Patients presenting with an inaugural ACS during the year 2006 and living in one of the three areas in France covered by the Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (MONICA) registry were included. Results: A total of 1822 patients with a first ACS—1121 (61.5%) STEMI and 701 (38.5%) non-STEMI—were included in the study. At the 28-day follow-up, the mortality rates were 6.7% and 4.7% (p = 0.09) for STEMI and non-STEMI patients, respectively, and after adjustment of potential confounding factors, the 28-day probability of death was significantly lower for non-STEMI ACS patients (Odds Ratio = 0.58 (0.36–0.94), p = 0.03). At the 10-year follow-up, the death rates were 19.6% and 22.8% (p = 0.11) for STEMI and non-STEMI patients, respectively, and after adjustment of potential confounding factors, the 10-year probability of death did not significantly differ between non-STEMI and STEMI events (OR = 1.07 (0.83–1.38), p = 0.59). Over the first year, the mortality rate was 7.2%; it then decreased and stabilized at 1.7% per year between the 2nd and 10th year following ACS. Conclusion: STEMI patients have a worse vital prognosis than non-STEMI patients within 28 days following ACS. However, at the 10-year follow-up, STEMI and non-STEMI patients have a similar vital prognosis. From the 2nd year onwards following the occurrence of a first ACS, the patients become stable coronary artery disease patients with an annual mortality rate in the 2% range, regardless of the type of ACS they initially present with.
Total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity changes in dependence on chosen garden pea varieties.

The green pea is ranged between the crops with high antioxidant potential. This potential is connected with phytochemical components mainly with polyphenols. All these bioactive chemicals have disease-fighting properties. In real human diet there is no usually possibility of fresh garden pea consumption during the whole year. The total polyphenol content is significantly changed among other things by processing methods. Focus on variety, bio-fortification and other specific agricultural inputs, could be the right method of total polyphenol contents and total antioxidant capacity increasing. The main objective of the present work was to consider the changes of total polyphenols content in dependence on variety and to evaluate an antioxidant potential six garden pea varieties arranged by the ripening point of view. Variety Exzeleus belongs to very early type, Premium is early maturing, Flavora is middle ripening variety and the last three varieties Utrio , Jumbo and Ambassador are middle late types of varieties. Every variety was grown in four replications, i.e. on 24 m total plot in Botanical garden of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra during 2013. Total polyphenols were determined by the Lachman s method and expressed as mg of gallic acid equivalent per kg fresh mater. Total antioxidant capacity was measured by the Brand-Williams method using a compound DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-pikrylhydrazyl)). The highest value was reached in case of variety Jumbo 1179.995 ±28.081 mg/kg, the lowest value in case of Premium 674.505 ±26.541 mg/kg. When evaluating an antioxidant capacity in chosen varieties of garden pea, the interval estimated by our trail ranged from 0.523 ±0.206% ( Exzeleus ) to 6.844 ±0.591% ( Flavora ). Following the both observed parameters, TPC and TAC, variety Flavora (as a member of middle ripening varieties) seems to be the most optimal from the human nutrition point of view. The various varieties had significant influence on TPC and TAC according to used statistical analyzes. Within the all observed varieties, when they were arranged by ripening, there was estimated significant difference only in case of garden pea varieties early – middle late . Other couples didn t show any statistical important differences in total polyphenol content.
Molecular Signature of Extracellular Vesicular Small Non-Coding RNAs Derived from Cerebrospinal Fluid of Leptomeningeal Metastasis Patients: Functional Implication of miR-21 and Other Small RNAs in Cancer Malignancy

Simple Summary Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a lethal complication in which cancer metastasizes to the meninges. Currently, there are neither definitive treatments nor diagnosis methods for LM patients. In this study, we suggest the examination of small non-coding RNA (smRNA) populations of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a potential vehicle for diagnosis and treatment strategies. Systemic and quantitative analysis of smRNA subpopulations from LM CSF EVs showed unique expression patterns between LM patients and healthy donors. In addition, LM CSF EVs smRNAs appeared to be associated with LM pathogenesis suggesting they may be viable targets for novel diagnostic and treatment strategies. Abstract Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a fatal and rare complication of cancer in which the cancer spreads via the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). At present, there is no definitive treatment or diagnosis for this deleterious disease. In this study, we systemically and quantitatively investigated biased expression of key small non-coding RNA (smRNA) subpopulations from LM CSF extracellular vesicles (EVs) via a unique smRNA sequencing method. The analyzed subpopulations included microRNA (miRNA), Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA), Y RNA, small nuclear RNA (snRNA), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNA), vault RNA (vtRNA), novel miRNA, etc. Here, among identified miRNAs, miR-21, which was already known to play an essential oncogenic role in tumorigenesis, was thoroughly investigated via systemic biochemical, miR-21 sensor, and physiological cell-based approaches, with the goal of confirming its functionality and potential as a biomarker for the pathogenesis and diagnosis of LM. We herein uncovered LM CSF extravesicular smRNAs that may be associated with LM-related complications and elucidated plausible pathways that may mechanistically contribute to LM progression. In sum, the analyzed smRNA subpopulations will be useful as targets for the development of therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for LM and LM-related complications.
The Overview of Human Localization and Vital Sign Signal Measurement Using Handheld IR-UWB Through-Wall Radar

Obtaining information (e.g., position, respiration, and heartbeat rates) on humans located behind opaque and non-metallic obstacles (e.g., walls and wood) has prompted the development of non-invasive remote sensing technologies. Due to its excellent features like high penetration ability, short blind area, fine-range resolution, high environment adoption capabilities, low cost and power consumption, and simple hardware design, impulse radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) through-wall radar has become the mainstream primary application radar used for the non-invasive remote sensing. IR-UWB through-wall radar has been developed for nearly 40 years, and various hardware compositions, deployment methods, and signal processing algorithms have been introduced by many scholars. The purpose of these proposed approaches is to obtain human information more accurately and quickly. In this paper, we focus on IR-UWB through-wall radar and introduce the key advances in system design and deployment, human detection theory, and signal processing algorithms, such as human vital sign signal measurement methods and moving human localization. Meanwhile, we discuss the engineering pre-processing methods of IR-UWB through-wall radar. The lasts research progress in the field is also presented. Based on this progress, the conclusions and the development directions of the IR-UWB through-wall radar in the future are also preliminarily forecasted.
P2X7 receptor activation aggravates NADPH oxidase 2-induced oxidative stress after intracerebral hemorrhage

Oxidative stress is a crucial pathological process that contributes to secondary injury following intracerebral hemorrhage. P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), which is activated by the abnormal accumulation of extracellular ATP, plays an important role in the regulation of oxidative stress in the central nervous system, although the effects of activated P2X7R-associated oxidative stress after intracerebral hemorrhage remain unclear. Mouse models of intracerebral hemorrhage were established through the stereotactic injection of 0.075 U VII collagenase into the right basal ganglia. The results revealed that P2X7R expression peaked 24 hours after intracerebral hemorrhage, and P2X7R expressed primarily in neurons. The inhibition of P2X7R, using A438079 (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 (NOX2) expression and malondialdehyde generation, increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione/oxidized glutathione levels, and alleviated neurological damage, brain edema, and apoptosis after intracellular hemorrhage. The P2X7R inhibitor A438079 (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) inhibited the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) after intracerebral hemorrhage. Blocking ERK1/2 activation, using the ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 (2 µg, intraventricular injection), reduced the level of NOX2-mediated oxidative stress induced by P2X7R activation after intracellular hemorrhage. Similarly, the inhibition of NF-κB, using the NF-κB inhibitor JSH-23 (3.5 µg, intraventricular), reduced the level of NOX2-mediated oxidative stress induced by P2X7R activation. Finally, GSK2795039 (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), a NOX2 antagonist, attenuated P2X7R-mediated oxidative stress, neurological damage, and brain edema after intracerebral hemorrhage. The results indicated that P2X7R activation aggravated NOX2-induced oxidative stress through the activation of the ERK1/2 and NF-κB pathways following intracerebral hemorrhage in mice. The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China (approval No. TJ-A20160805) on August 26, 2016.
Comparison of the catalytic activity of MOFs and zeolites in Knoevenagel condensation

The catalytic behavior of metal–organic-frameworks (MOFs) CuBTC and FeBTC was investigated in Knoevenagel condensation of cyclohexane carbaldehyde and benzaldehyde with active methylene compounds and compared with zeolites BEA and TS-1. High yields were achieved over the CuBTC catalyst in the Knoevenagel condensation involving malonitrile, especially at a relatively low reaction temperature (80 °C); no leaching of the active phase was evidenced. In contrast, zeolites were not active under such reaction conditions. We propose an activation of malonitrile on a pair of adjacent Cu ions to explain the high catalytic activity of CuBTC with respect to conventional catalysts. Compared with CuBTC, zeolites exhibited usually lower selectivities, which is ascribed to a high acid strength of their active sites promoting consecutive reactions.