Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Laminar Origin of Corticostriatal Projections to the Motor Putamen in the Macaque Brain

In the macaque brain, projections from distant, interconnected cortical areas converge in specific zones of the striatum. For example, specific zones of the motor putamen are targets of projections from frontal motor, inferior parietal, and ventrolateral prefrontal hand-related areas and thus are integral part of the so-called “lateral grasping network. ” In the present study, we analyzed the laminar distribution of corticostriatal neurons projecting to different parts of the motor putamen. Retrograde neural tracers were injected in different parts of the putamen in 3 Macaca mulatta (one male) and the laminar distribution of the labeled corticostriatal neurons was analyzed quantitatively. In frontal motor areas and frontal operculum, where most labeled cells were located, almost everywhere the proportion of corticostriatal labeled neurons in layers III and/or VI was comparable or even stronger than in layer V. Furthermore, within these regions, the laminar distribution pattern of corticostriatal labeled neurons largely varied independently from their density and from the projecting area/sector, but likely according to the target striatal zone. Accordingly, the present data show that cortical areas may project in different ways to different striatal zones, which can be targets of specific combinations of signals originating from the various cortical layers of the areas of a given network. These observations extend current models of corticostriatal interactions, suggesting more complex modes of information processing in the basal ganglia for different motor and nonmotor functions and opening new questions on the architecture of the corticostriatal circuitry. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Projections from the ipsilateral cerebral cortex are the major source of input to the striatum. Previous studies have provided evidence for distinct zones of the putamen specified by converging projections from specific sets of interconnected cortical areas. The present study shows that the distribution of corticostriatal neurons in the various layers of the primary motor and premotor areas varies depending on the target striatal zone. Accordingly, different striatal zones collect specific combinations of signals from the various cortical layers of their input areas, possibly differing in terms of coding, timing, and direction of information flow (e.g., feed-forward, or feed-back).
Hybrid LPG-FBG Based High-Resolution Micro Bending Strain Sensor

Simple Summary The solved problem, the helical core sensor for spatial coordinate direction within the fiber was applied to monitor the microscopic repetitive pattern caused by the body structure on the body surface. The body motion state was measured using the strain change of the helical core in three-dimensional space For real-time monitoring, sophisticated sensing and stability against noise are required. The femtosecond laser processing allows us to check the measurement reliability of the sensor through the design of the long and short period gratings. This shows the possibility of monitoring spatial coordinates from one core to one core. It can be used as a wearable sensor. Abstract Sensitivity and reliability are essential factors for the practical implementation of a wearable sensor. This study explores the possibility of using a hybrid high-resolution Bragg grating sensor for achieving a fast response to dynamic, continuous motion and Bragg signal pattern monitoring measurement. The wavelength shift pattern for real-time monitoring in picometer units was derived by using femtosecond laser Bragg grating processing on an optical wave path with long-period grating. The possibility of measuring the demodulation system’s Bragg signal pattern on the reflection spectrum of the femtosecond laser precision Bragg process and the long-period grating was confirmed. By demonstrating a practical method of wearing the sensor, the application of wearables was also explored. It is possible to present the applicability of sophisticated micro transformation measurement applications in picometer units.
Opening of Intermediate Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels in C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cells Increases the Myotube Diameter via the Akt/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Pathway

The activation of potassium channels and the ensuing hyperpolarization in skeletal myoblasts are essential for myogenic differentiation. However, the effects of K+ channel opening in myoblasts on skeletal muscle mass are unclear. Our previous study revealed that pharmacological activation of intermediate conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (IKCa channels) increases myotube formation. In this study, we investigated the effects of 5,6-dichloro-1-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (DCEBIO), a Ca2+-activated K+ channel opener, on the mass of skeletal muscle. Application of DCEBIO to C2C12 cells during myogenesis increased the diameter of C2C12 myotubes in a concentration-dependent manner. This DCEBIO-induced hypertrophy was abolished by gene silencing of IKCa channels. However, it was resistant to 1 µM but sensitive to 10 µM TRAM-34, a specific IKCa channel blocker. Furthermore, DCEBIO reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential by opening IKCa channels. Therefore, DCEBIO should increase myotube mass by opening of IKCa channels distributed in mitochondria. Pharmacological studies revealed that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitoROS), Akt, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) are involved in DCEBIO-induced myotube hypertrophy. An additional study demonstrated that DCEBIO-induced muscle hypertrophic effects are only observed when applied in the early stage of myogenic differentiation. In an in vitro myotube inflammatory atrophy experiment, DCEBIO attenuated the reduction of myotube diameter induced by endotoxin. Thus, we concluded that DCEBIO increases muscle mass by activating the IKCa channel/mitoROS/Akt/mTOR pathway. Our study suggests the potential of DCEBIO in the treatment of muscle wasting diseases. Significance Statement Our study shows that 5,6-dichloro-1-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (DCEBIO), a small molecule opener of Ca2+-activated K+ channel, increased muscle diameter via the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. And DCEBIO overwhelms C2C12 myotube atrophy induced by endotoxin challenge. Our report should inform novel role of K+ channel in muscle development and novel usage of K+ channel opener such as for the treatment of muscle wasting diseases.
Human DDX17 Unwinds Rift Valley Fever Virus Non-Coding RNAs

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-transmitted virus from the Bunyaviridae family that causes high rates of mortality and morbidity in humans and ruminant animals. Previous studies indicated that DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) restricts RVFV replication by recognizing two primary non-coding RNAs in the S-segment of the genome: the intergenic region (IGR) and 5′ non-coding region (NCR). However, we lack molecular insights into the direct binding of DDX17 with RVFV non-coding RNAs and information on the unwinding of both non-coding RNAs by DDX17. Therefore, we performed an extensive biophysical analysis of the DDX17 helicase domain (DDX17135–555) and RVFV non-coding RNAs, IGR and 5’ NCR. The homogeneity studies using analytical ultracentrifugation indicated that DDX17135–555, IGR, and 5’ NCR are pure. Next, we performed small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments, which suggested that DDX17 and both RNAs are homogenous as well. SAXS analysis also demonstrated that DDX17 is globular to an extent, whereas the RNAs adopt an extended conformation in solution. Subsequently, microscale thermophoresis (MST) experiments were performed to investigate the direct binding of DDX17 to the non-coding RNAs. The MST experiments demonstrated that DDX17 binds with the IGR and 5’ NCR with a dissociation constant of 5.77 ± 0.15 µM and 9.85 ± 0.11 µM, respectively. As DDX17135–555 is an RNA helicase, we next determined if it could unwind IGR and NCR. We developed a helicase assay using MST and fluorescently-labeled oligos, which suggested DDX17135–555 can unwind both RNAs. Overall, our study provides direct evidence of DDX17135–555 interacting with and unwinding RVFV non-coding regions.
[Paclitaxel liposome for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer].

Objective To investigate the effect and safety of the 3-week paclitaxel liposome protocol in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). METHODS This retrospective study included 40 cases of CRPC treated by the 3-week paclitaxel liposome protocol from February 2014 to February 2019, which involved intravenous injection of 10 mg dexamethasone in 100 ml normal saline on the first day and that of metoclopramide and panxi tora azole on the second day, followed by about 3 hours of intravenous drip of paclitaxel liposome at 135 mg/m2 for a course of 3 weeks. During the follow-up period, the patients received detection of the serum PSA level before treatment and chest x-ray and whole-body bone scan every six months. After two courses of treatment, the patients were observed for the changes in the serum PSA level, relief of bone pain, quality of survival, overall survival rate, overall survival time and toxic reactions. The protocol was continued unless the patient underwent progression, refused for unacceptable toxicity, or died. RESULTS The patients were aged 59 to 79 (mean 68.80±5.67) years old, with the serum PSA level of (28.05 ± 3.22) μg/L at the baseline and (4.12 ± 0.23) μg/L after treatment. Thirty-eight of the patients were followed up for 3 to 33 (mean 12.2) months. PSA-based evaluation showed therapeutic effectiveness in 14 cases (35%), stable condition in 21 (52.5 %) and progression in 5 (12.5 %). Of the 18 patients with bone metastasis and pain, 16 (88.9 %) experienced relief of the symptoms and reduced the use of painkillers, with the bone pain scores of 5.20 ± 1.22 vs 2.79 ± 0.57 before and after treatment. By the end of the follow-up, the overall survival rate was 55.0% (22/40) and the median survival time was 17 months (95% CI: 13.4－24.6). During the treatment, no obvious adverse reactions were observed except for anemia in 1 case and hair loss in another. CONCLUSIONS For the treatment of CRPC in China, the 3-week paclitaxel liposome protocol has the advantages of desirable safety, low toxicity, acceptable drug tolerance and improved quality of survival, but its curative effect needs to be verified with more randomized clinical trials with larger samples and longer follow-ups.
Advantage of including Genomic Information to Predict Breeding Values for Lactation Yields of Milk, Fat, and Protein or Somatic Cell Score in a New Zealand Dairy Goat Herd

Simple Summary The objective of this study was to quantify the benefit from the inclusion of genomic information in the estimation of breeding values for lactation yields of milk, fat, and protein or somatic cell score in a New Zealand dairy goat herd. The dataset included lactation yields of milk, fat, and protein and average somatic cell score of 839 does and genotypes from 388 does. A prototype single-step BayesC model was developed to predict genomic breeding values and demonstrated that including genomic information into the evaluation can increase the accuracy of predictions compared with the traditional best linear unbiased prediction methods based on pedigrees alone, which is currently implemented in the New Zealand dairy goat industry. Abstract Selection on genomic breeding values (GBVs) is now readily available for ranking candidates in improvement schemes. Our objective was to quantify benefits in terms of accuracy of prediction from including genomic information in the single-trait estimation of breeding values (BVs) for a New Zealand mixed breed dairy goat herd. The dataset comprised phenotypic and pedigree records of 839 does. The phenotypes comprised estimates of 305-day lactation yields of milk, fat, and protein and average somatic cell score from the 2016 production season. Only 388 of the goats were genotyped with a Caprine 50K SNP chip and 41,981 of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) passed quality control. Pedigree-based best linear unbiased prediction (PBLUP) was used to obtain across-breed breeding values (EBVs), whereas a single-step BayesC model (ssBC) was used to estimate across-breed GBVs. The average prediction accuracies ranged from 0.20 to 0.22 for EBVs and 0.34 to 0.43 for GBVs. Accuracies of GBVs were up to 103% greater than EBVs. Breed effects were more reliably estimated in the ssBC model compared with the PBLUP model. The greatest benefit of genomic prediction was for individuals with no pedigree or phenotypic records. Including genomic information improved the prediction accuracy of BVs compared with the current pedigree-based BLUP method currently implemented in the New Zealand dairy goat population.
In Vivo Digestion of Egg Products Enriched with DHA: Effect of the Food Matrix on DHA Bioavailability

The aim of the present study was to determine to what extent the food matrix could affect the release of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during digestion and its incorporation into systemic circulation. In this aim, three DHA-enriched egg products having the same composition but different structure were developed: omelet, hard-boiled egg, and mousse. Then, nine pigs fitted with T-shape cannulas at duodenal level and a jugular venous catheter were fed with the DHA-enriched egg products, and duodenal effluents and plasma were collected throughout the postprandial period. Results highlighted an undeniable effect of the food matrix on digestion parameters and DHA bioavailability. The transit of DHA and protein through the duodenum was faster after the ingestion of the mousse than after the ingestion of the omelet and hard-boiled egg. While most of the DHA and protein ingested under the form of mousse had already passed through the duodenum 4.5 h after its ingestion, significantly higher quantities were still present in the case of the omelet and hard-boiled egg. In terms of bioavailability, the omelet was the most efficient vector for delivering DHA into systemic circulation. It supplied 56% and 120% more DHA than the hard-boiled egg and the mousse, respectively.
Supplemental Microalgal DHA and Astaxanthin Affect Astaxanthin Metabolism and Redox Status of Juvenile Rainbow Trout

Microalgal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and astaxanthin (AST) may substitute for fish oil and synthetic AST in aquafeeds. This study explored the effects and mechanisms of those substitutions on AST metabolism and redox status of rainbow trout fed plant protein meal (PM)- or fishmeal (FM)-based diets. Two parallel experiments (PM vs. FM) were performed with 612 juvenile rainbow trout for 16 weeks as a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with two AST sources (synthetic (SA) vs. microalgal (AA), at 80 mg/kg) and three levels (0, 50, and 100%) of fish oil substitutions with DHA-rich microalgae. The fish oil substitutions exhibit main effects (p < 0.05) and/or interactive effects (p < 0.05) with the source of AST on AST deposition, malondialdehyde and glutathione concentrations, and mRNA levels and activities of major redox enzymes (glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) in the muscle and liver of trout fed both diet series. The AST source produced only differences in tissue AST deposition (p < 0.05) and number of metabolites. In conclusion, the substitutions of fish oil by the DHA-rich microalgae exerted more impacts than those of SA by AA on redox status and functional expression of antioxidant enzymes in the tissues of rainbow trout.
Left Pulmonary Artery from the Ascending Aorta: A Case Report and Review of Published Cases

The left pulmonary artery arising from the ascending aorta is an infrequent finding. It may be found isolated or with intracardiac anomalies. We present a new case of the left pulmonary artery arising from the ascending aorta and pool these findings with those of previously reported cases. Associated cardiac, extracardiac, and syndromic findings are discussed along with the implications of these in the evaluation and management of this condition.
A super-linear minimization scheme for the nudged elastic band method

In this article, we present a superlinear minimization scheme for the nudged elastic band (NEB) method, which determines a minimum-energy path (MEP) of a reaction via connecting intermediate “replicas” between the reactant and the product. The minimization scheme is based on a quasi-Newton method: the adopted basis Newton–Raphson (ABNR) minimization scheme. In each step of ABNR minimization, the Newton–Raphson procedure is performed in a subspace of a user-defined dimension. The tangent directions of the path at a new Newton–Raphson step are determined self-consistently in the subspace. The acceleration of the proposed scheme over the quenched molecular-dynamic minimization, the current practice for minimizing a path using NEB, is demonstrated in three nontrivial test cases: isomerization of an alanine dipeptide, α-helix to π-helix transition of an alanine decapeptide, and oxidation of dimethyl sulfide. New features are also added such that the distances between replicas can be defined in the root of mean.
Physical Activity Level, Mediterranean Diet Adherence, and Emotional Intelligence as a Function of Family Functioning in Elementary School Students

(1) Background: Family is considered as one of the most important elements for the transmission of healthy habits that improve the lives of students. For this reason, the present study aims to describe the degree of family functionality, emotional intelligence, Mediterranean diet adherence, and extra-curricular physical activity engagement. A further aim is to perform a correlational analysis between these variables. (2) Methods: To this end, an ad hoc questionnaire was used, alongside the APGAR, KIDMED, and Trait Meta Mood Scale (TMMS-24). (3) Results: Finally, the data suggest that a high percentage of students need to improve their diet. Further, students reporting severe family dysfunction showed worse outcomes. Thus, levels of emotional clarity were lower when family functionality was poor. Poor diet quality was also associated with lower emotional attention, with Mediterranean diet adherence being positively related to emotional clarity and repair, as well as normal family functionality. (4) Conclusions: Boys showed higher levels of adherence to the Mediterranean diet adherence, while girls reported higher family functionality. Thus, compliance with the minimum recommendations for physical activity engagement was associated with adequate adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The importance of diet for obtaining an optimal physical condition, adequate emotional state, and family functionality is highlighted.
Effect of hay type on cecal and fecal microbiome and fermentation parameters in horses.

The effect of hay type on the microbiome of the equine gastrointestinal tract is relatively unexplored. Our objective was to characterize the cecal and fecal microbiome of mature horses consuming alfalfa or Smooth Bromegrass (brome) hay. Six cecally cannulated horses were used in a split plot design run as a crossover in 2 periods. Whole plot treatment was ad libitum access to brome or alfalfa hay fed over two 21-d acclimation periods with subplots of sampling location (cecum and rectum) and sampling hour. Each acclimation period was followed by a 24-h collection period where cecal and fecal samples were collected every 3 h for analysis of pH and volatile fatty acids (VFA). Fecal and cecal samples were pooled and sent to a commercial lab (MR DNA, Shallowater, TX) for amplification of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and sequenced using Illumina HiSeq. Main effects of hay on VFA, pH, and taxonomic abundances were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 with fixed effects of hay, hour, location, period, all possible interactions and random effect of horse. Alpha and β diversity were analyzed using the R Dame package. Horses fed alfalfa had greater fecal than cecal pH (P ≤ 0.05) whereas horses fed brome had greater cecal than fecal pH (P ≤ 0.05). Regardless of hay type, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in the cecum than in feces, and alfalfa resulted in greater (P ≤ 0.05) VFA concentrations than brome in both sampling locations. Alpha diversity was greater (P ≤ 0.05) in fecal compared to cecal samples. Microbial community structure within each sampling location and hay type differed from one another (P ≤ 0.05). Bacteroidetes were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in the cecum compared to the rectum, regardless of hay type. Firmicutes and Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in the feces compared to cecal samples of alfalfa-fed horses. In all, fermentation parameters and bacterial abundances were impacted by hay type and sampling location in the hindgut.
Design and Synthesis of Multi-Functional Superparamagnetic Core-Gold Shell Nanoparticles Coated with Chitosan and Folate for Targeted Antitumor Therapy

A dual-targeting nanomedicine composed of pH-sensitive superparamagnetic iron oxide core-gold shell SPION@Au, chitosan (CS), and folate (FA) was developed as a doxorubicin (DOX) antitumor medication. Microemulsion was used for preparation and cross-linking conjugation. The characteristics of the designed nanocomposite were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy, Zeta potential and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The prepared SPION@Au-CS-DOX-FA nanoparticles (NPs) were spherical with an average diameter of 102.6 ± 7 nm and displayed an elevated drug loading behavior and sustained drug release capacity. The SPION@Au-CS-DOX-FA NPs revealed long term anti-cancer efficacy due to their cytotoxic effect and apoptotic inducing efficiency in SkBr3 cell lines. Additionally, Real-time PCR outcomes significantly showed an increase in BAK and BAX expression and a decrease in BCL-XL and BCL-2. In vivo results revealed that SPION@Au significantly decreased the tumor size in treated mice through magnetization. In conclusion, prepared SPION@Au-CS-DOX-FA could be a beneficial drug formulation for clinical breast cancer treatment.
GALLO: An R package for genomic annotation and integration of multiple data sources in livestock for positional candidate loci

Abstract Background The development of high-throughput sequencing and genotyping methodologies has enabled the identification of thousands of genomic regions associated with several complex traits. The integration of multiple sources of biological information is a crucial step required to better understand patterns regulating the development of these traits. Findings Genomic Annotation in Livestock for positional candidate LOci (GALLO) is an R package developed for the accurate annotation of genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) located in regions identified in common genomic analyses performed in livestock, such as genome-wide association studies and transcriptomics using RNA sequencing. Moreover, GALLO allows the graphical visualization of gene and QTL annotation results, data comparison among different grouping factors (e.g., methods, breeds, tissues, statistical models, studies), and QTL enrichment in different livestock species such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and chickens. Conclusions Consequently, GALLO is a useful package for annotation, identification of hidden patterns across datasets, and data mining previously reported associations, as well as the efficient examination of the genetic architecture of complex traits in livestock.