Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fluorescence microscopy of piezo1 in droplet hydrogel bilayers

Mechanosensitive ion channels are membrane gated pores which are activated by mechanical stimuli. The focus of this study is on Piezo1, a newly discovered, large, mammalian, mechanosensitive ion channel, which has been linked to diseases such as dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis (Xerocytosis) and lymphatic dysplasia. Here we utilize an established in-vitro artificial bilayer system to interrogate single Piezo1 channel activity. The droplet-hydrogel bilayer (DHB) system uniquely allows the simultaneous recording of electrical activity and fluorescence imaging of labelled protein. We successfully reconstituted fluorescently labelled Piezo1 ion channels in DHBs and verified activity using electrophysiology in the same system. We demonstrate successful insertion and activation of hPiezo1-GFP in bilayers of varying composition. Furthermore, we compare the Piezo1 bilayer reconstitution with measurements of insertion and activation of KcsA channels to reproduce conductances reported in the literature. Together, our results showcase the use of DHBs for future experiments allowing simultaneous measurements of ion channel gating while visualising the channel proteins using fluorescence.
Sanitation Improves Stored Product Insect Pest Management

There is a large suite of insects that attack anthropogenic agricultural goods after harvest. Proper sanitation programs for food facilities are now recognized as the foundation of good integrated pest management (IPM) programs for stored products throughout the post-harvest supply chain. While good sanitation programs are generally thought to reduce the abundance and diversity of insects, there has been less appreciation of the manifold ways that sanitation interacts with a range of other IPM tactics to modulate their efficacy. Here, we review the literature on how the effectiveness of chemical, physical/cultural, biological, and behaviorally-based control tactics varies with changes in sanitation. In addition, we discuss how sanitation may affect ongoing pheromone- and kairomone-based monitoring programs. Where possible, we quantitatively compile and analyze the impact of sanitation on the fold-change in the efficacy of IPM tactics. We found that decreased sanitation negatively affected the efficacy of most tactics examined, with a mean 1.3–17-fold decrease in efficacy under poorer sanitation compared to better sanitation. Sanitation had neutral or mixed impacts on a few tactics as well. Overall, the literature suggests that sanitation should be of the utmost importance for food facility managers concerned about the efficacy of a wide range of management tactics.
Endothelial Adora2a Activation Promotes Blood–Brain Barrier Breakdown and Cognitive Impairment in Mice with Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance

Obesity and insulin resistance elicit blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown in humans and animal models, but the relative contributions of the two pathologies remain poorly understood. These studies initially addressed the temporal progression of cerebrovascular dysfunction relative to dietary obesity or diet-induced insulin resistance in male mice. Obesity increased BBB permeability to the low molecular weight fluorophore sodium fluorescein (NaFl), whereas diet-induced insulin resistance increased permeability to both NaFl and Evans blue, which forms a high molecular weight complex with serum albumin. Serial section transmission electron microscopy analysis of hippocampal capillaries revealed that diabetes promotes involution of tight junctions, fenestration of endothelial cells, and pericyte regression. Chronic activation of adenosine receptor 2a (Adora2a) erodes tight junctions between endothelial cells of the cerebral vasculature in other models of chronic neuropathology, and we observed that acute Adora2a antagonism normalized BBB permeability in wild-type mice with diet-induced insulin resistance. Experiments in mice with inducible deletion of Adora2a in endothelial cells revealed protection against BBB breakdown with diet-induced insulin resistance, despite comparable metabolic dysfunction relative to nontransgenic littermates. Protection against BBB breakdown was associated with decreased vascular inflammation, recovery of hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and restoration of hippocampus-dependent memory. These findings indicate that Adora2a-mediated signaling in vascular endothelial cells disrupts the BBB in dietary obesity, and implicate cerebrovascular dysfunction as the underlying mechanism for deficits in synaptic plasticity and cognition with obesity and insulin resistance. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The blood–brain barrier (BBB) restricts the entry of circulating factors into the brain, but obesity promotes BBB breakdown in humans and animal models. We used transgenic mice with resistance to BBB breakdown to investigate the role of neurovascular dysfunction in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced cognitive impairment. Transgenic mice with inducible ablation of Adora2a in endothelial cells were protected against BBB breakdown on HFD, despite comparable metabolic impairments relative to normal mice. Transgenic mice were also resistant to HFD-induced cognitive dysfunction and were protected against deficits in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. These findings indicate that Adora2a-mediated signaling in endothelial cells mediates obesity-induced BBB breakdown, and implicate cerebrovascular dysfunction as the mechanism for deficits in synaptic plasticity and cognition with obesity and diabetes.
Stochastic neural field model of stimulus-dependent variability in cortical neurons

We use stochastic neural field theory to analyze the stimulus-dependent tuning of neural variability in ring attractor networks. We apply perturbation methods to show how the neural field equations can be reduced to a pair of stochastic nonlinear phase equations describing the stochastic wandering of spontaneously formed tuning curves or bump solutions. These equations are analyzed using a modified version of the bivariate von Mises distribution, which is well-known in the theory of circular statistics. We first consider a single ring network and derive a simple mathematical expression that accounts for the experimentally observed bimodal (or M-shaped) tuning of neural variability. We then explore the effects of inter-network coupling on stimulus-dependent variability in a pair of ring networks. These could represent populations of cells in two different layers of a cortical hypercolumn linked via vertical synaptic connections, or two different cortical hypercolumns linked by horizontal patchy connections within the same layer. We find that neural variability can be suppressed or facilitated, depending on whether the inter-network coupling is excitatory or inhibitory, and on the relative strengths and biases of the external stimuli to the two networks. These results are consistent with the general observation that increasing the mean firing rate via external stimuli or modulating drives tends to reduce neural variability. Author Summary A topic of considerable current interest concerns the neural mechanisms underlying the suppression of cortical variability following the onset of a stimulus. Since trial-by-trial variability and noise correlations are known to affect the information capacity of neurons, such suppression could improve the accuracy of population codes. One of the main candidate mechanisms is the suppression of noise-induced transitions between multiple attractors, as exemplified by ring attractor networks. The latter have been used to model experimentally measured stochastic tuning curves of directionally selective middle temporal (MT) neurons. In this paper we show how the stimulus-dependent tuning of neural variability in ring attractor networks can be analyzed in terms of the stochastic wandering of spontaneously formed tuning curves or bumps in a continuum neural field model. The advantage of neural fields is that one can derive explicit mathematical expressions for the second-order statistics of neural activity, and explore how this depends on important model parameters, such as the level of noise, the strength of recurrent connections, and the input contrast.
Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of Three Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling Genes (SOCS5, SOCS6, SOCS7) in the Mealworm Beetle Tenebrio molitor

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) influence cytokine and growth factor signaling by negatively regulating the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway to maintain homeostasis during immune responses. However, functional characterization of SOCS family members in invertebrates is limited. Here, we identified and evaluated three SOCS genes (type I sub-family) in the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor. The full-length open reading frames (ORFs) of TmSOCS5, TmSOCS6, and TmSOCS7 comprised of 1389, 897, and 1458 nucleotides, encoding polypeptides of 462, 297, and 485 amino acids, respectively. The SH2 and SOCS box domains of the TmSOCS C-terminal region were highly conserved. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these SOCS genes were clustered within the type I subfamily that exhibits the highest amino acid identity with Tribolium castaneum SOCS genes. Contrary to TmSOCS7 expression, the expression levels of TmSOCS5 and TmSOCS6 were lower in the larval, pupal, and adult stages. In larvae and adults, the expression levels of TmSOCS5 and TmSOCS6 were highest in the hemocytes and ovaries, respectively. SOCS transcripts were also highly upregulated in the hemocytes of T. molitor larvae within 3–6 h post-infection with the fungus Candida albicans. Collectively, these results provide valuable information regarding the involvement of TmSOCS type-I subfamily in the host immune response of insects.
Phase synchronization of baroreflex oscillations of blood pressure and pulse interval in rats: the effects of cardiac autonomic blockade and gradual blood loss

Objective: Phase synchronization of arterial pressure (AP) and pulse interval (PI) oscillations in the low-frequency band (around 0.4 Hz in rats) is governed by baroreflex activity. In long-term stationary data recordings, such synchronization can be estimated by the coherence. The phase synchronization index (PSI) can be used as well. The aim of this study was to correlate PSI and the coherence of AP and PI under stationary conditions and to estimate the informativity of PSI as a measure of baroreflex activity during transient processes. Approach: AP and PI were recorded in conscious Wistar rats using femoral artery catheters. To study the hemodynamics during hemorrhage, blood was gradually withdrawn (20 ml × kg−1 over 30 min) through a catheter in the carotid artery. Main results: PSI and coherence spectra calculated from 30-minute AP and PI recordings demonstrated distinct peaks at the frequency of 0.4 Hz; these indicators correlate well with each other (Pearson r = 0.920, p < 0.0001). Both PSI and coherence were markedly suppressed by vagal blockade (methylatropine) and tended to reduce after sympathetic blockade (atenolol). Importantly, PSI demonstrated dynamic alterations during gradual hemorrhage. During the initial approx. 10 min of hemorrhage, AP did not change but PI was noticeably shortened, and PSI increased, which indicates the activation of the baroreflex. With further blood loss, baroreflex influences were not enough to prevent blood pressure from falling, and under such conditions PSI decreased. Significance: PSI, like coherence, is an informative measure of baroreflex activity under stationary conditions. In addition, PSI permits us to follow the coupling between the baroreflex oscillations of AP and PI during transient processes, which strengthens its informative value.
Nanostructured Gas Sensors for Medical and Health Applications: Low to High Dimensional Materials

Human breath has long been known as a system that can be used to diagnose diseases. With advancements in modern nanotechnology, gas sensors can now diagnose, predict, and monitor a wide range of diseases from human breath. From cancer to diabetes, the need to treat at the earliest stages of a disease to both increase patient outcomes and decrease treatment costs is vital. Therefore, it is the promising candidate of rapid and non-invasive human breath gas sensors over traditional methods that will fulfill this need. In this review, we focus on the nano-dimensional design of current state-of-the-art gas sensors, which have achieved records in selectivity, specificity, and sensitivity. We highlight the methods of fabrication for these devices and relate their nano-dimensional materials to their record performance to provide a pathway for the gas sensors that will supersede.
Effect of a relaxation training exercise on behaviour, anxiety, and pain during buccal infiltration anaesthesia in children: Randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND Cognitive behavioural techniques can decrease procedural pain and anxiety in children. Bubble breath exercise, a play therapy technique, may be used as a relaxation strategy to manage anxiety and pain. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of bubble breath exercise on dental anxiety, dental behaviour, and pain intensity during buccal infiltration of local anaesthetic in children. STUDY DESIGN This randomized controlled trial involved 66 children aged 7-11 years, randomly allocated to two groups: Group 1 (control) and Group 2 (intervention group). Group 2 was trained in bubble breath exercise. The reaction during buccal infiltration anaesthesia was recorded in terms of behaviour (Frankl's behaviour rating scale), anxiety (Facial Image Scale and pulse rate), and pain perception (Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale and the Faces, Leg, Activity, Cry, and Consolability scale). RESULTS The bubble breath exercise significantly reduced the pain perceived, as measured by both the Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale (P < 0.001) and the FLACC scale (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in dental anxiety and behaviour among the groups. CONCLUSION Use of bubble breath exercise may be beneficial in decreasing the pain perceived during maxillary buccal infiltration anaesthesia in 7- to 11-year-old children.
Deleterious Germline Mutations Are a Risk Factor for Neoplastic Progression Among High-Risk Individuals Undergoing Pancreatic Surveillance.

PURPOSE To compare the risk of neoplastic progression by germline mutation status versus family history without a known germline mutation (familial risk) among individuals with an increased risk for pancreatic cancer who are undergoing surveillance. METHODS Of 464 high-risk individuals in the Cancer of the Pancreas Screening program at Johns Hopkins Hospital who were undergoing pancreatic surveillance, 119 had a known deleterious germline mutation in a pancreatic cancer susceptibility gene; 345 met family history criteria for pancreatic surveillance but were not known to harbor a germline mutation. We used next-generation sequencing to identify previously unrecognized germline mutations among these 345 individuals. We compared the development of pancreatic cancer, high-grade dysplasia, or clinically worrisome features, adjusting for competing mortality, among all germline mutation carriers with the risk of progression in a cohort without a known germline mutation. RESULTS Fifteen (4.3%) of 345 individuals classified as having familial risk had a previously unrecognized pancreatic cancer susceptibility gene mutation (nine that involved ATM, two BRCA2, one BRCA1, one PALB2, one TP53, and one CPA1). The cumulative incidence of pancreatic cancer, high-grade dysplasia, or worrisome features on pancreatic imaging was significantly higher in the germline mutation risk group (n = 134) than in the familial risk group (n = 330 [for pancreatic cancer, hazard ratio, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.0 to 8.18; P = .05]). CONCLUSION The cumulative incidence of pancreatic cancer is significantly higher among individuals with an identifiable deleterious germline mutation in a pancreatic cancer susceptibility gene than it is among individuals with a strong family history but no identified mutation. Gene testing of individuals who meet criteria for pancreatic surveillance on the basis of their family history may better define those most at risk for neoplastic progression.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Foraminoplasty for Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis of Elderly Patients with Unilateral Radiculopathy: Radiographic Changes in Magnetic Resonance Images

Abstract Background and Study Aims/Objective Clinical outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar foraminoplasty (PELF) performed for lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS) have been reported in the literature. However, no study has reported the radiographic changes in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after surgery. This report presents the clinical outcome as well as radiographic changes in MRI after PELF for elderly patients with unilateral radiculopathy. We also describe detailed operative nuances to expand the foraminal space and mobilize the affected nerve root. Material and Methods Between January 2015 and December 2016, 24 patients over 65 years of age underwent PELF to treat unilateral radiculopathy caused by LFS. The demographics, medical history, visual analog scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were reviewed retrospectively. MRI radiographic data, cross-sectional area (CSA) of the affected foramen and nerve root, were evaluated before and after surgery. Results Preoperative radiculopathy improved in 23 of 24 patients (96%). The VAS score significantly improved from 7.89 ± 1.8 to 2.57 ± 2.5 (67.4%). The ODI also significantly improved from 33.15 ± 9.2 to 10.24 ± 6.7 (69.1%). Foraminal width increased ∼ 1.67 mm (21.4%), foraminal height increased 5.00 mm (36.9%), and CSA increased about 55.27 mm2 (60.6%) (p < 0.001). The CSA and the shape of the affected nerve section also expanded, but these were not statistically significant. Conclusion We performed PELF in elderly patients with LFS. There were considerable radiographic changes in MRI, and the patients also showed clinically relevant improvement. Thus PELF resulted in sufficient decompression of the nerve root in LFS.
Group Polarization Revisited: A Processing Effort Account

Research has shown that processes of social comparison as well as persuasive argumentation are involved in group polarization. We propose a processing effort account according to which the role of these processes in determining group polarization is contingent on ability and motivation. The impact of information regarding others’ positions on group polarization should be higher given low (vs. high) ability or motivation. In contrast, the impact of persuasive argumentation should be higher given high (vs. low) ability and motivation. Results in line with these assumptions were obtained in two experiments in which individuals’ ability (Experiment 1) or motivation (Experiment 2), information regarding group average position, and argument persuasiveness were manipulated. Furthermore, consistent findings were also obtained in a third experiment testing the role of motivation in real group discussions. A processing effort account provides a novel perspective for investigating the development of group extremity.
A novel electrochemical sensor based on Au nanoparticles/8-aminoquinoline functionalized graphene oxide nanocomposite for paraquat detection

In this paper, a novel electrochemical sensor based on Au nanoparticles/8-aminoquinoline functionalized graphene oxide (AuNPs/GAQ) nanocomposite was developed and tested for the first time for detection of paraquat (PQ). The morphology and composition of AuNPs/GAQ nanocomposite were characterized by various techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were utilized to investigate the electrochemical performances of AuNPs/GAQ nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode. The obtained modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards detection of PQ. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed sensor showed low detection limit (6 nM, S/N = 3), wide linear range (0.02–24 μM), high selectivity and good stability. In addition, it was successfully applied for detection of PQ in natural water samples with satisfactory results.
Plasmodium Niemann-Pick type C1-related protein is a druggable target required for parasite membrane homeostasis

Plasmodium parasites possess a protein with homology to Niemann-Pick Type C1 proteins (Niemann-Pick Type C1-Related protein, NCR1). We isolated parasites with resistance-conferring mutations in Plasmodium falciparum NCR1 (PfNCR1) during selections with three diverse small-molecule antimalarial compounds and show that the mutations are causative for compound resistance. PfNCR1 protein knockdown results in severely attenuated growth and confers hypersensitivity to the compounds. Compound treatment or protein knockdown leads to increased sensitivity of the parasite plasma membrane (PPM) to the amphipathic glycoside saponin and engenders digestive vacuoles (DVs) that are small and malformed. Immuno-electron microscopy and split-GFP experiments localize PfNCR1 to the PPM. Our experiments show that PfNCR1 activity is critically important for the composition of the PPM and is required for DV biogenesis, suggesting PfNCR1 as a novel antimalarial drug target. Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter).
Initial Bone Volume Changes After Immediate Implant Placement Associated with Filling the Gap Using Bovine Bone in Molar Sites.

PURPOSE The aim of this cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) study was to assess bone volume changes in molar sites after modified immediate implant placement with xenografts. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study was performed between June 2015 and September 2016. Surgical procedures included modified implant site preparation, atraumatic tooth extraction, implant placement, and bone grafting with deproteinized bovine bone mineral. CBCT scans were taken at the day of surgery and 6 months after surgery. Horizontal and vertical bone dimensional changes were evaluated through these two CBCTs, including variations of horizontal bone thickness (HBT), vertical bone height (VBH), and the distance from the implant platform to the tip of the intradental bone peak (DIP). RESULTS Fifteen patients with 17 hopeless molars were included, and no implant was lost during the observation period. With measurements at five different parallel levels (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 mm apical to the implant platform), the mean HBT in millimeters and percentage between these two time points ranged from -0.88 (33%) to -0.03 (0.7%) buccally and -0.45 (12%) to -0.02 (0.4%) lingually. The change of VBH was greater buccally (0.74 ± 0.32 mm, P < .01) than lingually (0.40 ± 0.17 mm). DIP was reduced 0.46 ± 0.27 mm mesially and 0.39 ± 0.21 mm distally. CONCLUSION In molar sites, flapless modified immediate implant placement with deproteinized bovine bone is a predictable treatment. However, the dimensional change of the ridge should still be expected, and buccal bone resorption is more evident than lingual.