Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of malignancy in glioblastoma cells are linked to mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter upregulation and higher intracellular Ca2+ levels

ABSTRACT Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most malignant brain tumours and, despite advances in treatment modalities, it remains largely incurable. Ca2+ regulation and dynamics play crucial roles in different aspects of cancer, but they have never been investigated in detail in GBM. Here, we report that spontaneous Ca2+ waves in GBM cells cause unusual intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) elevations (>1 μM), often propagating through tumour microtubes (TMs) connecting adjacent cells. This unusual [Ca2+]i elevation is not associated with the induction of cell death and is concomitant with overexpression of mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU). We show that MCU silencing decreases proliferation and alters [Ca2+]i dynamics in U87 GBM cells, while MCU overexpression increases [Ca2+]i elevation in human astrocytes (HAs). These results suggest that changes in the expression level of MCU, a protein involved in intracellular Ca2+ regulation, influences GBM cell proliferation, contributing to GBM malignancy. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Expression level of mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter, a protein involved in intracellular Ca2+ regulation, influences glioblastoma cell proliferation, contributing to glioblastoma malignancy.
Board Games on Emotional Competences for School-Age Children.

Objective: Emotional competences (EC) are important for social and academic outcomes and positive life trajectories. Due to their social setting and tendency to stimulate intrinsic motivation, board games may constitute efficient learning tools for promoting socioemotional development in children. The current project therefore aimed at developing and testing three theory-driven board games explicitly targeting EC. First, we explored the quality of these EC games in terms of game experience, compared to off-the-shelf games (without an EC focus). Second, we tested whether targeted EC were linked to game experience in the EC games by measuring associations between children's trait EC and subjective effort and difficulty during gameplay. Materials and Methods: Children (N = 177) aged 8-12 years old were randomly assigned to a four-session protocol that comprised EC board games (experimental group) or off-the-shelf board games (control group). At baseline, participants' trait EC (emotion recognition, differentiation, and cognitive reappraisal) were assessed, while game experience (e.g., positive and negative affect, flow and immersion, difficulty, and effort) was assessed after each game. Results: Both groups perceived the games they played as positive and playable. Furthermore, regression analyses showed that higher trait EC was linked to lower self-reported effort and difficulty in two of the EC board games focusing on emotion recognition and differentiation. Conclusion: The present study shows that the board games on EC designed for children seem to elicit game experiences comparable to off-the-shelf games. Moreover, children's trait EC were linked to subjective game experience in two of the three games. Future interventions should examine the potential of the novel games to promote EC.
Villin controls the formation and enlargement of punctate actin foci in pollen tubes

ABSTRACT Self-incompatibility (SI) in the poppy Papaver rhoeas triggers dramatic alterations in actin within pollen tubes. However, how these actin alterations are mechanistically achieved remains largely unexplored. Here, we used treatment with the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 to mimic the SI-induced elevation in cytosolic Ca2+ and trigger formation of the distinctive F-actin foci. Live-cell imaging revealed that this remodeling involves F-actin fragmentation and depolymerization, accompanied by the rapid formation of punctate actin foci and subsequent increase in their size. We established that actin foci are generated and enlarged from crosslinking of fragmented actin filament structures. Moreover, we show that villins associate with actin structures and are involved in this actin reorganization process. Notably, we demonstrate that Arabidopsis VILLIN5 promotes actin depolymerization and formation of actin foci by fragmenting actin filaments, and controlling the enlargement of actin foci via bundling of actin filaments. Our study thus uncovers important novel insights about the molecular players and mechanisms involved in forming the distinctive actin foci in pollen tubes. Summary: The molecular mechanism underlying A23187 triggered formation of actin foci in pollen tubes is uncovered, identifying villins as important players in this process via their roles in severing and bundling of actin filaments.
Micronutrients in the Soil and Wheat: Impact of 84 Years of Organic or Synthetic Fertilization and Crop Residue Management

Crop residues are an important source of plant nutrients. However, information on the various methods of residue management on micronutrients in soil and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) over time is limited. A long-term (84-year) agroecosystem experiment was assessed to determine the impact of fertilizer type and methods of crop residue management on micronutrients over time under dryland winter wheat-fallow rotation. The treatments were: no N application with residue burning in fall (FB), spring (SB), and no residue burn (NB); 45 kg N ha−1 with SB and NB; 90 kg N ha−1 with SB and NB; pea vines; and farmyard manure (FYM) and a nearby undisturbed grass pasture (GP). Wheat grain, straw, and soil samples from 1995, 2005, and 2015 were used to determine tissue total and soil Mehlich III extractable Mn, Cu, B, Fe, and Zn, and soil pH. After 84 years, extractable Mn and B in the top 10 cm of soil decreased in all plots, except for B in FYM and SB. The FYM plots had the highest extractable Mn (114 mg kg−1) in the top 10 cm soil; however, it declined by 33% compared to the GP (171 mg kg−1). Extractable Zn in the top 10 cm of soil increased with FYM while it decreased with inorganic N application in 2015; however, total Zn in grain increased by 7% with inorganic N (90 kg ha−1) application compared to FYM application. The results suggest that residue management had similar impact on soil micronutrients. Inorganic N and FYM application can be integrated to reduce micronutrient losses from cultivation.
Different patterns in age‐related morphometric alteration of myelinated fibers and capillaries of the tibial nerve: a longitudinal study in normal rats

Age‐related regression of myelinated fibers in peripheral nerves of the lower limbs is strongly influenced by capillaries and results in balance dysfunction and falls. However, the temporal relationships between alteration patterns of myelinated fibers and capillaries have not yet been clarified. This study aimed to investigate age‐related morphological and histological changes of both myelinated fibers and capillaries in peripheral nerves to clarify whether myelinated fibers or capillaries change earlier. Seven male Wistar rats each were randomly selected at 20 weeks (young group), 70 weeks (middle group), and 97 weeks (old group) for histological evaluations. The left and right tibial nerves were removed morphologically and histologically to examine myelinated fibers and capillaries. Axon diameter and myelin thickness were almost unaltered in the middle group compared with the young group but were significantly reduced in the old group when compared with the other two groups. However, the capillary diameter and number of microvascular branch points were substantially reduced in the middle group. The current study demonstrates that myelinated fibers of peripheral nerves show signs of regression in elderly rats, whereas capillaries start to reduce in middle‐aged animals. In normal aging of the tibial nerve, capillaries may regress before myelinated fibers.
Dynamic ultrasound imaging of the posterior capsule in the shoulder: Tips and tricks

Shoulder disorders are commonplace in clinical practice of musculoskeletal physicians. Currently, ultrasound (US) imaging is an established tool to promptly optimize their diagnoses and guided interventions. Herein, different from the “common” pain generators of the shoulder which are usually evaluated during a routine US examination (eg, subacromial-subdeltoid bursa, long head of the biceps tendon, rotator cuff), the glenohumeral capsule is usually overlooked due to the technical difficulty in distinguishing it from the overlying
Cortical Oscillations during Gait: Wouldn’t Walking Be So Automatic?

Gait is often considered as an automatic movement but cortical control seems necessary to adapt gait pattern with environmental constraints. In order to study cortical activity during real locomotion, electroencephalography (EEG) appears to be particularly appropriate. It is now possible to record changes in cortical neural synchronization/desynchronization during gait. Studying gait initiation is also of particular interest because it implies motor and cognitive cortical control to adequately perform a step. Time-frequency analysis enables to study induced changes in EEG activity in different frequency bands. Such analysis reflects cortical activity implied in stabilized gait control but also in more challenging tasks (obstacle crossing, changes in speed, dual tasks…). These spectral patterns are directly influenced by the walking context but, when analyzing gait with a more demanding attentional task, cortical areas other than the sensorimotor cortex (prefrontal, posterior parietal cortex, etc.) seem specifically implied. While the muscular activity of legs and cortical activity are coupled, the precise role of the motor cortex to control the level of muscular contraction according to the gait task remains debated. The decoding of this brain activity is a necessary step to build valid brain–computer interfaces able to generate gait artificially.
Potential perspectives of biodegradable plastics for food packaging application-review of properties and recent developments

ABSTRACT Potential hazardous effects caused by non-biodegradable plastics are considered to be one of the most widely discussed and notable challenges of the 21st century. To address this particular problem, immense efforts have been devoted to the preparation of biodegradable plastics material. This green approach mitigates the major drawbacks e.g. improper waste management, low degradation rates, waste accumulation in water reservoirs and harmful chemical reagents hence providing a natural, economical and biodegradable alternative to the customarily employed non-biodegradable plastics. This review provides an insight into recently engineered biodegradable plastics used for packaging applications. Properties such as barrier/permeation indexes, thermal, electrical and mechanical characteristics of the biodegradable plastics are considered in detail for developing an understanding regarding the fundamentals of biodegradable materials. Recent literature (2010–2018) was classified according to the composition and nature of the used material. Materials such as polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyhydroxybutyrate, polycaprolactone, starch and cellulose were comprehensively discussed along with their properties and blending agents. Graphical Abstract
MMP9, CXCR1, TLR6, and MPO participant in the progression of coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most frequent cardiovascular disease, which is induced by the decreased myocardial blood supply. The present study is conducted to understand the mechanisms of CAD. The GSE98583, GSE69587, and GSE71226 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were obtained. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by the limma package, then the DEGs appeared in two or three datasets were selected as the coregulated genes using the VENNY tool, followed by enrichment analysis using DAVID tool. Protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network, microRNA‐transcription factor‐target regulatory network, and drug‐gene network were visualized. Finally, quantitative PCR and dual‐luciferase reporter assay were conducted to validate the expression of key genes and the target relationship. There were 221 coregulated genes in GSE98583, GSE69587, and GSE71226. Besides, four pathways and 23 functional terms for co‐upregulated genes, and 11 functional terms for co‐downregulated genes were enriched. The degrees of PPI network nodes matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), C‐X‐C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CXCR1), toll‐like receptor 6 (TLR6), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were relatively higher. Moreover, MPO could interact with MMP9, CXCR1, and TLR6 in the PPI network. In the regulatory network, TLR6 and MMP9 separately were targeted by miR‐3960 and v‐rel avian reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (RELA). Additionally, MMP9, CXCR1, and MPO were involved in the drug‐gene network. The expression of MMP9, CXCR1, TLR6, and MPO were significantly upregulated in CAD samples than control, and miR‐3960 could bind to TLR6 to inhibit its expression. CXCR1 and MPO might be involved in the progression of CAD. Besides, miR‐3960 might function in the pathogenesis of CAD through targeting TLR6, and RELA might exert its role in CAD via targeting MMP9.
Development of Low Laser Energy Levels in SMILE: Clinical Results, Black Area and Ultrastructural Evaluation.

PURPOSE To evaluate the outcomes of 4 low laser energy levels after small-incision lenticule extraction surgery (SMILE). SETTING Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangzhou, China. DESIGN Prospective randomized clinical trial. METHODS This study consisted of 62 consecutive patients (40 women and 22 men, 124 eyes) who received SMILE surgery for the correction of myopia and myopia with astigmatism. Thirty-one eyes of each group underwent SMILE surgery with different laser energy levels (Group 1to 4: 105nJ, 110nJ, 115nJ and 120nJ respectively). All patients received a thorough ophthalmic examination over 3 months. Black areas and surface regularity of extracted lenticules were observed and evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS The occurrence rates of black areas were 45.16%, 12.90%, 16.13% and 12.90% for 105nJ to 120nJ respectively, and the mean proportion of black areas in 105nJ was the largest. Average surgery time for lenticule was the longest in 105nJ (P=0.015). Postoperative corneal thickness thickened mostly at 105nJ (P<0.05). Regression was highest in the 105nJ group at 3 months (P<0.01). However, corneal horizontal coma (C8) of 105nJ achieved in the lowest value at 1 week (P=0.032). The lenticular surface of 110nJ was the smoothest (P=0.011). All contrast sensitivity (CS) value varied with time, and recovered to pre-operative level at 1 week or 1 month. All UDVA and CDVA were good and there were no significant statistical differences between them. CONCLUSIONS 105nJ as the lowest energy had the highest chance of inducing black areas and causing the serious postoperative corneal edema and healing response.
Using RNA Interference to Reveal the Function of Chromatin Remodeling Factor ISWI in Temperature Tolerance in Bemisia tabaci Middle East–Asia Minor 1 Cryptic Species

Invasive species often encounter rapid environmental changes during invasions and only the individuals that successfully overcome environmental stresses can colonize and spread. Chromatin remodeling may be essential in environmental adaptation. To assess the functions of imitation switch (ISWI) in invasive Bemisia tabaci Middle East–Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) cryptic species, we cloned and characterized the MEAM1 BtISWI gene and determined its functions in response to thermal stress. The full-length cDNA of BtISWI was 3712 bp, with a 3068 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 118.86 kDa protein. BtISWI mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated after exposure to heat shock or cold shock conditions, indicating that BtISWI expression can be induced by thermal stress. After feeding double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), specifically for BtISWI, resistance to both heat and cold decreased significantly, suggesting that BtISWI may function directly in the thermal tolerance of MEAM1. Moreover, the preferred temperature of MEAM1 adults fed dsRNA was 1.9–3.5 °C higher than the control groups. Taken together, our findings highlight the importance of epigenetic gene regulation in the thermal response or thermal adaptation of invasive Bemisia tabaci (B. tabaci), and provide a new potential target for establishing sustainable control strategies for B. tabaci.
Aircraft Engine Prognostics Based on Informative Sensor Selection and Adaptive Degradation Modeling with Functional Principal Component Analysis †

Engine prognostics are critical to improve safety, reliability, and operational efficiency of an aircraft. With the development in sensor technology, multiple sensors are embedded or deployed to monitor the health condition of the aircraft engine. Thus, the challenge of engine prognostics lies in how to model and predict future health by appropriate utilization of these sensor information. In this paper, a prognostic approach is developed based on informative sensor selection and adaptive degradation modeling with functional data analysis. The presented approach selects sensors based on metrics and constructs health index to characterize engine degradation by fusing the selected informative sensors. Next, the engine degradation is adaptively modeled with the functional principal component analysis (FPCA) method and future health is prognosticated using the Bayesian inference. The prognostic approach is applied to run-to-failure data sets of C-MAPSS test-bed developed by NASA. Results show that the proposed method can effectively select the informative sensors and accurately predict the complex degradation of the aircraft engine.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Ceftriaxone and Doxycycline, with or Without Metronidazole, for the Treatment of Acute Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

BACKGROUND Anaerobic organisms are important pathogens in acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The currently recommended PID regimen of a single dose of ceftriaxone and doxycycline for 14 days has limited anaerobic activity. The need for broader anaerobic coverage is unknown and concerns have been raised about metronidazole tolerability. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial comparing ceftriaxone 250 mg IM single dose and doxycycline for 14 days, with or without 14 days of metronidazole in women with acute PID. The primary outcome was clinical improvement at 3 days following enrollment. Additional outcomes at 30 days following treatment were the presence of anaerobic organisms in the endometrium, clinical cure (absence of fever and reduction in tenderness), adherence and tolerability. RESULTS We enrolled 233 women (116 to metronidazole and 117 to placebo). Clinical improvement at 3 days was similar between the two groups. At 30 days following treatment, anaerobic organisms were less frequently recovered from the endometrium in women treated with metronidazole than placebo (8% vs 21%, p<0.05) and cervical Mycoplasma genitalium was reduced (4% vs. 14%, p<0.05). Pelvic tenderness was also less common among women receiving metronidazole (9% vs 20%, p<0.01). Adverse events and adherence were similar in each treatment group. CONCLUSIONS In women treated for acute PID, the addition of metronidazole to ceftriaxone and doxycycline was well tolerated and resulted in reduced endometrial anaerobes, decreased M. genitalium and reduced pelvic tenderness compared to ceftriaxone and doxycycline. Metronidazole should be routinely added to ceftriaxone and doxycycline for the treatment of women with acute PID.
Exhaled Breath Analysis in Diagnosis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Systematic Review

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is mainly related to previous asbestos exposure. There is still dearth of information on non-invasive biomarkers to detect MPM at early stages. Human studies on exhaled breath biomarkers of cancer and asbestos-related diseases show encouraging results. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview on the current knowledge about exhaled breath analysis in MPM diagnosis. A systematic review was conducted on MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE and Web of Science databases to identify relevant studies. Quality assessment was done by the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Six studies were identified, all of which showed fair quality and explored volatile organic compounds (VOC) based breath profile using Gas Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), Ion Mobility Spectrometry Coupled to Multi-capillary Columns (IMS–MCC) or pattern-recognition technologies. Sample sizes varied between 39 and 330. Some compounds (i.e, cyclohexane, P3, P5, P50, P71, diethyl ether, limonene, nonanal, VOC IK 1287) that can be indicative of MPM development in asbestos exposed population were identified with high diagnostic accuracy rates. E-nose studies reported breathprints being able to distinguish MPM from asbestos exposed individuals with high sensitivity and a negative predictive value. Small sample sizes and methodological diversities among studies limit the translation of results into clinical practice. More prospective studies with standardized methodologies should be conducted on larger populations.
Total Antioxidant Capacity and Pancreatic Cancer Incidence and Mortality in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial

Background: Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) reflects an individual's overall antioxidant intake. We sought to clarify whether higher TAC is associated with lower risks of pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality in the U.S. general population. Methods: A total of 96,018 American adults were identified from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. A ferric-reducing ability of plasma score was used to reflect an individual's TAC intake from diet and/or supplements. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for pancreatic cancer incidence, and competing risk regression was used to calculate subdistribution HRs for pancreatic cancer mortality. Restricted cubic spline regression was used to test nonlinearity. Results: A total of 393 pancreatic cancer cases and 353 pancreatic cancer–related deaths were documented. Total (diet + supplements) TAC was found to be inversely associated with pancreatic cancer incidence (HR quartile 4 vs. quartile 1 = 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.39–0.72; Ptrend = 0.0002) and mortality (subdistribution HR quartile 4 vs. quartile 1 = 0.52; 95% confidence interval 0.38–0.72; Ptrend = 0.0003) in a nonlinear dose–response manner (all Pnonlinearity < 0.01). Similar results were observed for dietary TAC. No association of supplemental TAC with pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality was found. Conclusions: In the U.S. general population, dietary but not supplemental TAC level is inversely associated with risks of pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality in a nonlinear dose–response pattern. Impact: This is the first prospective study indicating that a diet rich in antioxidants may be beneficial in decreasing pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality.