Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Definitions and mechanisms of the metabolic syndrome

Purpose of reviewThe phenomenon of risk factor clustering is called ‘metabolic syndrome’. The metabolic syndrome is the subject of great current interest and controversy. Recent findingsThe metabolic syndrome is an aggregation of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Risk factor clustering does occur but its specific cause(s) remains incompletely known. Insulin resistance and obesity are often involved. Five current definitions of metabolic syndrome exist, but they do not identify equivalent phenotypes. ATP3 metabolic syndrome, the most widely promoted definition, defines a lipid-centric phenotype but is a much stronger predictor of diabetes than of cardiovascular disease. ATP3 metabolic syndrome is not uniformly associated with insulin resistance, and in the absence of insulin resistance may not be a disease risk factor. The value of metabolic syndrome beyond more sophisticated prediction rules to discriminate future diabetes or cardiovascular disease risk is unclear. Abnormal adipocyte signaling, inflammation, or endothelial dysfunction may underlie risk factor clustering, but this is also an area needing more research. SummaryRisk factor clustering occurs and is partly driven by obesity. It is critical to question current constructs of the metabolic syndrome in order to define more clearly the underlying causes of risk factor clustering.
Investigation of the carbon nanotube AFM tip contacts: free sliding versus pinned contact

Mechanical response of carbon nanotube atomic force microscope probes are investigated using a thermal noise forcing. Thermal noise spectra are able to investigate mechanical behaviors that cannot be studied using classical atomic force microscope modes. Experimental results show that the carbon nanotube contacts can be classified in two categories: the free sliding and pinned cases. The pinned contact case requires the description of the cantilever flexural vibrations with support spring-coupled cantilever boundary conditions. Our experimental results show that carbon nanotubes exhibit different contact behaviors with a surface, and in turn different mechanical responses.
Direct electrochemical stripping detection of cystic-fibrosis-related DNA linked through cadmium sulfide quantum dots

Electrochemical detection of a cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs)–DNA complex connected to paramagnetic microbeads (MB) was performed without the need for chemical dissolving. The method is based on dropping 20 µl of CdS QD–DNA–MB suspension on the surface of a screen-printed electrode. It is followed by magnetic collection on the surface of the working electrode and electrochemical detection using square-wave voltammetry (SWV), giving a well-shaped and sensitive analytical signal. A cystic-fibrosis-related DNA sequence was sandwiched between the two DNA probes. One DNA probe is linked via biotin–streptavidin bonding with MB and the other one via thiol groups with the CdS QD used as tags. Nonspecific signals of DNA were minimized using a blocking agent and the results obtained were successfully employed in a model DNA sensor with an interest in future applications in the clinical field. The developed nanoparticle biosensing system may offer numerous opportunities in other fields where fast, low cost and efficient detection of small volume samples is required.
Structure study of single crystal BaTiO3 nanotube arrays produced by the hydrothermal method

High aspect ratio BaTiO3 nanotube arrays with single crystal structure were fabricated by the hydrothermal method at low temperature (150 °C). Numerous structure study methods, including x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were used to investigate the structure of single crystal BaTiO3 nanotube arrays. TEM observation shows that BaTiO3 nanotubes have identical crystallographic orientation through their growth directions. EPR and XPS studies show that the obtained BaTiO3 nanotubes contain perceptible oxygen vacancies. Those oxygen vacancies are responsible for the observed green emission band at 545 nm (2.27 eV) detected by photoluminescence study.
Soft tissue engineering with micronized‐gingival connective tissues

The free gingival graft (FGG) and connective tissue graft (CTG) are currently considered to be the gold standards for keratinized gingival tissue reconstruction and augmentation. However, these procedures have some disadvantages in harvesting large grafts, such as donor‐site morbidity as well as insufficient gingival width and thickness at the recipient site post‐treatment. To solve these problems, we focused on an alternative strategy using micronized tissue transplantation (micro‐graft). In this study, we first investigated whether transplantation of micronized gingival connective tissues (MGCTs) promotes skin wound healing. MGCTs (≤100 µm) were obtained by mincing a small piece (8 mm3) of porcine keratinized gingiva using the RIGENERA system. The MGCTs were then transplanted to a full skin defect (5 mm in diameter) on the dorsal surface of immunodeficient mice after seeding to an atelocollagen matrix. Transplantations of atelocollagen matrixes with and without micronized dermis were employed as experimental controls. The results indicated that MGCTs markedly promote the vascularization and epithelialization of the defect area 14 days after transplantation compared to the experimental controls. After 21 days, complete wound closure with low contraction was obtained only in the MGCT grafts. Tracking analysis of transplanted MGCTs revealed that some mesenchymal cells derived from MGCTs can survive during healing and may function to assist in wound healing. We propose here that micro‐grafting with MGCTs represents an alternative strategy for keratinized tissue reconstruction that is characterized by low morbidity and ready availability.
An advanced tri‐culture model to evaluate the dynamic interplay among osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and endothelial cells

The dynamic metabolism and the numerous roles of bone tissue necessitate a suitable in vitro model to represent them. In order to investigate the interaction among the several cell types composing bone microenvironment, we studied a tri‐culture model including human osteoblasts (OBs), osteoclasts (OCs), and endothelial cells (HUVEC). While OBs are essential for bone deposition and OCs for bone resorption, the vasculature is necessary to provide growth factors, nutrients, and oxygen in the mature tissue. The results of this study showed a strong mutual influence between OBs, OCs, and HUVEC in term of proliferation, viability, and activity (release of ALP, Coll I, OPG, RANKL, VEGF, CTSK, TGFβ, and IL‐6). The behavior of the single cultures demonstrated to be different compared to the bi‐ or tri‐cultures and depending on the cell types involved: the coexistence of OBs and OCs stimulated the synthetic activity of both cell types, while the presence of HUVEC induced a stimulating role for OBs but mainly an inhibitory effect for OC. In addition, evidence of the effects of OBs and OCs on HUVEC is highlighted by their morphology: regular and able to “sketch” little vessels in presence of OBs, more disorganized and heterogeneous in presence of OCs. Taken together, these observations well characterize an advanced cellular model to be used as starting point for mimicking bone microenvironment in vivo, thus reducing the use of animals in the preclinical phase and offering a more reliable tool to test new and innovative biomaterials.
Melatonin‐induced increase of lipid droplets accumulation and in vitro maturation in porcine oocytes is mediated by mitochondrial quiescence

Melatonin, the major pineal secretory product, has a significant impact on the female reproductive system. Recently, the beneficial effects of melatonin on mammalian oocyte maturation and embryonic development have drawn increased attention. However, the exact underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. This study demonstrates that supplementing melatonin to in vitro maturation (IVM) medium enhances IVM rate, lipid droplets (LDs) accumulation as well as triglyceride content in porcine oocytes. Decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV activity as well as mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) content indicated that melatonin induced a decrease of mitochondrial activity. The copy number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) which encodes essential subunits of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), was not affected by melatonin. However, the expression of mtDNA‐encoded genes was significantly down‐regulated after melatonin treatment. The DNA methyltransferase DNMT1, which regulates methylation and expression of mtDNA, was increased and translocated into the mitochondria in melatonin‐treated oocytes. The inhibitory effect of melatonin on the expression of mtDNA was significantly prevented by simultaneous addition of DNMT1 inhibitor, which suggests that melatonin regulates the transcription of mtDNA through up‐regulation of DNMT1 and mtDNA methylation. Increase of triglyceride contents after inhibition of OXPHOS indicated that mitochondrial quiescence is crucial for LDs accumulation in oocytes. Taken together, our results suggest that melatonin‐induced reduction in mROS production and increase in IVM, and LDs accumulation in porcine oocytes is mediated by mitochondrial quiescence.
Osteoactivin regulates head and neck squamous cell carcinoma invasion by modulating matrix metalloproteases

Nearly 60% of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) die of metastases or locoregional recurrence. Metastasis is mediated by cancer cell migration and invasion, which are in part dependent on extracellular matrix degradation by matrix metalloproteinases. Osteoactivin (OA) overexpression plays a role in metastases in several malignancies, and has been shown to upregulate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and activity. To determine how OA modulates MMP expression and activity in HNSCC, and to investigate OA effects on cell invasion, we assessed effects of OA treatment on MMP mRNA and protein expression, as well as gelatinase and caseinolytic activity in HNSCC cell lines. We assessed the effects of OA gene silencing on MMP expression, gelatinase and caseinolytic activity, and cell invasion. OA treatment had differential effects on MMP mRNA expression. OA treatment upregulated MMP‐10 expression in UMSCC14a (p = 0.0431) and SCC15 (p < 0.0001) cells, but decreased MMP‐9 expression in UMSCC14a cells (p = 0.0002). OA gene silencing decreased MMP‐10 expression in UMSCC12 cells (p = 0.0001), and MMP‐3 (p = 0.0005) and ‐9 (p = 0.0036) expression in SCC25 cells. In SCC15 and SCC25 cells, OA treatment increased MMP‐2 (p = 0.0408) and MMP‐9 gelatinase activity (p < 0.0001), respectively. OA depletion decreased MMP‐2 (p = 0.0023) and ‐9 (p < 0.0001) activity in SCC25 cells. OA treatment increased 70 kDa caseinolytic activity in UMSCC12 cells consistent with tissue type plasminogen activator (p = 0.0078). OA depletion decreased invasive capacity of UMSCC12 cells (p < 0.0001). OA's effects on MMP expression in HNSCC are variable, and may promote cancer cell invasion.
Validity limits of the Néel relaxation model of magnetic nanoparticles for hyperthermia

The derivation of the optimum mean diameter of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) for hyperthermia as a tumour therapy in the literature is commonly reduced to application of the Néel relaxation model. Serious restrictions of this model for MNP for hyperthermia are discussed and a way is outlined to a more comprehensive model including hysteresis.
Intimate connections: Inositol pyrophosphates at the interface of metabolic regulation and cell signaling

Inositol pyrophosphates are small, diffusible signaling molecules that possess the most concentrated three‐dimensional array of phosphate groups in Nature; up to eight phosphates are crammed around a six‐carbon inositol ring. This review discusses the physico‐chemical properties of these unique molecules, and their mechanisms of action. Also provided is information on the enzymes that regulate the levels and hence the signaling properties of these molecules. This review pursues the idea that many of the biological effects of inositol pyrophosphates can be rationalized by their actions at the interface of cell signaling and metabolism that is essential to cellular and organismal homeostasis.
High fat diet attenuates hyperglycemia, body composition changes, and bone loss in male streptozotocin‐induced type 1 diabetic mice

There is a growing and alarming prevalence of obesity and the metabolic syndrome in type I diabetic patients (T1DM), particularly in adolescence. In general, low bone mass, higher fracture risk, and increased marrow adipose tissue (MAT) are features of diabetic osteopathy in insulin‐deficient subjects. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with normal or high bone mass, a greater risk of peripheral fractures, and no change in MAT. Therefore, we sought to determine the effect of weight gain on bone turnover in insulin‐deficient mice. We evaluated the impact of a 6‐week high‐fat (HFD) rich in medium chain fatty acids or low‐fat diet (LFD) on bone mass and MAT in a streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced model using male C57BL/6J mice at 8 weeks of age. Dietary intervention was initiated after diabetes confirmation. At the endpoint, lower non‐fasting glucose levels were observed in diabetic mice fed with high fat diet compared to diabetic mice fed the low fat diet (STZ‐LFD). Compared to euglycemic controls, the STZ‐LFD had marked polydipsia and polyphagia, as well as reduced lean mass, fat mass, and bone parameters. Interestingly, STZ‐HFD mice had higher bone mass, namely less cortical bone loss and more trabecular bone than STZ‐LFD. Thus, we found that a HFD, rich in medium chain fatty acids, protects against bone loss in a T1DM mouse model. Whether this may also translate to T1DM patients who are overweight or obese in respect to maintenance of bone mass remains to be determined through longitudinal studies.
Evaluation of BAG3 levels in healthy subjects, hypertensive patients, and hypertensive diabetic patients

BAG3 is a member of human BAG (Bcl‐2‐associated athanogene) proteins and plays a role in apoptosis, cell adhesion, cytoskeleton remodeling, and autophagy. The aim of this study was to evaluate BAG3 levels in healthy subjects, hypertensive patients, and hypertensive diabetic patients. We enrolled 209 Caucasian adults, of both sex, 18–75 years of age, 77 were healthy controls, 62 were affected by hypertension, and 70 were affected by hypertension and type 2 diabetes. All patients underwent an assessment that included medical history, physical examination, vital signs, a 12‐lead electrocardiogram, measurements of systolic (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), transaminases, high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (Hs‐CRP), and BAG3. We observed higher blood pressure values in hypertensive, and hypertensive diabetic patients compared to controls. As expected, FPG and HbA1c were higher in diabetic hypertensive patients, compared to the other two groups. No Tg levels differences were recorded among the three groups. Hs‐CRP was higher in diabetic hypertensive patients compared to healthy subjects. Finally, BAG3 levels were higher in hypertensives, and hypertensive diabetic patients compared to controls. We observed higher levels of BAG3 in hypertensive patients compared to healthy controls, and even higher levels in hypertensive diabetic patients compared to healthy subjects. This paper could be the first of a long way to identify potential involvement of deregulated BAG3 levels in cardiometabolic diseases.
Books on Prescription: Bibliotherapy in the United Kingdom

Bibliotherapy is a concept that has been used in hospital libraries to help improve patient well-being for decades. In the United Kingdom, public libraries have taken over the impetus for running schemes using books to help people with conditions such as depression and anxiety. These Books on Prescription schemes have proven popular with medical professionals and patients alike. This article situates current work within the history of bibliotherapy, before a practical outline of current techniques is presented, with suggestions as to how this work can be used in hospital libraries in partnership with medical staff.
Fecundity regulation by atresia in turbot Scophthalmus maximus in the Baltic Sea.

Down-regulation of fecundity through oocyte resorption was assessed in Baltic Sea turbot Scophthalmus maximus at three locations in the period from late vitellogenesis in April to spawning during June to July. The mean ± s.d. total length of the sampled fish was 32.7 ± 3.1 cm and mean ± s.d. age was 6.2 ± 1.5 years. Measurements of atresia were performed using the 'profile method' with the intensity of atresia adjusted according to the 'dissector method' (10.6% adjustment; coefficient of determination was 0.675 between methods). Both prevalence (portion of fish with atresia) and intensity (calculated as the average proportion of atretic cells in fish displaying atresia) of atresia were low in prespawning fish, but high from onset of spawning throughout the spawning period. Atretic oocytes categorized as in early alpha and in late alpha state occurred irrespective of maturity stage from late prespawning individuals up to late spawning fish, showing that oocytes may become atretic throughout the spawning period. Observed prevalence of atresia throughout the spawning period was almost 40% with an intensity of c. 20%. This indicates extensive down-regulation, i.e. considerably lower realized (number of eggs spawned) v. potential fecundity (number of developing oocytes), suggesting significant variability in reproductive potential. The extent of fecundity regulation in relation to fish condition (Fulton's condition factor) is discussed, suggesting an association between levels of atresia and fish condition.
The electrical and structural properties of n-type InAs nanowires grown from metal–organic precursors

The electrical and structural properties of ⟨111⟩B-oriented InAs nanowires grown using metal–organic precursors have been studied. On the basis of electrical measurements it was found that the trends in carbon incorporation are similar to those observed in the layer growth, where an increased As/In precursor ratio and growth temperature result in a decrease in carbon-related impurities. Our results also show that the effect of non-intentional carbon doping is weaker in InAs nanowires compared to bulk, which may be explained by lower carbon incorporation in the nanowire core. We determine that differences in crystal quality, here quantified as the stacking fault density, are not the primary cause for variations in resistivity of the material studied. The effects of some n-dopant precursors (S, Se, Si, Sn) on InAs nanowire morphology, crystal structure and resistivity were also investigated. All precursors result in n-doped nanowires, but high precursor flows of Si and Sn also lead to enhanced radial overgrowth. Use of the Se precursor increases the stacking fault density in wurtzite nanowires, ultimately at high flows leading to a zinc blende crystal structure with strong overgrowth and very low resistivity.
PACAP and PAC1R are differentially expressed in motor cortex of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and support survival of iPSC‐derived motor neurons

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and disabling neurodegenerative disease characterized by upper and lower motor neurons depletion. In our previous work, comprehensive genomic profiling of 41 motor cortex samples enabled to discriminate controls from sporadic ALS patients, and segregated these latter into two distinct subgroups (SALS1 and SALS2), each associated with different deregulated genes. In the present study, we focused our attention on two of them, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase‐Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) and its type 1 receptor (PAC1R), and validated the results of the transcriptome experiments by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. To assess the functional role of PACAP and PAC1R in ALS, we developed an in vitro model of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)‐derived motor neurons and examined the trophic effects of exogenous PACAP following neurodegenerative stimuli. Treatment with 100 nm PACAP was able to effectively rescue iPSC‐derived motor neurons from apoptosis, as shown by cell viability assay and protein dosage of the apoptotic marker (BAX). All together, these data suggest that perturbations in the PACAP‐PAC1R pathway may be involved in ALS pathology and represent a potential drug target to enhance motor neuron viability.
Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of solution processable highly ordered polythiophene–carbon nanotube nanohybrid structures

We report on the synthesis and spectroscopic study of a novel highly ordered nanohybrid structure consisting of a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) coated with highly crystalline regio-regular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (rrP3HT) and discuss the applicability of the nanohybrids in organic photovoltaics. The use of a solvent extraction technique allows the nanohybrids to be produced with a high yield and high purity. We find evidence that the crystallinity of rrP3HT is enhanced in the presence of SWNTs, which introduces a reduced optical band gap and increased carrier mobility in the polymer. Study of the photoluminescence excitation spectra of the SWNTs reveals an efficient energy transfer of excitons created on the rrP3HT to the SWNTs. This energy transfer is expected to limit our ability to use the nanohybrids as a charge separating interface and can therefore explain the low efficiency of P3HT–SWNT solar cells produced to date. In addition, careful consideration of the energy transfer is necessary when attempting to improve state of the art polymer–fullerene photovoltaic devices with SWNTs in order to make use of their high charge carrier mobilities and increased rrP3HT crystallinity.
L-cysteine functionalized gold nanoparticles for the colorimetric detection of Hg2+ induced by ultraviolet light

A simple, cost-effective yet rapid and sensitive colorimetric sensor for the detection of Hg2+ using L-cysteine functionalized gold nanoparticles induced by ultraviolet radiation was developed. The sensitivity and selectivity of detection was also investigated. The L-cysteine modified gold nanoparticles can be induced to aggregate quickly in the presence of Hg2+, especially with the assistance of ultraviolet radiation. The presence of Hg2+ can be monitored by the colorimetric response of gold nanoparticles. The detection of Hg2+ could be realized, after measuring the UV–vis spectra, with a detection limit of 100 nM. The selectivity of this method has been investigated by other divalent metal ions. The effective colorimetric sensor can be used for on-site and real-time Hg2+ detection.