Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of season-long diffusivity measures in a cohort of non-concussed contact and non-contact athletes

ABSTRACT Introduction Concern surrounding short- and long-term consequences of participation in contact sports has become a significant public health topic. Previous literature utilizing diffusion tensor imaging in sports-related concussion has exhibited notable variety of analysis methods and analyzed regions of interest, and largely focuses on acute effects of concussion. The current study aimed to compare diffusivity metrics across a single season within athlete cohorts with no history of concussion. Methods A prospective cohort of 75 contact and 79 non-contact division I athletes were compared across diffusion tensor imaging metrics (i.e. TRACULA); examinations were also performed assessing the relationship between neuroimaging metrics, head impact exposure metrics (in-helmet accelerometer), and neurocognitive variables. Assessment occurred at pre-and post-season time points. Results Seasonal changes in fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity values did not differ between athlete cohorts, nor did they differ within cohort groups, across pre- and post-season scans. Specific to contact athletes, positive associations were found between uncinate fasciculus mean diffusivity values and season linear acceleration (p =.018), season rotational acceleration (p =.017), and season hit severity (p =.021). Conclusions Results suggest an influence of impact frequency, type, and severity on white matter integrity in select brain regions in contact athletes. Current findings expand our knowledge of anatomical changes over the course of a single season, and underscore the importance of considering methodology when interpreting findings in this population, as differing image analysis techniques may lead to different conclusions regarding significant effects.
Extraction of naturally occurring cannabinoids: an update.

INTRODUCTION Organic molecules that interact with the cannabinoid receptors are called cannabinoids, which can be endogenous, natural or synthetic compounds. They possess similar pharmacological properties as produced by the plant, Cannabis sativa L. Before cannabinoids can be analysed, they need to be extracted from the matrices. OBJECTIVE To review literature on the methods and protocols for the extraction of naturally occurring cannabinoids. METHODOLOGY An extensive literature search was performed incorporating several databases, notably, Web of Knowledge, PubMed and Google Scholar, and other relevant published materials. The keywords used in the search, in various combinations, with cannabinoids and extraction being present in all combinations, were Cannabis, hemp, cannabinoids, Cannabis sativa, marijuana, and extraction. RESULTS In addition to classical maceration with organic solvents, e.g. ethanol, pressurised solvent extraction, solvent heat reflux, Soxhlet extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction and microwave-assisted extraction, are routinely used nowadays for the extraction of cannabinoids from plant materials and cannabis consumer products. For the extraction of cannabinoids from biological samples, e.g. human blood, and also from food and beverages, and wastewater, solid-phase extraction and its variants, as well as liquid-liquid extraction are commonly used. Parameters for extraction can be optimised by response surface methodology or other mathematical modelling tools. There are at least six US patents on extraction of cannabinoids available to date. CONCLUSIONS Irrespective of the extraction method, extraction temperature, extraction time and extraction pressure play a vital role in overall yield of extraction. Solvent polarity can also be an important factor in some extraction methods.
Placental scaffolds have the ability to support adipose‐derived cells differentiation into osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages

Prudent choices of cell sources and biomaterials, as well as meticulous cultivation of the tissue microenvironment, are essential to improving outcomes of tissue engineering treatments. With the goal of providing a high‐quality alternative for bone and cartilage tissue engineering, we investigated the capability of bovine placental scaffolds to support adipose‐derived cell differentiation into osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. Decellularized bovine placenta, a high‐quality scaffold with practical scalability, was chosen as the biomaterial due to its rich extracellular matrix, well‐developed vasculature, high availability, low cost, and simplicity of collection. Adipose‐derived cells were chosen as the cell source as they are easy to isolate, nontumorigenic, and flexibly differentiable. The bovine model was chosen for its advantages in translational medicine over the mouse model. When seeded onto the scaffolds, the isolated cells adhered to the scaffolds with cell projections, established cell‐scaffold communication and proliferated while maintaining cell–cell communication. Throughout a 21‐day culture period, osteogenically differentiated cells secreted mineralized matrix, and calcium deposits were observed throughout the scaffold. Under chondrogenic specific differentiation conditions, the cells modified their morphology from fibroblast‐like to round cells and cartilage lacunas were observed as well as the deposit of cartilaginous matrix on the placental scaffolds. This experiment provides evidence, for the first time, that bovine placental scaffolds have the potential to support bovine mesenchymal stem cell adherence and differentiation into osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. Therefore, the constructed material could be used for bone and cartilage tissue engineering.
Taxonomic review of Physalaemus olfersii (Lichtenstein & Martens, 1856) with revalidation of Physalaemus lateristriga (Steindachner, 1864) and description of two new related species (Anura: Leiuperidae)

Physalaemus olfersii was described by M.H. K. Lichtenstein and E.K. Martens in 1856 based on two syntypes collected by I.M. Olfers between the years 1818 and 1819. Due to the brevity of it’s original description and high interpopulational variation, a taxonomic review of material assigned to the species is proposed. Morphological comparisons allowed us to associate the syntype of P. olfersii to populations distributed between the state of Espirito Santo and of Sao Paulo to which the southern limit is the to the municipality of Sao Paulo. Historical documents allowed us to define an area within Serra do Mar mountain range as the type locality of the species. Morphological and acoutics comparisons of P. olfersii from different localities in southern and southeastern Brazil revealed considerable variation among populations. Differences in call parameters and morphology, led us to conclude that three more species where under the name P. olfersii: Physalaemus lateristriga (Steindachner, 1864) comb. nov. and two new species, Physalaemus feioi sp. nov. and P. orophilus sp. nov.
Genetic variations in Vitamin D metabolism genes and the microbiome, in the presence of adverse environmental changes, increase immune dysregulation

Vitamin D metabolism in individuals is affected not only by their exposure to the sun or dietary intake of vitamin D, their liver and kidney function and other tissue production, but also by genetic variations in genes associated with vitamin D metabolism. These genes include not only the vitamin D receptor ( VDR ) genes, but also Group–Specific Component ( GC ), 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase ( DHCR7 ), cytochrome P450 2R1( CYP2R1 ), cytochrome P450, family 24, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 ( CYP24A1 ), and cytochrome p450 27B1 ( CYP27B1 ). Particular single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from a number of these genes are being associated with lower or higher circulating vitamin D concentrations. Vitamin D metabolism is also affected by interactions with the individual’s microbiome. Other environmental changes in addition to vitamin D intake, particularly those associated with variations in nutrient intake and exposure to pathogens, can impact on these gene variations associated with vitamin D metabolism. Certain combinations of these, in addition to a lowering of circulating vitamin D, influence immune and metabolic pathways and contribute to immune dysregulation. The current enhancement and interplay of these permutations augurs the rise of chronic conditions in the Western world. To ameliorate this, vitamin D supplementation needs to be tailored to an individual’s genotype in the context of their environment.
A conceptual model of risk and protective factors associated with internalizing symptoms in autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review, synthesis, and call for more research

Abstract This paper reviews and synthesizes key areas of research related to the etiology, development, and maintenance of internalizing symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In developing an integrated conceptual model, we draw from current conceptual models of internalizing symptoms in ASD and extend the model to include factors related to internalizing within other populations (e.g., children that have experienced early life stress, children with other neurodevelopmental conditions, typically developing children) that have not been systematically examined in ASD. Our review highlights the need for more research to understand the developmental course of internalizing symptoms, potential moderators, and the interplay between early risk and protective factors. Longitudinal studies incorporating multiple methods and both environmental and biological factors will be important in order to elucidate these mechanisms.
Prospective Pathways From Impulsivity to Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Youth

Abstract Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common behavior, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Impulsivity has been implicated as an important factor associated with NSSI, however prospective longitudinal research is lacking. Moreover, the relationship between impulsivity and other risk factors for NSSI is unclear. By examining longitudinal models including impulsivity, attachment, and distress we hope to elucidate the nature of the association between impulsivity and NSSI. 1,686 community-recruited young people (ages 14–25) with no NSSI in the past year were followed up for one year, completing self-report measures of the above factors. Impulsivity independently predicted new onset of NSSI over and above other risk factors, indicating heightened impulsivity is a prospective risk factor for NSSI. Psychological distress mediated the parenting-NSSI association.
A Fad too Far? Dietary Strategies for the Prevention and Treatment of NAFLD

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major health problem, and its prevalence has increased in recent years, concurrent with rising rates of obesity and other metabolic diseases. Currently, there are no FDA‐approved pharmacological therapies for NAFLD, and lifestyle interventions, including weight loss and exercise, remain the cornerstones for treatment. Manipulating diet composition and eating patterns may be a sustainable approach to NAFLD treatment. Dietary strategies including Paleolithic, ketogenic, Mediterranean, high‐protein, plant‐based, low‐carbohydrate, and intermittent fasting diets have become increasingly popular because of their purported benefits on metabolic disease. This review highlights what is currently known about these popular dietary approaches in the management of NAFLD in clinical populations with mechanistic insight from animal studies. It also identifies key knowledge gaps to better inform future preclinical and clinical studies aimed at the treatment of NAFLD.
Abnormal lipid metabolism induced apoptosis of spermatogenic cells by increasing testicular HSP60 protein expression

Long‐term consumption of high‐fat and high‐calorie foods not only causes obesity, but also may cause a decline in sperm quality in men. Rats with abnormal lipid metabolism (high‐fat rats) were established by high‐fat diet for 24 weeks. HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of testis in rats, TUNEL and flow cytometer was used to detect the cell apoptosis in rat testis and in vitro. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of protein. After 24 weeks of high‐fat food feeding, the body weight, serum lipids and number of apoptotic spermatogenic cells in the high‐fat group rat were significantly higher than those in the control group. In vivo, the expression of HSP60 protein in testis of high‐fat rats was positive related to apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, cleaved caspase 3/caspase 3 protein expression and Bax/Bcl2 protein expression in testis of high‐fat rats. Proportion of apoptotic spermatogenic cells was increased by up‐regulation of HSP60 protein expression in vitro. Long‐term consumption of high‐fat diets can cause high expression of HSP60 and spermatogenic cells apoptosis in rats, while HSP60 over‐expression promotes spermatogenic cell apoptosis and MAPK signal pathway in vitro.
Biotyping of Acinetobactercalcoaceticus using the API 20NE system

Summary: The API 20NE system for the identification of non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli enables the discrimination of a possible 209 different biotypes of Acinetobacter spp. and consequently has potential for use as an Acinetobacter spp. typing system. A total of 122 separate strains of Acinetobacter spp. isolated in Nottingham hospitals over a 4 year period from a wide variety of clinical specimens, divided into 3 1 different biotypes which were stable over a 1 year storage period. Two biotypes predominated, one of which was a multiply resistant strain of A. calcoaceticus variant anitratus. The API 20NE system was found to be a rapid method for biotyping strains of Acinetobacter spp. and was helpful in monitoring cross-infection and spread of particular strains of Acinetobucter spp. in the hospital environment.
Azurin from Pseudomonas putida: an electron acceptor for p-cresol methylhydroxylase

buffer (v/v), pH7.4, for 5min followed by a linear gradient up to 100% methanol over 10min. An integrator was used for quantitative analysis. The chromatographic conditions described separated, in order of elution, pyruvate, acetoacetate and acetone (Fig. la), and gave a linear response over the physiological range Of 40-lOOpM. Pyruvate ( 8 0 ~ ~ ) gave 6 times the colour yield of acetoacetate and 11 times the colour yield of acetone at the same concentration. Alloxan-diabetic rats (Howell &Taylor, 1967) showed the expected increased blood levels of pyruvate, acetoacetate and acetone over normal rats. They showed a reduced level of an unidentified keto compound, labelled 'X' in Fig. l(b), compared with normal ones. The method is effective for the rapid, simultaneous analysis of the major keto compounds in blood and may prove useful in the study of energy metabolism and clinical biochemistry. Results using normal, starved and alloxandiabetic rats conform to current understanding of these metabolic models (White et al., 1984) and provide evidence that the method is capable of valid measurements of metabolic variables.
Research Advances of the Anticancer Mechanisms of Prunella vulgaris

The anticancer mechanisms of Prunella vulgaris include direct retardation effect on the growth and proliferation of tumor cells,inducing apoptosis of tumor cells,inducing differentiation of tumor cells and reversing multidrug tolerance of tumor cells.This paper surveys the research advances of these anticancer mechanisms of Prunella vulgaris.Prunella vulgaris will have widely application prospects,as a cheap,effective and low toxicity anticancer Chinese traditional medicine.
Augmented and virtual reality for physics: Experience of Kazakhstan secondary educational institutions

Currently, computer‐based training systems, such as virtual laboratories (VLs), are becoming more common not only in universities but also in secondary schools. For physics, VLs are of great importance, as they allow simulating processes that cannot be seen or reproduced. Technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) help us to create such physical visualizations. This study presents a VL, which allows users to solve various physical practical tasks or problems with the help of three‐dimensional process visualizations performed in three different ways, namely desktop VR, AR, and VR using a Leap Motion controller. This study describes in detail the functionality and implementation of a VL. As an experiment, three schools were provided with the necessary equipment and software. Fifty pupils of the 9th grade used the developed VL for half of the academic year, after which they took part in a comprehensive survey. About 88% of them found the laboratory useful for studying physics. The children were satisfied with its functionality and usability. Interviews with teachers helped us to understand which of the three visualization methods is preferable for them and children in the present environment.
Experiences from turning Linux into an instructional operating system

The curriculum proposal for degrees related to Computer Science from the two main professional associations worldwide in information and communication technologies dedicate a considerable number of hours to operating system (OS) concepts, and so do the curricula defined by most universities. Nevertheless, the practical teaching of OS at an undergraduate level is currently a controversial issue. Some universities consider that the use of a real OS implies too steep a learning curve and its complexity can prevent an appropriate learning of the main concepts. Other universities consider that the use of an educational OS or the development of a simplified one from scratch are activities too far away from the reality that students will encounter in their professional lives. This paper presents a solution adopted at the University of Vigo, that tries to get the advantages of both approaches and avoid their drawbacks. It is based on combining small lab practices to acquire theoretical concepts and a medium‐sized project to deal with the complexity of a real OS. We designed a new laboratory environment for teaching OS, which greatly facilitates the development of applications to test features both provided by Linux and developed by students, minimizing the effort required to create testing scenarios, and hiding, as far as necessary, less important OS details. We also show the results of the evaluation process carried out during the last academic years.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR

1 Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, IRCCS. 2 INSPE, Ospedale San Raffaele. 3 Dipartimento di Farmacologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano. 4 Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Teramo. 5 Ospedale Micone, Genova. 6 Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”. 7 Centro Europeo di Ricerca sul Cervello (CERC)/Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy. * These authors contributed equally to the study
Changes of ribonucleoproteic structures of embryonic epidermal cell nuclei during differentiation and maturation

The nuclear structure of the epiblast and skin cells was studied during the development of the chick embryo (Gallus domesticus). Ribonucleoproteic structures (RNPs) and chromatin were characterized with preferential staining techniques. The changes of the frequency of a type of RNP particle, the perichromatin granule, from gastrulating embryos to newly hatched chick, were analyzed by electron microscopic quantitative stereology. The changes of nuclear and nucleolar volume were estimated using the light microscope. The differentiation of ectoderm from epiblast is characterized by a significant increase in the nucleolar volume and in the frequency of perichromatin granules. These features suggest that ectoderm differentiation involves a general increment of mRNA and rRNA transcription. At the beginning the synthesis of a sulfhydryl‐rich protein, which is coincident with the thickening of the bilayered epithelium to a multilayered epithelium, a large increase of the numerical density of perichromatin granules not accompanied by any modification of the nucleolar volume was found. The same changes characterize the acquisition of epidermal mature cell features immediately after hatching. These findings as well as previous results concerning the differentiation of central nervous system and striated muscle suggest that the increases of the number of perichromatin granules take place during the acquisition of new cytophysiological states related to functional maturation and not to early stages of cell differentiation.
HISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE NATURE AND FORMATION OF EGG CAPSULES OF THE SHARK CHILOSCYLLIUM GRISEUM

1. The egg capsules of Chiloscyllium griseum, when first formed in the oviducts, are soft and white and gradually turn light brown to deep reddish brown before being ejected into the sea.2. Light brown capsule walls show in section an outer and an inner narrow layer apparently homogeneous and yellowish in color while a wide central region is laminated and uncolored. This layer stains blue with Mallory, indicates the presence of a simple protein positive to biuret test and lacks chemical resistance. The outer and inner layers stain red with Mallory and contain a protein which is positive to Millon and xanthoproteic tests indicative of phenolic groups. In deeply colored walls the central laminated layer shows staining and histochemical reactions similar to those of the outer layer.3. Evidence has been presented indicating that the above changes may be due to the tanning of a basal protein involving a phenol oxidase resident in the capsule wall.4. The constituents of the tanning system are derived from the s.
Modeling Cell Signaling Networks

Summry— Cell signaling pathways interact with one another to form networks in mammalian systems. Such networks are complex in their organization and exhibit emergent properties such as bistability and ultrasensitivity. Analysis of signaling networks requires a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches including the development and analysis of models. This review focuses on theoretical approaches to understanding cell signaling networks. Using heterotrimeric G protein pathways an example, we demonstrate how interactions between two pathways can result in a network that contains a positive feedback loop and function as a switch. Different mathematical approaches that are currently used to model signaling networks are described, and future challenges including the need for databases as well as enhanced computing environments are discussed.
Genetic transfor mation of Betula platyphylla and Insect Resistance of the transgenic Plants

The paper reported for the first time that transgenic plants of Betula platyphylla had been obtained through mediation with Agrobacterium , in which the chimeric gene of spider insecticidal peptide gene and the C peptide sequence of Bt gene was used as purpose foreign gene for this transformation experiment. The effects of duration of co culture, AS and the type of explants on the Agrobacterium mediated transformation were studied. It showed that 2 d co culture had been suitable for birch transformation to make the explants free of bacteria.The best plant material to be used as explant was the big leaf, on which the frequency of kanamycin resistance calli was 22% (Table 1). By GUS detection, 43 percent of the plants with kanamycin resistance showed positive result (leaves stained blue)(Table 2). Purpose bands were gotten by PCR amplification of npt Ⅱ or spide toxin gene (Figs.1,2). Kanamycin resistant plants also showed purpose band by PCR Southern blotting of the chimeric gene (Fig.3). It meant that insect resistant gene had been transferred and integrated into genome of the birch plants. The insect feeding test showed that the development of Lymantria dispar had been clearly retarded (Table 3). The foreign gene normally expressed in the transgenic plants as resistance to the insect ( Lymantria dispar )to remarkable degree.