Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Triggering of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by fennel and clove oils in Caco-2 cells: the role of combination

Abstract Background: Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) oils are known for their various biological effects, including anticancer properties. Objective: To investigate the anticancer effect of combined fennel and clove oil treatment on Caco-2 cells and normal human lymphocytes (NHL). Methods: GC-MS, in vitro cytotoxicity, morphological, apoptosis-related marker, and flow cytometric cell cycle distribution analyses were conducted. Results: Seventeen volatile compounds were identified in fennel oil, including trans-anethole (68.3%) and (+)-fenchone (8.1%). In clove oil, 22 compounds, including eugenol (71.4%) and caryophyllene (8.7%), were identified. IC50 of the fennel, clove, and oil mixture were 300 ± 5.0, 150 ± 4.0, and 73 ± 2.5 µg/mL, respectively with combination index (CI) < 1.0. Mechanistic anticancer properties were investigated using 30, 45, and 60 µg/mL oil mixture. Analysis of apoptotic morphology, flow cytometric cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis-related markers, such as Bcl-2 and Ki-67, confirmed cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction in Caco-2 cells by the fennel and clove oil combination. Moreover, the oil mixture did not exert significant (p < 0.01) toxicity on NHL in vitro. Conclusion: The oil mixture exerted selective cytotoxicity towards Caco-2 cells through cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, which may occur through synergistic effects between fennel and clove oil active ingredients.
Clinical Pearls of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Cardiogenic Shock

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a technique that uses a pump to drain blood from a body, circulate blood through a membrane lung, and return the oxygenated blood back into the body. Venoarterial (VA) ECMO is a simplified version of the heart-lung machine that assists native pulmonary and/or cardiac function. VA ECMO is composed of a drainage cannula in the venous system and a return cannula in the arterial system. Because VA ECMO can increase tissue perfusion by increasing the arterial blood flow, it is used to treat medically refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. VA ECMO has a distinct physiology that is referred to as differential flows. It can cause several complications such as left ventricular distension with pulmonary edema, distal limb ischemia, bleeding, and thromboembolism. Physicians who are using this technology should be knowledgeable on the prevention and management of these complications. We review the basic physiology of VA ECMO, the mechanism of complications, and the simple management of VA ECMO.
Highly Selective, Aptamer-Based, Ultrasensitive Nanogold Colorimetric Smartphone Readout for Detection of Cd(II)

A highly selective and sensitive method for Cd(II) detection was developed based on aptamer and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) combined with a colorimetric smartphone readout. The experimental conditions such as reaction time of polydiene dimethyl ammonium chloride (PDDA) and AuNPs, PDDA dose, time of aptamer and PDDA incubation, and aptamer concentration were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the color and red(R) value of the solution was concentration-dependent on Cd(II). The proposed method exhibited a linear range of 1–400 ng/mL (r2 = 0.9794) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 ng/mL. This method had been successfully applied to test and quantify Cd(II) in water and rice samples, and the results were in full agreement with those from the atomic absorption spectrometer. Therefore, low-cost colorimetry demonstrated its potential for practical application in visual or quantitative detection with a smartphone. This approach can be readily applied to other analytes.
Fertility outcome after medically treated pyometra in dogs

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex (CEH/P) is a challenge in canine reproduction. Present study aimed to assess fertility after medical treatment. One-hundred-seventy-four bitches affected by CEH/P received aglepristone on days 1, 2, 8, then every 7 days until blood progesterone < 1.2 ng/mL; cloprostenol was administered on days 3 to 5. Records were grouped according to bodyweight (BW): small (< 10 kg, n = 33), medium (10 ≥ BW < 25 kg, n = 44), large (25 ≥ BW < 40 kg, n = 52), and giant bitches (BW ≥ 40 kg, n = 45). Age; success rate; aglepristone treatments number; relapse, pregnancy rates; diagnosis-relapse, -first, -last litter intervals; litters number after treatment, and LS were analyzed by ANOVA. Overall age was 5.14 ± 1.75 years, without difference among groups. Treatment was 100% successful, without difference in treatments number (4.75 ± 1.18), relapse (15/174, 8.62%) and pregnancy (129/140 litters, 92.14%) rates, intervals diagnosis-relapse (409.63 ± 254.9 days) or -last litter (418.62 ± 129.03 days). The interval diagnosis-first litter was significantly shorter (163.52 ± 51.47 days) and longer (225.17 ± 90.97 days) in small and giant bitches, respectively. Overall, 1.47 ± 0.65 litters were born after treatment. Expected LS was achieved in each group, as shown by ΔLS (actual-expected LS by breed, overall −0.40 ± 1.62) without differences among groups. Concluding, CEH/P affects younger dogs than previously described. Relapses were rarer than previously reported. Medical treatment with aglepristone+cloprostenol is effective and safe, preserving subsequent fertility, as demonstrated by negligible changes in LS.
Changes in prevalence of faecal occult blood positivity over time

Objectives Changes in the prevalence of faecal occult blood test positivity over time have not been previously reported, but could have important implications. This study examined the positivity of the initial guaiac faecal occult blood test, a surrogate marker for colorectal bleeding, in participants aged 50 in a national bowel screening programme. Methods Data from the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme were used to study the initial positivity of the guaiac faecal occult blood test between 2007 and 2017. Positive predictive values of the testing process for colorectal cancer and adenoma were assessed over the same time period. Results Across Scotland, the initial guaiac faecal occult blood test positivity increased from 4.1 to 10.8%. In NHS Grampian and NHS Fife, two of the three NHS Boards which began roll-out of screening in 2007, it increased from 4.0 to 10.9%. In the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme, the positive predictive value declined from 11.0 to 6.6% for colorectal cancer and increased from 31.6 to 39.8% for adenoma. Conclusions In the Scottish programme over a decade, initial guaiac faecal occult blood test positivity increased in participants aged 50. This may be associated with changes in lifestyle and might have implications for screening clinical outcomes, including positive predictive value.
Impact of the Bird-Beak Configuration on Postoperative Outcome After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair: A Meta-analysis

Purpose: To investigate the association between the bird-beak configuration (BBC), a wedge-shaped gap between the undersurface of a thoracic endograft and the lesser curvature of the arch after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), and postoperative outcome after TEVAR. Methods: The study was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched to identify all case series reporting BBC after TEVAR between 2006 and April 2018. Data analysis was performed considering the difference in the risk of complications for presence vs absence of BBC. After screening 1633 articles, 21 studies were identified that matched the selection criteria; 12 of these reported detailed information to investigate the postoperative outcome using proportion meta-analysis with a random effects model. The pooled risk difference is reported with the 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity of the included studies was assessed with the I2 statistic (low 25%, medium 50%, high 75%). Results: Complications occurred within a range of 0 to 72 months in 14.7% (95% CI 7.4% to 27.3%) of patients with BBC and in 6.3% (95% CI 2.5% to 15.4%) of patients without BBC. A cumulative incidence could not be assessed. The summary risk difference was 11.1% (95% CI −0.1% to 22.3%, p=0.052). There was significant heterogeneity (I2=85.6%). The Egger test did not show evidence of publication bias (p=0.975). When specifically considering type Ia endoleak and endograft migration, the risk difference between BBC and non-BBC patients was 8.2% (95% CI 0.3% to 16.1%, p=0.042; I2=69.0%). The specific risk difference for endograft collapse/infolding and thrombosis was 3.7% (95% CI −3.5% to 11.1%, p=0.308; I2=10.2%). Conclusion: At present the literature does not provide statistical evidence to establish an overall prognostic value of the BBC. Nevertheless, the BBC appears to be associated with a high risk of type Ia endoleak and endograft migration, which warrants specific and long-term surveillance. Clinically relevant values for BBC grading should be established to perhaps define indications for preemptive treatment based on the presence of BBC only.
Identification of differentially expressed genes and preliminary validations in cardiac pathological remodeling induced by transverse aortic constriction

Cardiac remodeling predisposes to heart failure if the burden is unresolved, and heart failure is an important cause of mortality in humans. The aim of the present study was to identify the key genes involved in cardiac pathological remodeling induced by pressure overload. Gene expression profiles of the GSE5500, GSE18224, GSE36074 and GSE56348 datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs), defined as |log2FC|>1 (FC, fold change) and an adjusted P-value of <0.05, were screened using the R software with the limma package. Gene ontology enrichment analysis was performed and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the DEGs was constructed. A cardiac remodeling model induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was established. Furthermore, consistent DEGs were further validated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, western blotting and immunohistochemistry in the ventricular tissue samples after TAC or sham operation. A total of 24 common DEGs were identified (23 significantly upregulated and 1 downregulated), of which 9 genes had been previously confirmed to be directly involved in cardiac remodeling. Hence, the level of expression of the other 15 genes was detected in subsequent studies via RT-PCR. Based on the results of the PPI network analysis and RT-PCR, we further detected the protein levels of Itgbl1 and Asporin, which were consistent with the results of bioinformatics analysis and RT-PCR. The expression of Itgbl1, Aspn, Fstl1, Mfap5, Col8a1, Ltbp2, Mfap4, Pamr1, Cnksr1, Aqp8, Meox1, Gdf15 and Srpx was found to be upregulated in a mouse model of cardiac remodeling, while that of Retnla was downregulated. Therefore, the present study identified the key genes implicated in cardiac remodeling, aiming to provide new insight into the underlying mechanism.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

We describe initial development of microarray‐based assays for detecting 4 pyrethroid pesticides (bifenthrin, cypermethrin, esfenvalerate, and permethrin) in water. To facilitate comparison of transcriptional responses with gross apical responses, we estimated concentration–mortality curves for these pyrethroids using flow‐through exposures of newly hatched Daphnia magna, Pimephales promelas adults, and 24 h posthatch P. promelas. Median lethal concentration (LC50) estimates were below most reported values, perhaps attributable to the use of flow‐through exposures or of measured rather than nominal concentrations. Microarray analysis of whole P. promelas larvae and brains from exposed P. promelas adults showed that assays using either tissue type can detect these pyrethroids at concentrations below LC50 values reported for between 72 and 96% of aquatic species, depending on the pesticide. These estimates are conservative because they correspond to the lowest concentrations tested. This suggests that the simpler and less expensive whole‐larval assay provides adequate sensitivity for screening contexts where acute aquatic lethality is observed, but the responsible agent is not known. Gene set analysis (GSA) highlighted several Gene Ontology (GO) terms consistent with known pyrethroid action, but the implications of other GO terms are less clear. Exploration of the sensitivity of results to changes in data processing suggests robustness of the detection assay results, but GSA results were sensitive to methodological variations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2436–2446. Published 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work, and as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America
GHOST: Recovering Historical Signal from Heterotachously-evolved Sequence Alignments.

Molecular sequence data that have evolved under the influence of heterotachous evolutionary processes are known to mislead phylogenetic inference. We introduce the General Heterogeneous evolution On a Single Topology (GHOST) model of sequence evolution, implemented under a maximum-likelihood framework in the phylogenetic program IQ-TREE (http://www.iqtree.org). Simulations show that using the GHOST model, IQ-TREE can accurately recover the tree topology, branch lengths and substitution model parameters from heterotachously-evolved sequences. We investigate the performance of the GHOST model on empirical data by sampling phylogenomic alignments of varying lengths from a plastome alignment. We then carry out inference under the GHOST model on a phylogenomic dataset composed of 248 genes from 16 taxa, where we find the GHOST model concurs with the currently accepted view, placing turtles as a sister lineage of archosaurs, in contrast to results obtained using traditional variable rates-across-sites models. Finally, we apply the model to a dataset composed of a sodium channel gene of 11 fish taxa, finding that the GHOST model is able to elucidate a subtle component of the historical signal, linked to the previously established convergent evolution of the electric organ in two geographically distinct lineages of electric fish. We compare inference under the GHOST model to partitioning by codon position and show that, owing to the minimization of model constraints, the GHOST model offers unique biological insights when applied to empirical data.
Gender Differences in Connectome-based Predictions of Individualized Intelligence Quotient and Sub-domain Scores

Abstract Scores on intelligence tests are strongly predictive of various important life outcomes. However, the gender discrepancy on intelligence quotient (IQ) prediction using brain imaging variables has not been studied. To this aim, we predicted individual IQ scores for males and females separately using whole-brain functional connectivity (FC). Robust predictions of intellectual capabilities were achieved across three independent data sets (680 subjects) and two intelligence measurements (IQ and fluid intelligence) using the same model within each gender. Interestingly, we found that intelligence of males and females were underpinned by different neurobiological correlates, which are consistent with their respective superiority in cognitive domains (visuospatial vs verbal ability). In addition, the identified FC patterns are uniquely predictive on IQ and its sub-domain scores only within the same gender but neither for the opposite gender nor on the IQ-irrelevant measures such as temperament traits. Moreover, females exhibit significantly higher IQ predictability than males in the discovery cohort. This findings facilitate our understanding of the biological basis of intelligence by demonstrating that intelligence is underpinned by a variety of complex neural mechanisms that engage an interacting network of regions—particularly prefrontal–parietal and basal ganglia—whereas the network pattern differs between genders.
Long-term exposure of 4-hydroxyestradiol induces the cancer cell characteristics via upregulating CYP1B1 in MCF-10A cells

Abstract Life-long estrogen exposure is one of the major risk factors in the development and progression of breast cancer. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms, by which chronic exposure to estrogen contributes to breast carcinogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of long-term exposure with 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE2) on acquired cancer characteristics of human mammary epithelial MCF-10A cells. The possible regulators were further studied in chronic 4-OHE2-treated MCF-10A cells. We observed that MCF-10A cells long-term exposed to 4-OHE2 acquire the characteristics of cancer cells, such as enhanced cell growth, EMT properties, and increased migration and invasiveness. Moreover, the expression of CYP1B1 was significantly elevated in long-term 4-OHE2-treated MCF-10A cells. Block of CYP1B1 significantly reduced the cancer cell characteristics in long-term 4-OHE2–treated MCF-10A cells. Our results indicated that 4-OHE2 mediated enhanced cancer cell characteristics in mammary epithelial cells are an important key event for breast carcinogenesis process. CYP1B1 partially contributes to the 4-OHE2 induced cancer cell characteristics in MCF-10A cells. Targeting CYP1B1 might offer a new strategy for the treatment of estrogen-induced breast cancer.
SEDAN: Secure and Efficient Data Aggregation protocol for wireless sensor Networks

Energy is a scarce resource in Wireless Sensor Networks. Some studies show that more than 70% of energy is consumed in data transmission. Since most of the time, the sensed information is redundant due to geographically collocated sensors, most of this energy can be saved through data aggregation. Furthermore, data aggregation improves bandwidth usage. Unfortunately, while aggregation eliminates redundancy, it makes data integrity verification more complicated since the received data is unique. In this paper, we present a new protocol that provides secure aggregation for wireless sensor networks. Our protocol is based on a two hops verification mechanism of data integrity. Our solution is essentially different from existing solutions in that it does not require referring to the base station for verifying and detecting faulty aggregated readings, thus providing a totally distributed scheme to guarantee data integrity. We carried out simulations using TinyOS environment. Simulation results show that the proposed protocol yields significant savings in energy consumption while preserving data integrity.
In Situ Geochronology on Mars and the Development of Future Instrumentation

Abstract We review the in situ geochronology experiments conducted by the Mars Science Laboratory mission's Curiosity rover to understand when the Gale Crater rocks formed, underwent alteration, and became exposed to cosmogenic radiation. These experiments determined that the detrital minerals in the sedimentary rocks of Gale are ∼4 Ga, consistent with their origin in the basalts surrounding the crater. The sedimentary rocks underwent fluid-moderated alteration 2 Gyr later, which may mark the closure of aqueous activity at Gale Crater. Over the past several million years, wind-driven processes have dominated, denuding the surfaces by scarp retreat. The Curiosity measurements validate radiometric dating techniques on Mars and guide the way for future instrumentation to make more precise measurements that will further our understanding of the geological and astrobiological history of the planet.
Psychological predictors of loneliness among Palestinian university students in the West Bank

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive role of life satisfaction, perceived social support, and psychological problems on loneliness among Palestinian university students in the West Bank. Participants were 254 volunteer undergraduate students (50.4% males and 49.6% females), ranging from 18 to 26 years of age. Data was collected using the Loneliness Scale (UCLA), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Psychological Problems Scale and a Demographic Information Form. There was a significant gender bias towards loneliness, male students being lonelier than female students. Results showed that students who had higher loneliness, felt less satisfied with their life and perceived less support from friends, family and significant others. Furthermore, students who had high loneliness also presented more psychological problems. These results also indicated that, after accounting for psychological problems, life satisfaction, and social support from friends and significant others are negative predictors of loneliness. These findings suggest that universities should create strategies to improve well-being and social support to protect students from the negative effects of loneliness.
Highly sensitive piezoelectric immunosensors employing signal amplification with gold nanoparticles

We present a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunosensor for highly sensitive detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a human serum immunoassay. In particular, in this study, we employed signal amplification using and enlarging gold nanoparticles. Because QCM measures the change of resonance frequency according to the mass change occurring on the sensor surface, we could quantitatively analyze PSA based on a tremendous increase in mass by sandwich immunoassay using AuNP-conjugated anti-PSA-detecting antibody enhanced with subsequent gold staining. The limit of detection of the PSA immunoassay in human serum without gold staining enhancement was 687 pg ml−1 but was 48 pg ml−1 with the gold staining-mediated signal amplification. That is, amplifying the signal resulted in increased sensitivity and reproducibility of immunoassay in a human serum.
Large‐scale white matter network reorganization in posttraumatic stress disorder

Recently, graph theoretical approaches applied to neuroimaging data have advanced understanding of the human brain connectome and its abnormalities in psychiatric disorders. However, little is known about the topological organization of brain white matter networks in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Seventy‐six patients with PTSD and 76 age, gender, and years of education‐matched trauma‐exposed controls were studied after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake using diffusion tensor imaging and graph theoretical approaches. Topological properties of brain networks including global and nodal measurements and modularity were analyzed. At the global level, patients showed lower clustering coefficient (p = .016) and normalized characteristic path length (p = .035) compared with controls. At the nodal level, increased nodal centralities in left middle frontal gyrus, superior and inferior temporal gyrus and right inferior occipital gyrus were observed (p < .05, corrected for false‐discovery rate). Modularity analysis revealed that PTSD patients had significantly increased inter‐modular connections in the fronto‐parietal module, fronto‐striato‐temporal module, and visual and default mode modules. These findings indicate a PTSD‐related shift of white matter network topology toward randomization. This pattern was characterized by an increased global network integration, reflected by increased inter‐modular connections with increased nodal centralities involving fronto‐temporo‐occipital regions. This study suggests that extremely stressful life experiences, when they lead to PTSD, are associated with large‐scale brain white matter network topological reconfiguration at global, nodal, and modular levels.