Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Full-Face Mask Use during SCUBA Diving Counters Related Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Dysfunction

Impaired flow mediated dilation (FMD), an index of vascular stress, is known after SCUBA diving. This is related to a dysfunction of nitric oxide (NO) availability and a disturbance of the redox status, possibly induced by hyperoxic/hyperbaric gas breathing. SCUBA diving is usually performed with a mask only covering “half face” (HF) and therefore forcing oral breathing. Nasal NO production is involved in vascular homeostasis and, as consequence, can significantly reduce NO possibly promoting vascular dysfunction. More recently, the utilization of “full-face” (FF) mask, allowing nasal breathing, became more frequent, but no reports are available describing their effects on vascular functions in comparison with HF masks. In this study we assessed and compared the effects of a standard shallow dive (20 min at 10 m) wearing either FF or a HF mask on different markers of vascular function (FMD), oxidative stress (ROS, 8-iso-PGF2α) and NO availability and metabolism (NO2, NOx and 3-NT and iNOS expression). Data from a dive breathing a hypoxic (16% O2 at depth) gas mixture with HF mask are shown allowing hyperoxic/hypoxic exposure. Our data suggest that nasal breathing might significantly reduce the occurrence of vascular dysfunction possibly due to better maintenance of NO production and bioavailability, resulting in a better ability to counter reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Besides the obvious outcomes in terms of SCUBA diving safety, our data permit a better understanding of the effects of oxygen concentrations, either in normal conditions or as a strategy to induce selected responses in health and disease.
Incidence of Complicated Appendicitis during the COVID-19 Pandemic versus the Pre-Pandemic Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 2782 Pediatric Appendectomies

Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted volume, management strategies and patient outcomes of acute appendicitis. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate whether the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in higher incidence of complicated appendicitis in children presenting with acute appendicitis compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. The secondary aim was to investigate the proportion of the patients treated by non-operative management (NOM). Methods: A systematic search of four scientific databases was performed. The search terms used were (coronavirus OR SARS-CoV-2 OR COVID-19 OR novel coronavirus) AND (appendicitis). The inclusion criteria were all patients aged <18 years and diagnosed with acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 and pre-COVID-19 periods. The proportion of children presenting with complicated appendicitis and the proportion of children managed by NOM was compared between the two groups. The Downs and Black scale was used for methodological quality assessment. Results: The present meta-analysis included thirteen studies (twelve retrospective studies and one cross-sectional study). A total of 2782 patients (1239 during the COVID-19 period) were included. A significantly higher incidence of complicated appendicitis (RR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.33–2.01, p < 0.00001) and a significantly higher proportion of children managed via the NOM (RR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.45–2.61, p < 0.00001) was observed in patients during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. Conclusion: There is a significantly higher incidence of complicated appendicitis in children during the COVID-19 pandemic than in the pre-COVID-19 period. Additionally, a significantly higher proportion of children was managed via the NOM during the pandemic in comparison to the pre-pandemic period.
Does Nursing Behaviour of Sows in Loose-Housing Pens Differ from That of Sows in Farrowing Pens with Crates?

Simple Summary Around birth and during lactation, sows are often confined to narrow farrowing crates in order to restrict their movements to prevent piglet crushing by sows. Since these housing systems are increasingly questioned for sow welfare reasons, more research is being carried out on alternatives such as loose-housing farrowing systems. As one central aspect of sows’ maternal behaviour, nursing behaviour impacts the mortality rate and growth performance of the piglets. Since maternal behaviour is, in turn, affected by the housing environment, this study aimed to compare a farrowing pen without sow confinement to one with a crate regarding the nursing behaviour of sows. The study results underline that sows’ nursing behaviour was influenced by the housing system and, furthermore, that the nursing behaviour of loose-housed sows was more similar to that of sows in semi-natural conditions. Unconfined sows terminated more nursing bouts and nursed piglets for a shorter period. The nursing frequency decreased in the course of lactation in both systems, whereas the proportion of sow-terminated nursing bouts increased in the four-week examination period. These might be the first steps in the natural weaning of piglets. Abstract Sows confined to farrowing crates are restricted in performing natural behaviour such as maternal behaviour. Loose-housing farrowing pens (LH) and farrowing pens with crates (FC) were compared regarding sows’ nursing behaviour via video analyses over four weeks per batch (one day per week). Nursing frequency was similar in LH and FC pens (1.25 ± 0.82 vs. 1.19 ± 0.75 nursings/sow/hour; p > 0.05). However, nursing duration differed between the two systems (LH: 5.7 ± 4.6 min vs. FC: 7.0 ± 5.0 min; odds ratio (OR) 1.168, p = 0.011). In LH pens, more nursing bouts were sow-terminated than in FC pens (OR 0.427, p = 0.001). The probability of sow-terminated nursing occurring increased from week 1 to week 4 (OR 3.479, adjusted p (padj) < 0.001), while that of observing unnursed piglets decreased from week 1 to week 4 (OR 0.301, padj < 0.001) and rose with increasing litter size (OR 1.174, p = 0.010). We conclude that nursing behaviour was affected by the farrowing system, with shorter nursing duration and more nursing terminations by the sow in LH than in FC pens. Since this corresponds to the nursing behaviour of sows in semi-natural conditions, it can be assumed that sows in LH pens are more likely to exhibit natural nursing behaviour.
Lymphatic Endothelial Markers and Tumor Lymphangiogenesis Assessment in Human Breast Cancer

Metastasis via lymphatic vessels or blood vessels is the leading cause of death for breast cancer, and lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis are critical prerequisites for the tumor invasion–metastasis cascade. The research progress for tumor lymphangiogenesis has tended to lag behind that for angiogenesis due to the lack of specific markers. With the discovery of lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) markers, growing evidence demonstrates that the LEC plays an active role in lymphatic formation and remodeling, tumor cell growth, invasion and intravasation, tumor–microenvironment remodeling, and antitumor immunity. However, some studies have drawn controversial conclusions due to the variation in the LEC markers and lymphangiogenesis assessments used. In this study, we review recent findings on tumor lymphangiogenesis, the most commonly used LEC markers, and parameters for lymphangiogenesis assessments, such as the lymphatic vessel density and lymphatic vessel invasion in human breast cancer. An in-depth understanding of tumor lymphangiogenesis and LEC markers can help to illustrate the mechanisms and distinct roles of lymphangiogenesis in breast cancer progression, which will help in exploring novel potential predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for breast cancer.
The influence of considering individual resistance training variables as a whole on muscle strength: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Examinations of the effect of resistance training (RT) on muscle strength have attempted to determine differences between prescriptions, mostly examining individual training variables. The broad interaction of variables does not appear to be completely considered, nor has a dose-response function been determined. This registered (doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/EH94V) systematic review with meta-analysis aims to determine if the interaction of individual training variables to derive RT dose, dosing, and dosage can influence muscle strength and determine if an optimal prescription range exists for developing muscle strength. To derive RT dose, the following calculation will be implemented: number of sets × number of repetitions × number of exercises × exercise intensity, while RT dosing factors in frequency and RT dosage considers program duration. A keyword search strategy utilising interchangeable terms for population (adult), intervention (resistance training), and outcomes (strength) will be conducted across three databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus). Novel to the field of exercise prescription, an analytical approach to determine the dose-response function for continuous outcomes will be used. The pooled standardised mean differences for muscle strength will be estimated using DerSimonian and Laird random effects method. Linear and non-linear dose-response relationships will be estimated by fitting fixed effects and random effects models using the one-stage approach to evaluate if there is a relationship between exercise dose, dosing and dosage and the effect on muscle strength. Maximised log-likelihood and the Akaike Information Criteria will be used to compare alternative best fitting models. Meta regressions will investigate between-study variances and a funnel plot and Egger’s test will assess publication bias. The results from this study will identify if an optimal prescription range for dose, dosing and dosage exists to develop muscle strength.
Native and Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins Increase the Expression of the LDL Receptor and the LOX-1 Receptor, Respectively, in Arterial Endothelial Cells

Atherosclerotic artery disease is the major cause of death and an immense burden on healthcare systems worldwide. The formation of atherosclerotic plaques is promoted by high levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the blood, especially in the oxidized form. Circulating LDL is taken up by conventional and non-classical endothelial cell receptors and deposited in the vessel wall. The exact mechanism of LDL interaction with vascular endothelial cells is not fully understood. Moreover, it appears to depend on the type and location of the vessel affected and the receptor involved. Here, we analyze how native LDL (nLDL) and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) modulate the expression of their receptors—classical LDLR and alternative LOX-1—in endothelial cells derived from human umbilical artery (HUAECs), used as an example of a medium-sized vessel, which is typically affected by atherosclerosis. Exposure of HUAECs to nLDL resulted in moderate nLDL uptake and gradual increase in LDLR, but not LOX-1, expression over 24 h. Conversely, exposure of HUAECs to oxLDL, led to significant accumulation of oxLDL and rapid induction of LOX-1, but not LDLR, within 7 h. These activation processes were associated with phosphorylation of protein kinases ERK1/2 and p38, followed by activation of the transcription factor AP-1 and its binding to the promoters of the respective receptor genes. Both nLDL-induced LDLR mRNA expression and oxLDL-induced LOX-1 mRNA expression were abolished by blocking ERK1/2, p-38 or AP-1. In addition, oxLDL, but not nLDL, was capable of inducing LOX-1 through the NF-κB-controlled pathway. These observations indicate that in arterial endothelial cells nLDL and oxLDL signal mainly via LDLR and LOX-1 receptors, respectively, and engage ERK1/2 and p38 kinases, and AP-1, as well as NF-κB transcription factors to exert feed-forward regulation and increase the expression of these receptors, which may perpetuate endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis.
The Role of Rosmarinic Acid on the Bioproduction of Gold Nanoparticles as Part of a Photothermal Approach for Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer is a high-burden malignancy for society, whose impact boosts a continuous search for novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Among the recent therapeutic approaches, photothermal therapy (PTT), which causes tumor cell death by hyperthermia after being irradiated with a light source, represents a high-potential strategy. Furthermore, the effectiveness of PTT can be improved by combining near infrared (NIR) irradiation with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as photothermal enhancers. Herein, an alternative synthetic method using rosmarinic acid (RA) for synthesizing AuNPs is reported. The RA concentration was varied and its impact on the AuNPs physicochemical and optical features was assessed. Results showed that RA concentration plays an active role on AuNPs features, allowing the optimization of mean size and maximum absorbance peak. Moreover, the synthetic method explored here allowed us to obtain negatively charged AuNPs with sizes favoring the local particle accumulation at tumor site and maximum absorbance peaks within the NIR region. In addition, AuNPs were safe both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, the synthesized AuNPs present favorable properties to be applied as part of a PTT system combining AuNPs with a NIR laser for the treatment of breast cancer.
Erythropoietin Interacts with Specific S100 Proteins

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a clinically significant four-helical cytokine, exhibiting erythropoietic, cytoprotective, immunomodulatory, and cancer-promoting activities. Despite vast knowledge on its signaling pathways and physiological effects, extracellular factors regulating EPO activity remain underexplored. Here we show by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, that among eighteen members of Ca2+-binding proteins of the S100 protein family studied, only S100A2, S100A6 and S100P proteins specifically recognize EPO with equilibrium dissociation constants ranging from 81 nM to 0.5 µM. The interactions occur exclusively under calcium excess. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the EPO-S100 interactions could be relevant to progression of neoplastic diseases, including cancer, and other diseases. The detailed knowledge of distinct physiological effects of the EPO-S100 interactions could favor development of more efficient clinical implications of EPO. Summing up our data with previous findings, we conclude that S100 proteins are potentially able to directly affect functional activities of specific members of all families of four-helical cytokines, and cytokines of other structural superfamilies.
Onco-miR-21 Promotes Stat3-Dependent Gastric Cancer Progression

Simple Summary MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of highly conserved small, non-protein coding RNAs with often-deregulated expression in cancer. miR-21 is a well-studied cancer-associated microRNA which is able to regulate proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular pathways which govern miR-21 expression in gastric cancer (GC), and to assess the therapeutic benefit of targeting miR-21 function with a small, synthetic miR-21 antagomir. We confirmed that miR-21 expression in a preclinical model of early gastric cancer is dependent on Stat3 downstream of the IL-6 family cytokine-mediated activation of gp130 receptor signaling. Antagomir therapy curbed gastric tumor growth, and restricted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and matrix remodeling. Our study established miR-21 as a promising anti-cancer target in GC. Abstract MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is a small, non-coding RNA overexpressed in gastric cancer and many other solid malignancies, where it exhibits both pro-and anti-tumourigenic properties. However, the pathways regulating miR-21 and the consequences of its inhibition in gastric cancer remain incompletely understood. By exploiting the spontaneous Stat3-dependent formation of inflammation-associated gastric tumors in Gp130F/F mice, we functionally established miR-21 as a Stat3-controlled driver of tumor growth and progression. We reconciled our discoveries by identifying several conserved Stat3 binding motifs upstream of the miR-21 gene promoter, and showed that the systemic administration of a miR-21-specific antisense oligonucleotide antagomir reduced the established gastric tumor burden in Gp130F/F mice. We molecularly delineated the therapeutic benefits of miR-21 inhibition with the functional restoration of PTEN in vitro and in vivo, alongside an attenuated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and the extracellular matrix remodeling phenotype of tumors. We corroborated our preclinical findings by correlating high STAT3 and miR-21 expression with the reduced survival probability of gastric cancer patients. Collectively, our results provide a molecular framework by which miR-21 mediates inflammation-associated gastric cancer progression, and establish miR-21 as a robust therapeutic target for solid malignancies characterized by excessive Stat3 activity.
Isolation and Characterization of a Biosurfactant Producing Strain Planococcus sp. XW-1 from the Cold Marine Environment

One cold-adapted strain, named Planococcus sp. XW-1, was isolated from the Yellow Sea. The strain can produce biosurfactant with petroleum as sole source of carbon at low temperature (4 °C). The biosurfactant was identified as glycolipid-type biosurfactant species by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It reduced the surface tension of water to 26.8 mN/m with a critical micelle concentration measurement of 60 mg/L. The produced biosurfactant possesses high surface activity at wide ranges of temperature (−18–105 °C), pH values (2–12), and salt concentrations (1–18%). The biosurfactant exhibited higher surface activity and higher growth rate of cells with hexadecane and diesel as carbon source. The strain Planococcus sp. XW-1 was also effective in degrading crude oil, after 21 days of growth at 4 °C in medium with 1% crude oil and 1% (v/v) bacteria broth, 54% of crude oil was degraded. The results suggest that Planococcus sp. XW-1 is a promising candidate for use in the bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated seawater in the Yellow Sea during winter. This study reported for the first time that Planococcus isolated from the Yellow Sea can produce biosurfactant using petroleum as the sole carbon source at low temperature (4 °C), showing its ecological role in the remediation of marine petroleum pollution.
NOG-Derived Peptides Can Restore Neuritogenesis on a CRASH Syndrome Cell Model

Homo- and heterophilic binding mediated by the immunoglobulin (Ig)-like repeats of cell adhesion molecules play a pivotal role in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. L1CAM is crucial to neuronal differentiation, in both mature and developing nervous systems, and several studies suggest that its functional interactions are mainly mediated by Ig2–Ig2 binding. X-linked mutations in the human L1CAM gene are summarized as L1 diseases, including the most diagnosed CRASH neurodevelopmental syndrome. In silico simulations provided a molecular rationale for CRASH phenotypes resulting from mutations I179S and R184Q in the homophilic binding region of Ig2. A synthetic peptide reproducing such region could both mimic the neuritogenic capacity of L1CAM and rescue neuritogenesis in a cellular model of the CRASH syndrome, where the full L1CAM ectodomain proved ineffective. Presented functional evidence opens the route to the use of L1CAM-derived peptides as biotechnological and therapeutic tools.
Evolutionary Origin of Insulin-Degrading Enzyme and Its Subcellular Localization and Secretion Mechanism: A Study in Microglial Cells

The insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a zinc-dependent metalloendopeptidase that belongs to the M16A metalloprotease family. IDE is markedly expressed in the brain, where it is particularly relevant due to its in vitro amyloid beta (Aβ)-degrading activity. The subcellular localization of IDE, a paramount aspect to understand how this enzyme can perform its proteolytic functions in vivo, remains highly controversial. In this work, we addressed IDE subcellular localization from an evolutionary perspective. Phylogenetic analyses based on protein sequence and gene and protein structure were performed. An in silico analysis of IDE signal peptide suggests an evolutionary shift in IDE exportation at the prokaryote/eukaryote divide. Subcellular localization experiments in microglia revealed that IDE is mostly cytosolic. Furthermore, IDE associates to membranes by their cytoplasmatic side and further partitions between raft and non-raft domains. When stimulated, microglia change into a secretory active state, produces numerous multivesicular bodies and IDE associates with their membranes. The subsequent inward budding of such membranes internalizes IDE in intraluminal vesicles, which later allows IDE to be exported outside the cells in small extracellular vesicles. We further demonstrate that such an IDE exportation mechanism is regulated by stimuli relevant for microglia in physiological conditions and upon aging and neurodegeneration.
The effect of situation, background, assessment, recommendation-based safety program on patient safety culture in intensive care unit nurses

BACKGROUND: Patient safety culture is an integral part of patient care standards and a prerequisite for safe care. SBAR is an acronym for Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation; this communication model has gained popularity in health-care settings, especially among professions such as nursing. However, there is little evidence that nursing professional education can enhance patient safety culture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a SBAR-based training program on patient safety culture in intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The quasi-experimental study was carried out in 2018–2019 at areas covered by Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Iran. This study was performed on 60 nurses working in ICU. The participants were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups of 30 each. For the experimental group, five workshop sessions of SBAR-based program were held. For the control group, the patient delivery process was performed according to the ward routine. Data were collected using patient safety culture questionnaires before and 1 month after the intervention, and were analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests such as paired t-test, independent t-test, and Chi-square test by SPSS 22. RESULTS: The mean score of safety culture was 31 ± 23.5 and 55.2 ± 28.6 in frequency of reporting events, 32.8 ± 17.8 and 54.3 ± 19 in overall perception of patient safety, 23 ± 20.1 and 52.9 ± 26 in communication channel openness, and 35.2 ± 19.8 and 52.4 ± 18.8 in information exchange and conveyance before and after training intervention, respectively, so that they improved from poor level to neutral-moderate level. There was no strength in any dimensions of safety culture; however, the implementation of the SBAR-based program was significantly associated with patient safety culture (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Improving patient safety culture requires attention to patient safety models such as SBAR approach that provides an appropriate and reliable structure for quality improvement. SBAR-based program training is effective in promoting patient safety culture; therefore, it is recommended that managers use this technique to promote patient safety culture.