Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intelligent Poly(N-Isopropylmethacrylamide) Hydrogels: Synthesis, Structure Characterization, Stimuli-Responsive Swelling Properties, and Their Radiation Decomposition

Poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (p(NiPMAm)) is one of the lesser known homopolymers that has significant potential for designing new “intelligent” materials. The aims of this work were the synthesis a series of cross-linked p(NiPMAm) hydrogels by the free radical polymerization method and the application of gamma-ray radiation for additional cross-linking. The synthesized p(NiPMAm) hydrogels were structurally characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The amount of unreacted monomers was analyzed using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to evaluate conversion of monomers into polymers. The swelling behavior was monitored in dependence of pH and temperature changes. The previous aim of gamma-ray radiation was the further the cross-linkage of the obtained hydrogel sample in the gelatinous, paste-like state, but the gamma-ray radiation caused decomposition. After absorbing irradiation doses, they transformed into the liquid phase. The results obtained by the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) method indicated that only oligomers and monomers were present in the irradiated liquid material, without molecules with a higher average molar mass, i.e., that the decomposition of the hydrogels occurred. Additionally, the irradiated liquid material was analyzed using the static headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HSS-GC/MS) and gas chromatography/flame ionization detection (HSS-GC/FID) methods. The presence of unchanged initiator molecule and a dominant amount of four new molecules that were different from homopolymers and the reactant (monomer and cross-linker) were determined.
Characterization of MORN2 stability and regulatory function in LC3-associated phagocytosis in macrophages

ABSTRACT Microtubule-associated protein A1/B1-light chain 3 (LC3)-associated phagocytosis (LAP) is a type of non-canonical autophagy that regulates phagosome maturation in macrophages. However, the role and regulatory mechanism of LAP remain largely unknown. Recently, the membrane occupation and recognition nexus repeat-containing-2 (MORN2) was identified as a key component of LAP for the efficient formation of LC3-recruiting phagosomes. To characterize MORN2 and elucidate its function in LAP, we established a MORN2-overexpressing macrophage line. At a steady state, MORN2 was partially cleaved by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. MORN2 overexpression promoted not only LC3-II production but also LAP phagosome (LAPosome) acidification during Escherichia coli uptake. Furthermore, the formation of LAPosomes containing the yeast cell wall component zymosan was enhanced in MORN2-overexpressing cells and depended on reactive oxygen species (ROS). Finally, MORN2-mediated LAP was regulated by plasma membrane-localized soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) such as SNAP-23 and syntaxin 11. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that MORN2, whose expression is downregulated via proteasomal digestion, is a limiting factor for LAP, and that membrane trafficking by SNARE proteins is involved in MORN2-mediated LAP. Summary: MORN2, whose stability is regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, functions as a limiting factor for LAP via the regulation of SNAP-23 membrane trafficking for ROS production within macrophage phagosomes.
Desempenho de cordeiros alimentados com dietas contendo sal forrageiro de espécies vegetais xerófitas

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o uso de sal forrageiro sobre os consumos de sal forrageiro (CSF) e de feno de capim-pangola (Digitaria decumbens) e os consumos de materia seca (MS), proteina bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), hemicelulose (HCEL), lignina e agua (AGU), alem do ganho de peso diario (GPD) e da conversao alimentar de cordeiros em confinamento. Os sais forrageiros foram compostos de farelos de fenos (90%) das dicotiledoneas, sal mineral (5%) e milho triturado (5%). Utilizaram-se 30 animais machos nao-castrados, mesticos Santa Ines, distribuidos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos (sal mineral; sal forrageiro de leucena, Leucaena leucocephala; sal forrageiro da parte aerea de mandioca, Manihot esculenta; sal forrageiro de feijao-bravo, Macroptilium bracteatum; sal forrageiro de barriguda, Ceiba samauma; e sal forrageiro de quipe, Piptadenia moniliformis), cada um com cinco repeticoes. Os sais forrageiros de leucena e da parte aerea de mandioca promoveram melhores resultados de desempenho, ganhos de pesos totais e conversao alimentar, o que evidencia o potencial dessas forrageiras para formulacao de sal forrageiro, utilizado na suplementacao de dietas para cordeiros em confinamento.
Energy Drink before Exercise Did Not Affect Autonomic Recovery Following Moderate Aerobic Exercise: A Crossover, Randomized and Controlled Trial

Abstract Introduction: Energy drink (ED) intake could initiate physiological changes owing to its stimulant characteristics and, it improves endurance and athletic performance. We evaluated the acute effects of ED on autonomic heart rate (HR) control during recovery after a session of submaximal aerobic exercise. Method: The study was completed by submitting 29 healthy males between 18 and 30 years old to three conventions: (A) Maximum exercise test by the adapted Bruce protocol; (B) Placebo protocol (PP) - water intake 15 minutes prior to exercise, rest in dorsal decubitus for 15 minutes followed by 5 minutes of treadmill running at 1% inclination, initial speed of 5 km/h for 5 minutes 25 minutes with 60% of the velocity consistent to the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), and finally 60 minutes of recovery at rest in the supine position; (C) Experimental protocol (PE) - similar to PP previously, but with ED intake 15 minutes before physical exercise. The time, frequency and geometric indexes of HR variability (HRV) were inspected before and after exercise. Results: There was a significant (p < 0.05, <5%) effect on the HRV index (HR-nu and ms2, LF-nu and ms2, LF/HF, SD1, SDNN and RMSSD), indicating a reduction in HRV in the first 5 minutes after exercise in both protocols (PP and PE). Yet, no protocol interaction was detected, suggesting no effect of ED on HRV throughout recovery after submaximal aerobic exercise. Conclusion: There was no significant effect of ED on the autonomic control of HR in the recovery phase after submaximal aerobic exercise.
A Longitudinal, Prospective Study to Evaluate the Effects of Treatment on the Inhibitory Control Function After Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Objectives: Injured cognitive abilities have been reported in patients with pituitary adenoma. However, to date, few researchers have directly investigated the electrophysiological study of inhibitory control function of pituitary patients both pre- and postsurgery. Thus, this study aimed to identify the factors affecting the inhibitory control function of pituitary patients. Methods: Thirty presurgery pituitary patients were recruited and 26 patients of them completed the postsurgery follow-up. Thirty healthy people were recruited for control group. Visual Go/Nogo tasks were carried out by the patients and controls to assess the inhibitory control function before surgery and 6 months after the surgery, respectively. The function of inhibitory control was analyzed with the components of N2 and P3. Results: Across 3 groups, Nogo stimuli evoked larger frontal-central N2nogo and P3nogo than Go stimuli did. Furthermore, N2d of presurgery patients (−1.14 μV) and postsurgery patients(−0.61 μV) were significantly decreased compared with that of control group (−3.09 μV), F(2, 83) = 13.92, P < . 01, whereas no difference was detected between pre- and postsurgery groups. There was no remarkable difference in the amplitude of P3d among the 3 groups, F(2, 83) = 0.19, P > . 05. With regard to the amplitude of P3 for Go condition, The P3 amplitude of healthy group (4.38 μV) was larger than both pre- and postsurgery (1.00 μV and 3.01 μV). With regard to the amplitude of P3 for Nogo condition, The P3 amplitude of healthy group (5.25 μV) was larger than both pre- and postsurgery groups (2.35 μV and 4.18 μV). Conclusions: These results indicated that presurgery patients showed the dysfunction of inhibition, due to the nerve tissue damage or brain structure alteration caused by the presurgery physical pressure from tumor and abnormal hormone levels. Postsurgery patients showed a tendency toward recovery, but there was no obvious improvement in the inhibitory control function after successful treatments.
Calpurnia aurea (Aiton) Benth Extracts Reduce Quorum Sensing Controlled Virulence Factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the causative agent of several life-threatening human infections. Like many other pathogens, P. aeruginosa exhibits quorum sensing (QS) controlled virulence factors such as biofilm during disease progression, complicating treatment with conventional antibiotics. Thus, impeding the pathogen’s QS circuit appears as a promising alternative strategy to overcome pseudomonas infections. In the present study, Calpurnia aurea were evaluated for their antibacterial (minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC)), anti-quorum sensing/antivirulence (AQS), and antibiofilm potential against P. aeruginosa. AQS and antivirulence (biofilm formation, swimming, and swarming motility) activities of plant extracts were evaluated against Chromobacterium violaceum and P. aeruginosa, respectively. The in vitro AQS potential of the individual compounds were validated using in silico molecular docking. Acetone and ethanolic extracts of C. aurea showed MIC at 1.56 mg/mL. The quantitative violacein inhibition (AQS) assay showed ethyl acetate extracts as the most potent at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. GCMS analysis of C. aurea revealed 17 compounds; four (pentadecanol, dimethyl terephthalate, terephthalic acid, and methyl mannose) showed potential AQS through molecular docking against the CviR protein of C. violaceum. Biofilm of P. aeruginosa was significantly inhibited by ≥60% using 1-mg/mL extract of C. aurea. Confocal laser scanning microscopy correlated the findings of crystal violet assay with the extracts significantly altering the swimming motility. C. aurea extracts reduced the virulence of pseudomonas, albeit in a strain- and extract-specific manner, showing their suitability for the identification of lead compounds with QS inhibitory potential for the control of P. aeruginosa infections.
Management and Survival of Elderly and Very Elderly Patients with Ovarian Cancer: An Age-Stratified Study of 1123 Women from the FRANCOGYN Group

Elderly women with ovarian cancer are often undertreated due to a perception of frailty. We aimed to evaluate the management of young, elderly and very elderly patients and its impact on survival in a retrospective multicenter study of women with ovarian cancer between 2007 to 2015. We included 979 women: 615 women (62.8%) <65 years, 225 (22.6%) 65–74 years, and 139 (14.2%) ≥75 years. Women in the 65–74 years age group were more likely to have serous ovarian cancer (p = 0.048). Patients >65 years had more >IIa FIGO stage: 76% for <65 years, 84% for 65–74 years and 80% for ≥75 years (p = 0.033). Women ≥75 years had less standard procedures (40% (34/84) vs. 59% (104/177) for 65–74 years and 72% (384/530) for <65 years (p < 0.001). Only 9% (13/139) of women ≥75 years had an Aletti score >8 compared with 16% and 22% for the other groups (p < 0.001). More residual disease was found in the two older groups (30%, respectively) than the younger group (20%) (p < 0.05). Women ≥75 years had fewer neoadjuvant/adjuvant cycles than the young and elderly women: 23% ≥75 years received <6 cycles vs. 10% (p = 0.003). Univariate analysis for 3-year Overall Survival showed that age >65 years, FIGO III (HR = 3.702, 95%CI: 2.30–5.95) and IV (HR = 6.318, 95%CI: 3.70–10.77) (p < 0.001), residual disease (HR = 3.226, 95%CI: 2.51–4.15; p < 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (HR = 2.81, 95%CI: 1.91–4.12; p < 0.001) were associated with lower OS. Women >65 years are more likely to have incomplete surgery and more residual disease despite more advanced ovarian cancer. These elements are prognostic factors for women’s survival regardless of age. Specific trials in the elderly would produce evidence-based medicine and guidelines for ovarian cancer management in this population.
Danshen (Salvia miltiorhiza) inhibits Leu27 IGF‐II‐induced hypertrophy in H9c2 cells

In this study, we used ICI 182 780 (ICI), an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist, to investigate the estrogenic activity of Danshen, and to further explored whether Danshen extract can block Leu27IGF‐II‐induced hypertrophy in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. We first used an IGF‐II analog Leu27IGF‐II, which specifically activates IGF2R signaling cascades and induces H9c2 cardiomyoblast cell hypertrophy. However, Danshen extract completely inhibited Leu27IGF‐II‐induced cell size increase, ANP and BNP hypertrophic marker expression, and IGF2R induction. We also observed that Danshen extract inhibited calcineurin protein expression and NFAT3 nuclear translocation, leading to suppression of Leu27IGF‐II‐induced cardiac hypertrophy. Moreover, the anti‐Leu27IGF‐II‐IGF2R signaling effect of Danshen was totally reversed by ICI, which suggest the cardio protective effect of Danshen is mediated through estrogen receptors. Our study suggests that, Danshen exerts estrogenic activity, and thus, it could be used as a selective ER modulator in IGFIIR induced hypertrophy model.
Mediating Effects of Emotional Symptoms on the Association between Homophobic Bullying Victimization and Problematic Internet/Smartphone Use among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan

Problematic internet/smartphone use (PI/SU) and homophobic bullying has become a new type of mental health problem among sexual minorities. However, few studies have investigated the mediators of the association between these factors. We aimed to develop a model to estimate the mediating effect of emotional symptoms, including depression and anxiety, on this association among gay and bisexual men in Taiwan. In total, 500 gay or bisexual men in early adulthood were recruited, and their histories of homophobic bullying victimization during childhood and adolescence, current severity of PI/SU, and current emotional symptoms were evaluated using self-administered questionnaires. A mediation model was developed to test the mediating effect of emotional symptoms on the association between homophobic bullying victimization and PI/SU. In total, 190 (38%) and 201 (40.2%) of the participants had experiences of traditional and cyber homophobic bullying victimization, respectively. A higher level of homophobic bullying victimization was significantly associated with a more severe level of PI/SU, and this was mediated by a higher severity of emotional symptoms. There was a significant effect of emotional symptoms on the association between homophobic bullying victimization and PI/SU. Timely interventions for emotional symptoms are necessary for gay and bisexual men, especially for those who are victims of homophobic bullying.
Self-adaptive shared control with brain state evaluation network for human-wheelchair cooperation

Objective. For the shared control systems, how to trade off the control weight between robot autonomy and human operator is an important issue, especially for BCI-based systems. However, most of existing shared controllers have paid less attention to the effects caused by subjects with different levels of brain control ability. Approach. In this paper, a brain state evaluation network, termed BSE-NET, is proposed to evaluate subjects’ brain control ability online based on quantized attention-gated kernel reinforcement learning. With the output of BSE-NET (confidence score), a shared controller is designed to dynamically adjust the control weight between robot autonomy and human operator. Main results. The experimental results show that most of subjects achieved high and stable experimental success rate of approximately 90%. Furthermore, for subjects with different accuracy on EEG decoding, a proper confidence score can be dynamically generated to reflect their levels of brain control ability, and the proposed system can effectively adjust the control weight in all-time shared control. Significance. We discuss how our proposed method shows promise for BCI applications that can evaluate subjects’ brain control ability online as well as provide a method for the research on self-adaptive shared control to adaptively balance control weight between subject’s instruction and robot autonomy.
Anaerobic Threshold Determination in Cycle Ergometer From Rating of Perceived Exertion

Abstract Santos, GAd, Numata-Filho, ES, Rosa, TdS, Passos Neves, RV, Simões, HG, and Moreira, SR. Anaerobic threshold determination in cycle ergometer from rating of perceived exertion. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1277–1281, 2022—The objective of the study was to investigate the validity of the rating of perceived exertion threshold (TRPE) for anaerobic threshold (AT) estimation during an incremental test (IT) on a cycle ergometer. Nineteen physically active and healthy men performed an IT on a cycle ergometer. The intensity corresponding to the AT was considered as the point immediately before the abrupt increase in blood lactate concentration ([La]) in the IT. TRPE was determined in the last intensity corresponding to perceptual response previous the 15 arbitrary units (AU) in the 15-point RPE scale. The heart rate (HR), [La], and RPE were obtained at the end of each stage of the IT. There was no significant difference between workload obtained from the AT (150 [120–150] watts) and TRPE (150 [120–150] watts) (p > 0.05). In addition, there were no differences between HR (AT, 139.5 ± 12.7 b·min−1 vs. TRPE, 141.9 ± 14.6 b·min−1, p > 0.05) and [La] (AT, 3.1 [2.8–3.2] mM vs. TRPE, 3.1 [2.9–3.7] mM, p > 0.05). There was a strong correlation between the intensities in AT and TRPE during the IT (r = 0.88). A substantial reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.84 [0.64–0.94 confidence interval 95%]) was evidenced, as well as a substantial agreement between the AT and TRPE intensities (Pc = 0.84), as confirmed by the Bland-Altman plot (−4.7 [−34.2/24.7]). TRPE was a predictor of the AT (β = 1.146, R = 0.770, SEE = 15.070, p < 0.01). It can be concluded that TRPE is valid for AT estimation during an IT on a cycle ergometer.
Risk Factors for Acute Renal Failure after Cardiac Catheterization Most Cited in the Literature: An Integrative Review

Acute renal failure (ARF) represents 17% of the complications of cardiac catheterization (CC), with a high death rate and longer hospitalization time. The objective of this review is to describe the most cited risk factors for acute kidney failure in the literature. It is a descriptive and exploratory Integrative Literature Review (ILR) with a qualitative approach, using articles published in the Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) and PubMed databases between the years of 2009 and 2019 in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, including original articles, reviews, and case studies. The search was made using the following descriptors: cardiac catheterism, kidney diseases, risk factors, coronary catheterization, acute kidney injury, acute renal failure, and nephropathies. The organization and analysis of the data was through the application of a questionnaire that was structured by the authors, and the results are presented in a table. For the final sample, 10 articles were sought. The highlighted factors were being elderly, hypertensive, and diabetic; having previous kidney disease, hypotension, heart failure, higher contrast volumes, and types; the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs associated to other risk factors; and atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation was the main finding, which has recently been documented. The identification of risk factors provides health professionals with information to plan measures to prevent ARF, minimizing complications, length of stay, and mortality.
Application of Model of Plant Population Structure and Phenotypic Divergence

In application and discussion of population structure and phenotypic divergence in plant community, the classic Lotka-Volterra models of competition and spatial model are conceived as a mechanism that is composed by multiple interacting processes. Both the Lotka-Volterra and spatial simulation formulae predict that species diversity increases with genotypic richness (GR). The two formulae are also in agreement that species diversity generally decreases within increasing niche breadth (NB) and increases with increasing potential genotypic range (PGR). Across the entire parameter space in the Lotka-Volterra model and most of the parameter space in the spatial simulations, variance in community composition decreased with increasing genotypic richness. This was, in large part, a consequence of selecting genotypes randomly from a set pool.
Role of Tumor and Stroma-Derived IGF/IGFBPs in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the utmost stroma-rich cancer, which is accompanied by fibrotic reactions that stimulate interactions between tumor cells and stroma to promote tumor progression. Considerable research evidence denotes that insulin-like growth factor (IGF)/IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) signaling axis facilitate tumor growth, metastasis, drug resistance, and thereby facilitate PC into an advanced stage. The six members of IGFBPs were initially considered as passive carriers of free IGFs; however, current evidence revealed their functions beyond the endocrine role in IGF transport. Though numerous efforts have been made in blocking IGF/IGFBPs, the targeted therapies remain unsuccessful due to the complexity of tumor-stromal interactions in the pancreas. In this review, we explore the emerging evidence of the various roles of the tumor as well as stroma derived IGF/IGFBPs and highlight as a novel therapeutic target against PC progression.
High Affinity Binding of N2-Modified Guanine Derivatives Significantly Disrupts the Ligand Binding Pocket of the Guanine Riboswitch

Riboswitches are important model systems for the development of approaches to search for RNA-targeting therapeutics. A principal challenge in finding compounds that target riboswitches is that the effector ligand is typically almost completely encapsulated by the RNA, which severely limits the chemical space that can be explored. Efforts to find compounds that bind the guanine/adenine class of riboswitches with a high affinity have in part focused on purines modified at the C6 and C2 positions. These studies have revealed compounds that have low to sub-micromolar affinity and, in a few cases, have antimicrobial activity. To further understand how these compounds interact with the guanine riboswitch, we have performed an integrated structural and functional analysis of representative guanine derivatives with modifications at the C8, C6 and C2 positions. Our data indicate that while modifications of guanine at the C6 position are generally unfavorable, modifications at the C8 and C2 positions yield compounds that rival guanine with respect to binding affinity. Surprisingly, C2-modified guanines such as N2-acetylguanine completely disrupt a key Watson–Crick pairing interaction between the ligand and RNA. These compounds, which also modulate transcriptional termination as efficiently as guanine, open up a significant new chemical space of guanine modifications in the search for antimicrobial agents that target purine riboswitches.