Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Fear of COVID-19 scale in Paraguayan population

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study is to test the psychometric properties of the Spanish validation of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) in a Paraguayan population. Methods: Participants were recruited through an Internet-based survey. All participants whose scores in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and The Fear Questionnaire (FQ) were greater than zero were included. 1245 subjects responded voluntarily: 1077 subjects, scoring >0, were considered. Results: To establish construct validity of the FCV-19S, an exploratory factor analysis was performed using the KMO test, which was adequate, and the Bartlett sphericity test, which was significant (p <.0001). The CFI, NFI, GFI, TLI and RMSEA indices were used to evaluate the model and showed good adjustment. Cronbach’s α showed valid internal consistency (α = 0.86). This validation was supported by significant correlation (p <.001) with the HADS scale for anxiety and depression and with the FQ scale for specific phobia. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the FCV-19S is a 7-item scale with two dimensions, psychological symptoms and physiological symptoms, which demonstrated robust psychometric properties in a Paraguayan population.
Non-Furanic Humins-Based Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane (NIPU) Thermoset Wood Adhesives

Predominantly non-furanic commercial humins were used to prepare humin-based non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) resins for wood panel adhesives. Pure humin-based NIPU resins and tannin–humin NIPU resins were prepared, the latter to upgrade the humins’ performance. Species in the raw humins and species formed in the NIPU resins were identified by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI ToF) spectrometry and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Humins, fulvic acid and derivatives, humic acid and its fragments, some lignans present and furanic oligomers present formed NIPU linkages. Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) showed that as with other biomaterials-based NIPU resins, all these resins also showed two temperature peaks of curing, the first around 130 °C and the second around 220 °C. A decrease in the Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) between the two indicated that the first curing period corresponded to linear growth of the oligomers forming a physical entanglement network. This then disentangled, and the second corresponded to the formation of a chemical cross-linked network. This second peak was more evident for the tannin–humin NIPU resins. All the laboratory particleboard made and tested either bonded with pure humins or with tannin–humin NIPU adhesives satisfied well the internal bond strength requirements of the relevant standard for interior grade panels. The tannin–humin adhesives performed clearly better than the pure humins one.
Transcranial Evoked Potentials Can Be Reliably Recorded with Active Electrodes

Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are usually recorded with passive electrodes (PE). Active electrode (AE) systems have recently become widely available; compared to PE, they allow for easier electrode preparation and a higher-quality signal, due to the preamplification at the electrode stage, which reduces electrical line noise. The performance between the AE and PE can differ, especially with fast EEG voltage changes, which can easily occur with TMS-EEG; however, a systematic comparison in the TMS-EEG setting has not been made. Therefore, we recorded TMS-evoked EEG potentials (TEPs) in a group of healthy subjects in two sessions, one using PE and the other using AE. We stimulated the left primary motor cortex and right medial prefrontal cortex and used two different approaches to remove early TMS artefacts, Independent Component Analysis and Signal Space Projection—Source Informed Recovery. We assessed statistical differences in amplitude and topography of TEPs, and their similarity, by means of the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). We also tested the capability of each system to approximate the final TEP waveform with a reduced number of trials. The results showed that TEPs recorded with AE and PE do not differ in amplitude and topography, and only few electrodes showed a lower-than-expected CCC between the two methods of amplification. We conclude that AE are a viable solution for TMS-EEG recording.
DETERMINATION OF COLLAGEN SOLUBILITY AND CONCENTRATION IN MEAT BY NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY

This paper examines the feasibility of measuring collagen properties by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in ovine Semimembranosus and Biceps femoris muscles. Because collagen concentration within a muscle was rather narrow, the R for collagen concentration was never more than 0.55. By contrast, R for solubility was better, especially for Semimembranosus, always exceeding 0.80. No one scanning method — fiberoptic probe or the in-built transport module — was superior, either in reflectance or transmittance modes. The equations developed were tested for predictive power by cross-validation procedures within muscles and between muscles. In the latter case, Biceps femoris data were used in a Semimembranosus equation and vice versa. The equations worked in any combination. However, there were indications that the correlations were sensitive to the state of the meat, whole tissue or homogenized, although the wavelength range 910 to 950 nm did not vary with sample state.
Physiological response of diverse halophytes to high salinity through ionic accumulation and ROS scavenging

Abstract Salt stress induced modulations in different ionic ratios and ROS system were studied in ten halophytic species, namely Atriplex lentiformis, Tamarix aphylla, Sporobolus marginatus, Suaeda nudiflora, Urochondra setulosa, Arundo donax, Aeluropus lagopoides, Heliotropium ramossimum, Atriplex nummularia, Leptachloa fusca at salinity level of ECe ∼ 30 dSm−1 (≈300 mM NaCl) to explore their possible role in salt tolerance ability of these halophytes. These halophytes were categorized for their salt tolerance levels based on the ratios of Na+/K+, Na+/Ca2+, Na+/Cl− and Na + Cl/K + Ca. Variable responses were observed among all halophytes where Atriplex lentiformis had lowest leaf Na+/K+ (0.44) which is one of the best indicator of salt tolerance, Heliotropium ramossimum had lowest Na+/Ca2+ and Na+/Cl− (0.97 and 0.18), whereas Sporobolus marginatus had lowest Na + Cl/K + Ca (0.79). Specific enzymes activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) were also assessed to get better comprehension of the ROS scavenging system under salinity in these halophytes. Urochondra setulosa showed highest APX and SOD activity followed by Atriplex lentiformis. Most efficient enzyme in degrading hydrogen peroxide i.e. CAT showed highest activity in Suaeda nudiflora followed by Atriplex nummularia and Urochondra setulosa, whereas Atriplex nummularia and Atriplex lentiformis showed higher POX activity. Significant variability in H2O2 and MDA content was also observed. These results possibly suggest higher inbuilt genetic potential of these halophytes to combat high salinity induced oxidative stress via higher antioxidant activities. Novelty statement: Halophytic plant adopt different strategies to cope up with the toxic ions and our studies show that the induction of antioxidant defense system to scavenge ROS, alongwith structural modifications in terms of lipid peroxidation and compartmentalization of toxic ions are the main strategies for tighter control of ion fluxes in the studied halophytes.
Decreased p53 is associated with a decline in asymmetric stem cell self‐renewal in aged human epidermis

With age, the epidermis becomes hypoplastic and hypoproliferative. Hypoproliferation due to aging has been associated with decreased stem cell (SC) self‐renewal in multiple murine tissues. The fate of SC self‐renewal divisions can be asymmetric (one SC, one committed progenitor) or symmetric (two SCs). Increased asymmetric SC self‐renewal has been observed in inflammatory‐mediated hyperproliferation, while increased symmetric SC self‐renewal has been observed in cancers. We analyzed SC self‐renewal divisions in aging human epidermis to better understand the role of SCs in the hypoproliferation of aging. In human subjects, neonatal to 78 years, there was an age‐dependent decrease in epidermal basal layer divisions. The balance of SC self‐renewal shifted toward symmetric SC self‐renewal, with a decline in asymmetric SC self‐renewal. Asymmetric SC divisions maintain epidermal stratification, and this decrease may contribute to the hypoplasia of aging skin. P53 decreases in multiple tissues with age, and p53 has been shown to promote asymmetric SC self‐renewal. Fewer aged than adult ALDH+CD44+ keratinocyte SCs exhibited p53 expression and activity and Nutlin‐3 (a p53 activator) returned p53 activity as well as asymmetric SC self‐renewal divisions to adult levels. Nutlin‐3 increased Notch signaling (NICD, Hes1) and DAPT inhibition of Notch activation prevented Nutlin‐3 (p53)‐induced asymmetric SC self‐renewal divisions in aged keratinocytes. These studies indicate a role for p53 in the decreased asymmetric SC divisions with age and suggest that in aged keratinocytes, Notch is required for p53‐induced asymmetric SC divisions.
Effects of Randomized Controlled Infancy-Onset Dietary Intervention on Leukocyte Telomere Length—The Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP)

Reduced telomere length (TL) is a biological marker of aging. A high inter-individual variation in TL exists already in childhood, which is partly explained by genetics, but also by lifestyle factors. We examined the influence of a 20-year dietary/lifestyle intervention on TL attrition from childhood to early adulthood. The study comprised participants of the longitudinal randomized Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP) conducted between 1990 and 2011. Healthy 7-month-old children were randomized to the intervention group (n = 540) receiving dietary counseling mainly focused on dietary fat quality and to the control group (n = 522). Leukocyte TL was measured using the Southern blot method from whole blood samples collected twice: at a mean age of 7.5 and 19.8 years (n = 232; intervention n = 108, control n = 124). Yearly TL attrition rate was calculated. The participants of the intervention group had slower yearly TL attrition rate compared to the controls (intervention: mean = −7.5 bp/year, SD = 24.4 vs. control: mean = −15.0 bp/year, SD = 30.3; age, sex and baseline TL adjusted β = 0.007, SE = 0.004, p = 0.040). The result became stronger after additional adjustments for dietary fat quality and fiber intake, serum lipid and insulin concentrations, systolic blood pressure, physical activity and smoking (β = 0.013, SE = 0.005, p = 0.009). A long-term intervention focused mainly on dietary fat quality may affect the yearly TL attrition rate in healthy children/adolescents.
Suitability of denervated muscle flaps as recipient sites for pancreatic islet cell transplantation

Background Extensive research has been conducted on islet transplantation as a possible cure for diabetes. Islet transplantation in the liver via the portal vein has shown remarkable results, but numerous other recipient sites are currently being investigated. We aimed to show the effectiveness of using a muscle flap as a recipient site for islet transplantation. Methods Islet cells were harvested from 12 isogenic Lewis rats, and then diabetes was induced in another 12 isogenic Lewis rats by streptozotocin injection. In six rats, 3,000 islets were transplanted into gastrocnemius muscle flaps, and in the other six rats, the same number of islets were transplanted into the gastrocnemius muscle. The transplanted islet cell function between the two groups was compared by means of blood glucose tests, glucose tolerance tests, immunohistochemistry, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results In the muscle flap group, blood glucose levels significantly decreased after islet transplantation. Blood glucose levels were significantly different between the two groups at 3 weeks after transplantation. The muscle flap group showed nearly normoglycemic results upon the glucose tolerance test, whereas the muscle group was hyperglycemic. Immunohistochemical evaluation showed positive results against insulin and glucagon in biopsies of both groups, and the islet cell density was higher in the muscle flap group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction results. Conclusions Our results suggest that muscle flaps are promising candidates for islet cell transplantation.
Atypical PKCs activate Vimentin to facilitate prostate cancer cell motility and invasion

ABSTRACT Atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) are involved in progression of many human cancers. Vimentin is expressed during epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Molecular dynamics of Vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs) play a key role in metastasis. This article is an effort to provide thorough understanding of the relationship between Vimentin and aPKCs . We demonstrate that diminution of aPKCs lead to attenuate prostate cellular metastasis through the downregulation of Vimentin expression. siRNA knocked-down SNAIL1 and PRRX1 reduce aPKC activity along with Vimentin. Results suggest that aPKCs target multiple activation sites (Ser33/39/56) on Vimentin and therefore is essential for VIF dynamics regulation during the metastasis of prostate cancer cells. Understanding the aPKC related molecular mechanisms may provide a novel therapeutic path for prostate carcinoma.
Catenin alpha 1 mutations cause familial exudative vitreoretinopathy by overactivating Norrin/beta-catenin signaling.

Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a severe retinal vascular disease that causes blindness. FEVR has been linked to mutations in several genes associated with inactivation of the Norrin/β-catenin signaling pathway, but these account for only approximately 50% of cases. We report that mutations in CTNNA1 (α-catenin) cause FEVR by overactivating the β-catenin pathway and disrupting cell adherens junctions. Three heterozygous mutations in CTNNA1 (p.F72S, p.R376Cfs*27 and p.P893L) were identified by exome-sequencing. We further demon-strated that FEVR-associated mutations led to overactivation of Norrin/β-catenin signaling due to impaired protein interactions within the cadherin/catenin complex. The clinical features of FEVR were reproduced in mice lacking Ctnna1 in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) or with overactivat-ed β-catenin signaling by an EC-specific gain-of-function allele of Ctnnb1. In isolated mouse lung endothelial cells, both CTNNA1-P893L and F72S mutants failed to rescue either the dis-rupted F-ACTIN arrangement or VE-Cadherin and CTNNB1 distribution. Moreover, we discov-ered that compound heterozygous Ctnna1 F72S and a deletion allele could cause similar pheno-type. Furthermore, a LRP5 mutation, which activates Norrin/β-catenin signaling, was identified in a FEVR family and the corresponding knock-in mice exhibited partial FEVR-like phenotype. Our study demonstrates that precise regulation of β-catenin activation is critical for retinal vascu-lar development and provides new insights into the pathogenesis of FEVR.
Phage Amplification Assay for Detection of Mycobacterial Infection: A Review

An important prerequisite for the effective control, timely diagnosis, and successful treatment of mycobacterial infections in both humans and animals is a rapid, specific, and sensitive detection technique. Culture is still considered the gold standard in the detection of viable mycobacteria; however, mycobacteria are extremely fastidious and slow-growing microorganisms, and therefore cultivation requires a very long incubation period to obtain results. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods are also frequently used in the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections, providing faster and more accurate results, but are unable to distinguish between a viable and non-viable microorganism, which results in an inability to determine the success of tuberculosis patient treatment or to differentiate between an active and passive infection of animals. One suitable technique that overcomes these shortcomings mentioned is the phage amplification assay (PA). PA specifically detects viable mycobacteria present in a sample within 48 h using a lytic bacteriophage isolated from the environment. Nowadays, an alternative approach to PA, a commercial kit called Actiphage™, is also employed, providing the result within 6–8 h. In this approach, the bacteriophage is used to lyse mycobacterial cells present in the sample, and the released DNA is subsequently detected by PCR. The objective of this review is to summarize information based on the PA used for detection of mycobacteria significant in both human and veterinary medicine from various kinds of matrices.
Acquisition and carriage of multidrug‐resistant organisms in dogs and cats presented to small animal practices and clinics in Switzerland

Abstract Background The emergence and spread of multidrug‐resistant organisms (MDRO) present a threat to human and animal health. Objectives To assess acquisition, prevalence of and risk factors for MDRO carriage in dogs and cats presented to veterinary clinics or practices in Switzerland. Animals Privately owned dogs (n = 183) and cats (n = 88) presented to 4 veterinary hospitals and 1 practice. Methods Prospective, longitudinal, observational study. Oronasal and rectal swabs were collected at presentation and 69% of animals were sampled again at discharge. Methicillin‐resistant (MR) staphylococci and macrococci, cephalosporinase‐, and carbapenemase‐producing (CP) Enterobacterales were isolated. Genetic relatedness of isolates was assessed by repetitive sequence‐based polymerase chain reaction and multilocus sequence typing. Risk factors for MDRO acquisition and carriage were analyzed based on questionnaire‐derived and hospitalization data. Results Admission prevalence of MDRO carriage in pets was 15.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.4‐20.4). The discharge prevalence and acquisition rates were 32.1% (95% CI, 25.5‐39.3) and 28.3% (95% CI, 22‐35.4), respectively. Predominant hospital‐acquired isolates were extended spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Escherichia coli (ESBL‐E coli; 17.3%) and β‐lactamase‐producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.7%). At 1 institution, a cluster of 24 highly genetically related CP (bla oxa181 and bla oxa48) was identified. Multivariate analysis identified hospitalization at clinic 1 (odds ratio [OR], 5.1; 95% CI, 1.6‐16.8) and days of hospitalization (OR 3‐5 days, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.8‐10.9; OR > 5 days, 6.2; 95% CI, 1.3‐28.8) as risk factors for MDRO acquisition in dogs. Conclusions Veterinary hospitals play an important role in the selection and transmission of MDRO among veterinary patients.
Palmitoylation Controls NMDA Receptor Function and Steroid Sensitivity

NMDARs are ligand-gated ion channels that cause an influx of Na+ and Ca2+ into postsynaptic neurons. The resulting intracellular Ca2+ transient triggers synaptic plasticity. When prolonged, it may induce excitotoxicity, but it may also activate negative feedback to control the activity of NMDARs. Here, we report that a transient rise in intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+ challenge) increases the sensitivity of NMDARs but not AMPARs/kainate receptors to the endogenous inhibitory neurosteroid 20-oxo-5β-pregnan-3α-yl 3-sulfate and to its synthetic analogs, such as 20-oxo-5β-pregnan-3α-yl 3-hemipimelate (PAhPim). In cultured hippocampal neurons, 30 μm PAhPim had virtually no effect on NMDAR responses; however, following the Ca2+ challenge, it inhibited the responses by 62%; similarly, the Ca2+ challenge induced a 3.7-fold decrease in the steroid IC50 on recombinant GluN1/GluN2B receptors. The increase in the NMDAR sensitivity to PAhPim was dependent on three cysteines (C849, C854, and C871) located in the carboxy-terminal domain of the GluN2B subunit, previously identified to be palmitoylated (Hayashi et al., 2009). Our experiments suggested that the Ca2+ challenge induced receptor depalmitoylation, and single-channel analysis revealed that this was accompanied by a 55% reduction in the probability of channel opening. Results of in silico modeling indicate that receptor palmitoylation promotes anchoring of the GluN2B subunit carboxy-terminal domain to the plasma membrane and facilitates channel opening. Depalmitoylation-induced changes in the NMDAR pharmacology explain the neuroprotective effect of PAhPim on NMDA-induced excitotoxicity. We propose that palmitoylation-dependent changes in the NMDAR sensitivity to steroids serve as an acute endogenous mechanism that controls NMDAR activity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT There is considerable interest in negative allosteric modulators of NMDARs that could compensate for receptor overactivation by glutamate or de novo gain-of-function mutations in neurodevelopmental disorders. By a combination of electrophysiological, pharmacological, and computational techniques we describe a novel feedback mechanism regulating NMDAR activity. We find that a transient rise in intracellular Ca2+ increases NMDAR sensitivity to inhibitory neurosteroids in a process dependent on GluN2B subunit depalmitoylation. These results improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of steroid action at the NMDAR and indeed of the basic properties of this important glutamate-gated ion channel and may aid in the development of therapeutics for treating neurologic and psychiatric diseases related to overactivation of NMDARs without affecting normal physiological functions.
Circulating prostate cancer cells have differential resistance to fluid shear stress-induced cell death

ABSTRACT Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are exposed to fluid shear stress (FSS) of greater than 1000 dyn/cm2 (100 Pa) in circulation. Normally, CTCs that are exposed to FSS of this magnitude die. However, some CTCs develop resistance to this FSS, allowing them to colonize distant organs. We explored how prostate CTCs can resist cell death in response to forces of this magnitude. The DU145, PC3 and LNCaP human prostate cancer cell lines were used to represent cells of different metastatic origins. The cell lines were briefly treated with an average FSS of 3950 dyn/cm2 (395 Pa) using a 30 G needle and a syringe pump. DU145 cells had no change in cell viability, PC3 cells had some cell death and LNCaP cells exhibited significant cell death. These cell death responses correlated with increased cell membrane damage, less efficient membrane repair and increased stiffness. Additionally, FSS treatment prevented the LNCaP FSS-sensitive cell line from forming a growing tumor in vivo. This suggests that these properties play a role in FSS resistance and could represent potential targets for disrupting blood-borne metastasis. Summary: Prostate cancer cells have different sensitivities to fluid forces that alter their resistance to elevated blood flow-level fluid shear stress.