Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Light Intensity on the Expression of Leucoanthocyanidin Reductase in Grapevine Calluses and Analysis of Its Promoter Activity

To investigate the effect of light intensity on flavonoid biosynthesis, grapevine calluses were subjected to high light (HL, 250 μmol m−2 s−1) and dark (0 μmol m−2 s−1) in comparison to 125 μmol m−2 s−1 under controlled conditions (NL). The alteration of flavonoid profiles was determined and was integrated with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)-based transcriptional changes of the flavonoid pathway genes. Results revealed that dark conditions inhibited flavonoid biosynthesis. Increasing light intensity affected flavonoids differently—the concentrations of flavonols and anthocyanins as well as the expressions of corresponding genes were less affected, whereas flavan-3-ol concentrations were predominantly increased, which caused enhanced trans-flavan-3-ol concentrations. Moreover, genes encoding leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) exhibited different response patterns to light intensity changes—VviLAR1 expression increased with an increased light intensity, whereas VviLAR2 expression was insensitive. We further confirmed that the known transcription factors (TFs) involved in regulating flavan-3-ol biosynthesis utilized VviLAR1 as a target gene in grapevine calluses. In addition, VviLAR1 promoter activity was more sensitive to light intensity changes than that of VviLAR2 as determined using a transgenic Arabidopsis leaf system. These results suggested that light intensity had the most prominent effect on trans-flavan-3-ols in grapevine calluses and demonstrated that the two LAR genes had different response patterns to light intensity changes.
Relationship of Bladder Pain With Clinical and Urinary Markers of Neuroinflammation in Women With Urinary Urgency Without Urinary Incontinence.

PURPOSE The pathogenesis of bladder pain is poorly understood. Our hypothesis is that in women with urinary urgency without incontinence, bladder pain is associated with the presence of neurogenic inflammation in the bladder wall and neuroinflammatory biomarkers in the urine. METHODS We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of women with urinary urgency without incontinence. Urinary symptoms were measured using Female Genitourinary Pain Index. Neuropathic pain, a clinical biomarker of neuroinflammation, was measured using the PainDETECT questionnaire. Inflammatory neuropeptides measured in the urine included nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and osteopontin. Neuropathic pain scores and urinary neuropeptide levels were compared between patients with and without bladder pain using univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS In 101 women with urinary urgency without incontinence, 62 (61%) were in the bladder pain group (visual analog scale score, ≤ 3), whereas 39 (39%) were in the no bladder pain group. Urinary symptom scores (5.0 ± 3.1 versus 3.5 ± 2.4, P < 0.001) and neuropathic pain scores (13.3 ± 8.6 vs 5.1 ± 4.8, P < 0.001) were significantly higher for the bladder pain group than for the no bladder pain group. On multivariable analysis after controlling for age, body mass index, and severity of urinary urgency, bladder pain score was significantly associated with elevated urinary levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (P = 0.04) and osteopontin (P = 0.02), whereas the neuropathic pain score was significantly associated with an increased NGF level (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS In women with urinary urgency without incontinence, bladder pain is associated with the presence of clinical and urinary biomarkers of neuroinflammation.
Four-dimensional (4D) phase velocity optical coherence elastography

Tissue mechanics have been widely studied for the past two decades because they are significantly associated with disease states. The variations of mechanical properties in soft tissues are considerable indicators used for clinical diagnosis and disease monitoring. Optical coherence elastography (OCE) has been extensively developed to characterize the mechanical properties of various tissues. However, these methods are generally based on time-domain data and measure the time-offlight of the localized shear wave propagations. Here, we propose a method to evaluate phase velocity in four-dimensional (4D) space (x, y, z, f), called 4D-OCE phase velocity, and applied it to a heterogeneous phantom with a 4 mm diameter inclusion. A 7.5 MHz highly focused transducer transmitting a toneburst of 500 μs was used to provide an acoustic radiation force (ARF) for transient elastography. A customized 4D acquisition pattern was developed under Microsoft Visual C++ 2019 development environment. The 3D-OCE group velocity was reconstructed to compare with 4D-OCE phase velocity as cross-verification. The experimental result from the heterogeneous phantom showed that 4D-OCE phase velocity is capable of accurately reconstructing a 4D-OCE phase velocity map and provides good contrast between two gelatin materials with different concentrations, 7% versus 14%. The proposed 4D-OCE phase velocity can provide further information to better understand the delicate change of mechanical properties of various biological tissues in each voxel over a range of temporal frequencies.
Whole-body protein kinetics in critically ill patients during 50 or 100% energy provision by enteral nutrition: A randomized cross-over study

Background Enteral nutrition (EN) is a ubiquitous intervention in ICU patients but there is uncertainty regarding the optimal dose, timing and importance for patient-centered outcomes during critical illness. Our research group has previously found an improved protein balance during normocaloric versus hypocaloric parenteral nutrition in neurosurgical ICU patients. We now wanted to investigate if this could be demonstrated in a general ICU population with established enteral feeding, including patients on renal replacement therapy. Methods Patients with EN >80% of energy target as determined by indirect calorimetry were randomized to or 50% or 100% of current EN rate. After 24 hours, whole-body protein kinetics were determined by enteral and parenteral stable isotope tracer infusions. Treatment allocation was then switched, and tracer investigations repeated 24 hours later in a crossover design with patients serving as their own controls. Results Six patients completed the full protocol. During feeding with 100% EN all patients received >1.2 g/kg/day of protein. Mean whole-body protein balance increased from -6.07 to 2.93 µmol phenylalanine/kg/h during 100% EN as compared to 50% (p = 0.044). The oxidation rate of phenylalanine was unaltered (p = 0.78). Conclusions It is possible to assess whole-body protein turnover using a stable isotope technique in critically ill patients during enteral feeding and renal replacement therapy. Our results also suggest a better whole-body protein balance during full dose as compared to half dose EN. As the sample size was smaller than anticipated, this finding should be confirmed in larger studies.
Adolescent sleep timing and dietary patterns in relation to DNA methylation of core circadian genes: a pilot study of Mexican youth

ABSTRACT Mistimed sleep/wake and eating patterns put shift workers at increased risk for cardiometabolic disease, and epigenetic modification of circadian genes has been proposed as a mechanism. Although not as extreme as shift workers, adolescents often have delayed sleep timing and irregular eating patterns. The aim was to assess whether sleep midpoints – median of bed and wake time – and dietary patterns in adolescents were associated with DNA methylation of circadian genes. The study population included 142 Mexican youth (average age of 14.0 (SD = 2.0) years, 49% male). Average sleep midpoint over weekdays was estimated with actigraphy. Diet was assessed with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and three dietary patterns were derived from principal component analysis, a Plant-based & lean proteins pattern, a Meat & starchy pattern, and an Eggs, milk & refined grain pattern. DNA methylation was quantified in blood leukocytes with the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip, and data from 548 CpG sites within 12 circadian genes were examined. Linear regression analyses, adjusted for sex, age, and % monocytes, showed that later sleep timing was associated with higher DNA methylation of several circadian genes, notably with RORB, PER1, CRY2, and NR1D1. Each of the dietary patterns examined was also related to circadian gene DNA methylation, but the Eggs, milk & refined grain pattern (‘breakfast’ pattern) had the clearest evidence of relationships with circadian genes, with inverse associations (lower DNA methylation) across all 12 genes. Findings suggest that timing-related sleep and eating behaviours among adolescents could result in epigenetic modification of clock genes.
Digital Healthy Diet Literacy and Self-Perceived Eating Behavior Change during COVID-19 Pandemic among Undergraduate Nursing and Medical Students: A Rapid Online Survey

Assessing healthy diet literacy and eating behaviors is critical for identifying appropriate public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the psychometric properties of digital healthy diet literacy (DDL) and its association with eating behavior changes during the COVID-19 pandemic among nursing and medical students. We conducted a cross-sectional study from 7 April to 31 May 2020 at 10 public universities in Vietnam, in which 7616 undergraduate students aged 19–27 completed an online survey to assess socio-demographics, clinical parameters, health literacy (HL), DDL, and health-related behaviors. Four items of the DDL scale loaded on one component explained 71.32%, 67.12%, and 72.47% of the scale variances for the overall sample, nursing, and medical students, respectively. The DDL scale was found to have satisfactory item-scale convergent validity and criterion validity, high internal consistency reliability, and no floor or ceiling effect. Of all, 42.8% of students reported healthier eating behavior during the pandemic. A 10-index score increment of DDL was associated with 18%, 23%, and 17% increased likelihood of healthier eating behavior during the pandemic for the overall sample (OR, 1.18; 95%CI, 1.13, 1.24; p < 0.001), nursing students (OR, 1.23; 95%CI, 1.10, 1.35; p < 0.001), and medical students (OR, 1.17; 95%CI, 1.11, 1.24; p < 0.001), respectively. The DDL scale is a valid and reliable tool for the quick assessment of digital healthy diet literacy. Students with higher DDL scores had a higher likelihood of healthier eating behavior during the pandemic.
The novel insecticides flupyradifurone and sulfoxaflor do not act synergistically with viral pathogens in reducing honey bee (Apis mellifera) survival but sulfoxaflor modulates host immunocompetence

The decline of insect pollinators threatens global food security. A major potential cause of decline is considered to be the interaction between environmental stressors, particularly between exposure to pesticides and pathogens. To explore pesticide–pathogen interactions in an important pollinator insect, the honey bee, we used two new nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist insecticides (nACHRs), flupyradifurone (FPF) and sulfoxaflor (SULF), at sublethal and field‐realistic doses in a fully crossed experimental design with three common viral honey bee pathogens, Black queen cell virus (BQCV) and Deformed wing virus (DWV) genotypes A and B. Through laboratory experiments in which treatments were administered singly or in combination to individual insects, we recorded harmful effects of FPF and pathogens on honey bee survival and immune gene expression. Though we found no evidence of synergistic interactions among stressors on either honey bee survival or viral load, the combined treatment SULF and DWV‐B led to a synergistic upregulation of dicer‐like gene expression. We conclude that common viral pathogens pose a major threat to honey bees, while co‐exposure to these novel nACHR insecticides does not significantly exacerbate viral impacts on host survival in the laboratory.
Mapping the time course of semantic activation in mediated false memory: Immediate classification, naming, and recognition

We evaluated the time course of persistent automatic spreading activation from a mediated list of indirect associates (e.g., meow, day, and basement) that all converged upon a non-presented critical item (CI; e.g., black). Mediated lists were related to CIs through non-presented mediators (e.g., cat, night, and bottom). Three speeded tasks were used to evaluate the time course of semantic activation of the CI: a continuous semantic classification task (concrete/abstract decisions), a naming task (reading words aloud), or a recognition test (old/new memory decisions). Test lists were presented immediately following the mediated lists, and CIs were presented in the first, third, or eighth positions. The results revealed that in both the classification and naming tasks, CI priming was greatest in the first test position and declined across the remaining test positions. Importantly, priming was statistically reliable in the late test positions, providing evidence for long-term semantic priming (i.e., across positions on immediate tasks). False recognition, however, was stable across test positions. Collectively, these patterns suggest that spreading-activation processes decline, consistent with implicit spreading activation, and these processes may contribute to long-term false recognition.
Oral intake of mesoporous silica is safe and well tolerated in male humans

Background Precisely engineered mesoporous silica has been shown to induce weight loss in mice, but whether it is safe to use in humans have not investigated. Objective The aim was to determine whether oral dosing, up to 9 grams/day, of precisely engineered mesoporous silica as a food additive can be used safely in male humans. Design This single blinded safety study consisted of two study arms including 10 males each (18–35 years). One arm consisted of participants with normal weight and one with obesity. After a placebo run-in period, all subjects were given porous silica three times daily, with increasing dose up to 9 grams/day (Phase 1). Subjects with obesity continued the study with highest dose for additional 10 weeks (Phase 2). Results All participants completed Phase 1 and 90% completed Phase 2, with approximately 1% missed doses. Participants reported no abdominal discomfort, and changes in bowel habits were minor and inconsistent. The side effects observed were mild and tolerable, biomarkers did not give any safety concern, and no severe adverse events occurred. Conclusion Mesoporous silica intake of up to 9 grams/day can be consumed by males without any major adverse events or safety concerns.
TiO2 nanotube array-modified electrodes for L-cysteine biosensing: experimental and density-functional theory study

We report a non-enzymatic facile method for the detection of L-cysteine (L-Cyst) using free-standing TiO2 nanotube (TNT) array-modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs). Self-organized, highly ordered, and vertically oriented TNT arrays were fabricated by anodization of titanium sheets in ethylene glycol-based electrolyte. Detailed electrochemical measurements were performed and it was found that modified GCE exhibited high current compared to the pristine counterpart. The high current of the modified electrode was attributed to the high surface area and enhanced electrocatalytic activities of the TNTs toward the L-Cyst oxidation. Under the optimum conditions, the modified electrode exhibited a high sensitivity of ∼1.68 µA mM−1 cm−2 with a low detection limit of ∼0.1 mM. The fabricated electrode was found to be sensitive to pH and electrolyte temperature. The real sample analysis of the proposed method showed a decent recovery toward L-Cyst addition in human blood serum. Furthermore, the density-funcational theory (DFT) analysis revealed that TNTs have greater affinity toward L-Cyst, having stronger binding distance after its adsorption. The higher negative E ads values suggested a stable and chemisorption nature. The density of states results show that the E gap of TNTs is significantly reduced after L-Cyst adsorption. The modified GCE showed excellent selectivity, enhanced stability, and fast response, which make TNTs a promising candidate for the enzyme-free detection of other biological analytes.
Accelerated in vitro recellularization of decellularized porcine pericardium for cardiovascular grafts

An ideal decellularized allogenic or xenogeneic cardiovascular graft should be capable of preventing thrombus formation after implantation. The antithrombogenicity of the graft is ensured by a confluent endothelial cell layer formed on its surface. Later repopulation and remodeling of the scaffold by the patient’s cells should result in the formation of living autologous tissue. In the work presented here, decellularized porcine pericardium scaffolds were modified by growing a fibrin mesh on the surface and inside the scaffolds, and by attaching heparin and human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to this mesh. Then the scaffolds were seeded with human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs). While the ASCs grew only on the surface of the decellularized pericardium, the fibrin-modified scaffolds were entirely repopulated in 28 d, and the scaffolds modified with fibrin, heparin and VEGF were already repopulated within 6 d. Label free mass spectrometry revealed fibronectin, collagens, and other extracellular matrix proteins produced by ASCs during recellularization. Thin layers of human umbilical endothelial cells were formed within 4 d after the cells were seeded on the surfaces of the scaffold, which had previously been seeded with ASCs. The results indicate that an artificial tissue prepared by in vitro recellularization and remodeling of decellularized non-autologous pericardium with autologous ASCs seems to be a promising candidate for cardiovascular grafts capable of accelerating in situ endothelialization. ASCs resemble the valve interstitial cells present in heart valves. An advantage of this approach is that ASCs can easily be collected from the patient by liposuction.
Effect of Orento, a Traditional Japanese Medicine, on IL-6, IL-8 Secretion, Type 1 Collagen Production and Alkaline Phosphatase Secretion in the Human Osteosarcoma Cell Line Saos-2

Background: Orento, a traditional Japanese medicine, is known as Kampo medicine in Japan. We investigated the possible efficacy of Kampo medicine for periodontal disease. In this study, we examined the in vitro effects of orento on the proliferation of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, the production of type 1 collagen, and the secretion of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the human osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2 (Saos-2 cells). Methods: The proliferation of Saos-2 cells was assessed by MTT assay. IL-6 and IL-8 levels, type 1 collagen production and ALP secretion were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and ALP assays. Saos-2 cells were treated with or without 0.1, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 μg/mL of orento for 24 h. Results: Orento (10 μg/mL) significantly induced the proliferation of Saos-2 cells. At this concentration, orento suppressed IL-6 and IL-8 and enhanced type 1 collagen production and ALP secretion. Conclusions: These results indicate that orento controls the IL-6 and IL-8 secretion and cellular metabolism of osteoblasts, resulting in the secretion of early bone-related biomarkers.
Determination of the genome size and the number of markers for saturation of linkage maps of citrus

The objective of this study was to determine the size of the genome of citrus and correlate it with the number of markers necessary to saturate linkage maps. Linkage maps of ‘Pera’ sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) and ‘Cravo’ mandarin (C. reticulata Blanco) were constructed using 123 and 53 RAPD markers, respectively. The estimation of the genome size was conducted using regression models, the method of moments and Poisson probability. These approaches revealed a significant variation when estimating the genomes of ‘Pera’ (612 to 1731 cM) and ‘Cravo’ (392 to 698 cM). The average number of markers necessary to saturate 99% of the genetic length determined for the genomes of ‘Pera’ and ‘Cravo’ was 183 and 98, respectively. The linkage maps of these two varieties showed that the markers were distributed in clusters and this affected the accuracy of the estimates, especially of the ‘Cravo’ mandarin.
Asenapine Transdermal Patch for the Management of Schizophrenia.

Purpose of Review This is a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the use of asenapine for the treatment of schizophrenia (SZ) in adults. It covers an introduction, epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, and current treatment modalities regarding SZ, provides a background on the mechanism of action of asenapine, and then reviews the existing evidence for use of asenapine in both its sublingual and transdermal formulation in the treatment of SZ. Recent Findings SZ is a complex and multifactorial mental disorder which is thought to combine several genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors causing abnormalities in the dopaminergic system. Symptoms are categorized in delusions, hallucinations, disorganization, and negative presentations like affective flattening and apathy. Current treatment focuses on antipsychotic medications by means of oral administration or long-acting injection. Asenapine is a second-generation antipsychotic with 5HT-2A antagonist and 5HT-1A/1B partial agonist properties, which provides a favorable profile in targeting schizophrenic symptoms, while reducing motor side effects and improving mood and cognition. Asenapine in its sublingual formulation was FDA approved for treatment of SZ and bipolar I disorder in adults in August of 2009 and has been proven to be both effective and safe. Transdermal patch of asenapine (Secuado) was FDA approved in October of 2019, the first and only FDA approved patch for SZ in adults, which offers another strategy for treatment to improve compliance and ease of administration. Summary SZ is a chronic and debilitating disease which is still not well understood and comes at great cost with regards to the quality of life for patients. Medication side-effects and compliance are enormous issues which take a toll on health care systems in industrialized nations and keep patients from achieving stability with their disease. Transdermal asenapine is a new first-in-class dosage form and provides a novel modality of administration. It has been shown to be effective in reducing positive, as well as negative symptoms, while still maintaining a favorable side-effect profile.
Synthesis of Vertical Carbon Nanotube Interconnect Structures Using CMOS-Compatible Catalysts

Synthesis of the vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible methods is essential to integrate the CNT contact and interconnect to nanoscale devices and ultra-dense integrated nanoelectronics. However, the synthesis of high-density CNT array at low-temperature remains a challenging task. The advances in the low-temperature synthesis of high-density vertical CNT structures using CMOS-compatible methods are reviewed. Primarily, recent works on theoretical simulations and experimental characterizations of CNT growth emphasized the critical roles of catalyst design in reducing synthesis temperature and increasing CNT density. In particular, the approach of using multilayer catalyst film to generate the alloyed catalyst nanoparticle was found competent to improve the active catalyst nanoparticle formation and reduce the CNT growth temperature. With the multilayer catalyst, CNT arrays were directly grown on metals, oxides, and 2D materials. Moreover, the relations among the catalyst film thickness, CNT diameter, and wall number were surveyed, which provided potential strategies to control the tube density and the wall density of synthesized CNT array.