Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new approach for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: insulin-quantum dots

Abstract The potential use of insulin supplementation for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) was aimed to investigate and explore CQDs as an alternative delivery system. CQDs were produced by microwave and characterised. Insulin-loaded Ins-CQDs and in-situ Gel-Ins-CQDs were developed. The in vitro release kinetics, penetrations of insulin through excised sheep nasal mucosa were determined. Toxicity of CQDs were calculated on SH-SY5Y cells. The stability and usability of the prepared formulations were assessed. The insulin release from the solution was 70.75% after 3 hours, while it was 37.51% for in-situ Gel-Ins-CQDs. IC50 value was 52 µM. The mean particle diameters of Ins-CQDs and in-situ Gel-Ins-CQDs varied between 8.35 ± 0.19 to 8.75 ± 0.03 nm during a 6-month period. Zeta potentials ranged from −31.51 ± 1.39 to −24.43 ± 0.26 mV, and PDI values were between 9.8 ± 0.01 to 5.3 ± 3.2%(SD, n = 3) for Ins-CQDs and in-situ Gel-Ins-CQDs, respectively. Our results show that Gel-Ins-CQDs represented a controlled release over time and can be used for AD through the nasal route.
Wiring and Volume Transmission: An Overview of the Dual Modality for Serotonin Neurotransmission

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in the modulation of a multitude of physiological and behavioral processes. In spite of the relatively reduced number of serotonin-producing neurons present in the mammalian CNS, a complex long-range projection system provides profuse innervation to the whole brain. Heterogeneity of serotonin receptors, grouped in seven families, and their spatiotemporal expression pattern account for its widespread impact. Although neuronal communication occurs primarily at tiny gaps called synapses, wiring transmission, another mechanism based on extrasynaptic diffusion of neuroactive molecules and referred to as volume transmission, has been described. While wiring transmission is a rapid and specific one-to-one modality of communication, volume transmission is a broader and slower mode in which a single element can simultaneously act on several different targets in a one-to-many mode. Some experimental evidence regarding ultrastructural features, extrasynaptic localization of receptors and transporters, and serotonin–glia interactions collected over the past four decades supports the existence of a serotonergic system of a dual modality of neurotransmission, in which wiring and volume transmission coexist. To date, in spite of the radical difference in the two modalities, limited information is available on the way they are coordinated to mediate the specific activities in which serotonin participates. Understanding how wiring and volume transmission modalities contribute to serotonergic neurotransmission is of utmost relevance for the comprehension of serotonin functions in both physiological and pathological conditions.
Conservation of Antillean manatees in the Drowned Cayes area of Belize

Conservation of Antillean Manatees in the Drowned Cayes Area of Belize. (May 2008) Caryn Self Sullivan, B.S., Coastal Carolina University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Jane M. Packard Dr. William E. Evans The purpose of this study was to determine how manatees use Swallow Caye, Drowned Cayes, and Gallows Reef, three distinct habitat types within the Belize Barrier Reef lagoon system near Belize City. Data were collected using boat-based point scan methods with the assistance of volunteers. Presence/absence and photo ID methods ensured consistency of data collection despite a changing pool of volunteer researchers. Results confirmed the mangrove and seagrass ecosystem between the Belize Barrier Reef and Belize City as important manatee habitat. Inconsistent with the prevailing "seasonal distribution hypothesis" for manatees in Belize, the probability of encountering manatees at Swallow Caye and in the Drowned Cayes was equal between dry and wet seasons. However, manatees were only observed at Gallows Reef during the wet season. Swallow Caye had the highest probability of encountering manatees, confirming traditional knowledge held by local tour operators, which led to the establishment of Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary in 2002. In contrast to previous studies, my data suggest that at least 44% of the manatee population carry scars from non-lethal boat strikes. The proportion of scarred animals did not vary as a function of habitat type, season, or year. The probability of encountering manatees did not change
Sclerochronological characteristics of Orbicella faveolata in Cayo Arenas, a remote coral reef from the Gulf of Mexico

During coral calcification in massive scleractinian corals, a double annual banding of different densities (high- and low-density) is formed in their skeletons, which can provide a retrospective record of growth and the influence of environmental conditions on the coral’s lifespan. Evidence indicates that during the last decades, the reduction in coral calcification rate is attributed to the combination of global stress factors such as Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and local anthropic stressors. Yet, coral growth trajectories can vary between regions and coral species, where remote locations of coral reefs can act as natural laboratories, as they are far from the harmful effects of direct anthropogenic stressors. The present study reports historical chronology over a 24-year period (1992–2016) of coral extension rate (cm yr-1), skeletal density (g cm-3), and calcification rate (g cm-2 yr-1) of the reef-building coral Orbicella faveolata at the remote reef Cayo Arenas, Campeche Bank, in the south-eastern Gulf of Mexico. The relationships between the three sclerochronological features show that O. faveolata uses its calcification resources to build denser skeletons. Chronological trends indicate that coral extension increased, skeletal density and calcification rate decreased (33% calcification rate) over time. The results reveal that despite the remoteness of the locality the maximum SST has been increased, and the coral calcification rate decreased over time. If the temperature continues to rise, there is a conceivable risk of experiencing a decline in reef-building coral species. This scenario, in turn, could pose a significant threat, endangering not only the framework of coral reefs but also their ecological functionality, even within remote Atlantic reef ecosystems.
Cerebrovascular Function is Altered in Hemodialysis Patients

Key Points Hemodialysis patients have impaired cerebrovascular reactivity. Hemodialysis patients have cerebral structural deficits. Background Hemodialysis patients have declines in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral oxygenation during hemodialysis that may lead to ischemic brain injury. Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) may indicate which individuals are more susceptible to intradialytic hypoperfusion and ischemia. We hypothesized that hemodialysis patients would have decreased CVR and increased CBF relative to controls and deficits in CVR would be related to brain structural deficits. Methods We measured cortical thickness and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume from T1 and T2 fluid attenuation inversion recovery images, respectively; CVR from a breath hold blood oxygen level–dependent CVR functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); and arterial transit time and CBF from arterial spin labeling. Cerebrovascular and structural deficits in gray matter and white matter (GM and WM) were tested by averaging across the tissue and with a pothole analysis. Finally, we correlated cortical thickness and WMH volume with GM and WM cerebrovascular variables to assess the relationship between brain structure and cerebrovascular health. Results In ten hemodialysis patients, cortical thickness was found to be decreased (P = 0.002), WMH volume increased (P = 0.004), and WM CBF increased (P = 0.02) relative to ten controls. Pothole analysis indicated a higher number of increased GM and WM CBF voxels (P = 0.03, P = 0.02) and a higher number of decreased GM and WM CVR voxels (P = 0.02, P = 0.01). Conclusions This pilot study demonstrates that hemodialysis patients have decreased CVR and increased CBF relative to controls, along with reduced brain integrity. Further investigation is required to fully understand whether these cerebrovascular deficits may lead to structural changes.
Digital Personal Health Coaching Platform for Promoting Human Papillomavirus Infection Vaccinations and Cancer Prevention: Knowledge Graph-Based Recommendation System

Background Health promotion can empower populations to gain more control over their well-being by using digital interventions that focus on preventing the root causes of diseases. Digital platforms for personalized health coaching can improve health literacy and information-seeking behavior, leading to better health outcomes. Personal health records have been designed to enhance patients’ self-management of a disease or condition. Existing personal health records have been mostly designed and deployed as a supplementary service that acts as views into electronic health records. Objective We aim to overcome some of the limitations of electronic health records. This study aims to design and develop a personal health library (PHL) that generates personalized recommendations for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine promotion and cancer prevention. Methods We have designed a proof-of-concept prototype of the Digital Personal Health Librarian, which leverages machine learning; natural language processing; and several innovative technological infrastructures, including the Semantic Web, social linked data, web application programming interfaces, and hypermedia-based discovery, to generate a personal health knowledge graph. Results We have designed and implemented a proof-of-the-concept prototype to showcase and demonstrate how the PHL can be used to store an individual’s health data, for example, a personal health knowledge graph. This is integrated with web-scale knowledge to support HPV vaccine promotion and prevent HPV-associated cancers among adolescents and their caregivers. We also demonstrated how the Digital Personal Health Librarian uses the PHL to provide evidence-based insights and knowledge-driven explanations that are personalized and inform health decision-making. Conclusions Digital platforms such as the PHL can be instrumental in improving precision health promotion and education strategies that address population-specific needs (ie, health literacy, digital competency, and language barriers) and empower individuals by facilitating knowledge acquisition to make healthy choices.
Foraging and the importance of knowledge in Pemba, Tanzania: implications for childhood evolution

Childhood is a period of life unique to humans. Childhood may have evolved through the need to acquire knowledge and subsistence skills. In an effort to understand the functional significance of childhood, previous research examined increases with age in returns to foraging across food resources. Such increases could be due to changes in knowledge, or other factors such as body size or strength. Here, we attempt to unpack these age-related changes. First, we estimate age-specific foraging returns for two resources. We then develop nonlinear structural equation models to evaluate the relative importance of ecological knowledge, grip strength and height in a population of part-time children foragers on Pemba island, Tanzania. We use anthropometric measures (height, strength, n = 250), estimates of ecological knowledge (n = 93) and behavioural observations for 63 individuals across 370 foraging trips. We find slower increases in foraging returns with age for trap hunting than for shellfish collection. We do not detect any effect of individual knowledge on foraging returns, potentially linked to information sharing within foraging parties. Producing accurate estimates of the distinct contribution of specific traits to an individual’s foraging performance constitutes a key step in evaluating different hypotheses for the emergence of childhood.
Interactome between ASFV and host immune pathway proteins

ABSTRACT African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes severe acute hemorrhagic disease with high mortality in domestic pigs but minimal or no symptoms to warthogs, for which the underlying mechanism remains elusive. ASFV encodes numerous proteins to disturb host immune responses via interacting with host proteins. In this study, we deciphered the comprehensive protein-protein interaction (PPI) network between ASFV and host immune pathways by the recombination-based library vs library high-throughput yeast two-hybrid screening. This PPI network contains both ASFV-host PPI and ASFV-ASFV PPI information, providing a comprehensive ASFV-host interactome landscape. We further explored the ASFV-host PPI difference between domestic pigs and warthogs. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of ASFV proteins in the PPI with cGAS-STING pathway on IFN-I and NF-κB promoter activity was screened to investigate the ASFV-host PPI functions. Our work will help the exploration of ASFV pathogenesis and the development of anti-ASFV vaccine and ASFV-resistant transgenic pigs. IMPORTANCE African swine fever (ASF), caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), has become a major crisis for the pork industry in recent years. The mechanism for ASFV pathology and the clinical symptoms difference of ASF between domestic pigs and reservoir hosts remain to be elucidated. We deciphered the comprehensive protein-protein interaction (PPI) network between ASFV and host immune pathways. The intensive PPI network contained both ASFV-host immune pathway PPI and ASFV-ASFV PPI information, providing a comprehensive ASFV-host interaction landscape. Furthermore, the ASFV-host PPI difference between domestic pigs and warthogs was explored, which will be instructive for exploring essential candidates involved in ASFV pathology. Moreover, we screened the inhibitory effect of ASFV proteins in the PPI with cGAS-STING pathway on IFN-I and NF-κB, further providing possible functions of ASFV-host PPI network in innate immune regulation. African swine fever (ASF), caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), has become a major crisis for the pork industry in recent years. The mechanism for ASFV pathology and the clinical symptoms difference of ASF between domestic pigs and reservoir hosts remain to be elucidated. We deciphered the comprehensive protein-protein interaction (PPI) network between ASFV and host immune pathways. The intensive PPI network contained both ASFV-host immune pathway PPI and ASFV-ASFV PPI information, providing a comprehensive ASFV-host interaction landscape. Furthermore, the ASFV-host PPI difference between domestic pigs and warthogs was explored, which will be instructive for exploring essential candidates involved in ASFV pathology. Moreover, we screened the inhibitory effect of ASFV proteins in the PPI with cGAS-STING pathway on IFN-I and NF-κB, further providing possible functions of ASFV-host PPI network in innate immune regulation.
Seroprevalence of Zika in Brazil stratified by age and geographic distribution

Abstract Congenital Zika is a devastating consequence of maternal Zika virus infections. Estimates of age-dependent seroprevalence profiles are central to our understanding of the force of Zika virus infections. We set out to calculate the age-dependent seroprevalence of Zika virus infections in Brazil. We analyzed serum samples stratified by age and geographic location, collected from 2016 to 2019, from about 16,000 volunteers enrolled in a Phase 3 dengue vaccine trial led by the Institute Butantan in Brazil. Our results show that Zika seroprevalence has a remarkable age-dependent and geographical distribution, with an average age of the first infection varying from region to region, ranging from 4.97 (3.03–5.41) to 7.24 (6.98–7.90) years. The calculated basic reproduction number, $ {R}_0 $ , varied from region to region, ranging from 1.18 (1.04–1.41) to 2.33 (1.54–3.85). Such data are paramount to determine the optimal age to vaccinate against Zika, if and when such a vaccine becomes available.
Epidemiology and impact of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus with β-lactam antibiotic inoculum effects in adults with cystic fibrosis

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is the most prevalent cystic fibrosis (CF) pathogen. Several phenotypes are associated with worsened CF clinical outcomes including methicillin-resistance and small-colony-variants. The inoculum effect (IE) is characterized by reduced β-lactam susceptibility when assessed at high inoculum. The IE associates with worse outcomes in bacteremia and other high-density infections, and may therefore be relevant to CF. The prevalence of IE amongst a CF cohort (age ≥18 years), followed from 2013 to 2016, was investigated. Yearly methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) isolates were screened at standard (5 × 105 CFU/mL) and high (5 × 107 CFU/mL) inoculum against narrow-spectrum anti-Staphylococcal β-lactams and those with anti-pseudomonal activity common to CF. A ≥ 4-fold increase in minimum inhibitory concentration between standard and high inoculum defined IE. Isolates underwent blaZ sequencing and genotyping and were compared against published genomes. Fifty-six percent (99/177) of individuals had MSSA infection. MSSA was observed at ≥105 CFU/mL in 44.8% of entry sputum samples. The prevalence of the IE was 25.0%-cefazolin; 13.5%-cloxacillin; 0%-meropenem; 1.0%-cefepime; 5.2%-ceftazidime; and 34.4%-piperacillin-tazobactam amongst baseline MSSA isolates assessed. blaZ A associated with cefazolin IE (P = 0.0011), whereas blaZ C associated with piperacillin-tazobactam IE (P < 0.0001). Baseline demographics did not reveal specific risk factors for IE-associated infections, nor were long-term outcomes different. Herein, we observed the IE in CF-derived MSSA disproportionally for cefazolin and piperacillin-tazobactam and this phenotype strongly associated with underlying blaZ genotype. The confirmation of CF being a high density infection, and the identification of high prevalence of MSSA with IE in CF supports the need for prospective pulmonary exacerbation treatment studies to understand the impact of this phenotype.
Network traits driving knowledge evolution in open collaboration systems

Network interpretation illuminates our understanding of the dynamic nature of cultural evolution. Guided by cultural evolution theory, this article explores how people collectively develop knowledge through knowledge collaboration network traits. Using network data from 910 artifacts (the WikiProject Aquarium Fishes articles) over 163 weeks, two studies were designed to understand how collaboration network traits drive population and artifact-level knowledge evolution. The first study examines the selection pressure imposed by10 network traits (against 11 content traits) on population-level evolutionary outcomes. While network traits are vital in identifying natural selection pressure, intriguingly, no significant difference was found between network traits and content traits, challenging a recent theory on network-driven evolution. The second study utilizes time series analysis to reveal that three network traits (embeddedness, connectivity, and redundancy) at a prior time predict future artifact development trajectory. This implies that people collectively explore various positions in a potential solution space, suggesting content exploration as a possible explanation of knowledge evolution. In summary, understanding the interplay between network traits and content exploration provides valuable insights into the mechanisms driving knowledge evolution and offers new avenues for future research.
Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Solid Mine Waste: Essential Knowledge for Predicting Environmental Impact

Large volumes of waste rock and mine tailings are stored at mine sites. Predicting the environmental impact of these wastes requires an understanding of mineral–water interaction and the characterization of the solid materials at the microscopic scale. The tendency of mine wastes to produce acid or neutral drainage containing potentially toxic metals generally reflects the ratio of primary sulfide to carbonate minerals and the trace element concentrations inherited from the ore deposit, as well as any ore processing that may have created new compounds. Whether potentially toxic elements are released to surface water, groundwater, or bodily fluids (in the case of ingestion or inhalation) depends on the host mineral and the possibility of sequestration by secondary minerals.
Nd-Sr-Pb isotopic studies of the southern Coast Plutonic Complex, southwestern British Columbia

Nd, Sr, and Pb isotopic analyses are presented for plutonic and volcanic rocks from a northeast-southwest transect across the southern Coast Plutonic Complex (CPC). Plutonic and volcanic rocks have initial ϵNd of +4.2 to +8.9 and initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.702 44–0.704 83. Values of Pb isotopic ratios for the suite range from 18.23 to 19.03 for 206Pb/204Pb, from 15.43 to 15.67 for 207Pb/204Pb, and from 37.54 to 38.30 for 208Pb/204Pb. The isotopic data suggest that these rocks consist mainly of mantle-derived materials with little or no involvement of old continental material. There are no significant variations in Nd and Sr isotopic composition with rock type or age. Pb isotopic compositions are also independent of rock type and age except for 208Pb/204Pb, which, for a subset of volcanic rocks, rises slightly with decreasing age. Examined against position along the transect, the isotopic data are uniform except for a rise in initial 87Sr/86Sr toward the northeast defined by older metavolcanic rocks. Based on the Nd and Pb isotopic data, a number of igneous rocks from the southern CPC appear to have been derived strictly from partial melting of mantle material. Many intrusions, however, have isotopic compositions and t DM ages consistent with the combined effects of melting of mantle and subordinate anatexis of isotopically juvenile terranes (e.g., Wrangellia).