Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Study of Novel Collagenase (XIAFLEX®) on Dupuytren's Disease Fibroblasts Displays Unique Drug Related Properties

Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a benign, fibroproliferative disease of the palmar fascia, with excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and over-production of cytokines and growth factors, resulting in digital fixed flexion contractures limiting hand function and patient quality of life. Surgical fasciectomy is the gold standard treatment but is invasive and has associated morbidity without limiting disease recurrence. Injectable Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) - Xiaflex® - is a novel, nonsurgical option with clinically proven in vivo reduction of DD contractures but with limited in vitro data demonstrating its cellular and molecular effects. The aim of this study was to delineate the effects of CCH on primary fibroblasts isolated from DD and non-DD anatomical sites (using RTCA, LDH, WST-1, FACS, qRT-PCR, ELISA and In-Cell Quantitative Western Blotting) to compare the efficacy of varying concentrations of Xiaflex® against a reagent grade Collagenase, Collagenase A. Results demonstrated that DD nodule and cord fibroblasts had greater proliferation than those from fat and skin. Xiaflex® exposure resulted in dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cellular spreading, attachment and proliferation, with cellular recovery after enzyme removal. Unlike Collagenase A, Xiaflex® did not cause apoptosis. Collagen expression patterns were significantly (p<0.05) different in DD fibroblasts across anatomical sites - the highest levels of collagen I and III were detected in DD nodule, with DD cord and fat fibroblasts demonstrating a smaller increase in both collagen expression relative to DD skin. Xiaflex® significantly (p<0.05) down-regulated ECM components, cytokines and growth factors in a dose-dependent manner. An in vitro scratch wound assay model demonstrated that, at low concentrations, Xiaflex® enabled a faster fibroblast reparatory migration into the wound, whereas, at high concentrations, this process was significantly (p<0.05) inhibited. This is the first report elucidating potential mechanisms of action of Xiaflex® on Dupuytren fibroblasts, offering a greater insight and a better understanding of its effect in DD.
Shear response of the Σ11, ⟨1 1 0⟩{1 3 1} symmetric tilt grain boundary studied by molecular dynamics

The deformation behavior of Al and Cu bicrystals with the Σ11, ⟨1 1 0⟩{1 3 1} symmetric tilt grain boundary (STGB) under pure shear has been studied by molecular dynamics with embedded-atom method interatomic potentials. The simulated results indicate that the plastic strain of the bicrystals can be accommodated by GB migration coupled shear deformation or GB sliding, depending on the shear direction. Detailed study reveals that both the GB coupling motion and the GB sliding can be rationalized by the GB disconnection mechanism. The calculated coupling factors agree well with the ratios of the responsible disconnections. Based on these results, a shear-direction-dependent deformation behavior of this GB is proposed by placing special emphasis on the dominant role of the GB disconnections with a Burger's vector of the (1/22)⟨4 7 1⟩ type.
High frequency of potential interactions between direct‐acting antivirals and concomitant therapy in HIV/hepatitis C virus‐coinfected patients in clinical practice

The aim of the study was to analyse the frequency and degree of potential drug−drug interactions (DDIs) between direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) and concomitant medication used by HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐coinfected patients, including antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other drugs.
Potentiality of Bacterial Cellulose as the Scaffold of Tissue Engineering of Cornea

The bacterial cellulose (BC) secreted by Gluconacetobacter xylinus was explored as a novel scaffold material due to its unusual biocompatibility, light transmittance and material properties. The specific surface area of the frozen- dried BC sheet based on BET isotherm was 22.886 m 2 /g, and the porosity was around 90%. It is known by SEM graphs that significant difference in porosity and pore size exists in the two sides of air-dried BC sheets. The width of cellulose ribbons was 10 nm to 100 nm known by AFM image. The examination of the growth of human corneal stromal cells on BC demonstrated that the material supported the growth and proliferation of human corneal stromal cells. The ingrowth of corneal stromal cells into the scaffold was verified by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope. The results suggest the potentiality for this biomaterial as a scaffold for tissue engineering of artificial cornea.
Integrating nutrient bioavailability and co-production links when identifying sustainable diets: How low should we reduce meat consumption?

Background Reducing the consumption of meat and other animal-based products is widely advocated to improve the sustainability of diets in high-income countries. However, such reduction may impair nutritional adequacy, since the bioavailability of key nutrients is higher when they come from animal- vs plant-based foods. Meat reduction may also affect the balance between foods co-produced within the same animal production system. Objective The objective was to assess the impact of introducing nutrient bioavailability and co-production links considerations on the dietary changes needed − especially regarding meat ‒ to improve diet sustainability. Methods Diet optimization with linear and non-linear programming was used to design, for each gender, three modeled diets departing the least from the mean observed French diet (OBS) while reducing by at least 30% the diet-related environmental impacts (greenhouse gas emissions, eutrophication, acidification): i) in the nutrition-environment (NE) model, the fulfillment of recommended dietary allowances for all nutrients was imposed; ii) in the NE-bioavailability (NEB) model, nutritional adequacy was further ensured by accounting for iron, zinc, protein and provitamin A bioavailability; iii) in the NEB-co-production (NEB-CP) model, two links between co-produced animal foods (milk–beef and blood sausage–pork) were additionally included into the models by proportionally co-constraining their respective quantities. The price and environmental impacts of individual foods were assumed to be constant. Results ‘Fruit and vegetables’ and ‘Starches’ quantities increased in all modeled diets compared to OBS. In parallel, total meat and ruminant meat quantities decreased. Starting from 110g/d women’s OBS diet (168g/d for men), total meat quantity decreased by 78%, 67% and 32% for women (68%, 66% and 62% for men) in NE, NEB and NEB-CP diets, respectively. Starting from 36g/d women’s OBS diet (54g/d for men), ruminant meat quantity dropped severely by 84% and 87% in NE and NEB diets for women (80% and 78% for men), whereas it only decreased by 27% in NEB-CP diets (38% for men). The share of energy and proteins of animal origin was similar for the 3 modeled diets (approximately 1/5 of total energy, and 1/2 of protein) and lower than in OBS diet (approximately 1/3 of total energy, and 2/3 of protein). Conclusions Decreasing meat content was strictly needed to achieve more sustainable diets for French adults, but the reduction was less severe when nutrient bioavailability and co-production links were taken into account.
Unsupervised Single-Channel Separation of Nonstationary Signals Using Gammatone Filterbank and Itakura–Saito Nonnegative Matrix Two-Dimensional Factorizations

A new unsupervised single-channel source separation method is presented. The proposed method does not require training knowledge and the separation system is based on nonuniform time-frequency (TF) analysis and feature extraction. Unlike conventional researches that concentrate on the use of spectrogram or its variants, we develop our separation algorithms using an alternative TF representation based on the gammatone filterbank. In particular, we show that the monaural mixed audio signal is considerably more separable in this nonuniform TF domain. We also provide the analysis of signal separability to verify this finding. In addition, we derive two new algorithms that extend the recently published Itakura-Saito nonnegative matrix factorization to the case of convolutive model for the nonstationary source signals. These formulations are based on the Quasi-EM framework and the multiplicative gradient descent (MGD) rule, respectively. Experimental tests have been conducted which show that the proposed method is efficient in extracting the sources' spectral-temporal features that are characterized by large dynamic range of energy, and thus leading to significant improvement in source separation performance.
Evaluation of StrepBSelect Chromogenic Medium and the Fast-Track Diagnostics Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Real-Time PCR Assay Compared to Routine Culture for Detection of GBS during Antepartum Screening

ABSTRACT Life-threatening infection in neonates due to group B Streptococcus (GBS) is preventable by screening of near-term pregnant women and treatment at delivery. A total of 295 vaginal-rectal swabs were collected from women attending antepartum clinics in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. GBS colonization was detected by the standard culture method (Strep B Carrot Broth subcultured to blood agar with a neomycin disk) and compared to recovery with Strep Group B Broth (Dalynn Biologicals) subcultured to StrepBSelect chromogenic medium (CM; Bio-Rad Laboratories) and the Fast-Track Diagnostics GBS real-time PCR (quantitative PCR [qPCR]) assay (Phoenix Airmid Biomedical Corp.) performed with broth-enriched samples and the Abbott m2000sp/m2000rt system. A total of 62/295 (21%) women were colonized with GBS; 58 (19.7%) cases were detected by standard culture, while CM and qPCR each found 61 (20.7%) cases. The qPCR and CM were similar in performance, with sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values of 98.4 and 98.4%, 99.6 and 99.6%, 98.4 and 98.4%, and 99.6 and 99.6%, respectively, compared to routine culture. Both qPCR and CM would allow more rapid reporting of routine GBS screening results than standard culture. Although the cost per test was similar for standard culture and CM, the routine use of qPCR would cost approximately four times as much as culture-based detection. Laboratories worldwide should consider implementing one of the newer methods for primary GBS testing, depending on the cost limitations of different health care jurisdictions.
Raising the Sugar Content – Orchid Bees Overcome the Constraints of Suction Feeding through Manipulation of Nectar and Pollen Provisions

Unlike most other bees, the long-tongued orchid bees ingest nectar using suction feeding. Although long tongues allow exploitation of flowers with deep spurs, the energy intake rate is optimal at 10–20% lower nectar sugar concentrations compared to that of lapping bees. This constraint might be compensated by a higher digestive throughput. Additionally, orchid bees might evaporate water from regurgitated droplets of crop contents. We found male Euglossa championi (n = 10) and Euglossa dodsoni (n = 12) to regularly regurgitate droplets of crop content to the base of their proboscis, generating a fluid film between the proximal parts of the galeae, glossa and labial palps. Rhythmic movements of the proboscis may help to increase convection. There was a significant change in sugar concentration between the initially imbibed solution and the resulting crop content (P<0.05) and the time individual bees had engaged in this liquid exposure behavior was positively correlated with the resulting crop sugar concentration. Female Euglossa townsendi and Euglossa viridissima showed the same behavior. Additionally, they manipulated their nectar-enriched pollen provisions for extensive periods of time before deposition in brood cells. The deposited pollen loads (n = 14) showed a significantly higher sugar concentration than the sugar-water available to the bees (P<0.001). Thus, both male and female euglossines show behaviors that promote evaporative water loss from nectar. We suggest that the behaviors have evolved in concert with suction feeding on dilute nectar from deep floral tubes.
Dietary Calcium but Not Elemental Calcium from Supplements Is Associated with Body Composition and Obesity in Chinese Women

Objective We assessed whether dietary calcium intake or calcium supplements associated with body composition and obesity in a Chinese population. Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed in a population of 8940, aged 20 to 74 y. 8127 participants responded (90.9%). Height, weight, fat mass (FM), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference were measured. Obesity definition: body mass index (BMI) ≥28 kg/m2 (overall obesity); WC ≥85 cm for men or ≥80 cm for women (abdominal obesity І) and waist hip ratio (WHR) ≥0.90 for men or ≥0.85 for women (abdominal obesity П). The data on dietary calcium and calcium supplements were collected using food-frequency questionnaire and self-report questionnaire. Multivariate linear and multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between dietary calcium intake or calcium supplements and body composition and obesity. Principal Findings The average dietary calcium intake of all subjects was 430 mg/d. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, among women only, negative associations were observed between habitual dietary calcium intake and four measures of body composition (β, −0.086, P<0.001 for BMI; β, −0.072, P<0.001 for WC; β, −0.044, P<0.05 for WHR; and β, −0.058, P<0.01 for FM, respectively) and both measures of abdominal obesity (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.86, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.80–0.93; P<0.001, for abdominal obesity I; OR = 0.92, 95% CI, 0.86–0.99; P = 0.026, for abdominal obesity II). These associations were not observed among men (P>0.05). Similarly, among both men and women, we did not observe significant associations between calcium supplements and any measures of body composition or abdominal obesity (P>0.05). Conclusions Dietary calcium from food rather than elemental calcium from calcium supplements has beneficial effects on the maintenance of body composition and preventing abdominal obesity in Chinese women.
A 13μm CMOS SoC for simultaneous multichannel optogenetics and electrophysiological brain recording

Optogenetics and multi-unit electrophysiological recording are state-of-the-art approaches in neuroscience to observe neural microcircuits in vivo [1]. Thereby, brain-implantable devices incorporating optical stimulation and low-noise data acquisition means have been designed based on custom integrated circuits (IC) to study the brain of small freely behaving laboratory animals. However, no existing IC provides multichannel optogenetic photo-stimulation along with multi-unit electrophysiological recording capability within the same die [2-5]. They also lack critical features: they are not multichannel and/or do not include an ADC [6], or they address only one signal modality [5-6], i.e., either local field potentials (LFP) or action potentials (AP). In this paper, we report an IC for simultaneous multichannel optogenetics and electrophysiological recording addressing both LFP and AP signals all at once. This 0. 13μm CMOS chip, which includes 4/10 stimulation/recording channels, is enclosed inside a small wireless optogenetic platform, and is demonstrated with simultaneous in vivo optical stimulation and electrophysiological recordings with a virally mediated Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) rat.
Characterization of chemical composition and anti-nutritional factors in seven species within the Ghanaian yam (Dioscorea) germplasm.

This study characterized the most cultivated and consumed yam (Dioscorea) cultivars within the Ghanaian yam germplasm based on their chemical composition and anti-nutritional factors. Matured yam cultivars grown under the same climatic and edaphic factors were harvested from the Roots and Tuber Conservatory Division of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso Ghana. Samples were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral content and levels of tannins, phytates and oxalates using standard analytical methods. Significant differences (p<0.05) existed between the means of the yam varieties based on their chemical characteristics. The moisture content of the fresh tubers ranged between 58.18 to 77.79%. The varieties had low fat (<1.0%), protein (4.0-6.5%) and fibre (1.25-3.47%) with high carbohydrate (77.5-87.3%) and energy (1451.2-1574.7 kJ/100g). The most predominant minerals were potassium (475-1475 mg/100g), phosphorus (158-294.5 mg/100g) and sodium (62.5-102.5 mg/100g). All the studied varieties had low levels of oxalates, tannins and phytates (<15 mg/100g) and could all be safely recommended for food processing applications. D. rotundata, D. praehensalis, D. cayenensis and D. bulbifera differed from the rest by having higher levels of carbohydrate and energy with appreciable levels of minerals that make them nutritious and can be used as reliable food and energy security crops. D. rotundata (Pona) variety distinguishes itself because of low moisture content (high dry matter) that makes it suitable for high yield flour production.
A Novel 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-Phosphate Synthase Shows High Glyphosate Tolerance in Escherichia coli and Tobacco Plants

A key enzyme in the shikimate pathway, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) is the primary target of the broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate. Identification of new aroA genes coding for EPSPS with a high level of glyphosate tolerance is essential for the development of glyphosate-tolerant crops. In the present study, the glyphosate tolerance of five bacterial aroA genes was evaluated in the E. coli aroA-defective strain ER2799 and in transgenic tobacco plants. All five aroA genes could complement the aroA-defective strain ER2799, and AM79 aroA showed the highest glyphosate tolerance. Although glyphosate treatment inhibited the growth of both WT and transgenic tobacco plants, transgenic plants expressing AM79 aroA tolerated higher concentration of glyphosate and had a higher fresh weight and survival rate than plants expressing other aroA genes. When treated with high concentration of glyphosate, lower shikimate content was detected in the leaves of transgenic plants expressing AM79 aroA than transgenic plants expressing other aroA genes. These results suggest that AM79 aroA could be a good candidate for the development of transgenic glyphosate-tolerant crops.
The Frequency and Behavioral Outcomes of Goal Choices in the Self-management of Diabetes

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and effectiveness of behavioral goal choices in the self-management of diabetes and to test goal-setting theory hypotheses that self-selection and behavioral specificity of goals are key to enhancing persistence. Methods Participants with type 2 diabetes in a randomized controlled trial (n = 422) completed baseline behavioral assessments using a clinic-based, interactive, self-management CD-ROM that allowed them to select a behavioral goal and receive mail and telephone support for the initial 6 months of the trial followed by additional behavioral assessments. Frequency of behavioral goal selection and 6-month behavioral data were collected. Results Approximately 49%, 27%, and 24% of the participants, respectively, set goals to increase physical activity (PA), reduce fat intake, or increase fruits and vegetables (F&V) consumed. At baseline, participants who selected PA, reduced fat consumption, or F&V were significantly, and respectively, less active, consumed more dietary fat, and ate fewer F&V regardless of demographic characteristics. Participants who selected a reduced-fat goal showed a significantly larger decrease than did those that selected PA or F&V goals. Participants who selected an F&V goal showed significant changes in F&V consumption. Participants who selected a PA goal demonstrated significant changes in days of moderate and vigorous physical activity. Conclusions When participants are provided with information on health behavior status and an option of behavioral goals for managing type 2 diabetes, they will select personally appropriate goals, resulting in significant behavioral changes over a 6-month period.
Carbon-Based Nanomaterials/Allotropes: A Glimpse of Their Synthesis, Properties and Some Applications

Carbon in its single entity and various forms has been used in technology and human life for many centuries. Since prehistoric times, carbon-based materials such as graphite, charcoal and carbon black have been used as writing and drawing materials. In the past two and a half decades or so, conjugated carbon nanomaterials, especially carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, activated carbon and graphite have been used as energy materials due to their exclusive properties. Due to their outstanding chemical, mechanical, electrical and thermal properties, carbon nanostructures have recently found application in many diverse areas; including drug delivery, electronics, composite materials, sensors, field emission devices, energy storage and conversion, etc. Following the global energy outlook, it is forecasted that the world energy demand will double by 2050. This calls for a new and efficient means to double the energy supply in order to meet the challenges that forge ahead. Carbon nanomaterials are believed to be appropriate and promising (when used as energy materials) to cushion the threat. Consequently, the amazing properties of these materials and greatest potentials towards greener and environment friendly synthesis methods and industrial scale production of carbon nanostructured materials is undoubtedly necessary and can therefore be glimpsed as the focal point of many researchers in science and technology in the 21st century. This is based on the incredible future that lies ahead with these smart carbon-based materials. This review is determined to give a synopsis of new advances towards their synthesis, properties, and some applications as reported in the existing literatures.
Quantification of Estradiol Uptake in Zebrafish Embryos and Larvae

Zebrafish are a powerful model system to assess the molecular and cellular effects of exposure to toxic chemicals during embryonic development. To study the effects of environmental endocrine disruptors, embryos and larvae are commonly exposed to supraphysiologic concentrations of these compounds in the water, but their bioavailability in zebrafish is largely unknown. One hypothesis is that supraphysiologic concentrations of estrogens in the water are required to achieve physiologic levels in vivo; however, this has not been directly tested. To test this hypothesis, we developed an assay using radiolabeled estradiol ([3H]E2) to measure uptake from water at multiple concentrations and exposure durations in developing zebrafish from 0 to 5 days postfertilization (dpf). We found that [3H]E2 uptake increased with increasing concentration, duration, and developmental stage. Percent uptake from the total volume of treatment solution increased with increasing exposure duration and developmental stage, but remained constant with increasing concentration. We also found that the chorion, an acellular envelope surrounding embryos through 3 dpf, did not substantially affect [3H]E2 uptake. Finally, we found that at 1 dpf, E2 was preferentially taken up by the yolk at multiple exposure durations, while at 2 dpf E2 was preferentially taken up into the embryonic body. Our results support the hypothesis that exposing zebrafish embryos and larvae to supraphysiologic concentrations of estrogens is required to achieve physiologically relevant doses in vivo. The isotopic assay reported here will provide a foundation for determining the uptake of other compounds for teratogenicity, toxicology and drug discovery studies.