Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gonadal Germ Cell Migration and Proliferation after Transfer in Developing Chicken Embryos

ABSTRACT A germline chimera is a useful model for developing and differentiating germ cells in vivo. Gonadal germ cells (GGCs) collected from chicken embryonic gonads may be used to produce germline chimeras as donor cells. However, the migratory and proliferative abilities of GGCs after transfer into recipient embryos are unclear. Here, the migratory and proliferative abilities of GGCs collected from 7-day-old White Leghorn embryos and fluorescently labeled were analyzed following transfer into the dorsal aorta of 2.5-day-old Rhode Island Red (RIR) embryos. Five days after transfer, the numbers of male and female GGCs were significantly higher in the RIR gonads than those in non-gonadal RIR organs when 50 GGCs were transferred per embryo. To analyze the temporal migration of GGCs in intermediate mesoderm, 50 GGCs were again transferred. The numbers of male and female GGCs in RIR gonads increased significantly from days 3 to 6 after transfer. To analyze GGC migration and proliferation in the gonads, a single GGC was transferred into 100 male and 100 female embryos. Five days after transfer, the frequencies of settled and proliferated GGCs were 37% (37/100) and 24% (24/100) in males, and 23% (23/100) and 8% (8/100) in females, respectively. Thus, GGCs are a heterogeneous cell population that may or may not have migratory and proliferative abilities. The heterogeneity of GGCs may be greater in females than that in males. When 50 GGCs were transplanted, almost all those present in embryos had settled and proliferated in the gonads and mesonephros. The migratory and proliferative abilities of GGCs in recipient gonads were considerably diverse in individual GGCs or between donor sexes.
Discriminant analysis as a tool to classify farm hay in dairy farms

Hay is one of the primary constituents of ruminant feed, and rapid classification systems of nutritional value are essential. A reliable approach to evaluating hay quality is a combination of visual combined inspection by NIRS analysis. The analysis was carried out on 1,639 samples of hay collected from 2016 to 2021 in northern Italy. Discriminant analysis (DAPC) on five hay types (FOM, forage mixtures; APG, first alfalfa cutting with prevalence of graminaceous >50%; PRA, prevailing alfalfa >50%; PUA, purity alfalfa >95%; and PEM, permanent meadows) was performed by ex-ante visual inspection categorization and NIRS analysis. This study aimed to provide a complementary method to differentiate hay types and classify unknown samples. Two scenarios were used: i) all data were used for model training, and the discriminant functions were extracted based on all samples; ii) the assignment of each group was assessed without samples belonging to the training set group. DAPC model resulted in an overall assignment success rate of 66%; precisely, the success was 84, 79, 69, 37, and 27% for PUA, FOM, PRA, APG, and PEM, respectively. In the second scenario, three groups showed percentages of posterior assignment probability higher than 70% to only one group: PUA with PRA (~ 99%), PRA with PUA (~71%), and PEM with FOM (~75%). Discriminant analysis can be successfully used to differentiate hay types and could also be used to assess factors related to hay quality in addition to NIRS analysis.
Observation of the dissolution process of Globigerina bulloides tests (planktic foraminifera) by X‐ray microcomputed tomography

We performed a 9 day dissolution experiment with tests of the planktic foraminifer Globigerina bulloides at pH 6.7 ± 0.1 in water undersaturated with respect to calcite. The initial stage of the dissolution process, which is not recognizable from the surface structure of the tests, was quantitatively evaluated by X-ray microcomputed tomography (XMCT). XMCT revealed three distinct test structures: early-developed calcite formed during the juvenile stage of G. bulloides, an inner calcite layer, and an outer calcite layer. The test ultrastructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and CT number evaluated the density distribution in the test. The early-developed calcite and inner calcite layer had low CT numbers (500–1300; low density, porous) and were sensitive to dissolution, whereas the outer calcite layer had high CT numbers (<1300; high density) and resisted dissolution. Both the modes and the frequencies of the CT numbers decreased with progress of dissolution. Changes in the CT number histogram with progress of dissolution were quantified in terms of the percentage of calcite volume accounted for by low-density calcite (% Low-CT-number calcite). A clear linear relationship (R2 = 0.87) between % Low-CT-number calcite and % Test weight loss was found. This relationship indicates that the amount of test dissolution can be estimated from the distribution of CT numbers. We propose that XMCT measurements will be useful for quantitatively estimating the amount of carbonate loss from foraminiferal tests by dissolution.
Disease progression in the first 5 years of treatment in multiple sclerosis: Predictive value of early brain and lesion volume changes

Background: Whether the degree of inflammation (and its resolution) and neurodegeneration after treatment initiation predicts disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unclear. Objectives: To assess the predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived brain and lesion volume (LV) changes in years 1 and 2 of treatment for disease progression. Methods: Patients receiving early interferon beta-1a treatment in REFLEX/REFLEXION (N = 262) were included. Predictive regression models included new/enlarging LV (positive activity), disappearing/shrinking LV (negative activity), and global/central atrophy during years 1 and 2. Results: Faster global atrophy and/or pseudo-atrophy and positive lesion activity in years 1 and 2 related to an increased probability and faster conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS). Negative lesion activity in year 1 and slower central atrophy in year 2 were predictive of confirmed disability progression (9-Hole Peg Test). Positive lesion activity in year 2 was predictive of faster global atrophy, while positive lesion activity in years 1 and 2 was predictive of faster central atrophy. Conclusions: A higher degree of global atrophy and/or pseudo-atrophy in year 1 was predictive of CDMS. Positive lesion activity in any year was related to CDMS and neurodegeneration. Disability was related to negative lesion activity in year 1 and slower central atrophy in year 2.
Regeneration patterns and persistence of the fog- dependent Fray Jorge forest in semiarid Chile during the past two centuries

The persistence of rainforest patches at Fray Jorge National Park (FJNP) in semiarid Chile (30140 0 S), a region receiving approximately 147 mm of annual rainfall, has been a source of concern among forest managers. These forests are likely dependent on water inputs from oceanic fog and their persistence seems uncertain in the face of climate change. Here, we assessed tree radial growth and establishment during the last two centuries and their relation to trends in climate and canopy disturbance. Such evaluation is critical to understanding the dynamics of these semiarid ecosystems in response to climate change. We analyzed forest structure of six forest patches (0.2–22 ha) in FJNP based on sampling within 0.1 ha permanent plots. For the main canopy species, the endemic Aextoxicon punctatum (Aextoxicaceae), we used tree-ring analysis to assess establishment periods,
Underreported and taxonomically problematic: characterization of sanguinicolid larvae from freshwater limpets (Burnupiidae), with comments on the phylogeny and intermediate hosts of sanguinicolids

Blood flukes of freshwater fish are understudied worldwide. Consequently, genetic information and data on their intramolluscan stages are scarce. In the current study, freshwater lim-pets of the genus Burnupia (Burnupiidae) from South Africa were examined for digeneans. Of 1645 specimens, 3.10% were infected by Sanguinicolidae larvae. Four sanguinicolids were distinguished by body size, number of penetration glands, tegumental spines ’ patterns and relative sizes of the finfolds on the body and furcae. Analyses of 28S, 18S and ITS rDNA sequences showed that the morphotypes were distinct from each other and from sanguinico-lids whose genetic data are available. The present study is the first genetic characterization of sanguinicolids from Africa. Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that the present species clustered with a sanguinicolid from Poland and were sister to Sanguinicola and Pseudosanguinicola from Russia and USA, respectively. The results indicate that the current species represent an unknown genus. What is more, blood fluke sequences from East Africa (presumed to be sanguinicolids), were distant from Sanguinicolidae and showed a closer relationship with acipensericolids from the USA. Freshwater fish blood flukes seem to be more diverse than previously recorded and use species of at least 13 gastropod families as intermediate hosts.
An Evaluation of the Repeatability of Visual Function Following Surgical Repair of Macula-Off Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Purpose To evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of visual function assessments for patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods This prospective study included patients with unilateral macula-off RRD of <10-day duration successfully treated with a single, uncomplicated surgery at least 1 year following repair. Visual function assessments were performed at time of enrollment and 1 month later. Testing included Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low-luminance visual acuity (LLVA), low-contrast visual acuity (VA) 2.5% and 5%, contrast sensitivity assessment with Mars and Gabor patches, reading speed (acuity, speed, and critical print size), color vision testing (protan, deutan, and tritan), and microperimetry. Spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was performed. Paired t-statistics were used to compare values between visits and between the study and fellow eyes. Results Fourteen patients (9 male, 5 female) with a mean age of 69 years at time of surgery were evaluated. Correlation coefficients across the two visits were highest for ETDRS BCVA (0.97), tritan color vision testing (0.96), and low-contrast VA 5% (0.96), while the average t-statistic was largest for low-luminance deficit (4.2), ETDRS BCVA (4.1), and reading speed critical print size (3.7). ETDRS BCVA did not correlate with SD-OCT findings. Conclusions ETDRS BCVA can be considered a highly reliable and reproducible outcome measure. LLVA, protan color discrimination, contrast sensitivity, and reading speed may be useful secondary outcome measures. Translational Relevance This study provides guidance on the selection of visual function outcome measures for clinical trials of patients with macula-off RRD.
Cardiovascular risk in adults with Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ABSTRACT Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with a wide variety of sleep problems. The most common sleep disturbance in adults with ADHD is Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS), which leads to sleep insufficiency and social jetlag. ADHD, short sleep, and social jetlag have independently been associated with poorer cardiovascular health. Adults with both DSPS and ADHD may be particularly at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are the leading cause of death worldwide. In this study, 24-hour resting-state heart rate variability (HRV) was measured as a biomarker for cardiovascular health in 49 adults (18-55y) with DSPS and ADHD. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors obesity, smoking, and hypertension was determined. The majority of participants scored within average ranges for all HRV measures. The prevalence of obesity was normal compared to the general population. Smoking and hypertension were more prevalent, but not related to HRV. In conclusion, we found no evidence for a high risk of CVDs in this group. It however remains important to study cardiovascular risk in adults with DSPS and ADHD using different methodologies. Trial Registration FASE, https://www.trialregister. nl/, #NTR3831
Clinical application of ultrasound-guided totally implantable venous access ports implantation via the posterior approach of the internal jugular vein

Background: To determine the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) implantation via the posterior approach of the internal jugular vein (IJV). Methods: From September 2021 to August 2022, 88 oncology patients underwent ultrasound-guided implantation of TIVAPs via the posterior approach of the IJV for the administration of chemotherapy. The catheter tip was adjusted to be positioned at the cavoatrial junction under fluoroscopic guidance. Clinical data including surgical success, success rate for the first attempt, intraoperative, and postoperative complications were all collected and analyzed. Results: All patients underwent successful surgery (100%), whereby 58 were via the right IJV and 30 via the left IJV, and the success rate for the first attempt was 96.59% (85/88). The operation time was 20 to 43 minutes, with an average of 26.59 ± 6.18 minutes with no intraoperative complications. The follow-up duration ranged from 1 to 12 months (mean = 5.28 ± 3.07) and the follow-up rate was 100%. The rate of postoperative complications was 4.55% (4/88), including port-site infection in two cases, fibrin sheath formation in one case, and port flip in one case. No other complications were observed during follow-up. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided TIVAP implantation via the posterior approach of the IJV is feasible, safe, and effective, with a low rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Not only was the curvature of the catheter device smooth, but patients were satisfied with the comfort and cosmetic appearance. Additionally, we could reduce the possible complications of pinching and kinking of the catheter by using this approach. Therefore, further large-sample, prospective, and randomized controlled trials are warranted.
Razor sharp: The role of Occam's razor in science

Occam's razor—the principle of simplicity—has recently been attacked as a cultural bias without rational foundation. Increasingly, belief in pseudoscience and mysticism is growing. I argue that inclusion of Occam's razor is an essential factor that distinguishes science from superstition and pseudoscience. I also describe how the razor is embedded in Bayesian inference and argue that science is primarily the means to discover the simplest descriptions of our world.
Increased Expression of the ABCA1 and ABCA3 Transporter Genes is Associated with Cisplatin Resistance in Breast Cancer Cells

Objective: Breast cancer (BC) is a highly malignant neoplasm with resistance to therapeutics that are related to genes associated with multidrug resistance. The excessive expression of ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs) genes, including ABCA1 and ABCA3, is a primary factor contributing to the increased effluent of cell-toxic drugs and subsequent treatment resistance. Therefore, the current work aimed to explore the role of ABCA1 and ABCA3 in chemoresistance activity against cisplatin in breast cancer cells. Methods: The current study compared the AMJ13 breast cancer cells derived from a woman Iraqi patient, which are hormone receptor-negative, with MCF-7 breast cancer cells, which are hormone receptor-positive. Cytotoxic assay (CCK-8 assay) is used to measure the cell’s viability and cytotoxic activity after it has been treated with cisplatin. Morphological Study using crystal violet stain to examine cytological changes was conducted. Quantitative RT-PCR is used to measure how much the ABCA1, and 3 genes mRNA are being expressed before and after treatment. Results: The CCK-8 assay found that IC50 values of cisplatin in AMJ13 and MCF-7 cells were 202.2 µg/ml and 90.23 µg/ml, respectively. The IC50 value of AMJ13 is 2-fold higher than in MCF-7 cells. The QPCR study revealed that breast cancer cell lines AMJ13 and MCF-7 subjected to cisplatin showed upregulated levels of ABCA1 and ABCA3 expression. Experiments with cytotoxicity assays demonstrate that higher expression of ABCA1 and ABCA3 in AMJ13 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines is linked to their resistance. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the ABCA1 and ABCA3 transporters play a significant role in the resistance to cisplatin and, therefore, may represent a potential therapeutic target to assist patients with BC in overcoming the resistance to cisplatin.
Age, growth, and mortality of the Mayan cichlid (Cichlasoma urophthalmus) from the southeastern Everglades

Mayan cichlids (Cichlasoma urophthalmus) were collected monthly from March 1996 to October 1997 with hook-and-line gear at Taylor River, Florida, an area within the Crocodile Sanctuary of Everglades National Park, where human activities such as fishing are prohibited. Fish were aged by examining thin-sectioned otoliths, and past size-at-age information was generated by using back-calculation techniques. Marginal increment analysis showed that opaque growth zones were annuli deposited between January and May. The size of age-1 fish was estimated to be 33–66 mm standard length (mean=45.5 mm) and was supported by monthly length-frequency data of young-of-year fish collected with drop traps over a seven-year period. Mayan cichlids up to seven years old were observed. Male cichlids grew slower but achieved a larger size than females. Growth was asymptotic and was modeled by the von Bertalanffy growth equation Lt=263.6(1–exp[–0.166(t–0.001)]) for males (r2=0.82, n=581) and Lt=215.6 (1–exp[–0.197(t–0.058)]) for females (r2= 0.77, n=639). Separate estimates of total annual mortality were relatively consistent (0.44–0.60) and indicated moderate mortality at higher age classes, even in the absence of fishing mortality. Our data indicated that Mayan cichlids grow slower and live longer in Florida than previously reported from native Mexican habitats. Because the growth of Mayan cichlids in Florida periodically slowed and thus produced visible annuli, it may be possible to age introduced populations of other subtropical and tropical cichlids in a similar way.
Frequencies of Diagnostically Significant Polymorphisms of Hereditary Breast Cancer Forms in BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes in the Kazakh Population

Objective: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the world with more than 400,000 deaths each year worldwide. The aim of this study is to compare population frequencies of alleles and genotypes of polymorphic variants of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes associated with breast cancer risk in an ethnically homogenous Kazakh population with previously studied world populations. The material of the study was DNA isolated from peripheral blood of the enrolled population control group, represented by 1800 conditionally healthy individuals of Kazakh ethnicity. Methods: The DNA extraction was possible with the use of M-PVA magnetic particle separation method on the Prepito (PerkinElmer) automatic analyser for extraction of Chemagic Prepito (Wallac, Finland) nucleic acids using the PrepitoDNACytoPure reagent kit. Statistical calculations of allele and genotype frequencies, significance tests, and non-parametric χ2 analysis were carried out using PLINK software. Results: The results favour for the high genetic heterogeneity of the studied polymorphisms, which reflects the specifics of the Kazakh population structure resulted from complex evolutionary and migration processes, as well as the median geographic location between the populations of Asia and Europe. Conclusion: Knowledge of the spectrum and frequency of mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes predisposing to breast cancer, which are present in varying frequencies in the Kazakh population, will provide a more effective approach to the screening protocol and allow for a faster, less expensive and more accessible genetic testing strategy for the Kazakhstan citizens.
A Deep Learning–Based Chair System That Detects Sitting Posture

Long-term poor sitting posture leads to physical injuries such as muscle soreness and waist and neck alignment problems. In this study, we proposed an intelligent sitting posture detection system that uses depth cameras fixed on a chair to capture depth images of the user's sitting posture, and then applies a trained artificial intelligence (AI) model on an embedded Raspberry Pi board to recognize the user's sitting posture from the image data. Finally, through Bluetooth on the Raspberry Pi, the results are sent to the user's smartphone application for display and recording to achieve rapid detection of sitting posture and warning of poor sitting posture. The contribution of this study is its use of two depth cameras mounted on a chair, thereby eliminating the problem of cumbersome sensors that compromise user comfort or are prone to damage. The detection of the user's entire sitting posture was completed on an edge computing platform, which leads to power savings and offers privacy protection. Furthermore, because of the low battery power usage, the system is portable. To perform quick AI calculations, we developed a lightweight EfficientNet model and programmed it for the Raspberry Pi. The system achieved an accuracy of 99.71% and an execution speed of almost one posture result per second.
Mitochondrial Common Deletion Level in Adipose Tissue Is Not Associated with Obesity but Is Associated with a Structural Change in Triglycerides as Revealed by FTIR Spectroscopy

Abstract Objective Several studies have shown that mitochondrial metabolism may be disrupted if the rate of the specific 4,977 bp deletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) reaches a threshold. This study aimed to investigate the possible associations between the mtDNA4977 deletion load and obesity-related metabolic abnormalities in the adipose tissue. Methods The study included thirty obese individuals, who underwent bariatric surgery, and twelve control subjects. mtDNA4977 deletion, adenine nucleotides, and lactate levels, which show the bioenergetic status were evaluated in visceral adipose tissues. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the structural variations and composition of adipose tissues in the context of deletion load. Results There were no differences between the two groups in terms of mtDNA4977 deletion, adenine nucleotides, and lactate levels. The FTIR spectra indicated a few obesity-related alterations in adipose tissues that were not related to the mtDNA deletion load. Also, statistical analysis showed a correlation between the deletion load and a band shift of 1,744 cm−1, which assigns C = O stretching of the carbonyl group of the ester group in triglycerides and other esterified fatty acids, although it is not associated with obesity. Conclusions Our data suggest that the mtDNA4977 deletion in visceral adipose tissues of obese individuals do not have a significant impact on the bioenergetic status. However, the increased accumulation of deletion may be associated with a specific change in the ester bond, indicating structural differences in the lipids. These findings shed light on our understanding of the tissue-specific distribution of mtDNA deletions and obesity-related adipose tissue pathogeneses.