Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Suppression of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Prostaglandin E2 in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Background/Aims: An epithelial to mesenchymal transition of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells plays an important role in the formation of proliferative fibrocellular membranes in individuals with proliferative retinopathy. Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) exhibits various physiological actions including both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects. We have now investigated the effect of PGE 2 on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of mouse RPE cells and fibrotic reactions in a type I collagen gel. Methods: Mouse RPE cells were incubated in three dimentional type 1 collagen gel culture system with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2 (1ng/ml) in the absence or presence of PGE 2 at various concentration. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin as well as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, the phosphorylation of Smad2, paxillin were examined by immunoblot analysis. The release of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was examined by gelatin zymography. Results: PGE 2 inhibited the TGF-β2–induced contraction of collagen gels mediated by RPE cells in concentration dependent manner. The expression of α–smooth muscle actin and fibronectin as mesenchymal markers was inhibited. The release of MMP–2 and MMP-9 as well as the phosphorylation of Smad2 and paxillin induced by TGF-β2 in RPE cells were also attenuated by PGE 2 . Conclusion: PGE 2 may inhibit the contraction of proliferative fibrocellular membranes that can lead to retinal detachment in individuals with progressive vitreoretinal diseases.
Overexpression of CB2 cannabinoid receptors decreased vulnerability to anxiety and impaired anxiolytic action of alprazolam in mice

Mice overexpressing CB2r (CB2xP) were exposed to open field (OF), light–dark box (LDB) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA were measured in paraventricular (PVN) and arcuate (ARC) nuclei of the hypothalamus after 30 minutes of restraint stress (RS). Anxiolytic effects of alprazolam (45 or 70 µg/kg, ip) were evaluated. GABAAα2 and GABAAγ2 mRNA were measured in the hippocampus (HIPP) and amygdala (AMY) of CB2xP and wild type (WT) mice. No differences were observed in the total distance travelled by CB2xP and WT mice in OF. Central and peripheral distances travelled significantly increased and decreased in CB2xP mice. Overexpression of CB2r reduced anxiety-like behaviours in LDB and EPM. In WT mice, RS increased CRF (82%) and POMC (42%) mRNA in the PVN and ARC nuclei, respectively. In CB2xP mice, RS also increased POMC (22%) mRNA in the ARC nucleus, but had no effect on CRF mRNA in the PVN nucleus. Administration of alprazolam was without effect in CB2xP mice. An increase of GABAAα2 and GABAAγ2 mRNA in the hippocampus and amygdala of CB2xP mice was observed. Our findings revealed that increased expression of CB2r significantly reduced anxiogenic-related behaviours, modified the response to stress and impaired the action of anxiolytic drugs.
Weight Selection by Misfit Surfaces for Least Squares Estimation

Current hydrological methods used to predict ground water recharge rates rely on numerical solutions of the Richards equation which models the near surface unsaturated flow of water in porous soils. To effectively compute these solutions accurate information of a soil’s ability to conduct water, known as hydraulic conductivity, is required. We anticipate that robust and cost efficient methods for measuring hydraulic conductivity are forthcoming, and hence propose a new method of data fitting using a quadratic cost function containing a weighted parameter and data misfit. Mead [5] employs an algorithm to compute the weight on the parameter misfit when the data, data weight, and a priori initial parameter estimate are specified. However, robust numerical codes are in place only for a simplified diagonal matrix on the parameter weight [6]. This diagonal weight is typically chosen to be an approximation to the l order derivative, and weights each parameter equally. This is insufficient for parameters of differing magnitudes such as those in hydrological models. We propose a new method using misfit surface information of the underlying theoretical equation for hydraulic conductivity (Mualem’s Equation) to obtain an appropriate diagonal matrix, and exploit the codes in [6] to solve for the weight on the parameter misfit.
Clinical evaluation and validation of laboratory methods for the diagnosis of Bordetella pertussis infection: Culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and anti-pertussis toxin IgG serology (IgG-PT)

Introduction The appropriate use of clinically accurate diagnostic tests is essential for the detection of pertussis, a poorly controlled vaccine-preventable disease. The purpose of this study was to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of different diagnostic criteria including culture, multi-target polymerase chain reaction (PCR), anti-pertussis toxin IgG (IgG-PT) serology, and the use of a clinical case definition. An additional objective was to describe the optimal timing of specimen collection for the various tests. Methods Clinical specimens were collected from patients with cough illness at seven locations across the United States between 2007 and 2011. Nasopharyngeal and blood specimens were collected from each patient during the enrollment visit. Patients who had been coughing for ≤ 2 weeks were asked to return in 2–4 weeks for collection of a second, convalescent blood specimen. Sensitivity and specificity of each diagnostic test were estimated using three methods—pertussis culture as the “gold standard,” composite reference standard analysis (CRS), and latent class analysis (LCA). Results Overall, 868 patients were enrolled and 13.6% were B. pertussis positive by at least one diagnostic test. In a sample of 545 participants with non-missing data on all four diagnostic criteria, culture was 64.0% sensitive, PCR was 90.6% sensitive, and both were 100% specific by LCA. CRS and LCA methods increased the sensitivity estimates for convalescent serology and the clinical case definition over the culture-based estimates. Culture and PCR were most sensitive when performed during the first two weeks of cough; serology was optimally sensitive after the second week of cough. Conclusions Timing of specimen collection in relation to onset of illness should be considered when ordering diagnostic tests for pertussis. Consideration should be given to including IgG-PT serology as a confirmatory test in the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) case definition for pertussis.
Sex-Specific Effects of Prenatal Glucocorticoids on Placental Development

The placenta, essential for normal fetal development by providing adequate nutrients to allow appropriate growth and maturation of the fetus in preparation for birth, is also a ‘protective’ barrier in the sense that it prevents entry into the fetal circulation of substances that are either toxic, or that drive fetal growth at inappropriate rates. An important aspect of this ‘filtering’ function of the placenta is limiting the entry of glucocorticoids of maternal origin into the fetal compartment. This is achieved by the presence of enzymes, transporters and receptors collectively termed the ‘placental glucocorticoid barrier’ [1-4].
Conductive polymer-based electro-conductive textile composites for electromagnetic interference shielding: A review

This article reviews the preparation, development and characteristics of conductive polymer-based electro-conductive textile composites for electromagnetic interference shielding. Modification of ordinary textile materials in the form of electro-conductive composites makes them suitable for this purpose. Various metallic and non-metallic electro-conductive textiles have been explored here as the material for electromagnetic shielding. Different approaches of preparing textile electromagnetic shield have been described here. Recent advancements of application of conductive polymers in the field of textile electromagnetic shielding are described. Conductive polymer-coated textile materials showed superior electrical property as electromagnetic shield. Different methods of applications of conductive polymers onto textile surface are described here with their relative merits and demerits. Different conductive polymer-coated woven and nonwoven fabrics prepared by various researchers for electromagnetic shielding are taken into account. The effects of different process parameters of polymer processing on electromagnetic shielding are described.
A Comprehensive Review of Evidence-Based Strategies to Prevent and Treat Postoperative Ileus

Background: Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common complication of abdominal and several other surgeries leading to increased hospital stay and healthcare costs. POI also contributes towards numerous postsurgical comorbidities including deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia. POI is characterized by bowel distention and lack of bowel sounds, flatus and bowel movements. The causative mechanism is not fully understood and may be multifactorial including disorganized electrical activity, activation of inflammatory mediators and the use of opioid analgesics. Methods: A selective review of the literature pertaining to the prevention and treatment of adynamic ileus and POI was completed. More specifically we sought to evaluate RCTs, meta-analyses, consensus statements and articles providing graded evidence-based data on POI prevention and treatment. Results: Perioperative strategies employed to prevent or limit the duration of POI include avoidance of preoperative fasting and mechanical bowel preparation, use of epidural-local anesthetics, implementation of minimally-invasive surgical techniques, and modification of pain management strategies to limit opioid administration among others. Conclusion: Though many of these strategies have proven beneficial, no single approach has demonstrated the ability to prevent or treat POI. However, when these strategies are used in combination as part of a fast-track multimodal treatment plan, there is a significant decrease in time to return of normal bowel function and a shortened hospital stay. Additional studies are needed to make specific recommendations regarding which components of fast-track protocols are most beneficial.
Molecular phylogeography of common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) in western North America: implications for regional historical forces

Complete ND2 and partial ND4 and cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences were analysed to evaluate the phylogeographic patterns of common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) in western North America. This species is widely distributed throughout North America, and exhibits extensive phenotypic variation in the westernmost part of its range. The overall phylogeographic pattern based on mtDNA sequences is concordant with results from studies of other species in this region, implicating historical vicariant processes during the Pleistocene and indicating bottleneck effects of recent dispersal into postglacial habitat. Indeed, the topology is statistically consistent with the hypothesis of both southern (Great Basin and California) and northern (Haida Gwaii) refugia. Specifically, we identified genetic breaks among three major clades: Northwest Coastal populations, Intermountain populations, and all California populations. The California clade contained the only other well‐supported branching patterns detected; relationships among populations within the two northern clades were indistinguishable. These molecular splits contrast sharply with all prior geographical analyses of phenotypic variation in T. sirtalis in this region. Our results suggest that the extensive phenotypic variation in western T. sirtalis has been shaped more by local evolutionary forces than by shared common ancestry. Consequently, we consider all morphologically based subspecies designations of T. sirtalis in this region invalid because they do not reflect reciprocal monophyly of the mtDNA sequences.
Botanics: a potential source of new therapies for Alzheimer's disease?

: Alzheimer’s disease is an age-related, complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of memory and impairment of multiple cognitive functions. Several factors contribute to the progression and development of the disease including amyloid beta accumulation, neurofibrillary tangle formation, cholinergic deficit, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. Numerous traditional and herbal medicinal plants have been used to treat several cognitive disorders including Alzheimer’s disease. They act as excellent antioxidants, anti-inflammatory mediators, and cholinesterase and β -secretase inhibitors. In addition, these natural compounds also prevent the accumulation of amyloid beta and its fibril formation. Besides acting as core-molecules, these natural compounds act as a template for the production and synthesis of several drug leads with improved pharmacokinetic potentials and greater efficacies. Hence, herbal medicines that have interesting pharmacological effects with noticeable anti-Alzheimer’s potential deserve increased attention for further development to drug entities. The present article reviews the botanical pharmacology with special reference to anti-Alzheimer activity of plants and plant-derived compounds.
Cancer Therapeutic Insights COX-2 and PPAR-g Confer Cannabidiol-Induced Apoptosis of Human Lung Cancer Cells

The antitumorigenicmechanismof cannabidiol is still controversial. This study investigates the role of COX2 and PPAR-g in cannabidiol’s proapoptotic and tumor-regressive action. In lung cancer cell lines (A549,H460) and primary cells from a patient with lung cancer, cannabidiol elicited decreased viability associated with apoptosis. Apoptotic cell death by cannabidiolwas suppressed byNS-398 (COX-2 inhibitor), GW9662 (PPAR-g antagonist), and siRNA targeting COX-2 and PPAR-g . Cannabidiol-induced apoptosis was paralleled by upregulation of COX-2 and PPAR-g mRNA and protein expression with a maximum induction of COX-2 mRNA after 8 hours and continuous increases of PPAR-g mRNAwhen compared with vehicle. In response to cannabidiol, tumor cell lines exhibited increased levels of COX-2–dependent prostaglandins (PG) among which PGD2 and 15-deoxy-D-PGJ2 (15d-PGJ2) caused a translocation of PPAR-g to the nucleus and induced a PPAR-g–dependent apoptotic cell death. Moreover, in A549-xenografted nude mice, cannabidiol caused upregulation of COX-2 and PPAR-g in tumor tissue and tumor regression that was reversible by GW9662. Together, our data show a novel proapoptotic mechanism of cannabidiol involving initial upregulation of COX-2 and PPAR-g and a subsequent nuclear translocation of PPAR-g by COX-2–dependent PGs.Mol Cancer Ther; 12(1); 69–82. 2012 AACR.
Rapid fluorescence lifetime estimation with modified phasor approach and Laguerre deconvolution: a comparative study

Fluorescence lifetime imaging has been shown to serve as a valuable tool for interrogating and diagnosis of biological tissue at a mesoscopic level. The ability to analyze fluorescence decay curves to extract lifetime values in real-time is crucial for clinical translation and applications such as tumor margin delineation or intracoronary imaging of atherosclerotic plaques. In this work, we compare the performance of two popular non-parametric (fit-free) methods for determining lifetime values from fluorescence decays in real-time—the Phasor approach and Laguerre deconvolution. We demonstrate results from simulated and experimental data to compare the accuracy and speed of both methods and their dependence on noise and model parameters.
GWA Mapping of Anthocyanin Accumulation Reveals Balancing Selection of MYB90 in Arabidopsis thaliana

Induction of anthocyanin accumulation by osmotic stress was assessed in 360 accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana. A wide range of natural variation, with phenotypes ranging from green to completely red/purple rosettes, was observed. A genome wide association (GWA) mapping approach revealed that sequence diversity in a small 15 kb region on chromosome 1 explained 40% of the variation observed. Sequence and expression analyses of alleles of the candidate gene MYB90 identified a causal polymorphism at amino acid (AA) position 210 of this transcription factor of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. This amino acid discriminates the two most frequent alleles of MYB90. Both alleles are present in a substantial part of the population, suggesting balancing selection between these two alleles. Analysis of the geographical origin of the studied accessions suggests that the macro climate is not the driving force behind positive or negative selection for anthocyanin accumulation. An important role for local climatic conditions is, therefore, suggested. This study emphasizes that GWA mapping is a powerful approach to identify alleles that are under balancing selection pressure in nature.
Computational testing of five Swahili dictionaries

This paper introduces a computational method for testing dictionaries. It discusses the implementation of this method on testing five current dictionaries of Swahili and provides a number of test results. The tested dictionaries are Kamusi ya Kiswahili Sanifu (TUKI), Kamusi ya Maana na Matumizi (OUP), Modern Swahili Modern English Dictionary (MStryck), Kamusi ya Kiswahili Kiingereza (TUKI), and Swahili Suomi Swahili -sanakirja (SKS). Each of the dictionaries was tested by using a dictionary-specific version of SWATWOL, a two-level parser of Swahili. The recall of each dictionary was tested by using three test corpora. Also, the proportion of unused words in each dictionary was tested. Furthermore, the performance of each dictionary in some word classes was tested. The results of tests are summarized in tables and graphs.
The fasciacytes: A new cell devoted to fascial gliding regulation

Hyaluronan occurs between deep fascia and muscle, facilitating gliding between these two structures, and also within the loose connective tissue of the fascia, guaranteeing the smooth sliding of adjacent fibrous fascial layers. It also promotes the functions of the deep fascia. In this study a new class of cells in fasciae is identified, which we have termed fasciacytes, devoted to producing the hyaluronan‐rich extracellular matrix. Synthesis of the hyaluronan‐rich matrix by these new cells was demonstrated by Alcian Blue staining, anti‐HABP (hyaluronic acid binding protein) immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. Expression of HAS2 (hyaluronan synthase 2) mRNA by these cells was detected and quantified using real time RT‐PCR. This new cell type has some features similar to fibroblasts: they are positive for the fibroblast marker vimentin and negative for CD68, a marker for the monocyte‐macrophage lineage. However, they have morphological features distinct from classical fibroblasts and they express the marker for chondroid metaplasia, S‐100A4. The authors suggest that these cells represent a new cell type devoted to the production of hyaluronan. Since hyaluronan is essential for fascial gliding, regulation of these cells could affect the functions of fasciae so they could be implicated in myofascial pain. Clin. Anat. 31:667–676, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phenomenological Models to Re-Proportion Alternative Binder Blocks

Despite the extensive developments in the construction industry, cement concrete still remains as the major and popular building material. The main drawback of cement composites is the deterrent to sustainability. As an alternative, new materials are to be developed which can completely replace traditional cement without compromising the strength and durability. In the present investigation of alternative binders, geopolymer and FaL-G were developed to traditional cement. Both the binders were used to develop masonry units and concrete. Phenomenological models were advanced to develop mix proportion for the masonry blocks and concrete. The pattern of strength variation was found to be in accordance with generalized Abrams’ law at various fluid-to-binder ratios (FBR). The strength data was further analyzed within the framework of generalized Abrams’ law, which has already been validated for cementbased composites. To formulate the phenomenological model, the strength data at a specific binder-to-fluid ratio was identified as reference value. The strength ratio used in the phenomenological models reflects the synergy between different ingredients in the microstructure of the composites. The validity of phenomenological model thus developed was examined with an independent set of experimental data generated at reference state and the same set of values were used to find the strength development at any other FBR and compared with actual values. Heat cured geopolymer, ambient cured geopolymer, and FaL-G blocks were considered in this paper. KeywordsFly Ash; Geopolymer; FaL-G; Compressed Blocks; Fluid-to-Binder Ratio; Abrams’ Law; Phenomenological Model
Saccular Transcriptome Profiles of the Seasonal Breeding Plainfin Midshipman Fish (Porichthys notatus), a Teleost with Divergent Sexual Phenotypes

Acoustic communication is essential for the reproductive success of the plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus). During the breeding season, type I males use acoustic cues to advertise nest location to potential mates, creating an audible signal that attracts reproductive females. Type II (sneaker) males also likely use this social acoustic signal to find breeding pairs from which to steal fertilizations. Estrogen-induced changes in the auditory system of breeding females are thought to enhance neural encoding of the advertisement call, and recent anatomical data suggest the saccule (the main auditory end organ) as one possible target for this seasonal modulation. Here we describe saccular transcriptomes from all three sexual phenotypes (females, type I and II males) collected during the breeding season as a first step in understanding the mechanisms underlying sexual phenotype-specific and seasonal differences in auditory function. We used RNA-Seq on the Ion Torrent platform to create a combined transcriptome dataset containing over 79,000 assembled transcripts representing almost 9,000 unique annotated genes. These identified genes include several with known inner ear function and multiple steroid hormone receptors. Transcripts most closely matched to published genomes of nile tilapia and large yellow croaker, inconsistent with the phylogenetic relationship between these species but consistent with the importance of acoustic communication in their life-history strategies. We then compared the RNA-Seq results from the saccules of reproductive females with a separate transcriptome from the non-reproductive female phenotype and found over 700 differentially expressed transcripts, including members of the Wnt and Notch signaling pathways that mediate cell proliferation and hair cell addition in the inner ear. These data constitute a valuable resource for furthering our understanding of the molecular basis for peripheral auditory function as well as a range of future midshipman and cross-species comparative studies of the auditory periphery.