Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GLT-1a glutamate transporter nanocluster localization is associated with astrocytic actin and neuronal Kv2 clusters at sites of neuron-astrocyte contact

Introduction: Astrocytic GLT-1 glutamate transporters ensure the fidelity of glutamic neurotransmission by spatially and temporally limiting glutamate signals. The ability to limit neuronal hyperactivity relies on the localization and diffusion of GLT-1 on the astrocytic surface, however, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. We show that two isoforms of GLT-1, GLT-1a and GLT-1b, form nanoclusters on the surface of transfected astrocytes and HEK-293 cells. Methods: We used both fixed and live cell super-resolution imaging of fluorescent protein and epitope tagged proteins in co-cultures of rat astrocytes and neurons. Immunofluorescence techniques were also used. GLT1 diffusion was assessed via single particle tracking and fluorescence recovery after photobleach (FRAP). Results: We found GLT-1a, but not GLT-1b, nanoclusters concentrated adjacent to actin filaments which was maintained after addition of glutamate. GLT-1a nanocluster concentration near actin filaments was prevented by expression of a cytosolic GLT-1a C-terminus, suggesting the C-terminus is involved in the localization adjacent to cortical actin. Using super-resolution imaging, we show that astrocytic GLT-1a and actin co-localize in net-like structures around neuronal Kv2.1 clusters at points of neuron/astrocyte contact. Conclusion: Overall, these data describe a novel relationship between GLT-1a and cortical actin filaments, which localizes GLT-1a near neuronal structures responsive to ischemic insult.
Investigating the Role of 17-Beta Estradiol in the Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) in Pancreatic Beta Cells

Diabetes mellitus is clinically defined by chronic hyperglycemia. Sex differences in the presentation and outcome of diabetes exist with premenopausal women having a reduced risk of developing diabetes, relative to men, or women after menopause. Accumulating evidence shows a protective role of estrogens, specifically 17-beta estradiol, in the maintenance of pancreatic beta cell health; however, the mechanisms underlying this protection are still unknown. To elucidate these potential mechanisms, we used a pancreatic beta cell line (BTC6) and a mouse model of hyperglycemia-induced atherosclerosis, the ApoE−/−:Ins2+/Akita mouse, exhibiting sexual dimorphism in glucose regulation. In this study we hypothesize that 17-beta estradiol protects pancreatic beta cells by modulating the unfolded protein response (UPR) in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We observed that ovariectomized female and male ApoE−/−:Ins2+/Akita mice show significantly increased expression of apoptotic UPR markers. Sham operated female and ovariectomized female ApoE−/−:Ins2+/Akita mice supplemented with exogenous 17-beta estradiol increased the expression of adaptive UPR markers compared to non-supplemented ovariectomized female ApoE−/−:Ins2+/Akita mice. These findings were consistent to what was observed in cultured BTC6 cells, suggesting that 17-beta estradiol may protect pancreatic beta cells by repressing the apoptotic UPR and enhancing the adaptive UPR activation in response to pancreatic ER stress.
ASSESSMENT OF ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT IN A STRICTLY PROTECTED AREA OF A NATIONAL PARK: HANG EN CAVE, VIETNAM

Since 2011, the National Park Management Board of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Central Vietnam has been offering a new trekking tour that brings tourists to strictly protected areas within the core zone. The tour passes by the Ban Doong Village, treks into the primate forest, and visits the Hang En Cave, the second largest cave of the park after the Son Doong Cave. This unique ecotourism site has not yet been studied in the history of the Vietnamese park system. Thus, this study investigates the Hang En Cave site within the Phong NhaKe Bang National Park as a case study. The study describes, analyzes, and evaluates the ecotourism site and its operation in the Vietnamese park system using the management effectiveness evaluation framework of Hockings, Stolton, Leverington, Dudley, and Courrau in 2006. This study contributes to the knowledge on ecotourism management in Vietnam. Practical applications of ecotourism site management in other regions and countries are also discussed in this paper.
The Impact of 3D Nichoids and Matrix Stiffness on Primary Malignant Mesothelioma Cells

Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium. It is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer that is often caused by exposure to asbestos. At the molecular level, it is characterized by a low number of genetic mutations and high heterogeneity among patients. In this work, we analyzed the plasticity of gene expression of primary mesothelial cancer cells by comparing their properties on 2D versus 3D surfaces. First, we derived from primary human samples four independent primary cancer cells. Then, we used Nichoids, which are micro-engineered 3D substrates, as three-dimensional structures. Nichoids limit the dimension of adhering cells during expansion by counteracting cell migration between adjacent units of a substrate with their microarchitecture. Tumor cells grow effectively on Nichoids, where they show enhanced proliferation. We performed RNAseq analyses on all the samples and compared the gene expression pattern of Nichoid-grown tumor cells to that of cells grown in a 2D culture. The PCA analysis showed that 3D samples were more transcriptionally similar compared to the 2D ones. The 3D Nichoids induced a transcriptional remodeling that affected mainly genes involved in extracellular matrix assembly. Among these genes responsible for collagen formation, COL1A1 and COL5A1 exhibited elevated expression, suggesting changes in matrix stiffness. Overall, our data show that primary mesothelioma cells can be effectively expanded in Nichoids and that 3D growth affects the cells’ tensegrity or the mechanical stability of their structure.
El análisis de las diferencias salariales y discriminación por género por áreas profesionales en México, abordado desde un enfoque regional, 2015 The analysis of wage differentials and gender discrimination by professional areas in Mexico, approached from a regional approach, 2015

Resumen El objetivo es conocer las diferencias salariales y discriminacion por genero por areas de conocimiento profesional en Mexico y sus regiones segun su exposicion a la apertura comercial. Metodologia. La fuente de los datos es la Encuesta Nacional de Ocupacion y Empleo 2015 y se aplica la tecnica Oaxaca-Blinder (1973) con correccion por sesgo de seleccion Heckman (1979) y el Metodo DiNardo, Fortin, Lemieux (1996) para su analisis. Los resultados indican que las mujeres ubicadas en el area de salud experimentan una mayor desigualdad y discriminacion por razones diferentes a las caracteristicas, acentuandose principalmente en regiones de alta y baja exposicion a la apertura. El estudio presenta dos limitaciones: 1) No se analizan las decisiones de participacion en el mercado de trabajo y de seleccion con el metodo DFL. 2) No se analiza el sector informal. Por ultimo, se concluye que la profesion y la region de residencia, si influyen en la brecha salarial y la discriminacion. Abstract The objective is to know wage differentials and gender discrimination by areas of professional knowledge in Mexico and regions according to their exposure to trade liberalization. Methodology. Data source was the National Survey of Occupation and Employment 2015, applying the Oaxaca-Blinder (1973) technique with selection bias correction Heckman (1979) and Method DiNardo, Fortin, Lemieux (1996) to analyze. The results indicate that women located in the area of health experience greater inequality and discrimination for different reasons to selected characteristics, accentuating mainly in regions of high and low exposure to the opening. The study has two limitations: 1) decisions of participation in the labor market and selection with the DFL method is not analyzed. 2) the informal sector is not discussed. Finally, we conclude that the profession and region of residence does affect the wage gap and discrimination.
Real-Option Valuation in Multiple Dimensions Using Poisson Optional Stopping Times

We provide a new framework for valuing multidimensional real options where opportunities to exercise the option are generated by an exogenous Poisson process, which can be viewed as a liquidity constraint on decision times. This approach, which we call the Poisson optional stopping times (POST) method, finds the value function as a monotone sequence of lower bounds. In a case study, we demonstrate that the frequently used quasi-analytic method yields a suboptimal policy and an inaccurate value function. The proposed method is demonstrably correct, straightforward to implement, reliable in computation, and broadly applicable in analyzing multidimensional option-valuation problems.
The Causal Association Between Medication Intake and Increased Risk of Psoriasis

Introduction Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, and papulo-squamous skin disorder without a radical cure. Although previous observational analyses have discovered a relationship between medication intake and increased risk of psoriasis, they are susceptible to confounders. Objectives We intend to ascertain if there is a causal association between specific medication intake and increased risk of psoriasis by utilizing the Mendelian randomization (MR) method. Methods We obtained the genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for medication intake (23 types, N = 1809) from UK Biobank samples. And we sourced the GWAS data for psoriasis from the 8th release of the FinnGen database, which included 8,075 psoriasis cases and 330,975 healthy control cases. Then a two-sample MR study was performed to determine their causal association, and inverse-variance-weighted MR (IVW-MR) was applied to calculate the effect estimates. Results The IVW-MR analysis uncovered a positive correlation between the intake of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors and the increased risk of psoriasis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.167, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.084–1.257). Similarly, the use of thyroid preparations (OR=1.080, 95% CI=1.026–1.138), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products (OR=1.406, 95% CI=1.037–1.908), anilides (OR=1.379, 95% CI=1.004–1.894), antihistamines for systemic use (OR=1.341, 95% CI=1.104–1.630), and antihypertensives (OR=1.099, 95% CI=1.016–1.190) were associated with an increased risk of psoriasis. We did not find evidence from IVW-MR for other associations. Conclusions Our study offers a causal testimony that the intake of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, thyroid preparations, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products, anilides, antihistamines for systemic use, and antihypertensives will potentially increase the risk of psoriasis.
Cilostazol against 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid‐induced colitis: Effect on tight junction, inflammation, and apoptosis

Inflammatory bowel diseases are immunologically mediated disorders of gastrointestinal tract, characterized by dysregulated immune responses that result in a chronic intestinal inflammation. The antiplatelet cilostazol (CS), a phosphodiesterase‐III inhibitor, exerted a beneficial effect on several models of gastrointestinal diseases; however, the full mechanism of action in this context has not been unveiled.
Laboratory Calibration Procedures of the Hydra Probe Soil Moisture Sensor:Infiltration Wet‐Up vs. Dry‐Down

Impedance probes are popular electromagnetic soil moisture monitoring devices used for a variety of applications but require site‐specific calibrations to provide accurate measurements. Several calibration techniques have been reported in the literature, although laboratory‐based procedures involving wet‐up (via upward or downward infiltration) and dry‐down are commonly performed for permanently installed sensors. Wet‐up calibrations can be completed substantially faster (<1 d) than dry‐down calibrations (1–2 wk), but it is uncertain which technique is preferable to provide the most accurate calibration. The objective of this study was to compare the results obtained from laboratory‐based infiltration wet‐up and dry‐down calibrations of the Stevens Hydra Probe soil moisture sensor. Soil samples for this study were obtained from agricultural sites in Saskatchewan, Canada, at depths of 5, 20, and 50 cm across a variety of textural compositions. Results demonstrate that utilizing either infiltration wet‐up (according to the procedure in this study) or dry‐down procedures provides accuracies of <0.061 m3 m−3 root mean square error (RMSE), which was superior to manufacturer calibration accuracy across all samples. However, superior calibration accuracies (i.e., the lowest RMSE) were achieved using the dry‐down procedure across all soil samples, resulting in a lower RMSE of 0.01 to 0.04 m3 m−3 (at 95% confidence). A significant correlation (r value = 0.61, p < 0.05) exists between the differences in infiltration wet‐up and dry‐down calibration RMSEs and clay content. This suggests that the difference between the two procedures tested in this study is more significant in finer textured soils. The findings of this study indicate that the dry‐down procedure produced the lowest RMSE and is therefore the preferred calibration procedure, particularly for finer textured soils.
Human extracellular matrix (ECM)-like collagen and its bioactivity

Abstract Collagen, the most abundant structural protein in the human extracellular matrix (ECM), provides essential support for tissues and guides tissue development. Despite its widespread use in tissue engineering, there remains uncertainty regarding the optimal selection of collagen sources. Animal-derived sources pose challenges such as immunogenicity, while the recombinant system is hindered by diminished bioactivity. In this study, we hypothesized that human ECM-like collagen (hCol) could offer an alternative for tissue engineering. In this study, a facile platform was provided for generating hCol derived from mesenchymal stem cells with a hierarchical structure and biochemical properties resembling native collagen. Our results further demonstrated that hCol could facilitate basal biological behaviors of human adipose-derived stem cells, including viability, proliferation, migration and adipocyte-like phenotype. Additionally, it could promote cutaneous wound closure. Due to its high similarity to native collagen and good bioactivity, hCol holds promise as a prospective candidate for in vitro and in vivo applications in tissue engineering.
Moderate Resolution Time Series Data Management and Analysis: Automated Large Area Mosaicking and Quality Control

The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) maintains national-scale Long Term Satellite Data Records (LTSDRs) as an essential component of Earth Observation (EO) based land surface monitoring. The CCRS LTSDR framework provides long-term capability to generate, archive and provide access to value-added satellite data and thematic products addressing various land surface monitoring needs of the Government of Canada. For many years, coarse-resolution LTSDRs supported basic land-cover and landuse information needs over large areas. While these LTSDRs, with pixel sizes between 250m and 1000m, are important for ongoing long-term time series analysis, increasingly there is an opportunity to use greater spatial resolution data to more effectively address monitoring and assessment of both anthropogenic and natural land surface changes. Until recently, cost and availability limited the usefulness of medium resolution (~30m pixel size) EO data for such analyses. Then, in 2009, the United States Geological Survey made Landsat data freely available. The potential for medium-resolution time series monitoring has been further strengthened by Landsat-8 and the pending launch of ESA’s Sentinels. For this potential to be realized, new methods and algorithms are required to extract and analyse information from the medium resolution data, such as Landsat Time Series data, to monitor aspects of land surface dynamics. CCRS’ new medium resolution LTSDR framework, the Time Series Data Management and Analysis System (TSDMAS), generates and manages value-added LTSDRs based on the TM, ETM and OLI sensors on board the Landsat 5, 7 and 8 missions, respectively. An overview of the TSDAMS system, and the algorithms implemented therein, will be presented. A new value-added data product is presented: a Top of Atmosphere Reflectance Coverage of Canada, at 30 m spatial resolution. This circa 2010 product has been generated by the TSDAMS from data acquired by the TM and ETM sensors. Product generation, quality control, and characteristics of the underlying dataset are described. By providing readily available, national-scale Landsat data products, of “research quality”, CCRS’ TSDMAS harnesses the potential of medium resolution EO data, and can exponentially increase the downstream generation and use of medium resolution land surface information products. The new system and example data product which are described were designed to assist government agencies, the scientific community, natural resources managers and non-governmental groups engaged in land cover mapping, and the generation of geophysical and biophysical products for the assessment of surface dynamics at national and regional scales. 1 A division of Natural Resources Canada’s Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO)
Callose is integral to meiotic diplospory of the Taraxacum type: new evidence from ovules of Chondrilla brevirostris (Asteraceae-Cichorioideae)

ABSTRACT An essential, but still not fully understood, aspect of angiosperms’ reproduction is the issue of callose deposition during early female reproductive processes in sexual and apomictic taxa. It was believed that callose may be a marker for an early identification of the reproduction mode and lack of callose was suggested as characteristic for apomicts. However, our findings clearly prove that meiotic diplospory of the Taraxacum type is accompanied by callose deposition and show that lack of callose is not an obligatory feature of the apomictic reproduction mode. In young ovules of C. brevirostris, callose was a marker of the cell entering the first meiotic division restitution. Synthesis and degradation of callose followed a strictly defined pattern, which differed from that described in the majority of analyzed angiosperms. Callose deposition began at the micropylar pole of the diplosporous megaspore mother cell and, finally, this cell wall polysaccharide showed a bipolar location. This pattern dynamically changed in the later stages of meiotic diplospory and, like in sexual species, it was related to the selection of the functional megaspore. Thus, it seems that callose can play a similar regulatory function in cell-cell communication between somatic tissues and the reproductive precursor cell in the ovules of both sexual and diplosporous taxa.
Topographic metabolism‐function relationships in Alzheimer's disease: A simultaneous PET/MRI study

Abstract Disruptions of neural metabolism and function occur in parallel during Alzheimer's disease (AD). While many studies have shown diverse metabolic‐functional relationships in specific brain regions, much less is known about how large‐scale network‐level functional activity is associated with the topology of metabolism in AD. In this study, we took the advantages of simultaneous PET/MRI and multivariate analyses to investigate the associations between AD‐related stereotypical spatial patterns (topographies) of glucose metabolism, measured by fluorodeoxyglucose PET, and functional connectivity, measured by resting‐state functional MRI. A total of 101 participants, including 37 patients with AD, 25 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 39 cognitively normal controls, underwent PET/MRI scans and cognitive assessments. Three pairs of distinct but optimally correlated metabolic and functional topographies were identified, encompassing large‐scale networks including the default‐mode, executive and control, salience, attention, and subcortical networks. Importantly, the metabolic‐functional associations were not only limited to one‐to‐one‐corresponding regions, but also occur in remote and non‐overlapping regions. Furthermore, both glucose metabolism and functional connectivity, as well as their linkages, exhibited various degrees of disruptions in patients with MCI and AD, and were correlated with cognitive decline. In conclusion, our results support distributed and heterogeneous topographic associations between metabolism and function, which are jeopardized by AD. Findings of this study may deepen our understanding of the pathological mechanism of AD through the perspectives of both local energy efficiency and long‐term interactions between synaptic disruption and functional disconnection contributing to the clinical symptomatology in AD.
Sleep Disturbances as a Consequence of Long COVID-19: Insights from Actigraphy and Clinimetric Examinations—An Uncontrolled Prospective Observational Pilot Study

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a global health and social challenge. However, the impact of a SARS-CoV-2 infection itself on mental health and sleep quality remains poorly understood. The purpose of the present uncontrolled prospective observational pilot study was to evaluate the impact of past COVID-19 disease on the incidence of quantitative and qualitative sleep disturbances. A group of 61 subjects (37 female, 24 male) reported sleep disturbances that had lasted for at least one month and had started after recovery from COVID-19. The study used self-reported instruments: the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), as well as an objective method—actigraphy—for quantitative analysis of sleep architecture. It was shown that sleep disturbances most commonly started after recovery (68.3%, n = 41) and lasted for more than one month (83.6%, n = 51). ESS scores of 7.8 ± 5.0 points indicate moderate daytime sleepiness, and ISI scores of 16.3 ± 5.8 points denote moderate insomnia. ESS scores were negatively correlated with total time in bed (r = −0.3780, p = 0.003), total sleep time (r = −0.2969, p = 0.020), and wakefulness after sleep onset (r = −0.2654, p = 0.039). In addition, ESS scores were correlated negatively with the respondents’ age (B = −0.17, p = 0.000) and time from COVID-19 onset. A positive correlation was found between wakefulness after sleep onset and ESS scores (B = −0.05, p = 0.039). ISI scores were positively correlated with time in bed (r = 0.3275, p = 0.010). Female gender was found to be a significant predictor of insomnia’s severity (B = 2.159, t = 3.04, p = 0.004). In conclusion, patients with a history of COVID-19 report long-lasting sleep disturbances that do not subside spontaneously. In the patient group studied, moderate levels of daytime sleepiness and insomnia were found. The most frequently reported problems included irregular sleep, frequent awakenings, and difficulty maintaining sleep, while normal sleep duration was preserved. These findings underscore the need for continued attention to the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on sleep health and emphasize the importance of targeted interventions to address these enduring sleep disturbances in affected individuals.