Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
6-gingerol alleviates inflammatory injury in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis mice by regulating NF-κB signaling.

BACKGROUND The imbalance of Treg/Thl7 cells and inflammatory injury are believed to be involved in the development of ulcerative colitis (UC). Meanwhile, 6-gingerol has been reported to alleviate intestinal inflammatory damage in mice models, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. METHODS In this study, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice models were established to examine the effects of 6-gingerol on IL-17 and IL-10 secretion, and the activation of NF-κB signaling was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS 6-gingerol could significantly reduce the weight loss caused by DSS in mice models (P<0.05), which is similar to the therapeutic drug, mesalazine. Immunohistochemistry showed that 6-gingerol can repair the damaged glandular structure gradually caused by DSS, significantly decrease the IL-17 level, and increase IL-10 level in bowel tissue. ELISA revealed that 6-gingerol could significantly decrease the IL17 level and increase IL-10 level in both serum and bowel tissue, and the differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). In addition, 6-gingerol could suppress the phosphorylation level of IκBα and p65, which was up-regulated by DSS. Further analysis with immunohistochemistry indicated p-p65 staining was mainly in the nucleus with some in the cytoplasm after DSS treatment, and the treatment with 6-gingerol could significantly weaken the density of p-p65 both in the cytoplasm and nucleus. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that 6-gingerol may alleviate inflammatory injury in UC mice by regulating NF-κB signaling pathway.
Do Dreissenid Mussels Affect Lake Erie Ecosystem Stability Processes?

Abstract Ecosystem stability processes such as constancy, resilience and persistence are important, but often neglected, topics of invasive species research. Here we consider how invasive dreissenid mussels affect ecosystem stability processes in Lake Erie through both consumptive and excretory processes using the stability landscape heuristic (Gunderson, 2000). Consumption of phytoplankton by dreissenid mussels adds complexity to the system and potentially slows energy transfer from lower to higher trophic levels decreasing system constancy and lowering system resiliency. Excreting soluble waste products at low nitrogen to phosphorus ratios exacerbates these impacts on stability processes because low nutrient ratios favor growth of cyanobacterial blooms, less preferred food of zooplankton, further decreasing the transfer of energy from lower to higher trophic levels. We also provide evidence for recent changes in Lake Erie's stability landscape including a return towards eutrophy.
COX Inhibition Increases Alternaria-Induced Pulmonary Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cell Responses and IL-33 Release in Mice

Key Points COX inhibition increased Alternaria extract–induced pulmonary ILC2 responses. COX inhibition promoted Alternaria extract–induced IL-33 release in the lung. COX inhibition augmented rIL-33–induced pulmonary ILC2 responses. The cyclooxygenase (COX) metabolic pathway regulates immune responses and inflammation. The effect of the COX pathway on innate pulmonary inflammation induced by protease-containing fungal allergens, such as Alternaria alternata, is not fully defined. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that COX inhibition augments Alternaria-induced pulmonary group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) responses and IL-33 release. Mice were treated with the COX inhibitors indomethacin, flurbiprofen, or vehicle and challenged intranasally with Alternaria extract for four consecutive days to induce innate lung inflammation. We found that indomethacin and flurbiprofen significantly increased the numbers of ILC2 and IL-5 and IL-13 expression by ILC2 in the lung. Indomethacin also increased ILC2 proliferation, the percentages of eosinophils, and mucus production in the lung. Both indomethacin and flurbiprofen augmented the release of IL-33 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after Alternaria challenge, suggesting that more IL-33 was available for ILC2 activation and that a COX product(s) inhibited IL-33 release. This is supported by the in vitro finding that the COX product PGE2 and the PGI2 analogs cicaprost decreased Alternaria extract–induced IL-33 release by human bronchial epithelial cells. Although contrasting effects of PGD2, PGE2, and PGI2 on ILC2 responses have been previously reported, the overall effect of the COX pathway on ILC2 function is inhibitory in Alternaria-induced innate airway inflammation.
Assessment of two prophylactic fluid strategies in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A randomized trial

Objective To compare the effect of two prophylactic euvolemic fluid strategy regimens on the incidence of cerebral vasospasm and clinical outcomes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods Ninety-six patients with a basal intravenous intake of 15 mL/kg/day of Ringer’s lactate solution were included, and an additional 15 to 50 mL/kg/day Ringer’s lactate (RL-group) or hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 solution (HES-group) was administered to maintain the targeted mean arterial pressure. The primary end point was the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm during the first 14 days. The secondary end points were case fatality, Barthel’s index, and Glasgow Outcome Scores (GOS) at 30 days after SAH. Results Cerebral vasospasm developed in 42 patients (43.7%), and nine of these events were severe. The vasospasm rate among the RL- and HES-based groups was 25/48 and 17/48, respectively. For the secondary endpoint, four patients (4%) died by the end of follow-up (two in each group). Unfavorable outcome cases were not different in the RL and HES groups (9 vs. 14, respectively). There was no difference between the Barthel’s scores at 30 days between the two groups. Conclusions Using starches in a prophylactic treatment strategy in aneurysmal SAH in not supported by the study. The trial was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov under the number NCT02064075
Interrogation of microarray datasets indicates that macrophage-secreted factors stimulate the expression of genes associated with vitamin D metabolism (VDR and CYP27B1) in human adipocytes

Microarray datasets have been interrogated to determine whether the expression of vitamin D-related genes is modulated in adipocytes during inflammation. The datasets were from human adipocytes and preadipocytes incubated with macrophage-conditioned medium (U937 cells). In adipocytes, exposure to the conditioned medium for 24 h resulted in a major increase (82.2-fold) in mRNA level of CYP27B1, the gene encoding the enzyme that converts 25-hydroxycholecalciferol to the active form of vitamin D3, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol; exposure for 4 h also raised CYP27B1 mRNA level (10.9-fold). The level of the mRNA encoding the vitamin D receptor (VDR) was increased after 24 h (7.7-fold), but there was no change at 4 h. In contrast, incubation with conditioned medium for either 4 or 24 h had no effect on the expression of the CYP24 and CYP2R1 genes, which encode enzymes that catalyze a 24-hydroxylation and the conversion of vitamin D3 to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, respectively. In preadipocytes, the only effect of the macrophage-conditioned medium was to stimulate CYP27B1 expression (5.7-fold) after 24 h. It is concluded that the capacity of adipocytes to produce active vitamin D3 hormone and its nuclear receptor is strongly upregulated by secretory products from macrophages; this is consistent with a counter-regulatory effect of the vitamin D system to ameliorate inflammation. Adipobiology 2011; 3: 31-36.
Angiogenesis and Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Vascular Remodeling after Stroke

Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, is a natural defense mechanism helping to restore oxygen and nutrient supply to the affected brain tissue following an ischemic stroke. By stimulating vessel growth, angiogenesis may stabilize brain perfusion, thereby promoting neuronal survival, brain plasticity, and neurologic recovery. However, therapeutic angiogenesis after stroke faces challenges: new angiogenesis-induced vessels have a higher than normal permeability, and treatment to promote angiogenesis may exacerbate outcomes in stroke patients. The development of therapies requires elucidation of the precise cellular and molecular basis of the disease. Microenvironment homeostasis of the central nervous system is essential for its normal function and is maintained by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Tight junction proteins (TJP) form the tight junction (TJ) between vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and play a key role in regulating the BBB permeability. We demonstrated that after stroke, new angiogenesis-induced vessels in peri-infarct areas have abnormally high BBB permeability due to a lack of major TJPs in ECs. Therefore, promoting TJ formation and BBB integrity in the new vessels coupled with speedy angiogenesis will provide a promising and safer treatment strategy for improving recovery from stroke. Pericyte is a central neurovascular unite component in vascular barriergenesis and are vital to BBB integrity. We found that pericytes also play a key role in stroke-induced angiogenesis and TJ formation in the newly formed vessels. Based on these findings, in this article, we focus on regulation aspects of the BBB functions and describe cellular and molecular special features of TJ formation with an emphasis on role of pericytes in BBB integrity during angiogenesis after stroke.
Location-specific risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting on risk factors according to location of the intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods We searched PubMed and Embase for cohort and case-control studies reporting ≥100 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage that specified the location of the hematoma and reported associations with risk factors published until June 27, 2019. Two authors independently extracted data on risk factors. Estimates were pooled with the generic variance-based random-effects method. Results After screening 10,013 articles, we included 42 studies totaling 26,174 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (9,141 lobar and 17,033 nonlobar). Risk factors for nonlobar intracerebral hemorrhage were hypertension (risk ratio [RR] 4.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.05–5.91, I2 = 92%), diabetes mellitus (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.11–1.64, I2 = 37%), male sex (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.25–2.14, I2 = 61%), alcohol overuse (RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.21–1.81, I2 = 19%), underweight (RR 2.12, 95% CI 1.12–4.01, I2 = 31%), and being a Black (RR 2.83, 95% CI 1.02-7.84, I2 = 96%) or Hispanic (RR 2.95, 95% CI 1.69-5.14, I2 = 71%) participant compared with being a White participant. Hypertension, but not any of the other risk factors, was also a risk factor for lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (RR 1.83, 95% CI 1.39–2.42, I2 = 76%). Smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity were associated with neither nonlobar nor lobar intracerebral hemorrhage. Conclusions Hypertension is a risk factor for both nonlobar and lobar intracerebral hemorrhage, although with double the effect for nonlobar intracerebral hemorrhage. Diabetes mellitus, male sex, alcohol overuse, underweight, and being a Black or Hispanic person are risk factors for nonlobar intracerebral hemorrhage only. Hence, the term hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage for nonlobar intracerebral hemorrhage is not appropriate.
Skin Lesions Detection using Meta-Heuristic Method

Melanoma skin cancer has been one of the quickest uprisings of totally cancers, which has a high hazard of prevalence. This deadliest form of melanoma must be detected premature for effective handling. In this work, a technique was used to aid the premature detection of skin cancer lesions. For the segmentation to be considered correct using the Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) method, the result obtained was compared with the segmentation of the dermatologist. This method is applied on dermoscopy images were obtained of the PH2 database. The algorithm is one of the foremost widespread techniques to obtain infinite chances to solve the ABC rule that provides accurate results in the quickest possible time. The artificial bee colony algorithm recognizes whether moles are melanoma or not and at any stage of danger also the results are compared with the results from the existing algorithm of melanoma detection; it achieved good results in the conditions of high specificity, accuracy and sensitivity (92.50,97.20,93.02) %. The ABC algorithmic is effective and improves early detection with high accuracy for skin lesions leads to decrease in death rates
A review of 16 years of quality control parameters at a mass‐rearing facility producing Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni

From 1996 to 2012, the mass‐rearing facility at Camden (NSW, Australia) has been producing Queensland fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae). During this time, the facility has regularly recorded fly quality parameters, creating a unique data set that provides an invaluable opportunity to evaluate the interrelationships among standard quality control (QC) parameters and test for redundant QC variables. Here, we conducted an exploratory data analysis to reveal relationships among the QC parameters. We found that pupal weight, adult lifespan, and longevity under nutritional stress (i.e., survival duration without food or water) had distinct monthly trends, suggesting that these QC parameters are sensitive to seasonal conditions. Furthermore, emergence percentage, flight ability, and adult lifespan were adversely affected by the dyeing/handling/irradiation process associated with sterile insect releases. Using a multivariate approach and controlling for monthly and yearly patterns, we showed that pupal weight and egg hatch are consistently negatively related and that percentage male and emergence rates are consistently negatively related. These results suggest that these correlation pairs measure similar quality information and hence one QC variable from each pair could be dropped. Flight ability was not strongly correlated with any of the QC variables, suggesting that this QC variable remains a useful QC metric. Finally, the longevity under nutritional stress QC appears to be fairly insensitive to QCs and we suggest that it should be replaced by the standard mortality under stress test.
Post-transcriptional regulation of MRTF-A by miRNAs during myogenic differentiation of myoblasts

Abstract The differentiation and regeneration of skeletal muscle from myoblasts to myotubes involves myogenic transcription factors, such as myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) and serum response factor (SRF). In addition, post-transcriptional regulation by miRNAs is required during myogenesis. Here, we provide evidence for novel mechanisms regulating MRTF-A during myogenic differentiation. Endogenous MRTF-A protein abundance and activity decreased during C2C12 differentiation, which was attributable to miRNA-directed inhibition. Conversely, overexpression of MRTF-A impaired differentiation and myosin expression. Applying miRNA trapping by RNA affinity purification (miTRAP), we identified miRNAs which directly regulate MRTF-A via its 3′UTR, including miR-1a-3p, miR-206-3p, miR-24-3p and miR-486-5p. These miRNAs were upregulated during differentiation and specifically recruited to the 3′UTR of MRTF-A. Concomitantly, Ago2 recruitment to the MRTF-A 3′UTR was considerably increased, whereas Dicer1 depletion or 3′UTR deletion elevated MRTF-A and inhibited differentiation. MRTF-A protein expression was inhibited by ectopic miRNA expression in murine C2C12 and primary human myoblasts. 3′UTR reporter activity diminished upon differentiation or miRNA expression, whereas deletion of the predicted binding sites reversed these effects. Furthermore, TGF-β abolished MRTF-A reduction and decreased miR-486-5p expression. Our findings implicate miR-24-3p and miR-486-5p in the repression of MRTF-A and suggest a complex network of transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms regulating myogenesis.
Understanding the value of design thinking to innovation in banking

With the advent of Finntech, the banking world has been confronted with the method of design thinking, a proven method for solving wicked problems. Design thinking unleashes creativity and supports developing innovative solutions that are desirable (customers are interested in buying), feasible (banks can deliver upon the promises made), and viable (banks can make a profit). It puts the customer center-stage and focuses on satisfying customer needs and understanding customer jobs-to-be-done. Through its iterative approach, design thinking delivers differentiated and superior solutions, both from a functional and an emotional perspective. By observing customers in their natural environment, prototyping and validating ideas, design thinking ensures that developed solutions work. This article discusses how design thinking can aid in making banking more innovative.
Long‐term follow‐up for the microbiological safety of clinical microencapsulated neonatal porcine islet transplantation

Enrollment in three clinical trials for microencapsulated neonatal porcine islet xenotransplantation to treat unstable type 1 diabetic patients concluded in November 2014. In this study, we report a long‐term follow‐up assessment of microbiological safety for these trials. Thirty‐eight type 1 diabetic patients received microencapsulated neonatal porcine islet transplants. Islets were isolated and prepared from the pancreata of New Zealand (NZ) based designated pathogen‐free (DPF) pigs under GMP conditions. Blood samples of thirty‐six patients were collected from 5 to 7 years post‐first transplant and were tested by real‐time PCR for porcine circovirus‐1 (PCV1), porcine circovirus‐2 (PCV2), porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus 1 (PLHV1), porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus 2 (PLHV2), and porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV). To detect porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV), specific real‐time PCR and product enhanced reserve transcriptase (PERT) assays were performed. PCV1, PCV2, PLHV1, PLHV2, PCMV, PERV, and reverse transcriptase (RT) activity remained undetected in all tested samples indicating no viral transmission. Except for one patient that died due to complications unrelated to the transplant, there were no significant adverse events. Microbiological safety was demonstrated for microencapsulated neonatal porcine islet xenotransplantation from 5‐7 years post‐transplantation consistent with earlier reports.
EEG monitoring duration to identify electroencephalographic seizures in critically ill children

Objectives To determine the optimal duration of continuous EEG monitoring (CEEG) for electrographic seizure (ES) identification in critically ill children. Methods We performed a prospective observational cohort study of 719 consecutive critically ill children with encephalopathy. We evaluated baseline clinical risk factors (age and prior clinically evident seizures) and emergent CEEG risk factors (epileptiform discharges and ictal-interictal continuum patterns) using a multistate survival model. For each subgroup, we determined the CEEG duration for which the risk of ES was <5% and <2%. Results ES occurred in 184 children (26%). Patients achieved <5% risk of ES after (1) 6 hours if ≥1 year without prior seizures or EEG risk factors; (2) 1 day if <1 year without prior seizures or EEG risks; (3) 1 day if ≥1 year with either prior seizures or EEG risks; (4) 2 days if ≥1 year with prior seizures and EEG risks; (5) 2 days if <1 year without prior seizures but with EEG risks; and (6) 2.5 days if <1 year with prior seizures regardless of the presence of EEG risks. Patients achieved <2% risk of ES at the same durations except patients without prior seizures or EEG risk factors would require longer CEEG (1.5 days if <1 year of age, 1 day if ≥1 year of age). Conclusions A model derived from 2 baseline clinical risk factors and emergent EEG risk factors would allow clinicians to implement personalized strategies that optimally target limited CEEG resources. This would enable more widespread use of CEEG-guided management as a potential neuroprotective strategy. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03419260.
Ruminal acetogens and their potential to lower ruminant methane emissions

Ruminant methane is a major contributor to the anthropogenic greenhouse gas inventories of Australia and New Zealand. Direct intervention in the rumen offers one means for controlling ruminant methane emissions. In this respect, acetogenic bacteria (acetogens) normally present in the rumen are of interest because they have the potential to provide an alternative sink for H2, an essential intermediate in the formation of methane. Although little is known about the populations of acetogens in grazing ruminants, studies on ruminants fed diets containing con- centrates or conserved forages indicate that the rumen contains a diversity of acetogens and that some of these have the potential to act as hydrogenotrophs in place of methanogens. This paper describes the current understanding of ruminal acetogens and outlines potential applications of acetogens in methane mitigation strategies. Strategies which use acetogens to outcompete and displace methanogens are considered less likely to be successful than strate- gies which use acetogens to maintain low H2 levels in the rumen following suppression of methanogens. However, the former cannot be completely discounted at present.
Response of soybean sudden death syndrome to tillage and cultivar

Sudden death syndrome (SDS), caused by Fusarium solani f. sp. glycines, is a season-long root disease of soybean (Glycine max) with foliar symptoms beginning in late vegetative and early reproductive stages of plant growth. The disease has been reported in most soybean-growing regions of the United States of America and the world. Previous research found that SDS was less severe in areas that were subsoiled when compared with those with no-till. The objectives of the current study were to determine (i) if cost-effective tillage practices, i.e., chisel plowing and disk tillage, can be efficient in reducing SDS and (ii) if cultivars with a range of SDS resistance or susceptibility respond differently in SDS expression across various tillage practices. In the fall of 2000 and 2001, plots were established in a field with a history of severe SDS and with a soil type consisting of an Armiesburg silty clay loam. The experiment was organized in a split-plot design with four replications. Main plots were tillage (chisel tillage, disk tillage, and no tillage), and subplots were cultivars randomized in main plots. Twelve cultivars were selected based on resistance or susceptibility to SDS. In 2000, chisel tillage reduced the area under the foliar disease progress curve (AUFDPC) when compared with no-till or disk tillage. In 2001, both chisel and disk tillage reduced AUFDPC similarly when compared with no-till. In 2000, the rate of root infection by the fungus, that is, the area under the root colonization progress curve (AURCPC), was higher in both disk- and chisel-tillage treatments than in no-tillage treatments. In 2001, higher rates of root infection occurred with chisel tillage compared with disk tillage and no-till. Among the cultivars, foliar disease ratings, AUFDPC, and soybean yield differed, but there were no differences in the AURCPC.