Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro expression of gelatinases in reconstructed melanoma model composited MV3 cells.

To the editor: It has been known that invasion and metastasis of skin melanoma in situ is a complex multi-step process involving in the interaction between melanoma cells and the adjacent stromal cells and basement membrane (BM). Over the years, the process of melanoma invasion from epidermis to dermis was observed using animal models or human cutaneous melanoma lesions removed. As for the deleted human pathological specimens, it is difficult to completely restore invasion system in vitro. However, experimental animal is subjected to a damage or death in animal testing. Behind the animal in vivo, it contains various indefinite factors to influence tumor-cell invasion and migration. With the general enhance on awareness of animal protection, organized and realistic artificial tumor model is an acceptable alternative to animal melanoma research in this field, which is an important progress in observing skin melanoma invasion. Recently in vitro reconstructed melanoma models made by different melanoma cell lines cultured on dermal substitute e.g. collagen matrices were reported to study melanoma invasion. For instance, Eves et al reported that melanoma cells with invasive growth on acellular dermis expressed gelatinases (MMP2, MMP-9). However, both invasive behavior of melanoma cells and those proteases activity correlated with the invasion seem wide variations in different melanoma cell lines. Hence, more experiments on invasion assay in those models would be required in this field.
Progression of impairment in patients with vascular cognitive impairment without dementia

Little is known about progression, short of dementia, in vascular cognitive impairment. In the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, 149 participants (79.3 ± 6.7 years; 61% women) were found to have vascular cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND). After 5 years, 77 participants (52%) had died and 58 (46%) had developed dementia. Women were at greater risk of dementia (OR 2.1, 1.0 to 4.5). Of 32 participants alive without dementia, cognition had deteriorated in seven and improved in four. Half of those with vascular CIND developed dementia within 5 years, suggesting a target for preventive interventions.
Role of ACE I/D polymorphism in pathological assessment of preeclampsia in Pakistan

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy‐related hypertensive disorder, which may stem from impair placentation. Renin‐angiotensin system is one of the mediators of decidualization and trophoblastic proliferation. In the present study women with PE were studied in a comparison of normotensive controls to determine whether Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) gene I/D polymorphism affect the placental villi and umbilical cord formation with the assessment of biochemical and clinical risk factors.
Converging evidence for the under-reporting of concussions in youth ice hockey

Background: Concussions are potentially serious injuries. The few investigations of prevalence or incidence in youth ice hockey have typically relied on prospective reports from physicians or trainers and did not survey players, despite the knowledge that many athletes do not report probable concussions. Objective: This study sought to compare concussion rates in youth ice hockey that were estimated from a variety of reporting strategies. Methods: Rates were calculated from British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association (BCAHA) official injury reports, from direct game observation by minor hockey volunteers (such as coaches and managers), as well as from retrospective surveys of both elite and non-elite youth players. All research was conducted within the BCAHA. Results: Estimates from official injury reports for male players were between 0.25 and 0.61 concussions per 1000 player game hours (PGH). Concussion estimates from volunteer reports were between 4.44 and 7.94 per 1000 PGH. Player survey estimates were between 6.65 and 8.32 per 1000 PGH, and 9.72 and 24.30 per 1000 PGH for elite and non-elite male youth hockey, respectively. Conclusion: It was found that concussions are considerably under-reported to the BCAHA by youth hockey players and team personnel.
The Relationship between Health Information Technology Laboratory Tracking Systems and Hospital Financial Performance and Quality

Abstract The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between hospitals Health Information Technology (HIT), and financial and quality performance. The study merged the 2017 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Healthcare Cost Report Information System, American Hospital Association Annual Survey, and two CMS Hospital Compare datasets. A total of 3002 hospitals were analyzed using multivariate analysis. We found that hospitals with laboratory tracking systems reported better financial performance on five financial performance measures. Policymakers should consider developing policies that facilitate exploration and adoption of various hospital HIT capabilities that measurably improves hospital quality of care.
Improving the measurement of TMS-assessed voluntary activation in the knee extensors

Purpose To test the accuracy, validity, reliability and sensitivity of an alternative method for the measure of TMS-assessed voluntary activation (VATMS) in the knee extensors. Methods Ten healthy males (24 ± 5 years) completed a neuromuscular assessment protocol before and after a fatiguing isometric exercise: two sets of five contractions (50%, 62.5%, 75%, 87.5%, 100% Maximal Voluntary Contraction; MVC) with superimposed TMS-evoked twitches for calculation of VATMS using either the first 5 stimulations (1x5C) or all 10 (2x5C). This was performed on two separate occasions (between-day reliability). Accuracy and validity were compared with a routinely used protocol [i.e. 50%, 75%, and 100% of MVC (1x3C) performed three times (3x3C)]. Results 95% confidence interval for estimated resting twitch, a key determinant of VATMS, was similar between 1x5C, 2x5C, and 3x3C but improved by six-fold when compared to 1x3C (P<0.05). In a fresh state, potentiated twitch force was unchanged following 1x5C but decreased following 2x5C (P<0.05). A recovery was found post-exercise but was smaller for 1x5C compared to 2x5C (P<0.05), with no difference between the latter two (P>0.05). Absolute reliability was strong enough for both 1x5C and 2x5C to depict a true detectable change in the sample’s VATMS following the fatiguing exercise (TEM < 3% at rest, <9% post-exercise) but 2x5C was marginally more sensitive to individual’s changes from baseline. Conclusion Both 1x5C and 2x5C provide reliable measures of VATMS. However, 1x5C may hold stronger internal validity. Both protocols allow detection of ‘true’ changes in sample’s means but not individual scores following a fatiguing isometric exercise.
Low Central Nervous System Serotonergic Activity Is Traitlike and Correlates with Impulsive Behavior

ABSTRACT: We have used nonhuman primates to examine developmental and behavioral correlates of CNS serotonergic activity, as measured by concentrations of the serotonin metabolite 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). These studies show that interindividual differences in CNS serotonin turnover rate exhibit traitlike qualities and are stable across time and settings, with interindividual differences in CSF 5‐HIAA concentrations showing positive correlations across repeated sampling. Primates with low CNS serotonergic activity exhibit behaviors indicative of impaired impulse control, unrestrained aggression, social isolation, and low social dominance. Maternal and paternal genetic influences play major roles in producing low CNS serotonin functioning, beginning early in life. These genetic influences on serotonin functioning are further influenced by early rearing experiences, particularly parental deprivation.
Chronic intermittent hypoxia‐induced hypertension: An expired hypothesis laid to rest?

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is generally considered causal for cardiovascular morbidity, including the development of high blood pressure. The underlying mechanisms driving hypertension in persons with OSAS are multifactorial. Nonetheless, experimental studies in various species have demonstrated convincingly that exposure to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH; a cardinal feature of OSASowing to recurrent pauses in pulmonary ventilationduring sleep) is sufficient to elaborate a hypertensive phenotype. As such, there is great interest in the determination of mechanisms underpinning CIH-induced aberrant control of blood pressure. It is established that exposure to CIH enhances active expiration, which manifests as late-expiratory recruitment of abdominal muscles during quiet breathing. Consequently, brainstem respiratory– sympathetic neuronal coupling is enhanced after exposure toCIH,with theemergenceof sympathetic outflowentrained to the late-expiratory period, which may contribute to CIH-induced persistent elevation of mean arterial pressure. Certainly, the importance of sympathetic overactivity as an instigator of hypertension is established in persons with OSAS and animal models of the disorder, in addition to other models of neurogenic hypertension. In this issue of Experimental Physiology, Bazilio, Bonagamba,Moraes, and Machado (2019) present new and interesting findings extending this line of enquiry. The authors queried whether exposure to CIH evokes alterations in the sleep–wake cycle explicitly during the experimental period of blood pressure determination. Statedependent changes in autonomic tone and arterial blood pressure variability are widely recognized. Moreover, active expiration is state dependent. Thus, the authors postulated that changes in state during quiet recording sessions in CIH-exposed rats [e.g. increased periods of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep] might potentiate active expiration and concurrent late-expiratory sympathetic discharge, contributing to elevated blood pressure. If so, state-dependent alterations in central
Chenopodium as a Prehistoric Domesticate in Eastern North America: Evidence from Russell Cave, Alabama

Approximately 50,000 carbonized fruits of the species Chenopodium berlandieri recovered from Russell Cave, Alabama, and dating to 1975 � 55 before the present, exhibit a set of interrelated morphological characteristics reflecting domestication (thin testa, truncate margin, rectanguloid fruit cross section, ligulate cotyledons, and increased internal fruit volume). These morphological characteristics establish the presence of a domestic variety of Chenopodium in the eastern United States by 2000 years ago.
Biological Function and Application of Picornaviral 2B Protein: A New Target for Antiviral Drug Development

Picornaviruses are associated with acute and chronic diseases. The clinical manifestations of infections are often mild, but infections may also lead to respiratory symptoms, gastroenteritis, myocarditis, meningitis, hepatitis, and poliomyelitis, with serious impacts on human health and economic losses in animal husbandry. Thus far, research on picornaviruses has mainly focused on structural proteins such as VP1, whereas the non-structural protein 2B, which plays vital roles in the life cycle of the viruses and exhibits a viroporin or viroporin-like activity, has been overlooked. Viroporins are viral proteins containing at least one amphipathic α-helical structure, which oligomerizes to form transmembrane hydrophilic pores. In this review, we mainly summarize recent research data on the viroporin or viroporin-like activity of 2B proteins, which affects the biological function of the membrane, regulates cell death, and affects the host immune response. Considering these mechanisms, the potential application of the 2B protein as a candidate target for antiviral drug development is discussed, along with research challenges and prospects toward realizing a novel treatment strategy for picornavirus infections.
Femoral lengths and stature in Plio-Pleistocene hominids.

This study reports the femoral lengths of 31 Plio-Pleistocene hominids dated between 3.1 and 0.7 million years ago, and uses those lengths to estimate stature by way of the femur-stature ratio reported by Feldesman et al. (Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 78:219-220, 1989). By this method the average female Australopithecus afarensis is 105 cm and the average male is 151 cm. The respective values are 115 and 138 cm for A. africanus. As defined by Howell (In VJ Maglio and HBS Cooke (eds): The Evolution of African Mammals. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1978) and Johanson et al. (Kirtlandia 28:1-14, 1978), Homo habilis is a sexually dimorphic species, with females standing 118 cm and males 157 cm. Such apparently strong dimorphism may be due to the possibility that there are actually two species of nonrobust hominids between 2 and 1.7 m.y. a. The estimate for the female Australopithecus boisei is 124 cm and for the male, 137 cm, but these estimates are especially difficult to be certain of because there are no femora that can be positively identified as male A. boisei. Australopithecus robustus is estimated to be 110 cm (female) and 132 cm (male). African Homo erectus stood 160 cm (female) and 180 cm (male). From these estimates several generalizations are apparent. First, there is apparently strong sexual dimorphism in stature in A. afarensis and H. habilis, but less in the other species. Second, the "robust" australopithecines were relatively small statured. Third, it is apparently not true that humans have been getting progressively taller throughout their evolutionary history. Some individuals were as tall as modern humans 3 m.y. a. , by 2 m.y. a. one individual stood about 173 cm, and by 1.7 m.y. a. a stature of 180+ cm was not uncommon.
A Bidirectional LLC Resonant Converter With Automatic Forward and Backward Mode Transition

This paper proposes an improved bidirectional LLC resonant topology with a new control scheme. All the switches in the proposed topology can achieve soft switching. Compared with traditional isolated bidirectional dc-dc converters such as dual active bridge converter, the reverse energy and turn-off loss are reduced dramatically, and the conversion efficiency can be much improved. With the proposed new control scheme, the power flow direction and output power of the proposed converter can be changed automatically and continuously, which is attractive for energy storage systems to balance the energy and to keep the dc-bus voltage constant. Performance of the proposed circuit is validated by the experimental results from a 1-kW prototype. Over 97% efficiency is achieved at full load condition based on the prototype.
3D Printing of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds with Horizontal Pore and Composition Gradients.

This work investigated a new 3D-printing methodology to prepare porous scaffolds containing horizontal pore and composition gradients. To achieve that, a multimaterial printing technology developed in our laboratory was adapted to incorporate pore gradients. Fibers were printed by welding segments with unique material compositions and fiber diameters. Particularly, we focused on the preparation of model composite poly(ε-caprolactone)-based scaffolds with radial gradients of particulate hydroxyapatite (HA) content (higher concentrations in the outer region of the scaffold) and porosity (higher in the inner region). The morphology of the scaffolds revealed that the methodology allowed the fabrication of discrete regions with compressive mechanical properties similar to human bone while maintaining structural integrity. HA distribution was homogeneous within individual regions and no particle aggregation was detected by microCT analysis and Alizarin red S staining. Finally, the incubation of the scaffolds in simulated body fluid resulted in the deposition of significantly higher amounts of calcium deposits in the regions of the scaffolds with higher HA content. This work provides a new tool for the preparation of porous scaffolds containing porosity and composition gradients for complex tissue engineering applications.
Influence of granulation temperature on particle size distribution of granules in twin-screw granulation (TSG)

Abstract This study investigated an influence of granulation temperature during twin-screw granulation (TSG) on particle size distributions (PSDs). The influence of the granulation temperature on granule size distributions varied, depending on the liquid to solid (L/S) ratio, the kind of binders, the method of binder addition, and the filler material. The PSD of granules was broad and bimodal at a barrel temperature of 30 °C. Granules size distributions became narrow and second height decreased at high barrel temperature. While the L/S ratio had an effect on the sharpness of granule size distributions, this effect was minor compared to the granulation temperature. Granule size distributions were influenced by binder addition methods. When the binder was added as solution, PSD became broad. In formulations using lactose as filler, PSD became broad and bimodal at 90 °C. Much lactose was dissolved in granulation solution at high temperature, because the solubility of lactose rises significantly with the solution temperature leading to higher effective L/S ratio in the granulator. Hence, granulation was proceeded and large granules were formed. From these results, the granulation temperature is one of important parameters to obtain mono-modal PSD in TSG. Graphical Abstract
The habitat preference of Microtus pennsylvanicus, and its relevance to the distribution of this species on islands.

Microtus pennsylvanicus normally occurs in grassland habitat but is occasionally found in woodland, most frequently on islands. To help understand why the woodland is sometimes occupied, experiments were conducted in outdoor enclosures to study habitat preference and movement from grassland to woodland. A strong preference for grassland was demonstrated. Adults with previous experience in grassland and young voles without such experience, but held in the woodland for 2 weeks, were released in the woodland. All voles entered the grassland soon after release and remained there. In another enclosure a population was allowed to build up in the grassland. Movement into woodland occurred only at high density. It is believed that intraspecific interaction, associated with high density, induced the movement. It is suggested that this and the absence of competitors and predators are the chief factors responsible for the occurrence of M. pennsylvanicus (and other mammal species) in unusual habitat on islands.
Influence of Nanomolar Deltamethrin on the Hallmarks of Primary Cultured Cortical Neuronal Network and the Role of Ryanodine Receptors

Background: The pyrethroid deltamethrin (DM) is broadly used for insect control. Although DM hyperexcites neuronal networks by delaying inactivation of axonal voltage-dependent Na+ channels, this mechanism is unlikely to mediate neurotoxicity at lower exposure levels during critical perinatal periods in mammals. Objectives: We aimed to identify mechanisms by which acute and subchronic DM altered axonal and dendritic growth, patterns of synchronous Ca2+ oscillations (SCOs), and electrical spike activity (ESA) functions critical to neuronal network formation. Methods: Measurements of SCOs using Ca2+ imaging, ESA using microelectrode array (MEA) technology, and dendritic complexity using Sholl analysis were performed in primary murine cortical neurons from wild-type (WT) and/or ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1T4826I/T4826I) mice between 5 and 14 d in vitro (DIV). [H3]ryanodine binding analysis and a single-channel voltage clamp were utilized to measure engagement of RyRs as a direct target of DM. Results: Neuronal networks responded to DM (30–70 nM) as early as 5 DIV, reducing SCO amplitude and depressing ESA and burst frequencies by 60–70%. DM (10–300 nM) enhanced axonal growth in a nonmonotonic manner. DM≥100 nM enhanced dendritic complexity. DM stabilized channel open states of RyR1, RyR2, and cortical preparations expressing all three isoforms. DM (30 nM) altered gating kinetics of RyR1 channels, increasing mean open time, decreasing mean closed time, and thereby enhancing overall open probability. SCO patterns from cortical networks expressing RyR1T4826I/T4826I were more responsive to DM than WT. RyR1T4826I/T4826I neurons showed inherently longer axonal lengths than WT neurons and maintained less length-promoting responses to nanomolar DM. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that RyRs were sensitive molecular targets of DM with functional consequences likely relevant for mediating abnormal neuronal network connectivity in vitro. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4583
Stress resilience and the dynamic regulation of glucocorticoids.

Vertebrates respond to a diversity of stressors by rapidly elevating glucocorticoid levels. The changes in physiology and behavior triggered by this response can be crucial for surviving a variety of challenges. Yet the same process that is invaluable in coping with immediate threats can also impose substantial damage over time. In addition to the pathological effects of long-term exposure to stress hormones, even relatively brief elevations can impair the expression of a variety of behaviors and physiological processes central to fitness, including sexual behavior, parental behavior, and immune function. Therefore, the ability to rapidly and effectively terminate the short-term response to stress may be fundamental to surviving and reproducing in dynamic environments. Here we review the evidence that variation in the ability to terminate the stress response through negative feedback is an important component of stress coping capacity. We suggest that coping capacity may also be influenced by variation in the dynamic regulation of glucocorticoids - specifically, the ability to rapidly turn on and off the stress response. Most tests of the fitness effects of these traits to date have focused on organisms experiencing severe or prolonged stressors. Here we use data collected from a long-term study of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) to test whether variation in negative feedback, or other measures of GC regulation, predict components of fitness in non-chronically stressed populations. We find relatively consistent, but generally weak relationships between different fitness components and the strength of negative feedback. Reproductive success was highest in individuals that both mounted a robust stress response and had strong negative feedback. We did not see consistent evidence of a relationship between negative feedback and adult or nestling survival: negative feedback was retained in the best supported models of nestling and adult survival, but in two of three survival-related analyses the intercept-only model received only slightly less support. Both negative feedback and stress-induced GC levels - but not baseline GCs - were individually repeatable. These measures of GC activity did not consistently covary across ages and life history stages, indicating that they are independently regulated. Overall, the patterns seen here are consistent with the predictions that negative feedback - and the dynamic regulation of glucocorticoids - are important components of stress coping capacity, but that the fitness benefits of having strong negative feedback during the reproductive period are likely to manifest primarily in individuals exposed to chronic or repeated stressors.