Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
YABBY Genes in the Development and Evolution of Land Plants

Mounting evidence from genomic and transcriptomic studies suggests that most genetic networks regulating the morphogenesis of land plant sporophytes were co-opted and modified from those already present in streptophyte algae and gametophytes of bryophytes sensu lato. However, thus far, no candidate genes have been identified that could be responsible for “planation”, a conversion from a three-dimensional to a two-dimensional growth pattern. According to the telome theory, “planation” was required for the genesis of the leaf blade in the course of leaf evolution. The key transcription factors responsible for leaf blade development in angiosperms are YABBY proteins, which until recently were thought to be unique for seed plants. Yet, identification of a YABBY homologue in a green alga and the recent findings of YABBY homologues in lycophytes and hornworts suggest that YABBY proteins were already present in the last common ancestor of land plants. Thus, these transcriptional factors could have been involved in “planation”, which fosters our understanding of the origin of leaves. Here, we summarise the current data on functions of YABBY proteins in the vegetative and reproductive development of diverse angiosperms and gymnosperms as well as in the development of lycophytes. Furthermore, we discuss a putative role of YABBY proteins in the genesis of multicellular shoot apical meristems and in the evolution of leaves in early divergent terrestrial plants.
Predictive Markers of Early Cardiovascular Impairment and Insulin Resistance in Obese Pediatric Patients

Background: The increased prevalence of obesity among children determined the rising number of its comorbidities in children and adults, too. This study aimed to evaluate certain markers of inflammation and insulin resistance in obese pediatric patients, identifying those who are more likely to develop further complications. Methods: We included 115 obese pediatric patients: 85 overweight and obese patients in the study group and 30 normal-weight patients in the control group. We calculated the body mass index (BMI) and we evaluated markers (biological, inflammatory) and the hormones profile. Results: Low-threshold inflammation was assessed by measuring interleukin 6 IL-6 and Intercellular Adhesion Molecules (ICAM). The analysis showed that IL-6 is significantly correlated with glucose (p = 0.001) and BMI value (p = 0.031). ICAM correlates significantly with triglycerides (p = 0.001), glucose (p = 0.044) and BMI percentile (p = 0.037). For pediatric obese patients, endotoxemia has been significantly correlated only with BMI percentile (p = 0.001). Plasma cortisol did not show significant correlations with total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose or BMI percentile. The results indicated a significant predictive power of BMI percentile on inflammatory markers: IL-6 (AUC = 0.803, p < 0.001), ICAM (AUC = 0.806, p < 0.001) and endotoxemia (AUC = 0.762, p = 0.019). Additionally, BMI percentile has a significant predictive power for metabolic markers of insulin resistance (insulin value: AUC = 0.72, p < 0.001 and HOMA index: AUC = 0.68, p = 0.003). Conclusions: The study highlighted the importance of early markers of cardiovascular risk in obese pediatric patients represented by IL-6, ICAM, endotoxemia and their correlation with metabolic markers of insulin resistance represented by insulinemia, HOMA index and plasma cortisol. It can clearly be considered that the BMI percentile has significant predictive power for metabolic markers of insulin resistance.
Women’s Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Pregnancy

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has multiple ramifications for pregnant women. Untreated depression during pregnancy may have long-term effects on the mother and offspring. Therefore, delineating the effects of pregnancy on the mental health of reproductive-age women is crucial. This study aims to determine the risk for depressive symptoms in pregnant and non-pregnant women during COVID-19, and to identify its bio-psycho-social contributors. A total of 1114 pregnant and 256 non-pregnant women were recruited via social media in May 2020 to complete an online survey that included depression and anxiety questionnaires, as well as demographic, obstetric and COVID-19-related questionnaires. Pregnant women also completed the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale (PREPS). Pregnant women reported fewer depressive symptoms and were less concerned that they had COVID-19 than non-pregnant women. Among pregnant women, risk factors for depression included lower income, fewer children, unemployment, thinking that one has COVID-19, high-risk pregnancy, earlier gestational age, and increased pregnancy-related stress. Protective factors included increased partner support, healthy behaviors, and positive appraisal of the pregnancy. Thus, being pregnant is associated with reduced risk for depressive symptoms during the pandemic. Increased social support, engaging in health behaviors and positive appraisal may enhance resilience. Future studies of pregnant versus non-pregnant women could clarify the role of pregnancy during stressful events, and clarify aspects of susceptibility and resilience during pregnancy.
Comparative Effectiveness of Pediatric Integrative Medicine: A Pragmatic Cluster-Controlled Trial

Symptoms of pain, nausea/vomiting, and anxiety (PNVA) are highly prevalent in pediatric inpatients. Poorly managed symptoms can lead to decreased compliance with care, and prolonged recovery times. Pharmacotherapy used to manage PNVA symptoms is of variable effectiveness and carries safety risks. Complementary therapies to manage these symptoms are gaining popularity due to their perceived benefits and low risk of harm. Pediatric integrative medicine (PIM) is the combination of complementary therapies with conventional medicine in pediatric populations. A two-arm, cluster-controlled, pragmatic clinical trial was carried out to compare the effectiveness of a PIM service in conjunction with usual care, versus usual care only to treat PNVA symptoms in hospitalized pediatric patients. The primary outcome was the improvement of PNVA symptom severity using a 10-point numerical rating scale. Participant enrollment occurred between January 2013 and January 2016. A total of 872 participants (usual care n = 497; PIM n = 375) were enrolled. The PIM therapies significantly reduced PNVA symptom severity (p < 0.001). This study found that a hospital-based PIM service is both safe and effective for alleviating PNVA symptoms. Future research should carry out this work in other pediatric inpatient divisions, and in other sites to determine the reproducibility of findings.
Role of α2-Adrenoceptor Subtypes in Suppression of L-Type Ca2+ Current in Mouse Cardiac Myocytes

Sarcolemmal α2 adrenoceptors (α2-AR), represented by α2A, α2B and α2C isoforms, can safeguard cardiac muscle under sympathoadrenergic surge by governing Ca2+ handling and contractility of cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocyte-specific targeting of α2-AR would provide cardiac muscle-delimited stress control and enhance the efficacy of cardiac malfunction treatments. However, little is known about the specific contribution of the α2-AR subtypes in modulating cardiomyocyte functions. Herein, we analyzed the expression profile of α2A, α2B and α2C subtypes in mouse ventricle and conducted electrophysiological antagonist assay evaluating the contribution of these isoforms to the suppression of L-type Ca2+ current (ICaL). Patch-clamp electro-pharmacological studies revealed that the α2-agonist-induced suppression of ICaL involves mainly the α2C, to a lesser extent the α2B, and not the α2A isoforms. RT-qPCR evaluation revealed the presence of adra2b and adra2c (α2B and α2C isoform genes, respectively), but was unable to identify the expression of adra2a (α2A isoform gene) in the mouse left ventricle. Immunoblotting confirmed the presence only of the α2B and the α2C proteins in this tissue. The identified α2-AR isoform-linked regulation of ICaL in the mouse ventricle provides an important molecular substrate for the cardioprotective targeting.
Elucidating Role of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in Cisplatin Chemotherapy: A Focus on Molecular Pathways and Possible Therapeutic Strategies

The failure of chemotherapy is a major challenge nowadays, and in order to ensure effective treatment of cancer patients, it is of great importance to reveal the molecular pathways and mechanisms involved in chemoresistance. Cisplatin (CP) is a platinum-containing drug with anti-tumor activity against different cancers in both pre-clinical and clinical studies. However, drug resistance has restricted its potential in the treatment of cancer patients. CP can promote levels of free radicals, particularly reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce cell death. Due to the double-edged sword role of ROS in cancer as a pro-survival or pro-death mechanism, ROS can result in CP resistance. In the present review, association of ROS with CP sensitivity/resistance is discussed, and in particular, how molecular pathways, both upstream and downstream targets, can affect the response of cancer cells to CP chemotherapy. Furthermore, anti-tumor compounds, such as curcumin, emodin, chloroquine that regulate ROS and related molecular pathways in increasing CP sensitivity are described. Nanoparticles can provide co-delivery of CP with anti-tumor agents and by mediating photodynamic therapy, and induce ROS overgeneration to trigger CP sensitivity. Genetic tools, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) can down-regulate molecular pathways such as HIF-1α and Nrf2 to promote ROS levels, leading to CP sensitivity. Considering the relationship between ROS and CP chemotherapy, and translating these findings to clinic can pave the way for effective treatment of cancer patients.
Dendritic Cell Tumor Vaccination via Fc Gamma Receptor Targeting: Lessons Learned from Pre-Clinical and Translational Studies

Despite significant recent improvements in the field of immunotherapy, cancer remains a heavy burden on patients and healthcare systems. In recent years, immunotherapies have led to remarkable strides in treating certain cancers. However, despite the success of checkpoint inhibitors and the advent of cellular therapies, novel strategies need to be explored to (1) improve treatment in patients where these approaches fail and (2) make such treatments widely and financially accessible. Vaccines based on tumor antigens (Ag) have emerged as an innovative strategy with the potential to address these areas. Here, we review the fundamental aspects relevant for the development of cancer vaccines and the critical role of dendritic cells (DCs) in this process. We first offer a general overview of DC biology and routes of Ag presentation eliciting effective T cell-mediated immune responses. We then present new therapeutic avenues specifically targeting Fc gamma receptors (FcγR) as a means to deliver antigen selectively to DCs and its effects on T-cell activation. We present an overview of the mechanistic aspects of FcγR-mediated DC targeting, as well as potential tumor vaccination strategies based on preclinical and translational studies. In particular, we highlight recent developments in the field of recombinant immune complex-like large molecules and their potential for DC-mediated tumor vaccination in the clinic. These findings go beyond cancer research and may be of relevance for other disease areas that could benefit from FcγR-targeted antigen delivery, such as autoimmunity and infectious diseases.
Recent Developments of Carboxymethyl Cellulose

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is one of the most promising cellulose derivatives. Due to its characteristic surface properties, mechanical strength, tunable hydrophilicity, viscous properties, availability and abundance of raw materials, low-cost synthesis process, and likewise many contrasting aspects, it is now widely used in various advanced application fields, for example, food, paper, textile, and pharmaceutical industries, biomedical engineering, wastewater treatment, energy production, and storage energy production, and storage and so on. Many research articles have been reported on CMC, depending on their sources and application fields. Thus, a comprehensive and well-organized review is in great demand that can provide an up-to-date and in-depth review on CMC. Herein, this review aims to provide compact information of the synthesis to the advanced applications of this material in various fields. Finally, this article covers the insights of future CMC research that could guide researchers working in this prominent field.
The Impact of Adolescent Internet Addiction on Sexual Online Victimization: The Mediating Effects of Sexting and Body Self-Esteem

Adolescents’ problematic use of the internet and the risk of sexual online victimization are an increasing concern among families, researchers, professionals and society. This study aimed to analyze the interplay between adolescents’ addiction to social networks and internet, body self-esteem and sexual–erotic risk behavior online: sexting, sextortion and grooming. While sexting refers to the voluntary engagement in texting sexual–erotic messages, sextortion and grooming are means of sexual–erotic victimization through the use of the internet. Participants were 1763 adolescents (51% girls), aged 12 to 16 years (M = 14.56; SD = 1.16), from public (n = 1068; 60.60%) and private (n = 695; 39.40%) high schools in the Basque Country (Spain). We carried out structural equation modeling (SEM) using Mplus to assess the mediating effects of body self-esteem in the relationship between addiction to social media and internet and sexual–erotic risk behavior. The results showed that internet addiction predicts online sexual victimization; specifically, the best predictors of sexting, sextortion and grooming victimization were symptoms of internet addiction and geek behavior. Body self-esteem and sexting mediated the relationship between internet addiction and sexual online victimization in adolescents. These results highlight the importance of attending to adolescents’ mental health regarding their online behavior, considering the risk and protective factors involved, due to its close association with online sexual victimization.
Conquering the Nuclear Envelope Barriers by EBV Lytic Replication

The nuclear envelope (NE) of eukaryotic cells has a highly structural architecture, comprising double lipid-bilayer membranes, nuclear pore complexes, and an underlying nuclear lamina network. The NE structure is held in place through the membrane-bound LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complex, spanning the inner and outer nuclear membranes. The NE functions as a barrier between the nucleus and cytoplasm and as a transverse scaffold for various cellular processes. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a human pathogen that infects most of the world’s population and is associated with several well-known malignancies. Within the nucleus, the replicated viral DNA is packaged into capsids, which subsequently egress from the nucleus into the cytoplasm for tegumentation and final envelopment. There is increasing evidence that viral lytic gene expression or replication contributes to the pathogenesis of EBV. Various EBV lytic proteins regulate and modulate the nuclear envelope structure in different ways, especially the viral BGLF4 kinase and the nuclear egress complex BFRF1/BFRF2. From the aspects of nuclear membrane structure, viral components, and fundamental nucleocytoplasmic transport controls, this review summarizes our findings and recently updated information on NE structure modification and NE-related cellular processes mediated by EBV.
Assessment and Imaging of Intracellular Magnesium in SaOS-2 Osteosarcoma Cells and Its Role in Proliferation

Magnesium is an essential nutrient involved in many important processes in living organisms, including protein synthesis, cellular energy production and storage, cell growth and nucleic acid synthesis. In this study, we analysed the effect of magnesium deficiency on the proliferation of SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cells. When quiescent magnesium-starved cells were induced to proliferate by serum addition, the magnesium content was 2–3 times lower in cells maintained in a medium without magnesium compared with cells growing in the presence of the ion. Magnesium depletion inhibited cell cycle progression and caused the inhibition of cell proliferation, which was associated with mTOR hypophosphorylation at Serine 2448. In order to map the intracellular magnesium distribution, an analytical approach using synchrotron-based X-ray techniques was applied. When cell growth was stimulated, magnesium was mainly localized near the plasma membrane in cells maintained in a medium without magnesium. In non-proliferating cells growing in the presence of the ion, high concentration areas inside the cell were observed. These results support the role of magnesium in the control of cell proliferation, suggesting that mTOR may represent an important target for the antiproliferative effect of magnesium. Selective control of magnesium availability could be a useful strategy for inhibiting osteosarcoma cell growth.
Universal Plasma Jet for Droplet Manipulation on a PDMS Surface towards Wall-Less Scaffolds

Droplet manipulation is important in the fields of engineering, biology, chemistry, and medicine. Many techniques, such as electrowetting and magnetic actuation, have been developed for droplet manipulation. However, the fabrication of the manipulation platform often takes a long time and requires well-trained skills. Here we proposed a novel method that can directly generate and manipulate droplets on a polymeric surface using a universal plasma jet. One of its greatest advantages is that the jet can tremendously reduce the time for the platform fabrication while it can still perform stable droplet manipulation with controllable droplet size and motion. There are two steps for the proposed method. First, the universal plasma jet is set in plasma mode for modifying the manipulation path for droplets. Second, the jet is switched to air-jet mode for droplet generation and manipulation. The jetted air separates and pushes droplets along the plasma-treated path for droplet generation and manipulation. According to the experimental results, the size of the droplet can be controlled by the treatment time in the first step, i.e., a shorter treatment time of plasma results in a smaller size of the droplet, and vice versa. The largest and the smallest sizes of the generated droplets in the results are about 6 µL and 0.1 µL, respectively. Infrared spectra of absorption on the PDMS surfaces with and without the plasma treatment are investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Tests of generating and mixing two droplets on a PDMS surface are successfully achieved. The aging effect of plasma treatment for the proposed method is also discussed. The proposed method provides a simple, fast, and low-cost way to generate and manipulate droplets on a polymeric surface. The method is expected to be applied to droplet-based cell culture by manipulating droplets encapsulating living cells and towards wall-less scaffolds on a polymeric surface.
Rho Family GTPases and Rho GEFs in Glucose Homeostasis

Dysregulation of glucose homeostasis leading to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes is the cause of an increasing world health crisis. New intriguing roles have emerged for Rho family GTPases and their Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activators in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. This review summates the current knowledge, focusing in particular on the roles of Rho GEFs in the processes of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by pancreatic β cells and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake into skeletal muscle and adipose tissues. We discuss the ten Rho GEFs that are known so far to regulate glucose homeostasis, nine of which are in mammals, and one is in yeast. Among the mammalian Rho GEFs, P-Rex1, Vav2, Vav3, Tiam1, Kalirin and Plekhg4 were shown to mediate the insulin-stimulated translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 to the plasma membrane and/or insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle or adipose tissue. The Rho GEFs P-Rex1, Vav2, Tiam1 and β-PIX were found to control the glucose-stimulated release of insulin by pancreatic β cells. In vivo studies demonstrated the involvement of the Rho GEFs P-Rex2, Vav2, Vav3 and PDZ-RhoGEF in glucose tolerance and/or insulin sensitivity, with deletion of these GEFs either contributing to the development of metabolic syndrome or protecting from it. This research is in its infancy. Considering that over 80 Rho GEFs exist, it is likely that future research will identify more roles for Rho GEFs in glucose homeostasis.
Synthesis and Characterization of Diosgenin Encapsulated Poly-ε-Caprolactone-Pluronic Nanoparticles and Its Effect on Brain Cancer Cells

Diosgenin encapsulated PCL-Pluronic nanoparticles (PCL-F68-D-NPs) were developed using the nanoprecipitation method to improve performance in brain cancer (glioblastoma) therapy. The nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS)/Zeta potential, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The encapsulation efficiency, loading efficiency, and yield were calculated. The in vitro release rate was determined, and the kinetic model of diosgenin release was plotted and ascertained. The cytotoxicity was checked by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide)assay against U87-MG cells (glioblastoma cell lines). The obtained nanoparticles demonstrated good size distribution, stability, morphology, chemical, and mechanical properties. The nanoparticles also possessed high encapsulation efficiency, loading efficiency, and yield. The release rate of Diosgenin was shown in a sustained manner. The in vitro cytotoxicity of PCL-F68-D-NPs showed higher toxicity against U87-MG cells than free Diosgenin.
Hormonal and Inflammatory Responses to Hypertrophy-Oriented Resistance Training at Acute Moderate Altitude

This study investigated the effect of a traditional hypertrophy-oriented resistance training (RT) session at acute terrestrial hypoxia on inflammatory, hormonal, and the expression of miR-378 responses associated with muscular gains. In a counterbalanced fashion, 13 resistance trained males completed a hypertrophic RT session at both moderate-altitude (H; 2320 m asl) and under normoxic conditions (N; <700 m asl). Venous blood samples were taken before and throughout the 30 min post-exercise period for determination of cytokines (IL6, IL10, TNFα), hormones (growth hormone [GH], cortisol [C], testosterone), and miR-378. Both exercise conditions stimulated GH and C release, while miR-378, testosterone, and inflammatory responses remained near basal conditions. At H, the RT session produced a moderate to large but nonsignificant increase in the absolute peak values of the studied cytokines. miR-378 revealed a moderate association with GH (r = 0.65; p = 0.026 and r = −0.59; p = 0.051 in N and H, respectively) and C (r = 0.61; p = 0.035 and r = 0.75; p = 0.005 in N and H, respectively). The results suggest that a RT session at H does not differentially affect the hormonal, inflammatory, and miR-378 responses compared to N. However, the standardized mean difference detected values in the cytokines suggest an intensification of the inflammatory response in H that should be further investigated.