Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attenuation of Inflammation and Leptin Resistance by Pyrogallol-Phloroglucinol-6,6-Bieckol on in the Brain of Obese Animal Models

Obesity induces inflammation both in the adipose tissue and the brain. Activated macrophage infiltration, polarization of macrophages to a more inflammatory type (M1), and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are related to brain inflammation, which induces leptin resistance in the brain. Pyrogallol-phloroglucinol-6,6-bieckol (PPB), a compound from Ecklonia cava, has anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we evaluated the effects of PPB effect M1 polarization and inflammation and its ability to restore the effects of leptin, such as a decrease in appetite and body weight. We administered PPB to diet-induced obesity (DIO) and leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice, evaluated macrophage activation, polarization, and changes of inflammatory cytokine level in adipose tissue and brain, and determined the effect of PPB on leptin resistance or leptin sensitivity in the brain. The levels of activated macrophage marker, M1/M2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were increased in the adipose tissue and brain of DIO and ob/ob mice than control. TLR4 expression, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and NF-κB expression in the brain of DIO and ob/ob mice were also increased; this increase was related to the upregulation of SOCS3 and decreased phosphorylated STAT3, which decreased leptin sensitivity in the brain. PPB decreased inflammation in the brain, restored leptin sensitivity, and decreased food intake and weight gain in both DIO and ob/ob mice.
Recent developments in pharmacotherapy for hypertriglyceridemia: what’s the current state of the art?

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hypertriglyceridemia is associated with both the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) when mild-to-moderate and high risk of pancreatitis when more severe. The residual CVD risk after low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering is, in part, attributed to high triglyceride (TG) levels. Therefore, there appears to be a need for effective TG-lowering agents. Areas covered: This review presents the most recent advances in hypertriglyceridemia treatment; specifically, it discusses the results of clinical trials and critically comments on apolipoprotein C-III inhibitors, angiopoietin-like 3 inhibitors, alipogene tiparvovec, pradigastat, pemafibrate and novel formulations of omega-3 fatty acids. Expert opinion: In the era of extreme lowering of LDL-C levels with several agents, there seems to be space for novel therapeutic options to combat parameters responsible for residual CVD risk, among which are elevated TGs. Furthermore, a significant number of individuals have very high TG levels and encounter the risk of acute pancreatitis. The most recently developed TG-lowering drugs appear to have a role in both conditions; the choice is mainly based on baseline TG levels. Dyslipidemia guidelines are likely to change in the near future to include some of these agents. Of course, long-term data regarding their safety and efficacy in terms of CVD outcomes and pancreatitis are warranted.
Fusarium-Produced Mycotoxins in Plant-Pathogen Interactions

Pathogens belonging to the Fusarium genus are causal agents of the most significant crop diseases worldwide. Virtually all Fusarium species synthesize toxic secondary metabolites, known as mycotoxins; however, the roles of mycotoxins are not yet fully understood. To understand how a fungal partner alters its lifestyle to assimilate with the plant host remains a challenge. The review presented the mechanisms of mycotoxin biosynthesis in the Fusarium genus under various environmental conditions, such as pH, temperature, moisture content, and nitrogen source. It also concentrated on plant metabolic pathways and cytogenetic changes that are influenced as a consequence of mycotoxin confrontations. Moreover, we looked through special secondary metabolite production and mycotoxins specific for some significant fungal pathogens-plant host models. Plant strategies of avoiding the Fusarium mycotoxins were also discussed. Finally, we outlined the studies on the potential of plant secondary metabolites in defense reaction to Fusarium infection.
Gene Therapy in Retinal Dystrophies

Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous degenerative disorders. To date, mutations have been associated with IRDs in over 270 disease genes, but molecular diagnosis still remains elusive in about a third of cases. The methodologic developments in genome sequencing techniques that we have witnessed in this last decade have represented a turning point not only in diagnosis and prognosis but, above all, in the identification of new therapeutic perspectives. The discovery of new disease genes and pathogenetic mechanisms underlying IRDs has laid the groundwork for gene therapy approaches. Several clinical trials are ongoing, and the recent approval of Luxturna, the first gene therapy product for Leber congenital amaurosis, marks the beginning of a new era. Due to its anatomical and functional characteristics, the retina is the organ of choice for gene therapy, although there are quite a few difficulties in the translational approaches from preclinical models to humans. In the first part of this review, an overview of the current knowledge on methodological issues and future perspectives of gene therapy applied to IRDs is discussed; in the second part, the state of the art of clinical trials on the gene therapy approach in IRDs is illustrated.
Human Parasitism by Amblyomma parkeri Ticks Infected with Candidatus Rickettsia paranaensis, Brazil

Spotted fever is the main rickettsial disease in Brazil. We report 12 cases of human parasitism by Amblyomma parkeri in the Atlantic rainforest, an area of Brazil to which spotted fever is endemic. Nine of the ticks were infected with Candidatus Rickettsia paranaensis.
A New Frontier of Printed Electronics: Flexible Hybrid Electronics

The performance and integration density of silicon integrated circuits (ICs) have progressed at an unprecedented pace in the past 60 years. While silicon ICs thrive at low‐power high‐performance computing, creating flexible and large‐area electronics using silicon remains a challenge. On the other hand, flexible and printed electronics use intrinsically flexible materials and printing techniques to manufacture compliant and large‐area electronics. Nonetheless, flexible electronics are not as efficient as silicon ICs for computation and signal communication. Flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) leverages the strengths of these two dissimilar technologies. It uses flexible and printed electronics where flexibility and scalability are required, i.e., for sensing and actuating, and silicon ICs for computation and communication purposes. Combining flexible electronics and silicon ICs yields a very powerful and versatile technology with a vast range of applications. Here, the fundamental building blocks of an FHE system, printed sensors and circuits, thinned silicon ICs, printed antennas, printed energy harvesting and storage modules, and printed displays, are discussed. Emerging application areas of FHE in wearable health, structural health, industrial, environmental, and agricultural sensing are reviewed. Overall, the recent progress, fabrication, application, and challenges, and an outlook, related to FHE are presented.
Antibacterial Activity and Anti-Quorum Sensing Mediated Phenotype in Response to Essential Oil from Melaleuca bracteata Leaves

The prominent antibacterial and quorum sensing (QS) inhibition activity of aromatic plants can be used as a novel intervention strategy for attenuating bacterial pathogenicity. In the present work, a total of 29 chemical components were identified in the essential oil (EO) of Melaleuca bracteata leaves by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The principal component was methyleugenol, followed by methyl trans-cinnamate, with relative contents of 90.46% and 4.25%, respectively. Meanwhile, the antibacterial activity and the QS inhibitory activity of M. bracteata EO were first evaluated here. Antibacterial activity assay and MIC detection against seven pathogens (Dickeya dadantii Onc5, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25933, Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli ATCC25922, Serratia marcescens MG1, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC31532) demonstrated that S. aureus ATCC25933 and S. marcescens MG1 had the higher sensitivity to M. bracteata EO, while P. aeruginosa PAO1 displayed the strongest resistance to M. bracteata EO. An anti-QS (anti-quorum sensing) assay revealed that at sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs), M. bracteata EO strongly interfered with the phenotype, including violacein production, biofilm biomass, and swarming motility, as well as N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL) production (i.e., a signaling molecule in C. violaceum ATCC31532) of C. violaceum. Detection of C6-HSL indicated that M. bracteata EO was capable of not only inhibiting C6-HSL production in C. violaceum, but also degrading the C6-HSL. Importantly, changes of exogenous C6-HSL production in C. violaceum CV026 revealed a possible interaction between M. bracteata EO and a regulatory protein (cviR). Additionally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis demonstrated that the expression of QS-related genes (cviI, cviR, vioABCDE, hmsNR, lasA-B, pilE1, pilE3, and hcnB) was significantly suppressed. Conclusively, these results indicated that M. bracteata EO can act as a potential antibacterial agent and QS inhibitor (QSI) against pathogens, preventing and controlling bacterial contamination.
Tomato Natural Resistance Genes in Controlling the Root-Knot Nematode

The root-knot nematode (RKN) is one of the most dangerous and widespread types of nematodes affecting tomatoes. There are few methods for controlling nematodes in tomatoes. Nature resistance genes (R-genes) are important in conferring resistance against nematodes. These genes that confer resistance to the RKN have already been identified as Mi-1, Mi-2, Mi-3, Mi-4, Mi-5, Mi-6, Mi-7, Mi-8, Mi-9, and Mi-HT. Only five of these genes have been mapped. The major problem is that their resistance breaks down at high temperatures. Some of these genes still work at high temperatures. In this paper, the mechanism and characteristics of these natural resistance genes are summarized. Other difficulties in using these genes in the resistance and how to improve them are also mentioned.
The Equine Hoof: Laminitis, Progenitor (Stem) Cells, and Therapy Development

The equine hoof capsule, composed of modified epidermis and dermis, is vital for protecting the third phalanx from forces of locomotion. There are descriptions of laminitis, defined as inflammation of sensitive hoof tissues but recognized as pathologic changes with or without inflammatory mediators, in the earliest records of domesticated horses. Laminitis can range from mild to serious, and signs can be acute, chronic, or transition from acute, severe inflammation to permanently abnormal tissue. Damage within the intricate dermal and epidermal connections of the primary and secondary lamellae is often associated with lifelong changes in hoof growth, repair, and conformation. Decades of research contribute to contemporary standards of care that include systemic and local therapies as well as mechanical hoof support. Despite this, consistent mechanisms to restore healthy tissue formation following a laminitic insult are lacking. Endogenous and exogenous progenitor cell contributions to healthy tissue formation is established for most tissues. There is comparably little information about equine hoof progenitor cells. Equine hoof anatomy, laminitis, and progenitor cells are covered in this review. The potential of progenitor cells to advance in vitro equine hoof tissue models and translate to clinical therapies may significantly improve prevention and treatment of a devastating condition that has afflicted equine companions throughout history.
Long‐Circulating Prostate‐Specific Membrane Antigen‐Targeted NIR Phototheranostic Agent

Targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with image‐guided surgical resection is a promising strategy for precision cancer treatment. Prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an attractive target due to its pronounced overexpression in a variety of tumors, most notably in prostate cancer. Recently, we reported a pyropheophorbide‐based PSMA‐targeted agent, which exhibited long plasma circulation time and effective tumor accumulation. To further advance PSMA‐targeted photodynamic therapy by harvesting tissue‐penetrating properties of the NIR light, we developed a bacteriochlorophyll‐based PSMA‐targeted photosensitizer (BPP), consisting of three building blocks: (1) a PSMA‐affinity ligand, (2) a peptide linker to prolong plasma circulation time and (3) a bacteriochlorophyll photosensitizer for NIR fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy (Qy absorption maximum at 750 nm). BPP exhibited excellent PSMA‐targeting selectivity in both subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse models. The nine D‐peptide linker in BPP structure prolonged its plasma circulation time (12.65 h). Favorable pharmacokinetic properties combined with excellent targeting selectivity enabled effective BPP tumor accumulation, which led to effective PDT in a subcutaneous prostate adenocarcinoma mouse model. Overall, bright NIR fluorescence of BPP enables effective image guidance for surgical resection, while the combination of its targeting capabilities and PDT activity allows for potent and precise image‐guided photodynamic treatment of PSMA‐expressing tumors.
PLOD2 promotes aerobic glycolysis and cell progression in colorectal cancer by upregulating HK2.

The purpose of the current study is to characterize the expression of procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2), a membrane-bound homodimeric enzyme that specifically hydroxylates lysine in the telopeptide of procollagens, and assess the clinical significance of PLOD2 in colorectal cancer (CRC). Our results showed that PLOD2 was highly expressed in CRC tumor tissues samples and cell lines both in mRNA and protein level. Next, we found that PLOD2 was positively correlated with Grade (p=0.001), T stage (p=0.001), N stage (p<0.001) and an advanced TNM stage (p<0.001). PLOD2 knockdown attenuates CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. Mechanism analysis PLOD2 affected glycolysis by regulating HK2 expression. HK2 reverses the inhibiting effects of PLOD2 knockdown in CRC. Furthermore, the data suggest that PLOD2 could regulate the expression of HK2 via the STAT3 signaling pathway. Survival analysis reveals that high PLOD2 (HR = 3.800, p < 0.001) and HK2 expression (HR = 10.222, p < 0.001) were correlated with overall survival. After analyzing their expression and correlation, PLOD2 was positively correlated with HK2 (r=0.590, p < 0.001). Our findings have uncovered that PLOD2 is a novel regulatory factor of glucose metabolism via controlling HK2 expression in CRC cells, suggesting PLOD2 as a promising therapeutic target for CRC treatment.
of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Imaging coprolite taphonomy and preservation Imaging coprolite taphonomy and preservation

The impact of coprolite taphonomy on parasite remains and aDNA recovery has been recognized. In general, coprolites from sites protected by geologic features such as caves and rock shelters exhibit the best preservation. In contrast, coprolites from open sites can be badly affected by taphonomic processes as shown by analyses of parasite eggs. For eggs, the impact of mites and free living nematodes has been quantified. Mites are associated with poor pinworm egg preservation. In other studies, percolation of water through sediments has a negative impact on egg recovery. We note that dietary remains can also decompose at open sites. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we present examples of screened but chemi cally untreated microscopic remains. “Panorama” SEM images provide an excellent visual overview of the taphonomy of dietary remains. For this study, our focus is on Southwestern coprolites as a demonstration of diversity within a single region. Ex amples from caves and rock shelters were examined first to describe the taphonomic challenges for protected sites. Then, attention was turned to coprolites from open sites. In general, the challenges noted for parasite preservation are seen for other microfossils. However, the preservation of lignin, sporopollenin, calcium oxalate, and siliceous microfossils is generally better than cellulose structures. These observations are relevant to the selection process of samples for aDNA analysis and immunological study. This is especially relevant for the gut microbiome since decomposer fungi and bacteria molecular signals could be recovered in metagenomic analysis.
Stock Price Synchronicity, Diversication and Predictability of Aggregate Stock Returns in International Markets

This paper compares the predictive power of earnings yield and normalized earnings at the aggregate level in international markets. 48 countries have been ranked according to the time-series averages of stock price synchronicity and diversi cation measures, which are calculated at the rm-level for each country using daily data. We nd that aggregate earnings predicts one quarter ahead expected stock returns in portfolios that contain more synchronous and less diversi ed countries as opposed to portfolios containing less synchronous and more diversi ed countries. We argue that due to high levels of fundamentalsco-movement in highly synchronous and less diversi ed markets, the information content of rm-level earnings (unsystematic earnings) about future cash ows is not fully diversi ed away at the aggregate level. This explains the strong and robust predictive power of earnings at the market level in markets which exhibit high levels of price synchronicity and low levels of diversi cation. Our results have been robust after controlling for several macro variables, such as consumer price index and discount rates.
How to Pick a Winner∗

We study a two-period model in which two agents of different and privatelyknown abilities compete for a single prize by exerting costly effort. A riskneutral principal can affect the outcome of the contest by allocating resources to agents in each period, and her net payoff depends on the relative share allocated to the winner. We analyze how the principal optimal strategy depends on the severity of moral hazard. The results we derive are consistent with stylized facts regarding the dynamics of political campaign contributions and of third-party intervention in military conflicts.
Fire Effects in Southwestern Semidesert Grass-Shrub Communities

THE use of fire as a tool in the management of southwestern semidesert ranges has been studied intermittently since about 1949 on the Santa Rita Experimental Range south of Tucson, Arizona. However, study of the effects of fire on semi desert plants goes back much further. Thornber (1910), after observing the effects of wildfires a few miles north of the Santa Rita, reported that "such shrubs and trees as creosotebush or greasewood, rayless golden-rod, Mormon tea, bush hackberry or garanbullo (Celtis pallida), mesquite, and palo verde were killed" and that these species "may be killed outright at a very small expense by burning over during the annual dry fore-summer, i.e. May to June inclusive. " The general objectives of work on the Santa Rita have been: (1) to determine if and under what conditions fire can be used to control or eliminate undesirable shrubby plants, and (2) to determine the effect of such prescribed burning on the desirable forage grasses. As might be expected, the effect of burning on semidesert shrubs varies widely, from nearly 100 percent kill for some species, to near-zero kill for others. The effect of burning on grasses varies from drastic reductions in density of some species to increases in
ENCEFALOPATIAS ESPONGIFORME TRANSMISSÍVEIS E CONSIDERAÇÕES SOBRE O AGENTE ETIOLÓGICO (Transmissibles spongiform encephalopathies and considerations about the etiology)

Accumulation of the PRION protein PrP, a pathological and protease-resistent isoform of the normal host protein, is a feature of Transmissibles spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) such as scrapie in sheep and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Knowledge of their cause and pathogenesis is still rudimentary. These diseases are characterised by a long incubation period and a prolonged clinical phase. Transmission between species can occur, although, it is limited by species barrier determined in part by the degree of sequence homology between host PrP and inoculated PrP. Infected animals and humans have neither a disease-specific immune response nor consistent biochemical, haematological or gross pathological abnormalities. Currently the diagnosis of TSE is based on postmortem detection of the PrP PRION protein in neural tissue and a characteristic brain pathological alterations.
Exploring Relationships between Destination Brand Equity, Satisfaction, and Destination Loyalty: A Case Study of Mongolia

There has been growing interest among researchers in knowing the concept of the customer-based brand equity (CBBE) model which is widely applied in marketing research. In this study, the researchers made an attempt to apply the concept of customer-based brand equity as a tourism destination (CBBETD) by incorporating various antecedents of destination brand equity that leads to tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty. A conceptual relationship model is proposed and examined by using Mongolia as a tourism destination. The study concluded that tourists' awareness of a tourism destination which influences a positive perception of the image can lead to the expectation and actual experience of perceived service quality. Moreover, tourists want to become satisfied with the perceived tourism quality, and subsequently with aspects that influence loyalty.
Electrolyte disturbances among acute stroke patients in Manado, Indonesia

Stroke is known as main public health problem. It is one of the leading causes of chronic disability and death. Both sodium and potassium disturbances have negative influences on the outcome of stroke. There is a scarcity of data about electrolyte disturbances in acute stroke, especially from developing countries. The objectives of this study were to find out the incidence of electrolyte disturbances among acute stroke patients; and their association with severity of acute stroke. This study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Samples consisted of 85 patients that meet the inclusion criteria. Data of electrolyte status was obtained from medical record. The result shows that the incidence of electrolyte disturbances among acute stroke was 45.9%. Sodium disturbances was 8.2% and potassium disturbances was 40.0% from all study samples. Mean of NIHSS score on admission was 9.3 (95% CI 8.2-10.2). Mean of sodium was 141.7 (95% CI 140.7-142.7) and potassium was 3.7 (95% CI 3.0-6.0). There was no association between electrolyte disturbances and severity of stroke (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of electrolyte status disorders in acute stroke patients was high but we could not detect any association between electrolyte disturbances and the severity of acute stroke. Keyword: “electrolyte disturbances”, sodium, potassium, severity, stroke, “acute stroke”, manado