Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulatory Functions of L-Carnitine, Acetyl, and Propionyl L-Carnitine in a PCOS Mouse Model: Focus on Antioxidant/Antiglycative Molecular Pathways in the Ovarian Microenvironment

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex metabolic disorder associated with female infertility. Based on energy and antioxidant regulatory functions of carnitines, we investigated whether acyl-L-carnitines improve PCOS phenotype in a mouse model induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). CD1 mice received DHEA for 20 days along with two different carnitine formulations: one containing L-carnitine (LC) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), and the other one containing also propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC). We evaluated estrous cyclicity, testosterone level, ovarian follicle health, ovulation rate and oocyte quality, collagen deposition, lipid droplets, and 17ß-HSD IV (17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type IV) expression. Moreover, we analyzed protein expression of SIRT1, SIRT3, SOD2 (superoxide dismutase 2), mitochondrial transcriptional factor A (mtTFA), RAGE (receptor for AGEs), GLO2 (glyoxalase 2) and ovarian accumulation of MG-AGEs (advanced glycation end-products formed by methylglyoxal). Both carnitine formulations ameliorated ovarian PCOS phenotype and positively modulated antioxidant molecular pathways in the ovarian microenvironment. Addition of PLC to LC-ALC formulation mitigated intraovarian MG-AGE accumulation and increased mtTFA expression. In conclusion, our study supports the hypothesis that oral administration of acyl-L-carnitines alleviates ovarian dysfunctions associated with this syndrome and that co-administration of PLC provides better activity. Molecular mechanisms underlying these effects include anti-oxidant/glycative activity and potentiation of mitochondria.
The active peptide KF-8 from rice bran attenuates oxidative stress in a mouse model of aging induced by D-galactose.

This study investigated the effects of a physiologically active peptide derived from rice bran (KF-8) on oxidative stress in D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging mice and the underlying molecular mechanisms. The aging model was developed by subcutaneously injecting Institute of Cancer Research mice with 250 mg/kg D-gal daily for 12 weeks and simultaneously treating them with 30 mg/kg KF-8. The relative expression levels of Nrf2 and NF-κB in the liver were determined by western blot. The regulation of Nrf2 and NF-κBp65 by KF-8 was further validated in NIH/3T3 cells. Compared with the control mice, the aging mice had significantly decreased body weights as well as SOD and GSH-px levels (p < 0.05); however, they had increased serum ROS, MDA, and 8-OHdG levels accompanied by aortic and brain injury. They also had elevated RAGE, TLR4, IκB, Bax, and caspase-8 expression and NF-κB/p65 phosphorylation, but reduced BcL-2 expression in the liver. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated that pretreatment of H2O2-treated NIH/3T3 cells with KF-8 significantly mitigated the NF-κB signaling and attenuated the Nrf2 nuclear transport (both p < 0.05). In conclusion, KF-8 treatment inhibited aging-induced oxidative stress-related organ injury in mice by attenuating NF-κB/p38 signaling and preserving Nrf2 activity.
Negotiating cancer preventative health behaviours and adapting to motherhood: the role of technology in supporting positive health behaviours

ABSTRACT Purpose Across the UK and USA, postpartum smoking relapse rates are high, and rates of breastfeeding and physical activity are low. This project aimed to explore these interrelated health behaviours and technology use, for intervention development to support postpartum cancer prevention. Methods Focus groups and interviews with 26 purposively selected women (15 in Vermont, USA and 11 in Norfolk, UK). Recruitment was from deprived areas experiencing multiple disadvantage. Qualitative data were thematically analysed from dual cultural perspectives, underpinned by the social ecological model. Results Women negotiate interrelated lifestyle behaviours as part of managing an identity in transition, moving through stages of disturbance, adaptation, acceptance and integration towards “becoming” a new Mother. Technology was integral to women’s process of engagement with mothering identities. Intersectionality underpins complex patterns of interrelated behaviour. Conclusions There is scope to improve electronic/digital support for postpartum women cross-nationally to promote interrelated cancer-preventative lifestyle behaviours. Abbreviations CDC: Center for Disease Control, US; PA: Physical activity; SES: Socioeconomic status; SVI: Social Vulnerability Index; UK: UK; US: USA; WIC: Women infants and children office.
Microsurgical Clipping of Intracranial Aneurysms in the Endovascular Era

The treatment of intracranial aneurysms (IA) began in the late 19th century. Some degree of controversy has always surrounded the best treatment modality for IA. Cushing and Dandy debated about cervical carotid ligation as the only surgical alternative before the introduction of microsurgical clipping. In the early 21st century, the debate has centered on surgical versus^ endovascular techniques. With the advent of newer endovascular techniques and devices, there has been a dramatic shift in treatment paradigms toward endovascular intervention that is preferred by both physicians and patients. However, there will always be a need for microsurgical cerebrovascular expertise since some aneurysms cannot or should not be embolized. This creates a difficult conundrum as only the most complex of aneurysms will require open surgery, but the lack of volume and training will be a challenge in teaching and maintaining the surgical expertise required to safely treat them. The purpose of this review is to discuss the history of IA treatment and critically evaluate the current state of the art of IA treatment, with a specific focus on the necessary role microsurgical clipping continues to play in the current treatment landscape.
Nursing students’ knowledge on the management of peripheral venous catheters at Wollega University

Background Adherence to the best standards of nursing practice is the fundamental principle to improve patient outcome and prevent nursing procedure related-infections. A peripheral venous catheter (PVC) is the most common invasive procedure performed in nursing care. Its poor performance could expose patients to bloodstream-related infections. The present study aimed to assess post-basic nursing students’ knowledge of evidence-based guidelines on the management of peripheral venous catheters. Methods A cross-sectional study design was conducted on May 01–03, 2019, using a convenient sample 239 among post-basic nursing students in Wollega University. Results The study result showed that nursing students’ had a low mean (4.1±1.52) of knowledge about PVC procedure management. Only 41% of the respondents have adhered to recommendations of CDC guidelines. Among the provided options of the items, none achieved 100% correct answers. The majority of nursing students (77%) responded that antiseptic handwashing is always performed before insertion of PVCs. Meanwhile, few students (5%) correctly answered that the infusion set is recommended to be removed after 96 hours when neither lipids nor blood products are administered. In multivariable regression analysis, nursing students who had received training (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI (1.6, 5.1)) and who were younger (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI (1.3, 4.3)) significantly associated with a higher score of knowledge. Conclusions This study finding shows that an overall level of knowledge of post-basic nursing students is inadequate. Measurements such as an increase in the provision of adequate training by nurses educators based on evidence-based guidelines could improve the post-basic nursing students’ knowledge.
Cancer Community Ecology

Here we advocate Cancer Community Ecology as a valuable focus of study in Cancer Biology. We hypothesize that the heterogeneity and characteristics of cancer cells within tumors should vary systematically in space and time and that cancer cells form local ecological communities within tumors. These communities possess limited numbers of species determined by local conditions, with each species in a community possessing predictable traits that enable them to cope with their particular environment and coexist with each other. We start with a discussion of concepts and assumptions that ecologists use to study closely related species. We then discuss the competitive exclusion principle as a means for knowing when two species should not coexist, and as an opening towards understanding how they can. We present the five major categories of mechanisms of coexistence that operate in nature and suggest that the same mechanisms apply towards understanding the diversification and coexistence of cancer cell species. They are: Food-Safety Tradeoffs, Diet Choice, Habitat Selection, Variance Partitioning, and Competition-Colonization Tradeoffs. For each mechanism, we discuss how it works in nature, how it might work in cancers, and its implications for therapy.
Concussion Management Guidelines Neglect Auditory Symptoms.

Evidence-based guidelines are essential to promote and provide best practices. They present a logical framework for clinicians to find established criteria for diagnostic purposes and treatment recommendations. Unfortunately, many published guidelines for the assessment and management of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion fail to synthesize current knowledge pertaining to the occurrence of auditory symptoms at the time of injury or the recovery timeline for these symptoms. The underlying mechanisms for many auditory symptoms after head injury are poorly understood, which complicates classifying these symptoms as either “post-TBI related” or in the case of mild TBI (mTBI), “postconcussive related. ” Identifying auditory symptoms that manifest secondary to head injury will aid in the assessment and treatment of these conditions.Most importantly, and themain issue addressed in this editorial, is that there are a number of auditory deficits besides vestibular injury that occur secondary to head injury, and, yet, often go unnoticed by health care professionals.
Evaluation of HIV-specific T-cell responses in HIV-infected older patients with controlled viremia on long-term antiretroviral therapy

HIV-infected older individuals may have a diminished immune response because of exhaustion/immune aging of T-cells. Therefore, we have investigated HIV-specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses in 100 HIV-infected patients (HIV+) who have aged on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) and achieved controlled viremia (mostly undetectable viral load; 92 patients with <20 to <40 HIV RNA copies/mL and 8 <60 to <100) and improved CD4 T-cell counts. We show that the median frequencies of HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ IFN-γ T-cells were higher in HIV+ than uninfected individuals (HIV-), including increasing levels of IFN-γproduced by CD4+ T-cells and decreasing levels by CD8+ T-cells with increasing CD4 T-cell counts in HIV+. No correlation was found between T-cell responses and varying levels of undetectable viremia. HIV-specific TNF-α made by CD8+ T-cells was higher in HIV+ than HIV-, including decreasing levels with increasing CD4 T-cell counts in HIV+. Furthermore, the CD8+ T-cell mediators, CD107a and Granzyme-B, were higher in HIV+ than HIV-, and decreased with increasing CD4 T-cell counts in HIV+. Remarkably, HIV-specific CD8 T-cells produced decreasing levels of IFN-γwith increasing age of HIV+, including decreased levels of CD107a and Granzyme-B in older HIV+. However, HIV-specific CD8+ T-cells produced increasing levels of TNF-α with increasing age of the HIV+, suggesting continued inflammation. In conclusion, HIV+ with controlled viremia on long-term ART and with higher CD4 T-cell counts showed reduced HIV-specific CD8 T-cell responses as compared to those with lower CD4 T-cell counts, and older HIV+ exhibited decreasing levels of CD8 T-cell responses with increasing age.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress increases inflammatory cytokines in an epilepsy mouse model Gabrg2+/Q390X knockin: A link between genetic and acquired epilepsy?

Neuroinflammation is a major theme in epilepsy, which has been characterized in acquired epilepsy but is poorly understood in genetic epilepsy. γ‐Aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit gene mutations are significant causes of epilepsy, and we have studied the pathophysiology directly resulting from defective receptor channels. Here, we determined the proinflammatory factors in a genetic mouse model, the Gabrg2+/Q390X knockin (KI). We have identified increased cytokines in multiple brain regions of the KI mouse throughout different developmental stages and propose that accumulation of the trafficking‐deficient mutant protein may increase neuroinflammation, which would be a novel mechanism for genetic epilepsy.
Effects of dutasteride in a rat model of chemically induced prostatic inflammation—Potential role of estrogen receptor β

Dutasteride administration reportedly improves lower urinary tract symptoms in patient with chronic, histologically‐identified prostatic inflammation, potentially through estrogen receptor β (ERβ), activation of which has anti‐inflammatory effects in the prostate tissue. Therefore, we investigated the effect of dutasteride on intraprostatic inflammatory responses and bladder activity using a rat model of chemically induced prostatic inflammation.
Pentraxin-3, troponin T, N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide in septic patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the behavior of pentraxin-3 (PTX3), troponin T (hsTnT), N-terminal pro-B type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) in sepsis and their relationships with sepsis severity and oxygen transport/utilization impairment. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of PTX3, hsTnT, NT-proBNP levels at day 1, 2 and 7 after admission in the intensive care unit in a subset of the ALBIOS database SETTING:: 40 Italian intensive care units. PATIENTS 958 septic patients enrolled in the randomized clinical trial comparing albumin replacement plus crystalloids and crystalloids alone INTERVENTIONS:: The patients were divided in sextiles of lactate (marker of severity), ScvO2 (marker of oxygen transport) and fluid balance (marker of therapeutic strategy). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS PTX3 and hsTnT were remarkably similar in the two treatment arms, while NT-proBNP was almost double in the albumin treatment group. However, as the distribution of all these biomarkers was similar between control and treatment arms, for sake of clarity, we analyzed the patients as a single cohort. PTX3 (71.8 [32.9-186.3] ng/ml), hsTnT (50.4 [21.6-133.6] ng/L) and NT-proBNP (4393 [1313-13837] ng/L)were abnormally elevated in 100%, 84.5%, 93.4% of the 953 patients and all decreased from day 1 to day 7. PTX3 monotonically increased with increasing lactate levels. The hsTnT levels were significantly higher when ScvO2 levels were abnormally low (< 70%), suggesting impaired oxygen transport compared to higher ScvO2 levels, suggesting impaired oxygen utilization. NT-proBNP was higher with higher lactate and fluid balance. At ScvO2 levels < 70%, the NT-proBNP was higher than at higher ScvO2 levels. However, even with higher ScvO2, the NT-proBNP was remarkably elevated, suggesting volume expansion. Increased level of NT-proBNP showed the strongest association with 90-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS The selected biomarkers seem related to different mechanisms during sepsis: PTX3 to sepsis severity, hsTnT to impaired oxygen transport, NT-proBNP to sepsis severity, oxygen transport and aggressive fluid strategy.
Herbarium-based measurements reliably estimate three functional traits.

PREMISE The use of functional traits has surged in recent decades, providing new insights ranging from individual plant fitness to ecosystem processes. Global plant trait databases have advanced our understanding of plant functional diversity, but they remain incomplete because of geographic and taxonomic biases. Herbarium specimens may help fill these gaps by providing trait information across space and time. We tested whether herbarium specimen-derived measurements are reliable estimates of three important, commonly measured functional traits-specific leaf area (SLA), branch wood specific gravity, and leaf thickness. METHODS Leaves and branches were collected from species cultivated at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Florida International University in Miami, FL, USA. Fresh components of SLA (area), branch wood specific gravity (volume), and leaf thickness were measured following standard trait measurement protocols. We compared these trait values to corresponding measurements using plant tissues dried in a plant press following standard herbarium plant collecting protocols. RESULTS Herbarium-derived trait measurements (dried tissues) were highly correlated with those measured using fresh tissues following standard protocols (SLA: R2 = 0.72-0.97, p < 0.01; wood specific gravity: R2 = 0.74-0.75, p < 0.01; leaf thickness: R2 = 0.96, p < 0.01). However, except for leaf thickness, linear model slope or intercept coefficients differed from 1, indicating herbarium-derived trait measurements may provide biased estimates of fresh traits without the use of correction factors. CONCLUSIONS Herbarium-derived traits cannot always be used interchangeably with those measured from fresh tissues because of tissue shrinkage. However, herbarium-derived trait data still have the potential to drastically expand the temporal, geographic, and taxonomic scope of global trait databases.
Invisible Boundaries for VR: Auditory and Haptic Signals as Indicators for Real World Boundaries

Maintaining awareness of real world boundaries whilst being immersed in virtual reality (VR) with head mounted displays (HMDs), is a necessity for the physical integrity of the user. This paper explores whether individual human senses can be allocated to the real and the virtual world and what effect this has on workload, presence, performance and perceived safety. We present the results of a lab study (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N=33$</tex-math><alternatives><graphic position="float" orientation="portrait" xlink:href="26tvcg12-george-3023607-eqinline-1-small.tif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>) where the auditory and haptic sense of participants was trained to be an indicator for real world boundaries, while their visual sense was bound to a VR experience with an HMD. Our results suggests that allocating senses increases workload. However, while performance is comparable to purely visual indications of boundaries, sense allocation seems to improve presence. Participants prefer the signals to be separate or combined subsequently, depending on the priority and proximity to the boundary. This exploratory study is valuable for developers and researchers who want to start including audio and haptic signals as indicators for real world boundaries.
A simple amphoteric charge strategy to reinforce superhydrophilic polyvinylidene fluoride membrane for highly efficient separation of various surfactant-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions.

Long-term efficient separation of highly emulsified oily wastewater is challenging. Reported herein is the preparation of a reinforced superhydrophilic, underwater superoleophobic membrane with demulsification properties using active iron nanoparticles in-situ generated on a polydopamine (PDA)/polyethylenimine (PEI)-modified polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane surface. A stable zwitterionic structure is fabricated on the membrane surface and provides it with an excellent capability of binding a hydration layer, leading to enhanced superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic properties. The interaction between the membrane surface and water is quantified using the relaxation time of water. After iron nanoparticles in-situ anchoring, the superhydrophilic, underwater superoleophobic PDA/PEI modified PVDF membrane shows more stable flux behaviors, higher oil separation efficiency, demulsification, and excellent anti-oil-fouling properties for various anionic, nonionic, and cationic surfactant-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions in a crossflow filtration system. The reinforced hydration layer and the amphoteric charged demusification properties of the membrane play important roles in enhancing the membrane separation performance. The reinforced membrane also exhibits excellent cleaning and reusability performance in long-term operations. The outstanding separation performance, as well as the simple and cost-effective fabrication process of the membrane with various favorable properties, highlight its promise in practical emulsified oily water applications.
The Exo-Polysaccharide Component of Extracellular Matrix is Essential for the Viscoelastic Properties of Bacillus subtilis Biofilms

Bacteria are known to form biofilms on various surfaces. Biofilms are multicellular aggregates, held together by an extracellular matrix, which is composed of biological polymers. Three principal components of the biofilm matrix are exopolysaccharides (EPS), proteins, and nucleic acids. The biofilm matrix is essential for biofilms to remain organized under mechanical stress. Thanks to their polymeric nature, biofilms exhibit both elastic and viscous mechanical characteristics; therefore, an accurate mechanical description needs to take into account their viscoelastic nature. Their viscoelastic properties, including during their growth dynamics, are crucial for biofilm survival in many environments, particularly during infection processes. How changes in the composition of the biofilm matrix affect viscoelasticity has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we used interfacial rheology to study the contribution of the EPS component of the matrix to viscoelasticity of Bacillus subtilis biofilms. Two strategies were used to specifically deplete the EPS component of the biofilm matrix, namely (i) treatment with sub-lethal doses of vitamin C and (ii) seamless inactivation of the eps operon responsible for biosynthesis of the EPS. In both cases, the obtained results suggest that the EPS component of the matrix is essential for maintaining the viscoelastic properties of bacterial biofilms during their growth. If the EPS component of the matrix is depleted, the mechanical stability of biofilms is compromised and the biofilms become more susceptible to eradication by mechanical stress.