Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Essential oil composition and cytotoxic activity of Ducrosia anethifolia and Ducrosia flabellifolia from Iran

Hydrodistilled volatile oils from the aerial parts of Ducrosia anethifolia and Ducrosia flabellifolia were investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The plants were collected from west and southwest Iran. Thirty-two compounds in D. anethifolia and thirty-three compounds in D. flabellifolia were identified, representing 93.4% and 88.2% of the total oils, respectively. The major components of D. anethifolia oil were dodecanal (28.8%), decanal (21.1%), (2E)-tridecen-1-al (15.8%) and (2E)-dodecenal (13.4%). The most abundant components in essential oil of D. flabellifolia were decanal (32.8%), dodecanal (32.6%), decanol (4.3%) and (2E)-tridecen-1-al (3.3%). Cytotoxic activity assessed on three human cancer cell lines (K562, LS180 and MCF-7) showed that essential oil from D. anethifolia represented good to moderate cytotoxic activity, while D. flabellifolia had a moderate to weak activity.
Substrate Stiffness Mediates Formation of Novel Cytoskeletal Structures in Fibroblasts during Cell–Microspheres Interaction

It is well known that living cells interact mechanically with their microenvironment. Many basic cell functions, like migration, proliferation, gene expression, and differentiation, are influenced by external forces exerted on the cell. That is why it is extremely important to study how mechanical properties of the culture substrate influence the cellular molecular regulatory pathways. Optical microscopy is one of the most common experimental method used to visualize and study cellular processes. Confocal microscopy allows to observe changes in the 3D organization of the cytoskeleton in response to a precise mechanical stimulus applied with, for example, a bead trapped with optical tweezers. Optical tweezers-based method (OT) is a microrheological technique which employs a focused laser beam and polystyrene or latex beads to study mechanical properties of biological systems. Latex beads, functionalized with a specific protein, can interact with proteins located on the surface of the cellular membrane. Such interaction can significantly affect the cell’s behavior. In this work, we demonstrate that beads alone, placed on the cell surface, significantly change the architecture of actin, microtubule, and intermediate filaments. We also show that the observed molecular response to such stimulus depends on the duration of the cell–bead interaction. Application of cytoskeletal drugs: cytochalasin D, jasplakinolide, and docetaxel, abrogates remodeling effects of the cytoskeleton. More important, when cells are plated on elastic substrates, which mimic the mechanical properties of physiological cellular environment, we observe formation of novel, “cup-like” structures formed by the microtubule cytoskeleton upon interaction with latex beads. These results provide new insights into the function of the microtubule cytoskeleton. Based on these results, we conclude that rigidity of the substrate significantly affects the cellular processes related to every component of the cytoskeleton, especially their architecture.
Investigating the Interaction between Negative Strand RNA Viruses and Their Hosts for Enhanced Vaccine Development and Production

The current pandemic has highlighted the ever-increasing risk of human to human spread of zoonotic pathogens. A number of medically-relevant zoonotic pathogens are negative-strand RNA viruses (NSVs). NSVs are derived from different virus families. Examples like Ebola are known for causing severe symptoms and high mortality rates. Some, like influenza, are known for their ease of person-to-person transmission and lack of pre-existing immunity, enabling rapid spread across many countries around the globe. Containment of outbreaks of NSVs can be difficult owing to their unpredictability and the absence of effective control measures, such as vaccines and antiviral therapeutics. In addition, there remains a lack of essential knowledge of the host–pathogen response that are induced by NSVs, particularly of the immune responses that provide protection. Vaccines are the most effective method for preventing infectious diseases. In fact, in the event of a pandemic, appropriate vaccine design and speed of vaccine supply is the most critical factor in protecting the population, as vaccination is the only sustainable defense. Vaccines need to be safe, efficient, and cost-effective, which is influenced by our understanding of the host–pathogen interface. Additionally, some of the major challenges of vaccines are the establishment of a long-lasting immunity offering cross protection to emerging strains. Although many NSVs are controlled through immunisations, for some, vaccine design has failed or efficacy has proven unreliable. The key behind designing a successful vaccine is understanding the host–pathogen interaction and the host immune response towards NSVs. In this paper, we review the recent research in vaccine design against NSVs and explore the immune responses induced by these viruses. The generation of a robust and integrated approach to development capability and vaccine manufacture can collaboratively support the management of outbreaking NSV disease health risks.
Clinical utility of Ga68 DOTANOC PET/CT imaging in juvenile nasal angiofibroma and the PARIS protocol: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVES Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) expresses different somatostatin cell surface receptors and Ga68 [DOTA, 1-Nal3]-octreotide (DOTANOC)-PET/computed tomography (CT) scan may be used for its imaging. Also, functional imaging with DOTANOC-PET/CT may promise of greater accuracy in the detection or exclusion of recurrent/residual JNA. METHODS In this prospective study, five JNA patients who underwent a DOTANOC-PET-CT scan both preoperatively and postoperatively during June 2018-March 2020 were included. Postcontrast enhancement of a definite lesion was considered residual/recurrent tumor in contrast-enhanced MRI (CEMRI). In DOTANOC-PET/CT, any abnormal uptake apart from physiological sites was considered as residual lesions. Radiological results were categorized as negative, suspicious or definite residual/recurrent tumors. Any discrepancy was resolved by endoscopic biopsies. RESULTS Preoperatively all five cases of JNA showed avid DOTANOC expression in the tumor. The mean (SD) value of DOTANOC standardised uptake value in the tumor was 4.3 (1.4) (range = 2.1-6.2). In postoperative CEMRI evaluation, three of five patients had residual tumors and two had normal scans. On DOTANOC-PET/CT, two of five patients had residual tumors and three had normal scans. In one patient with residual tumor, the discrepancy with regard to tumor extent was noted in two scans, and further biopsy confirmed the findings of DOTANOC-PET/CT as accurate. CONCLUSION 68Ga-DOTANOC-PET/CT uptake is universal in JNA and appears to be more specific in the identification of residual/recurrent JNA. In residual tumors, DOTANOC-PET/CT may have an advantage over CEMRI in the diagnosis, decision making and planning stereotactic radiation. However, these findings are to be validated in studies with larger patients.
Anti-anxiety properties of selected medicinal plants.

Exploration of new drugs targeting anxiety treatment is a major concern worldwide. Medicinal plants are being used as a potential source of novel drugs for anxiety disorders. The objective of this review is to provide information about the healing outcomes of anxiety treatment with natural products. Valeriana officinalis, Citrus aurantium, Commelina benghalensis, Achyranthes aspera, Mimosa pudica, Achillea millefolium, Nymphaea alba, Leonurus cardiac, Camellia sinensis, Turnera aphrodisiaca, Crataegus oxyacantha and Piper methysticum showed promising effects on anxiety in animal models. In clinical studies, passion flower, kava, valerian, St John's wort, and ashwagandha showed the most positive results. More studies are needed for the exploration of the anti-anxiety of medicinal plants. In drugs derived from natural sources have explored many components that are playing an essential role in curing anxiety disorders and associated complications.
RNA-Binding Protein La Mediates TGFβ-Induced Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Stem Cell Properties

Simple Summary Reversible epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in establishing a malignant phenotype by assuring cancer cell plasticity critical for cancer progression by allowing a small fraction of cancer cells to detach from primary lesions and outgrow at metastatic sites. Cancer cell plasticity is associated with cancer stem cell properties contributing to chemoresistance, metastasis, and poor clinical outcomes. Dysregulated RNA-binding proteins are key players in controlling the RNA metabolism, including mRNA processing, export, and translation, and have been implicated in cancer cell plasticity. In this study, we demonstrated that aberrantly expressed RNA-binding protein La is critical for transforming growth factor β-induced EMT and for gaining cancer stem cell properties. Understanding the function of aberrant RNA-binding protein expression in cancer cell plasticity reveals prospects for identifying novel therapeutic targets. Abstract Background: the aberrant overexpression of predominantly nuclear localizing RNA-binding protein (RBP) La contributes to proliferation, mobility, and chemoresistance of cancer cells and tumor growth in mice. Methods: studies included cancer tissue microarrays (TMAs) analyses, cancer tissue data mining, transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-induced cancer cell plasticity studies, three dimensional sphere growth, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) assays, analysis of cancer stem cell (CSC) marker expression, and post-translational modification of cancer-associated La protein. Results: we demonstrated that significant overexpression of RBP La in lung and head and neck cancer tissue correlates with poor overall survival. Furthermore, small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of La reduced proliferation and migration of cancer cells, blocked TGFβ-induced EMT, and diminished both EMT and CSC marker expression. Rescue experiments with La wildtype but not RNA chaperone domain activity-defective La mutant increased the expression of those cancer progression markers, suggesting a critical role of La’s RNA chaperone activity in this process. La depletion in cancer cells also significantly decreased sphere growth in the presence of TGFβ. Interestingly, TGFβ treatment induced phosphorylation of La at threonine 389 (pLaT389) only in adherents but not in 3D growing cultures. Conclusion: our study suggests that the TGFβ/AKT/pLaT389 signaling pathway regulates cancer cell plasticity.
Sex differences in the association between obesity and hypertension

Abstract Background Hypertension and obesity often coexist. There are sex differences in the mechanisms of obesity-related hypertension but the reasons for these differences are still not fully understood. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate sex differences in the development of hypertension associated with obesity. Methods A total of 866 men and 1022 women were selected for the study. Anthropometric measurements, including arterial pressure measurements, were performed. The plasma lipid levels were measured using an enzymatic method with commercially available kits. Results In both overweight and obesity, hypertensive women had more atherogenic lipid profiles and higher values of lipid accumulation product (LAP) than normotensive women. In overweight and obese men, no significant differences in lipid levels or LAP were noted between the normotensive and hypertensive groups. Conclusion The pathogenesis of obesity-related hypertension in women differs from that in men and tends to be associated with metabolic disorders.
Secondary Metabolic Profile as a Tool for Distinction and Characterization of Cultivars of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) Cultivated in Pará State, Brazil

This study evaluated the chemical compositions of the leaves and fruits of eight black pepper cultivars cultivated in Pará State (Amazon, Brazil). Hydrodistillation and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry were employed to extract and analyze the volatile compounds, respectively. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were predominant (58.5–90.9%) in the cultivars “Cingapura”, “Equador”, “Guajarina”, “Iaçará”, and “Kottanadan”, and “Bragantina”, “Clonada”, and “Uthirankota” displayed oxygenated sesquiterpenoids (50.6–75.0%). The multivariate statistical analysis applied using volatile composition grouped the samples into four groups: γ-Elemene, curzerene, and δ-elemene (“Equador”/“Guajarina”, I); δ-elemene (“Iaçará”/“Kottanadan”/“Cingapura”, II); elemol (“Clonada”/“Uthirankota”, III) and α-muurolol, bicyclogermacrene, and cubebol (“Bragantina”, IV). The major compounds in all fruit samples were monoterpene hydrocarbons such as α-pinene, β-pinene, and limonene. Among the cultivar leaves, phenolics content (44.75–140.53 mg GAE·g−1 FW), the enzymatic activity of phenylalanine-ammonia lyase (20.19–57.22 µU·mL−1), and carotenoids (0.21–2.31 µg·mL−1) displayed significant variations. Due to black pepper’s susceptibility to Fusarium infection, a molecular docking analysis was carried out on Fusarium protein targets using each cultivar’s volatile components. F. oxysporum endoglucanase was identified as the preferential protein target of the compounds. These results can be used to identify chemical markers related to the susceptibility degree of black pepper cultivars to plant diseases prevalent in Pará State.
Incarceration among adults living with psychosis in Indigenous populations in Cape York and the Torres Strait

Objective: The relationship between psychosis and contact with the criminal justice system for Indigenous people living in rural and remote areas is not well understood. In this study, the authors examine patterns of incarceration among Indigenous people living with psychosis in Cape York and the Torres Strait over two decades. Methods: Data were collated from a clinical database of complete psychiatric records from 1992 to 2015, extracted for all Indigenous patients with a psychotic disorder from the Remote Area Mental Health Service, and linked to the Queensland Corrections Service database. Descriptive statistics were calculated to compare characteristics between those incarcerated and those not incarcerated during the study period and to quantify patterns of incarceration including types of offences, time spent in custody and frequency of incarceration. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to assess associations between reported variables and ‘first incarceration’. Results: Forty-five percent of Aboriginal patients (n = 116) were incarcerated compared with 31% of Torres Strait Islanders (n = 41) (p = 0.008), and the proportion of males incarcerated (51%, n = 141) was approximately twice that of females (24%, n = 35; p = 0.001). A cluster of first incarcerations were observed in close time proximity to diagnosis of psychosis. Individuals who had a history of both alcohol and cannabis use had approximately two times higher risk of being incarcerated following positive diagnosis compared to those without a history of substance use (hazard ratio = 1.85; 95% confidence interval: [1.08, 3.17]; p = 0.028). Males accounted for approximately 85% (n = 328) of sentences. The most common most serious offence was causing physical harm to others (assault – n = 122, 31%). Conclusion: Our study found that for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a psychotic disorder in North Queensland, criminal justice responses with resultant incarceration occurs frequently. Access to appropriate mental health services and diversion options for Indigenous Australians with psychosis should be a key public health and justice priority.
Radiologic and clinicopathologic characteristics of thyroid nodules with focal 68Ga-DOTATATE PET activity.

OBJECTIVE Our aim was to determine the radiologic and clinicopathologic characteristics of thyroid nodules with focal 68Ga-DOTATATE activity. METHODS In this retrospective study of 1927 consecutive 68Ga-DOTATATE PET scans, 85 patients with incidental and nonincidental focal 68Ga-DOTATATE avid thyroid nodules were identified, of which 31 patients with 33 thyroid nodules underwent fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or surgery. These 33 nodules were reviewed for Krenning score and SUVmax of the thyroid nodule, contralateral thyroid lobe and left atrium. RESULTS Cytology/histopathology included 58% (19/33) with benign findings, 18% (6/33) medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), 9% (3/33) atypia or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), 9% (3/33) suspicious for follicular neoplasm and Hurthle cell adenoma (SFN/HCA) and 6% (2/33) nondiagnostic cytology. Median serum calcitonin was 1156 pg/mL (range, 460-1828) in MTC and was <5.0 pg/mL (<5.0-12.5) in patients with benign nodules. Nodules had Krenning score of 1, 2 and 3 in 46% (15/33), 27% (9/33) and 27% (9/33). The majority of MTC and AUS/FLUS nodules had a Krenning score of 3, and there was substantial intragroup variation in Krenning score among the benign nodules. The mean SUVmax for the entire cohort was 5.5 ± 2.9 (mean ± SD), and the range was 2.0-13.0. There was overlap in the nodule/contralateral thyroid SUVmax ratios between groups. The MTC and AUS/FLUS nodules tended to have a higher nodule/blood pool SUVmax ratio than the other pathologic groups. CONCLUSION There was considerable variation in radiologic characteristics among benign thyroid nodules. The ratio of thyroid nodule SUVmax/blood pool SUVmax may be useful to differentiate pathologic groups, but larger studies are needed to investigate this further. Given the potential for malignancy in thyroid nodules with focal 68Ga-DOTATATE activity, further evaluation with serum calcitonin and FNA may be considered.Video Abstract: http://links.lww. com/NMC/A186.
Potential Effects of Poloxamer 188 on Rat Isolated Brain Mitochondria after Oxidative Stress In Vivo and In Vitro

Outcome after cerebral ischemia is often dismal. Reperfusion adds significantly to the ischemic injury itself. Therefore, new strategies targeting ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury are critically needed. Poloxamer (P)188, an amphiphilic triblock copolymer, is a highly promising pharmacological therapeutic as its capability to insert into injured cell membranes has been reported to protect against I/R injury in various models. Although mitochondrial function particularly profits from P188 treatment after I/R, it remains unclear if this beneficial effect occurs directly or indirectly. Here, rat isolated brain mitochondria underwent oxidative stress in vivo by asphyxial cardiac arrest or in vitro by the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) after isolation. Mitochondrial function was assessed by adenosine triphosphate synthesis, oxygen consumption, and calcium retention capacity. Both asphyxia and H2O2 exposure significantly impaired mitochondrial function. P188 did not preserve mitochondrial function after either injury mechanism. Further research is indicated.
A Decision Aid Intervention for Family Building After Cancer: Developmental Study on the Initial Steps to Consider When Designing a Web-Based Prototype

Background An important aspect of patient-centered care involves ensuring that patient-directed resources are usable, understandable, and responsive to patients’ needs. A user-centered design refers to an empathy-based framework and an iterative design approach for developing a product or solution that is based on an in-depth understanding of users’ needs, values, abilities, and limitations. Objective This study presents the steps taken to develop a prototype for a patient resource for young women who have completed treatment for gonadotoxic cancer to support their decision making about follow-up fertility care and family building. Methods User-centered design practices were used to develop Roadmap to Parenthood, a decision aid (DA) website for family building after cancer. A multidisciplinary steering group was assembled and input was provided. Guidelines from the International Patient DA Society and the Ottawa Decision Support Framework were used throughout the development process. In addition, guidelines for developing health DAs with respect to patient diversity and health literacy were also followed. Results The Roadmap to Parenthood DA website prototype was systematically and iteratively developed. An extensive process of designing and developing solutions from the perspective of the end user was followed. The steps taken included formative work to identify user needs; determining goals, format, and delivery; design processes (eg, personas, storyboards, information architecture, user journey mapping, and wireframing); and content development. Additional design considerations addressed the unique needs of this patient population, including the emotional experiences related to this topic and decision-making context wherein decisions could be considered iteratively while involving a multistep process. Conclusions The design strategies presented in this study describe important steps in the early phases of developing a user-centered resource, which will enhance the starting point for usability testing and further design modifications. Future research will pilot test the DA and a planning tool, and evaluate improvement in the decisional conflict regarding family building after cancer. Consistent with a patient-centered approach to health care, the strategies described here may be generalized and applied to the development of other patient resources and clinical contexts to optimize usability, empathy, and user engagement.
Anionic Complex with Efficient Expression and Good Safety Profile for mRNA Delivery

We previously found that a complex comprising plasmid DNA (pDNA), polyethylenimine (PEI), and γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) had high transgene efficiency without cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. However, messenger RNA (mRNA) remains an attractive alternative to pDNA. In this study, we developed a safe and effective delivery system for mRNA to prevent its degradation and efficiently deliver it into target cells. Various cationic and anionic complexes were produced containing PEI, γ-PGA, and an mRNA encoding firefly luciferase. Their physicochemical properties and cytotoxicities were analyzed and the in vitro and in vivo protein expression were determined. The cationic mRNA/PEI complex showed high in vitro protein expression with strong cytotoxicity. The anionic complex was constructed as mRNA/PEI8/γ-PGA12 complex with a theoretical charge ratio of 1:8:12 based on the phosphate groups of the mRNA, nitrogen groups of PEI, and carboxylate groups of γ-PGA. It was stable and showed high in vitro protein expression without cytotoxicity. After intravenous administration of mRNA/PEI8/γ-PGA12 complex to mice, high protein expression was observed in the spleen and liver and slight expression was observed in the lung over 24 h. Thus, the newly constructed mRNA/PEI8/γ-PGA12 complex provides a safe and effective strategy for the delivery of mRNA.
Manganese (III) Salen Supported Onto Hydrous Zirconia: Synthesis, Characterization, and Solvent Free Aerobic Oxidation of Styrene

Solid catalysts comprising manganese salen and hydrous zirconia were synthesized and characterized, and catalytic activity was evaluated by carrying out solvent-free liquid phase aerobic oxidation of styrene. As solid catalysts show high conversion of styrene with good selectivity toward benzaldehyde and styrene epoxide. The recovery of the catalyst was readily accomplished by simple filtration. The recycled catalyst can be used up to four cycles without any loss in conversion as well as selectivity.