Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shape Anisotropic Iron Oxide-Based Magnetic Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Biomedical Applications

Research on iron oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles and their clinical use has been, so far, mainly focused on the spherical shape. However, efforts have been made to develop synthetic routes that produce different anisotropic shapes not only in magnetite nanoparticles, but also in other ferrites, as their magnetic behavior and biological activity can be improved by controlling the shape. Ferrite nanoparticles show several properties that arise from finite-size and surface effects, like high magnetization and superparamagnetism, which make them interesting for use in nanomedicine. Herein, we show recent developments on the synthesis of anisotropic ferrite nanoparticles and the importance of shape-dependent properties for biomedical applications, such as magnetic drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging. A brief discussion on toxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles is also included.
CURRENT STATUS OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS: NATURAL PRODUCTS USED IN HEPATOPROTECTIVE REMEDIES IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

All plants have a potential medicinal value and have been considered as important therapeutic aid for alleviating ailment of humankind. Herbal plants or medicines have been used traditionally by herbalist worldwide for the prevention and treatment of liver disease. Medicinal plants play a key role in human health care. About 80% of the world population relies on the use of traditional medicine, which is predominantly based on plant material. Excessive drug therapy, environmental pollutants, hepatic cancer and alcoholic intoxicants are the main causes of liver disorders. In spite of consistent human effort and drug discovery, modern drug has very little to offer. Various Ayurveda and Unani herbal drugs are used to cure liver diseases. The herbal drugs used as hepatoprotectives in Ayurvedic system of medicine and the Ayurvedic formulations employed to cure liver disorders. Liver disease, also known as hepatic disease is any condition that may cause disturbance of liver function and causes illness. The liver is responsible for many vital functions within the body and should it become diseased or injured, the loss of those functions can cause significant damage to the body. Natural products which are derived from plant extracts, herbs, animals, marine and microbes are used traditionally for treatment of liver ailments. More than 50% of the drugs on the market are still based on natural products. This review is on natural products from plants, marine and microbiological sources for the treatment of liver diseases. This work intends to aid researchers in the study of natural products useful in alleviating liver disorders. The present review discusses different types of medicinal plants containing hepatoprotective activity.
Neuroimaging Biomarkers for Predicting Treatment Response and Recurrence of Major Depressive Disorder

The acute treatment duration for major depressive disorder (MDD) is 8 weeks or more. Treatment of patients with MDD without predictors of treatment response and future recurrence presents challenges and clinical problems to patients and physicians. Recently, many neuroimaging studies have been published on biomarkers for treatment response and recurrence of MDD using various methods such as brain volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (resting-state and affective tasks), diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy, and molecular imaging (i.e., positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography). The results have been inconsistent, and we hypothesize that this could be due to small sample size; different study design, including eligibility criteria; and differences in the imaging and analysis techniques. In the future, we suggest a more sophisticated research design, larger sample size, and a more comprehensive integration including genetics to establish biomarkers for the prediction of treatment response and recurrence of MDD.
Stability Evaluation of pH-Adjusted Goat Milk for Developing Ricotta Cheese with a Mixture of Cow Cheese Whey and Goat Milk

Excess summer milk and a lack of product diversity are major problems facing Taiwan’s dairy goat industry. Gouda and Mozzarella cheeses made with cow milk are popular products for leisure farms in Taiwan, and they produce a large amount of cheese whey as waste. Our objective is to identify the unstable phenomena of pH-adjusted goat milk through the use of Turbiscan Lab® Expert and to produce ricotta cheeses using cow cheese whey waste and excess goat milk. Delta backscattering (∆BS) profiles and the Turbiscan stability index (TSI) were used to evaluate the stability characteristics of goat milk adjusted to pH 6.7–5.2. The results show coagulation phenomena in skimmed goat milk and sedimentation phenomena in full-fat goat milk, when the pH was adjusted to 5.2. The TSI values of goat milk at pH 5.7 and 5.2 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of a control. Therefore, 80/20 cow cheese whey/skimmed goat milk and 80/20 cow cheese whey/full-fat goat milk mixtures were acidified to pH 5.5 and heated at 90 °C for 30 min to produce ricotta cheeses A and B. The hardness value, moisture, protein, and ash contents of ricotta cheese A were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of ricotta cheese B, but no significant difference was found in terms of sensory evaluation.
Phytostabilization of Pb-Zn Mine Tailings with Amorpha fruticosa Aided by Organic Amendments and Triple Superphosphate

A greenhouse pot trial was conducted to investigate the effect of organic amendments combined with triple superphosphate on the bioavailability of heavy metals (HMs), Amorpha fruticosa growth and metal uptake from Pb-Zn mine tailings. Cattle manure compost (CMC), spent mushroom compost (SMC) and agricultural field soil (AFS) were applied to tailings at 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% w/w ratio, whereas sewage sludge (SS) and wood biochar (WB) were mixed at 2.5%, 5%, 10% and 20% w/w ratio. Triple superphosphate (TSP) was added to all the treatments at 4:1 (molar ratio). Amendments efficiently decreased DTPA-extracted Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu in treatments. Chlorophyll contents and shoot and root dry biomass significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the treatments of CMC (except T4 for chlorophyll b) and SMC, whereas treatments of SS (except T1 for chlorophyll a and b), WB and AFS (except T4 for chlorophyll a and b) did not show positive effects as compared to CK1. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) values in plant tissues were below 1 for most treatments. In amended treatments, soluble protein content increased, phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) decreased, and catalase (CAT) activity showed varied results as compared to CK1 and CK2. Results suggested that A. fruticosa can be a potential metal phytostabilizer and use of CMC or SMC in combination with TSP are more effective than other combinations for the in situ stabilization of Pb-Zn mine tailings.
Intensive Care Unit Delirium in Surgical Patients Is Associated with Upregulation in Tryptophan Metabolism

In intensive care unit (ICU) patients, delirium is frequent, occurs early in ICU admission, and is associated with poor outcomes. Risk models based on clinical factors have shown variable performance in terms of predictive ability. Identification of a candidate biomarker that associates with delirium may lead to a better understanding of disease mechanism, validation biomarker studies, and the ability to develop targeted interventions for prevention and treatment of delirium. This study analyzed metabolite concentrations early in the course of ICU admission to assess the association with delirium onset.
Correction

Citation for published version (APA): Woelders, T. , Leenheers, T. , Gordijn, M. C. M. , Hut, R. A. , Beersma, D. G. M. , & Wams, E. J. (2018). Correction: Melanopsinand L-cone-induced pupil constriction is inhibited by Sand M-cones in humans (vol 115, pg 792, 2018). Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America, 115(9), E2147. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1801001115
Effects of Prenatal Exposure to a Mixture of Organophosphate Flame Retardants on Placental Gene Expression and Serotonergic Innervation in the Fetal Rat Brain.

There is a growing need to understand the potential neurotoxicity of organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPFRs) and plasticizers because use and, consequently, human exposure, is rapidly expanding. We have previously shown in rats that developmental exposure to the commercial FR mixture Firemaster® 550 (FM 550), which contains OPFRs, results in sex-specific behavioral effects, and identified the placenta as a potential target of toxicity. The placenta is a critical coordinator of fetal growth and neurodevelopment, and a source of neurotransmitters (NTs) for the developing brain. We have shown in rats and humans that FRs accumulate in placental tissue, and induce functional changes, including altered neurotransmitter (NT) production. Here we sought to establish if OPFRs (triphenyl phosphate, TPHP, and a mixture of isopropylated triarylphosphate isomers, ITPs) alter placental function and fetal forebrain development, with disruption of tryptophan (Trp) metabolism as a primary pathway of interest. Wistar rat dams were orally exposed to OPFRs (0, 500, 1,000, or 2,000 μg/day) or a serotonin (5-HT) agonist (5-MT) for 14 days during gestation and placenta and fetal forebrain tissues collected for analysis by transcriptomics and metabolomics. Relative abundance of genes responsible for the transport and synthesis of placental 5-HT were disrupted, and multiple neuroactive metabolites in the 5-HT and kynurenine (Kyn) metabolic pathways were upregulated. Additionally, 5-HTergic projections were significantly longer in the fetal forebrains of exposed males. These findings suggest that OPFRs have the potential to impact the 5-HTergic system in the fetal forebrain by disrupting placental Trp metabolism.
Functional Study of the Retrotransposon-Derived Human PEG10 Protease

Paternally expressed gene 10 (PEG10) is a human retrotransposon-derived imprinted gene. The mRNA of PEG10 encodes two protein isoforms: the Gag-like protein (RF1PEG10) is coded by reading frame 1, while the Gag-Pol-like polyprotein (RF1/RF2PEG10) is coded by reading frames 1 and 2. The proteins are translated by a typical retroviral frameshift mechanism. The protease (PR) domain of RF2PEG10 contains an -Asp-Ser-Gly- sequence, which corresponds to the consensus -Asp-Ser/Thr-Gly- active-site motif of retroviral aspartic proteases. The function of the aspartic protease domain of RF2PEG10 remains unclear. To elucidate the function of PEG10 protease (PRPEG10), we designed a frameshift mutant (fsRF1/RF2PEG10) for comparison with the RF1/RF2PEG10 form. To study the effects of PRPEG10 on cellular proliferation and viability, mammalian HEK293T and HaCaT cells were transfected with plasmids coding for either RF1/RF2PEG10, the frameshift mutant (fsRF1/RF2PEG10), or a PR active-site (D370A) mutant fsRF1/RF2PEG10. Our results indicate that fsRF1/RF2PEG10 overexpression results in increased cellular proliferation. Remarkably, transfection with fsRF1/RF2PEG10 had a detrimental effect on cell viability. We hypothesize that PRPEG10 plays an important role in the function of this retroviral remnant, mediating the proliferation of cells and possibly implicating it in the inhibition of apoptosis.
Deep Learning-Based Secure MIMO Communications with Imperfect CSI for Heterogeneous Networks

Perfect channel state information (CSI) is required in most of the classical physical-layer security techniques, while it is difficult to obtain the ideal CSI due to the time-varying wireless fading channel. Although imperfect CSI has a great impact on the security of MIMO communications, deep learning is becoming a promising solution to handle the negative effect of imperfect CSI. In this work, we propose two types of deep learning-based secure MIMO detectors for heterogeneous networks, where the macro base station (BS) chooses the null-space eigenvectors to prevent information leakage to the femto BS. Thus, the bit error rate of the associated user is adopted as the metric to evaluate the system performance. With the help of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs), the macro BS obtains the refined version from the imperfect CSI. Simulation results are provided to validate the proposed algorithms. The impacts of system parameters, such as the correlation factor of imperfect CSI, the normalized doppler frequency, the number of antennas is investigated in different setup scenarios. The results show that considerable performance gains can be obtained from the deep learning-based detectors compared with the classical maximum likelihood algorithm.
Regulation of Adipogenesis and Lipid Deposits by Collapsin Response Mediator Protein 2

As emerging evidence suggesting neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic diseases have common pathogenesis, we hypothesized that the neurite outgrowth-controlling collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) was involved in energy homeostasis. Therefore, putative roles of CRMP2 in adipocyte differentiation (adipogenesis) and lipid metabolism were explored and addressed in this study. CRMP2 expression profiles were in vitro and in vivo characterized during adipogenic process of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, respectively. Effects of CRMP2 on lipid metabolism and deposits were also analyzed. Our data revealed that CRMP2 expression pattern was coupled with adipogenic stages. CRMP2 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation at MCE phase, and significantly reduced lipid contents by down-regulating adipogenesis-driving transcription factors and lipid-synthesizing enzymes. Interestingly, GLUT4 translocation and the lipid droplets fusion were disturbed in CRMP2-silencing cells by affecting actin polymerization. Moreover, adipose CRMP2 was significantly increased in DIO mice, indicating CRMP2 is associated with obesity. Accordingly, CRMP2 exerts multiple functions in adipogenesis and lipid deposits through mediating cell proliferation, glucose/lipid metabolism and cytoskeleton dynamics. The present study identifies novel roles of CRMP2 in mediating adipogenesis and possible implication in metabolic disorders, as well as provides molecular evidence supporting the link of pathogenesis between neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic abnormalities.
Nrf2 deficiency promotes the increasing trend of autophagy during aging in skeletal muscle: a potential mechanism for the development of sarcopenia

This study aims to explore the impact of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) deficiency on skeletal muscle autophagy and the development of sarcopenia. LC3b, P62, Bnip3, Lamp-1, and AMPK protein levels were measured in muscle from young, middle-aged, old Nrf2−/− (knockout, KO) mice and age-matched wild-type (WT) C57/BL6 mice. Autophagy flux was measured in young WT, young KO, old WT, old KO mice, using colchicine as autophagy inhibitor. There was a trend of higher accumulation of LC3b-II, P62, Bnip3, Lamp-1 induced by colchicine in old WT mice compared with young WT mice. Colchicine induced a significantly higher accumulation of LC3b-II, P62, Bnip3, Lamp-1 in KO mice compared with WT mice, both in the young and old groups. AMPK and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were unregulated following Nrf2 KO and increasing age, which was consistent with the increasing trend of autophagy flux following Nrf2 KO and increasing age. Nrf2 KO and increasing age caused decreased cross-sectional area of extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles. We concluded that Nrf2 deficiency and increasing age may activate AMPK and ROS signals to cause excessive autophagy activation in skeletal muscle, which can be a potential mechanism for the development of sarcopenia.
Physical activity is associated with lower health care costs among Taiwanese individuals with diabetes mellitus

Abstract The economic burden of diabetes has increased over time with disease severity. Previous publications investigating the effects of physical activity (PA) on medical costs have made use of small sample sizes. We assessed the relationship between PA and 1-year medical expenditure among Taiwanese patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Data were recruited from three governmental databases, including the 2012 adult preventive health service database. Participants were grouped as inactive (no exercise), insufficiently active (exercise < 150 minutes/week), and sufficiently active (exercise >150 minutes/week) individuals. Patients were stratified according to age and Charlson score. Multivariate linear regression models were used to determine β-coefficients and their P values. Overall, 218,960 individuals were identified with diabetes. The prevalence of the disease was 13.1% among sufficiently active, 35% among insufficiently active, and 51.9% among physically inactive adults. In general, patients who had exercise >150 minutes/week had lower health care spending (i.e., US$ 755.83) followed by those who had less than 150 minutes/week (US$ 880.08) when compared with inactive patients (P < .0001). Moreover, health care costs derived from outpatient or inpatient care were lower for sufficiently active than inactive participants (P < .0001). Compared with being sedentary, PA was associated with lower health care costs of Taiwanese adults with diabetes mellitus.
Glycerol as Alternative Co-Solvent for Water Extraction of Polyphenols from Carménère Pomace: Hot Pressurized Liquid Extraction and Computational Chemistry Calculations

Glycerol is a co-solvent for water extraction that has been shown to be highly effective for obtaining polyphenol extracts under atmospheric conditions. However, its efficacy under subcritical conditions has not yet been studied. We assessed different water-glycerol mixtures (15%, 32.5%, and 50%) in a hot pressurized liquid extraction system (HPLE: 10 MPa) at 90 °C, 120 °C, and 150 °C to obtain extracts of low molecular weight polyphenols from Carménère grape pomace. Under the same extraction conditions, glycerol as a co-solvent achieved significantly higher yields in polyphenols than ethanol. Optimal extraction conditions were 150 °C, with 32.5% glycerol for flavonols and 50% for flavanols, stilbenes, and phenolic acids. Considering gallic acid as a model molecule, computational chemistry calculations were applied to explain some unusual extraction outcomes. Furthermore, glycerol, methanol, ethanol, and ethylene glycol were studied to establish an incipient structure–property relationship. The high extraction yields of gallic acid obtained with water and glycerol solvent mixtures can be explained not only by the additional hydrogen bonds between glycerol and gallic acid as compared with the other alcohols, but also because the third hydroxyl group allows the formation of a three-centered hydrogen bond, which intensifies the strongest glycerol and gallic acid hydrogen bond. The above occurs both in neutral and deprotonated gallic acid. Consequently, glycerol confers to the extraction solvent a higher solvation energy of polyphenols than ethanol.
Welfare Challenges of Dairy Cows in India Identified Through On-Farm Observations

Simple Summary India has the largest population of dairy cattle in the world, but little work has been done to objectively assess their welfare. Formal welfare assessment is needed to identify any welfare problems and inform solutions to these problems. Dairy cattle on 38 farms in Kerala, India, were observed using standardised welfare assessment protocols. The major welfare problems identified in this study were that all cows were tied to their housing on a rope < 1 m that attached to a halter that pierced the nasal septum, most farms did not provide cattle with unlimited access to water, and access to food was also limited. On half the farms, cattle were tied up inside for the whole day, and most of those given outdoor access were also tied when outside. These results show the need to encourage dairy farmers in India to stop tying their cattle, and to provide them with unlimited access to drinking water and a readier supply of a good healthy diet. Welfare assessment protocols were used successfully in this study, suggesting that they can and should be used regularly to assess cattle welfare in India. Making these changes could substantially improve the welfare of tens of millions of cattle. Abstract India has the largest population of dairy cattle in the world at over 48 million animals, yet there has been little formal assessment of their welfare reported. Through observations of dairy cows on 38 farms in Kerala, India, we aimed to investigate the welfare of these animals and the practicality of animal-based assessments within common farming systems. Substantial welfare challenges were identified. All cows were close-tied (less than 1 m length) via a halter that pierced the nasal septum when housed, which was for the entire day (50% of farms) or part thereof. When outside access was available, it was also usually restricted by close-tying, longline tether, or hobbling. Ad libitum water was only available on 22% of farms and food access was also restricted (mean of 4.3 h/day). Future work should focus on encouraging dairy farmers in India to improve the welfare of their dairy cattle by: ceasing to tie and tether cattle (or at least providing tied and tethered cattle with exercise opportunities); providing unlimited access to drinking water and a readier supply of food (especially quality green forage/fodder); cleaning housing more frequently; providing strategies to prevent heat stress; breeding cattle suited to environmental conditions and with increased resistance to heat stress; and carrying out welfare assessments more regularly using a validated protocol and rectifying the causes of poor welfare. Such changes could substantially improve the welfare of tens of millions of cattle.
The Regulatory Effects of a Formulation of Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh and Taiwanofungus camphoratus on Metabolic Syndrome and the Gut Microbiome

The number of people with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing year by year, and MetS is associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. The demand for health supplements to treat or prevent MetS is also growing. Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh (CO) and Taiwanofungus camphoratus (TC) are endemic to Taiwan. Both have been shown to improve the symptoms of MetS, such as dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. Herein, we investigated the effect of CO, TC and their formulations on diet-induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks to induce MetS. After that, the mice were fed with HFD supplemented with CO, TC, and various CO/TC formulations, respectively, for 14 weeks. The changes in physiological parameters and the composition of the gut microbiome were investigated. The results indicated that CO, TC, and their formulations effectively reduced hyperglycemia, and tended to alleviate MetS in obese mice. Moreover, we also observed that CO, TC, and their formulations improved gut microbiota dysbiosis by decreasing the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio and increasing the abundance of Akkermansia spp. Our results revealed that CO and TC might have potential for use as a prebiotic dietary supplement to ameliorate obesity-related metabolic disorders and gut dysbiosis.