Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Curcumin alleviates oxidative stress and inhibits apoptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy via Sirt1‐Foxo1 and PI3K‐Akt signalling pathways

Diabetes is a disorder of glucose metabolism, and over 90% are type 2 diabetes. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the type 2 diabetes complications, usually accompanied by changes in myocardial structure and function, together with cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Our study investigated the effect of curcumin on regulating oxidative stress (OS) and apoptosis in DCM. In vivo, diabetes was induced in an experimental rat model by streptozoticin (STZ) together with high‐glucose and high‐fat (HG/HF) diet feeding. In vitro, H9c2 cardiomyocytes were cultured with high‐glucose and saturated free fatty acid palmitate. Curcumin was orally or directly administered to rats or cells, respectively. Streptozoticin ‐induced diabetic rats showed metabolism abnormalities and elevated markers of OS (superoxide dismutase [SOD], malondialdehyde [MDA], gp91phox, Cyt‐Cyto C), enhanced cell apoptosis (Bax/Bcl‐2, Cleaved caspase‐3, TUNEL‐positive cells), together with reduced Akt phosphorylation and increased Foxo1 acetylation. Curcumin attenuated the myocardial dysfunction, OS and apoptosis in the heart of diabetic rats. Curcumin treatment also enhanced phosphorylation of Akt and inhibited acetylation of Foxo1. These results strongly suggest that apoptosis was increased in the heart of diabetic rats, and curcumin played a role in diabetic cardiomyopathy treatment by modulating the Sirt1‐Foxo1 and PI3K‐Akt pathways.
Blues in the Brain and Beyond: Molecular Bases of Major Depressive Disorder and Relative Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Treatments

Despite the extensive research conducted in recent decades, the molecular mechanisms underlying major depressive disorder (MDD) and relative evidence-based treatments remain unclear. Various hypotheses have been successively proposed, involving different biological systems. This narrative review aims to critically illustrate the main pathogenic hypotheses of MDD, ranging from the historical ones based on the monoaminergic and neurotrophic theories, through the subsequent neurodevelopmental, glutamatergic, GABAergic, inflammatory/immune and endocrine explanations, until the most recent evidence postulating a role for fatty acids and the gut microbiota. Moreover, the molecular effects of established both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches for MDD are also reviewed. Overall, the existing literature indicates that the molecular mechanisms described in the context of these different hypotheses, rather than representing alternative ones to each other, are likely to contribute together, often with reciprocal interactions, to the development of MDD and to the effectiveness of treatments, and points at the need for further research efforts in this field.
To tolerate or to agree: A tutorial on tolerance intervals in method comparison studies with BivRegBLS R Package

The well‐known agreement interval by Bland and Altman is extensively applied in method comparison studies. Two clinical measurement methods are considered interchangeable if their differences are not clinically significant. The agreement interval is commonly applied to assess the spread of the differences. However, this interval is approximate (too narrow) and several authors propose calculating a confidence interval around each bound. This article demonstrates that this approach is misleading, awkward, and confusing. On the other hand, tolerance intervals are exact and can include a confidence level if needed. Tolerance intervals are also easier to calculate and to interpret. Real data sets are used to illustrate the tolerance intervals with the R package BivRegBLS under normal or log‐normal assumptions. Furthermore, it is also explained how to assess the coverage probabilities of the tolerance intervals with simulations.
Persistent decay of fresh xylem hydraulic conductivity varies with pressure gradient and marks plant responses to injury.

Defining plant hydraulic traits is central to the quantification of ecohydrological processes ranging from land-atmosphere interactions, to tree mortality, and water-carbon budgets. A key plant trait is the xylem specific hydraulic conductivity (Kx ), that describes the plant's vascular system capacity to transport water. While xylem's vessels and tracheids are dead upon maturity, the xylem is neither inert nor deadwood, various components of the sapwood and surrounding tissue remaining alive and functional. Moreover, the established definition of Kx assumes linear relations between water flux and pressure gradient by tacitly considering the xylem as a "passive conduit". Here we reexamine this notion of an inert xylem by systematically characterizing xylem flow in several woody plants using Kx measurements under constant and cyclic pressure gradients. Results show a temporal and pressure gradient dependence of Kx . Additionally, microscopic features in "living branches" are irreversibly modified upon drying of the xylem thus differentiating the macroscopic definition of Kx for living and dead xylem. The findings highlight the picture of the xylem as a complex and delicate conductive system whose hydraulic behavior transcends a passive gradient-based flow. The study sheds new light on xylem conceptualization, conductivity measurement protocols, in situ long-distance water transport, and ecosystem modeling. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Live imaging of hair bundle polarity acquisition demonstrates a critical timeline for transcription factor Emx2

Directional sensitivity of hair cells (HCs) is conferred by the aymmetric apical hair bundle, comprised of a kinocilium and stereocilia staircase. The mother centriole (MC) forms the base of the kinocilium and the stereocilia develop adjacent to it. Previously, we showed that transcription factor Emx2 reverses hair bundle orientation and its expression in the mouse vestibular utricle is restricted, resulting in two regions of opposite bundle orientation (Jiang et al., 2017). Here, we investigated establishment of opposite bundle orientation in embryonic utricles by live-imaging GFP-labeled centrioles in HCs. The daughter centriole invariably migrated ahead of the MC from the center to their respective peripheral locations in HCs. Comparing HCs between utricular regions, centriole trajectories were similar but they migrated toward opposite directions, suggesting that Emx2 pre-patterned HCs prior to centriole migration. Ectopic Emx2, however, reversed centriole trajectory within hours during a critical time-window when centriole trajectory was responsive to Emx2.
Network Analysis Prioritizes DEWAX and ICE1 as the Candidate Genes for Major eQTL Hotspots in Seed Germination of Arabidopsis thaliana

Seed germination is characterized by a constant change of gene expression across different time points. These changes are related to specific processes, which eventually determine the onset of seed germination. To get a better understanding on the regulation of gene expression during seed germination, we performed a quantitative trait locus mapping of gene expression (eQTL) at four important seed germination stages (primary dormant, after-ripened, six-hour after imbibition, and radicle protrusion stage) using Arabidopsis thaliana Bay x Sha recombinant inbred lines (RILs). The mapping displayed the distinctness of the eQTL landscape for each stage. We found several eQTL hotspots across stages associated with the regulation of expression of a large number of genes. Interestingly, an eQTL hotspot on chromosome five collocates with hotspots for phenotypic and metabolic QTL in the same population. Finally, we constructed a gene co-expression network to prioritize the regulatory genes for two major eQTL hotspots. The network analysis prioritizes transcription factors DEWAX and ICE1 as the most likely regulatory genes for the hotspot. Together, we have revealed that the genetic regulation of gene expression is dynamic along the course of seed germination.
miR-29a Modulates GSK3β/SIRT1-Linked Mitochondrial Proteostatic Stress to Ameliorate Mouse Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

MicroRNA-29a (miR-29a) has been shown to ameliorate hepatocellular damage, such as in the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), steatohepatitis (NASH), and cholestatic injury. However, the mechanism mediating the hepatoprotective effect of miR-29a in diet-induced NASH remains elusive. In the present study, C57BL/6 mice of wild-type (WT) or miR-29a overexpression were fed with methionine–choline sufficient (MCS) or methionine–choline-deficient (MCD) diet for four weeks. The C57BL/6 mice harboring miR-29a overexpression presented reduced plasma AST, hepatic CD36, steatosis, and fibrosis induced by MCD. The TargetScan Release7.2-based bioinformatic analysis, KEGG pathway analysis, and luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-29a targets 3′UTR of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (Gsk3b) mRNA in the HepG2 hepatocyte cell line. Furthermore, miR-29a overexpression in the MCD-fed group resulted in inhibition of Gsk3b mRNA and GSK3β protein levels in the liver. GSK3β was notably expressed jointly with the extent of aggregated protein, which was then identified to be associated with mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), but not with endoplasmic reticulum UPR (UPRER). Additionally, in silico analysis of protein–protein interaction, in vivo, and in vitro correlation analyses of protein expression demonstrated that GSK3β closely associated with sirtuin 1(SIRT1). Finally, the implication of SIRT1-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis in the perturbation of proteostasis was observed. We herein provide novel insight into a hepatoprotective pathway, whereby miR-29a inhibits GSK3β to repress SIRT1-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis, leading to alleviation of mitochondrial proteostatic stress and UPRmt in the context of NASH. miR-29a, GSK3β, and SIRT1 could thus serve as possible therapeutic targets to improve the treatment of NAFLD/NASH.
Effect of Cleaning Protocol on Bond Strength between Resin Composite Cement and Three Different CAD/CAM Materials

The present investigation tested the effect of the cleaning method on the tensile bond strength (TBS) between one resin composite cement (RCC) and three different computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials, namely zirconia, lithium disilicate ceramic and resin composite. Ninety specimens were prepared from each CAD/CAM material (N = 270). The specimens were pre-treated respectively, divided into five subgroups and subjected to five different cleaning protocols, namely i. 37% phosphoric acid, ii. ethanol, iii. phosphoric acid + ethanol, iv. cleaning paste, v. distilled water. After cleaning, the specimens were either conditioned using a universal primer or a universal adhesive and bonded using a dual-curing RCC. After thermo-cycling (20,000x at 5 °C/55 °C), TBS and fracture patterns were evaluated. The data was analyzed using 1- and 2-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with post-hoc Scheffé and partial eta-squared (ƞP²), Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U and Chi2 tests (p < 0.05). The CAD/CAM material showed an impact on the BS while the cleaning protocol did not affect the results. Zirconia obtained the highest BS, followed by lithium-disilicate-ceramic. Resin composite resulted in the overall lowest BS. For most fracture patterns, the cohesive type occurred. All tested cleaning protocols resulted in same BS values within one CAD/CAM material indicating that the impact of the cleaning method for the restorative material seems to play a subordinate role in obtaining durable bond strength to resin composite cement. Further, it indicates that the recommended bonding protocols are well adjusted to the respective materials and might be able to compensate the impact of not accurately performed cleaning protocols.
Single Crystalline Higher Manganese Silicide Nanowire Arrays with Outstanding Physical Properties through Double Tube Chemical Vapor Deposition

In this work, we report a novel and efficient silicidation method to synthesize higher manganese silicide (HMS) nanowires with interesting characterization and physical properties. High density silicon nanowire arrays fabricated by chemical etching reacted with MnCl2 precursor through a unique double tube chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system, where we could enhance the vapor pressure of the precursor and provide stable Mn vapor with a sealing effect. It is crucial that the method enables the efficient formation of high quality higher manganese silicide nanowires without a change in morphology and aspect ratio during the process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were utilized to characterize the HMS nanowires. High-resolution TEM studies confirm that the HMS nanowires were single crystalline Mn27Si47 nanowires of Nowotny Chimney Ladder crystal structures. Magnetic property measurements show that the Mn27Si47 nanowire arrays were ferromagnetic at room temperature with a Curie temperature of over 300 K, highly depending on the relationship between the direction of the applied electric field and the axial direction of the standing nanowire arrays. Field emission measurements indicate that the 20 μm long nanowires possessed a field enhancement factor of 3307. The excellent physical properties of the HMS nanowires (NWs) make them attractive choices for applications in spintronic devices and field emitters.
Oxidative Stress in Rats is Modulated by Seasonal Consumption of Sweet Cherries from Different Geographical Origins: Local vs. Non-Local

Sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) are a source of bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds, which are antioxidants that contribute to protection against oxidative stress. It is known that the composition of cherries is influenced by external conditions, such as the geographic origin of cultivation, and that biological rhythms have a significant effect on oxidative stress. Therefore, in this study, Fischer 344 rats were exposed to various photoperiods and were supplemented with Brooks sweet cherries from two different geographical origins, local (LC) and non-local (NLC), to evaluate the interaction of supplementation and biological rhythms with regard to the oxidative stress status. The results indicate that the two fruits generated specific effects and that these effects were modulated by the photoperiod. Consumption of sweet cherries in-season, independently of their origin, may promote health by preventing oxidative stress, tending to: enhance antioxidant status, decrease alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, reduce liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and maintain constant serum MDA values and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.
Analyzing Facial and Eye Movements to Screen for Alzheimer’s Disease

Brain disease can be screened using eye movements. Degenerative brain disorders change eye movement because they affect not only memory and cognition but also the cranial nervous system involved in eye movement. We compared the facial and eye movement patterns of patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease and cognitively normal people to analyze the neurological signs of dementia. After detecting the facial landmarks, the coordinate values for the movements were extracted. We used Spearman’s correlation coefficient to examine associations between horizontal and vertical facial and eye movements. We analyzed the correlation between facial and eye movements without using special eye-tracking equipment or complex conditions in order to measure the behavioral aspect of the natural human gaze. As a result, we found differences between patients with Alzheimer’s disease and cognitively normal people. Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease tended to move their face and eyes simultaneously in the vertical direction, whereas the cognitively normal people did not, as confirmed by a Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon test. Our findings suggest that objective and accurate measurement of facial and eye movements can be used to screen such patients quickly. The use of camera-based testing for the early detection of patients showing signs of neurodegeneration can have a significant impact on the public care of dementia.
Properties of Chemically Modified (Selected Silanes) Lignocellulosic Filler and Its Application in Natural Rubber Biocomposites

This article concerns the functional properties of elastomeric composites reinforced with modified lignocellulosic material obtained from cereal straw. The aim of the research was to acquire new knowledge on the effectiveness of cereal straw modification methods in multifunctional properties, while reducing the flammability of newly designed elastomeric materials made of natural rubber. The article deals with investigating and explaining dependencies that affect the performance and processing properties of polymer biocomposites containing modified cereal straw. Three different silanes were used to modify the lignocellulosic filler: n-Propyltriethoxysilane, Vinyltriethoxysilane, and 3,3′-Tetrathiobis(propyl-triethoxysilane). The influence of the conducted modifications on the morphology and structure of straw particles was investigated using a scanning electron microscope, contact angle measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis technique. The increase in hydrophobicity and thermal stability of natural fibers was confirmed. In turn, the impact of silanization on the properties of filled composites was determined on the basis of rheometric characteristics and cross-linking density, static mechanical properties, tear resistance, thermal stability, and flammability tests. Noteworthy was the improvement of the mechanical strength of biocomposites and their resistance to burning. Correlations affecting the structure, morphology, dispersion, and properties of produced composites can facilitate the indication of a further research path in the field of development of new elastomeric biomaterials.
Evaluation of some available HCV antibody detection tests (ELISA, Chemiluminescence, Immune Assay) and RT-PCR assay in the diagnosis of Hepatitis C virus infection

Background: The purpose of diagnosis of viral infection is to allow the infected persons to be identified & treated and to prevent blood-transfusion infection. Majority of primary HCV-infected patients are asymptomatic, thus, symptoms could not be used as specific indicators for HCV infection. HCV viremia could still exist despite a normal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. Therefore, virological methods rather than ALT levels are used to diagnose HCV infection. The diagnosis of HCV infection is mainly based on the detection of anti-HCV antibodies by the enzyme immunoassay(EIA) or Chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA) of serum samples. These anti-HCV assays are used as a screening test, while PCR is essential for detection of screening test falsity. The presence of HCV-RNA in the serum is a reliable marker of viremia. Universal standardization for HCV-RNA titer is important for diagnosis and follow up. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the commercially available antibody tests for diagnosis of hepatitis c virus infection in comparison to RT-PCR in Egyptian blood donors. Materials and Methods: This study Included 456 serum samples from blood donor at Al-Hussien hospital blood bank (Al-Azhar University, Cairo) from June 2016 to June 2018. Serum samples subjected to routine laboratory tests (CBC, liver and renal function) to exclude organs affection. Also they are subjected to HCV antibody detection by ELISA and Chemiluminescence tests and HCV–RNA detection by RT-PCR assay. Results: We considered PCR as a standard test to evaluate ELISA and Chemiluminescence. The detected percentage of infectivity of donors in this study was 9% by ELISA, 13% by Chemiluminescence and 8 % by PCR. The percentage of false negativity of HCV antibody by ELISA and CIA when compared with PCR assay were 0.96% and 1.5% respectively. The false positivity of HCV –Ab by ELISA and CIA as compared PCR was 14-6% (6 out of 41) and 26.6% (16 out of 60). Conclusion: Generally, ELISA is more sensitive and specific than Chemiluminescence for blood transfusion screening. But, at gray zone results, PCR should be used as confirmatory method. And so it is very important to screen blood donors using RT–PCR to avoid false positive and false negative results.
Mechanisms of neuronal survival safeguarded by endocytosis and autophagy

Multiple aspects of neuronal physiology crucially depend on two cellular pathways, autophagy and endocytosis. During endocytosis, extracellular components either unbound or recognized by membrane‐localized receptors (termed “cargo”) become internalized into plasma membrane‐derived vesicles. These can serve to either recycle the material back to the plasma membrane or send it for degradation to lysosomes. Autophagy also uses lysosomes as a terminal degradation point, although instead of degrading the plasma membrane‐derived cargo, autophagy eliminates detrimental cytosolic material and intracellular organelles, which are transported to lysosomes by means of double‐membrane vesicles, referred to as autophagosomes. Neurons, like all non‐neuronal cells, capitalize on autophagy and endocytosis to communicate with the environment and maintain protein and organelle homeostasis. Additionally, the highly polarized, post‐mitotic nature of neurons made them adopt these two pathways for cell‐specific functions. These include the maintenance of the synaptic vesicle pool in the pre‐synaptic terminal and the long‐distance transport of signaling molecules. Originally discovered independently from each other, it is now clear that autophagy and endocytosis are closely interconnected and share several common participating molecules. Considering the crucial role of autophagy and endocytosis in cell type‐specific functions in neurons, it is not surprising that defects in both pathways have been linked to the pathology of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we highlight the recent knowledge of the role of endocytosis and autophagy in neurons with a special focus on synaptic physiology and discuss how impairments in genes coding for autophagy and endocytosis proteins can cause neurodegeneration.
Function of autophagy gene Beclin 1 in tumor and its relationship with oral cancer

Autophagy is called type Ⅱ programmed cell death. Autophagic dysfunction occurs in various cancers. The progress of autophagy is regulated by many autophagey related genes. Beclin1 is the only demonstrated autophagy-related mammalian gene and essential for activity of autophagy. It could inhibit cancer by inducing autophagy and further contributing to the apoptosis induction. This review focuses on the relationship between Beclin 1 and the tumorogenesis. The research of autophagy in oral cancer is described briefly as well.
Clinical judgment and diagnostic reasoning of nursing students in clinical simulation.

OBJECTIVES to determine the degree of association between clinical judgment and diagnostic reasoning of nursing students in clinical simulation. METHODS this is a correlational research design using a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 41 nursing students who assisted a patient with vaso-occlusive crisis in a high-fidelity clinical simulation setting. The instruments used included the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric - Brazilian Version and the Diagnostic Thinking Inventory. RESULTS clinical judgment was associated with diagnostic reasoning (r=0.313; p=0.046), as well as the "noticing" aspect of clinical judgment with diagnostic reasoning (r=0.312; p=0.047). CONCLUSIONS the results show that skills to interpret patient data are associated with diagnostic reasoning skills. Teaching clinical judgment skills is necessary to develop the diagnostic reasoning of nursing students.