Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glutamatergic Dysfunction and Synaptic Ultrastructural Alterations in Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from Human and Rodent Studies

The correlation between dysfunction in the glutamatergic system and neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder, is undisputed. Both disorders are associated with molecular and ultrastructural alterations that affect synaptic plasticity and thus the molecular and physiological basis of learning and memory. Altered synaptic plasticity, accompanied by changes in protein synthesis and trafficking of postsynaptic proteins, as well as structural modifications of excitatory synapses, are critically involved in the postnatal development of the mammalian nervous system. In this review, we summarize glutamatergic alterations and ultrastructural changes in synapses in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder of genetic or drug-related origin, and briefly comment on the possible reversibility of these neuropsychiatric disorders in the light of findings in regular synaptic physiology.
CKAP2L Knockdown Exerts Antitumor Effects by Increasing miR-4496 in Glioblastoma Cell Lines

Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of the central nervous system malignancy glioma, overall survival remains poor. Cytoskeleton-associated protein 2-like (CKAP2L), which plays key roles in neural progenitor cell division, has also been linked to poor prognosis in lung cancer. In the present study, we investigated the role of CKAP2L in glioma. From bioinformatics analyses of datasets from The Cancer Gene Atlas and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas, we found that CKAP2L expression correlates with tumor grade and overall survival. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that MITOTIC_SPINDLE, G2M_CHECKPOINT, and E2F_TARGETS are crucially enriched phenotypes associated with high CKAP2L expression. Using U87MG, U118MG, and LNZ308 human glioma cells, we confirmed that CKAP2L knockdown with siCKAP2L inhibits glioma cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Interestingly, CKAP2L knockdown also induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, which is consistent with the GSEA finding. Finally, we observed that CKAP2L knockdown led to significant increases in miR-4496. Treating cells with exogenous miR-4496 mimicked the effect of CKAP2L knockdown, and the effects of CKAP2L knockdown could be suppressed by miR-4496 inhibition. These findings suggest that CKAP2L is a vital regulator of miR-4496 activity and that CKAP2L is a potentially useful prognostic marker in glioma.
Spartina alterniflora Leaf and Soil Eco-Stoichiometry in the Yancheng Coastal Wetland

Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus—nutrient and restrictive elements for plant growth and important components of the plant body—are mainly transferred and exchanged between plants and the soil environment. Changes in the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus eco-stoichiometry greatly impact the growth and expansion of Spartina alterniflora, and understanding these changes can reveal the nutrient coordination mechanism among ecosystem components. To explore the relationship between leaf and soil eco-stoichiometry and determine the key soil factors that affect leaf eco-stoichiometry, we collected leaf and soil samples of S. alterniflora at different tidal levels (i.e., 1, 3, and 5 km away from the coastline) in a coastal wetland in the Yancheng Elk Nature Reserve, Jiangsu province. We measured the leaf and soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents and ratios, as well as the soil salinity and soil organic carbon. The results revealed the following. (1) The leaf stoichiometric characteristics and soil properties of S. alterniflora differed significantly between tidal levels; for example, total carbon, nitrogen, soil organic carbon were detected at their highest levels at 3 km and lowest levels at 5 km. (2) Significant correlations were detected between the leaf stoichiometric characteristics and soil characteristics. Additionally, nitrogen limitation was evident in the study area, as indicated by the nitrogen–phosphorus ratio being less than 14 and the soil nitrogen–phosphorus ratio being less than 1. (3) Soil salinity and the soil carbon–nitrogen ratio were shown to be the key factors that affect the eco-stoichiometric characteristics of S. alterniflora. These findings furthered our understanding of the nutrient distribution mechanisms and invasion strategy of S. alterniflora and can thus be used to guide S. alterniflora control policies formulated by government management departments in China.
O2‐consumption, blood flow and PO2 in bone

Osteocytes are bone cells encapsulated in a mineralized matrix. Since they are connected to nutrient blood vessels via narrow canaliculii which provide narrow, tortuous and often long diffusion pathways, the question arises as to how osteocytes are sufficiently supplied with O2 and metabolites. Furthermore, different oxygen partial pressures (PO2) ‐ resulting from O2 supply and local oxygen consumption ‐ may influence cellular proliferation and differentiation. In this context, O2 consumption rates of bone cells were measured and results were related to published blood flow values. This should allow to estimate mean venous PO2 and PO2 distribution in bone. O2 consumption of bone cells inside spongious calvarial fragments of neonatal rats and adult guinea pigs were measured polarographically in a thermostabilized recording chamber containing Hepes‐buffered saline. PO2 declined linearly as long as the PO2 ranged above 20 mmHg. At 27°C and 37°C, the O2 consumption rate of calvarial fragments from adult animals amounted to 0.06 and 0.1 ml/100 g✶min, respectively. Calvaria from newborn rats showed 5‐fold higher values. At 45 °C, oxygen consumption was irreversibly abolished. The blood flow to bones amounts to 5–6 ml/100 g✶min being equivalent to an oxygen delivery of about 1 ml/100 g✶min. Based on the hemoglobin‐oxygen binding curve and on an O2 consumption of 0.1 ml/100 g ✶ min, venous PO2 calculates to ca. 60 mmHg. This appears to be a luxurious oxygen supply in bone. With respect to the long diffusion pathways, however, high PO2 values appear necessary to ensure sufficiently steep PO2 gradients for the the supply of cells remote from nutrient vessels. The resulting local oxygen gradients may orchestrate proliferation and differentiation of bone cells via oxygen‐dependent gene expression. Based on these considerations a model is proposed which comprises known factors influencing blood flow and oxygen tension in bone.
Small intestinal glucose and sodium absorption through calcium‐induced calcium release and store‐operated Ca2+ entry mechanisms

Luminal glucose enhances intestinal Ca2+ absorption through apical Cav1.3 channels necessary for GLUT2‐mediated glucose absorption. As these reciprocal mechanisms are not well understood, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms of intestinal [Ca2+]cyt and SGLT1‐mediated Na+‐glucose co‐transports.
Piperazine-functionalized ordered mesoporous polymer as highly active and reusable organocatalyst for water-medium organic synthesis

A piperazine-functionalized mesoporous polymer (PP-MPs) was synthesized through a one-step surfactant-directed phenol–formaldehyde–piperazinecarbaldehyde oligomer self-assembly approach. This novel PP-MP catalyst exhibited highly catalytic reactivity and selectivity for water-medium Knoevenagel reaction, water-medium [3 + 3] cycloaddition reaction and intermolecular cross-conjugated addition reaction. The excellent performance could be attributed to its high dispersion of piperazine active sites and ordered mesoporous structure, which effectively diminished the steric hindrance and diffusion limitation. Moreover, its pure organic framework could enhance surface hydrophobicity, which promoted organic reactant molecule adsorption, especially in water. Meanwhile, piperazine functional groups embedded in the polymeric framework could inhibit the leaching of active species and thus resulted in the excellent durability without significant loss of activity for recovery and recycling at least four times.
A speculative discussion of four animal carcinogens endogenously produced in humans and a formula for cancer development

The major factors (macro) which cause human cancer have been elucidated and include tobacco use, diet, infection, reproductive and sexual behavior and, to a lesser extent, alcohol consumption and occupational factors. Several reports have been published about endogenous chemicals made in humans which produce DNA adducts; however, few have linked them to possible carcinogenic activity. This paper discussed four chemicals made in humans (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, isoprene and ethylene oxide), pathways of their formation, their animal carcinogenicity and questions about these and other endogenous chemicals’ possible role in human cancer. In addition, the author posits a simplified formula for development of cancer and a formula for causing mutations by various agents.
Evolution of Lung Cancer in the Context of Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, as a novel treatment, has brought new hope to many patients with cancer, including patients with lung cancer. However, the overall cure rate and survival rate of lung cancer are still not satisfactory. The process of evolution has improved the ability of tumors to adapt to immunotherapy, which induces drug resistance. Many studies have focused on immunoresistance and achieved meaningful results. Therefore, it is necessary to have an in-depth understanding of the current research progress in immunoresistance, which will help to achieve good clinical results more efficiently.
Examining the Roles of Aptitude, Motivation, Strategy Use, Language Processing Experience, and Gender in the Development of the Breadth and Depth of EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Knowledge

This study examined the simultaneous effects of L2 individual difference (ID) variables (aptitude, motivation, strategy use, language processing experience, and gender) on English as a foreign language (EFL) breadth and depth of L2 vocabulary knowledge of 492 Korean university–level learners. Independent variable measures included the (a) Korean version of the Modern Language Aptitude Test, (b) L2 Attitude/Motivation Battery, (c) L2 Vocabulary Learning Strategies Survey, and (d) L2 Language Processing Experience Survey. The dependent variables (i.e., vocabulary breadth and depth) were assessed via the Vocabulary Levels Test and Word Associates Test, respectively. Employing multigroup structural equation modeling (SEM), results revealed positive significant effects of (a) aptitude on vocabulary breadth and depth, (b) motivation on strategy use, and (c) motivation on both dependent variables, however mediated by a significant direct effect of language processing experience on the dependent variables. There were no effects obtained for L2 strategy use nor for participant gender in the model.
Exact formula for the dipole moment of a one-electron diatomic molecule

It is shown that the dipole moment function, μ(R, Za, Zb), for an arbitrary bound electronic state of a one-electron diatomic molecule, with inter-nuclear distance R and atomic numbers Za, Zb may be expressed exactly in terms of the separation eigenconstant C and the electronic energy eigenvalue W of the Schrödinger equation by means of the Hellmann-Feynman theorem and a new recursion relation. The formula is used to investigate the behaviour of μ in the vicinity of the united atom and when the nuclei are far apart. The generalization required to extend the relation to other expectation values is derived in an appendix.
The Effect of Abdominal Massage on Enteral Complications in Geriatric Patients

Introduction and Purpose Geriatric patients, who are fed by nasogastric tube (NG), may suffer from complications. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of abdominal massage on Gastric residual volume (GRV), distension, vomiting, and defecation in geriatric patients, who were hospitalized in intensive care unit and fed by NG. Methods The quasi-experimental study was conducted in intensive care units. The researcher applied abdominal massage to patients in the intervention group (n = 30) twice a day for 15–20 minutes before feeding. The data of the study were collected by using a questionnaire and a parameter questionnaire. Results GRV decreased significantly in the intervention group and increased significantly in the control group (p < 0.05). The frequency of defecation significantly increased in intervention group (p < 0.05). It was found that there was no positive effect of abdominal massage on vomiting (p > 0.05). Conclusion It was observed that while abdominal massage reduced high GRV and distension incidence, it increased the incidence of defecation.
Adapting Fitness Age Calculations to Suit a Modern North American Female Population, Regardless of Age, Race, or Ability Level

Objectives: Fitness Age (FA) has been reported in Japan and South Korea as one way to assess an individual’s overall health. To date, this method has not been used in North America. The objective of the current study was to assess the applicability of existing Fitness Age calculations for North American women. Methods: Thirty-seven North American working women aged 18 to 67 years completed a fitness test battery, as described by previous studies. The fitness test results were used with published regression equations to estimate each woman’s FA which was subsequently adjusted to correct for biases in the data. Results: The data from the fitness tests were similar to those presented in the previously published literature with the exception of grip strength, trunk flexion, and body fat percentage which differed significantly compared to the populations assessed previously. These population differences appear to have impacted the applicability of the published methods for this population. Discussion: Because the FA estimates must be corrected according to a theoretical “ideal” to address population biases before they can be used, the authors propose using the deviation from this theoretical ideal rather than raw FA in future aging studies, as this is where the interesting inter-personal differences lay.
Determination of Nitrogen and Sulphur Oxides Produced During Combustion of the Jatropha Cake as a Measure of the Level of Pollution When the Cake is Used as a Fuel

Jatropha cake is a promising renewable energy source after proving difficult to be used as feedstock. Its possible use as a combustible fuel makes the Jatropha cake pellet important as a source of potentially harmful gases to the users and the environment. This makes it imperative to determine the level of pollution caused by the Jatropha cake bio-pellet so as to take the necessary precautions to prevent the hazards that may be associated with its use as fuel if necessary. Jatropha cake samples were burned in a furnace to determine the amount of nitrogen oxides (NO x) and sulphur dioxide (SO 2) produced during complete combustion. The effect of temperature on the production of these gases was investigated by altering the furnace temperature from 300°C to 1200°C. NO x and SO 2 were collected in a mixture of aqueous ammonia and hydrogen peroxide
A comparison of kriging, cubic splines and classification for predicting soil properties from sample information

SUMMARY The clay content of the topsoil in two regions of contrasting physiography was predicted from sample data using four different procedures. The predictors were the means of mapped classes, the usual kriging estimator, a cubic spline interpolator and a kriging estimator within classes using a pooled within-class variogram. The performances of the procedures were evaluated and compared. In the first region, Sandford St Martin on Jurassic sediments where there were some abrupt changes in soil, the classification predicted best within those classes bounded by sharp change. Elsewhere the usual kriging performed somewhat better, and kriging within classes was still more precise. In the second region, Yenne on the alluvial plain of the Rhone where the soil varied gradually, kriging performed better than classification, though a small improvement resulted from combining kriging with classification. Both prediction by class means and kriging attempt to minimize the estimation variance, and their mean prediction variances were close to the theoretical values overall. Spline interpolation is more empirical, and though it followed the abrupt changes better than kriging, it fluctuated excessively elsewhere, and its overall performance was poorer than that of kriging.
Rupture risk assessment for multiple intracranial aneurysms: why there is no need for dozens of clinical, morphological and hemodynamic parameters

Introduction: A multitude of approaches have been postulated for assessing the risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture. However, the amount of potential predictive factors is not applicable in clinical practice and they are rejected in favor of the more practical PHASES score. For the subgroup of multiple intracranial aneurysms (MIAs), the PHASES score might severely underestimate the rupture risk, as only the aneurysm with the largest diameter is considered for risk evaluation. Methods: In this study, we investigated 38 patients harboring a total number of 87 MIAs with respect to their morphological and hemodynamical characteristics. For the determination of the best suited parameters regarding their predictive power for aneurysm rupture, we conducted three phases of statistical evaluation. The statistical analysis aimed to identify parameters that differ significantly between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms, show smallest possible correlations among each other and have a high impact on rupture risk prediction. Results: Significant differences between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms were found in 16 out of 49 parameters. The lowest correlation were found for gamma, aspect ratio (AR1), aneurysm maximal relative residence time (Aneurysm_RRT_max) and aneurysm mean relative residence time. The data-driven parameter selection yielded a significant correlation of only two parameters (AR1 and the Aneurysm_RRT_max) with rupture state (area under curve = 0.75). Conclusion: A high number of established morphological and hemodynamical parameters seem to have no or only low effect on prediction of aneurysm rupture in patients with MIAs. For best possible rupture risk assessment of patients with MIAs, only the morphological parameter AR1 and the hemodynamical parameter Aneurysm_RRT_max need to be included in the prediction model.
Intracranial Arterial Stenosis Among Filipino Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Single Center Study

Introduction: Intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) is common among certain race. It is prevalent in Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans, who constitutes about 2/3 of the world population making it the most common cause of stroke worldwide. Objectives: The objectives are to describe the demographic data and risk factors of patients with ICAS and 1-year outcome. Methods: Patients who had ischemic stroke by cranial computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, computed tomographic angiography, or transcranial Doppler with periodic follow-up for 1 year were consecutively collected. Patients without intracranial stenosis were also collected and served as control. The demographic data, risk factors, modified Rankin Scale, stroke recurrence and mortality between ICAS and large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) patients were compared. The distribution and the degree of steno-occlusive lesions were estimated. Results: A total of 258 cases were consecutively collected. ICAS was demonstrated in 109 patients and 149 were LAA patients. There were 62 (56.88%) males. The age range distribution was as follows: 18 to 45 year olds, 15 (13.76%); 46 to 60 year olds, 28 (25.69%); and 61 year olds and above 66 (60.55%). Risk factors were hypertension 82 (75.23%), diabetes mellitus 46 (42.20%), hyperlipidemia 27 (24.77%), atrial fibrillation 16 (14.68%), history of previous stroke 23 (21.10%), alcohol drinker 28 (25.69%), obesity 8 (7.34%), and family history of cerebrovascular disease 33 (30.28%). ICAS was seen in the middle cerebral artery 46 (46.9%), ICA 21 (21.4%), BA 11 (11.2%), VA 8 (8.16%), PCA 7 (7.14%), and ACA 5 (5.1%). Majority of the patients showed moderate to severe stenosis. Modified Rankin Scale ranged from 0 to 2 in the majority of the patients and showed not much difference compared to LAA patients. The recurrence of stroke and death rate showed no significant difference between the 2 groups. Conclusion: In this study, no difference was seen between ICAS and LAA patients.
Role of Factor V R2 Haplotype and Common Thrombophilia Markers as Genetic Risk Factors for Ischemic Stroke

Background: Uncertainties remain about the role of common thrombophilia markers as determinants of the ischemic stroke (IS) risk. Polymorphism His1299Arg in the FV gene, named R2 haplotype (FVHR2), has been poorly investigated. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of common thrombophilia markers and of FVHR2 in a cohort of IS patients compared to a nonmatched group of healthy individuals. Methods: We studied 156 consecutive patients survivors of a first ever IS and 124 healthy controls. All subjects were investigated for the gene polymorphisms factor V (FV) Leiden, prothrombin (PTH) G20210A, MTHFR C677T, and FVHR2. Protein C (PC), protein S (PS), antithrombin (ATIII), and lupus anticoagulant (LAC) activity was measured. Homocysteinemia was assessed within 48 hours and after 30 days from stroke onset. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Compared with controls, patients were significantly older (mean [SD] age, 50.5 [12.9] vs 37.5 [15.5] years, P < .001), less frequently females (48.1% vs 67.7%, P = .001) and had more frequently hyperhomocysteinemia (45.9% vs 11.0%) only in the acute phase (OR 6.899, CI 95% 2.993-15.899; P < .001). No differences were found in the prevalence of FV Leiden, PTH G20210A, and MTHFR C677T between patients and controls, whereas FVHR2 was present in 34/156 (22%) stroke patients and in 5/124 (4%) controls (OR 6.632, 95% CI 2.509-17.535, P < .001). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the FVHR2 resulted independently associated with the occurrence of IS (OR 6.071, 95% CI 1.762-20.923; P = .004). Conclusions: In our study, hyperhomocysteinemia was confirmed to be a transient consequence of the thrombotic event. FVHR2 seems to be a possible candidate prothrombotic condition related to arterial IS irrespective of age and sex in an Italian sample population.
Nucleation in superheated liquids due to electric fields

The phenomenon of induced boiling in liquids by external electric fields is reported. The experimental set-up devised for the study of the effect is a miniature bubble chamber. A relationship between the pressure and temperature of superheated liquid n-hexane and the critical voltage required at a thin, transparent SnO2 film for inducing nucleation in it is obtained experimentally. A model is proposed to determine the electric field intensity at the edge of the film. In order to verify the proposition of intense electric field at the sharp edge of the film, three control experiments were performed. The minimum energy required for the formation of a vapour nucleus of critical size, according the kinetic theory of nucleation, is compared with the electrical energy contributed by the electric field over the same size. The agreement is fair.
Mapping the surface charge distribution of amyloid fibril

It is of high importance to measure and map the surface charge distribution of amyloids, since electrostatic interaction between amyloidogenic proteins and biomolecules plays a vital role in amyloidogenesis. In this work, we have measured and mapped the surface charge distributions of amyloids (i.e., β-lactoglobulin fibril) using Kelvin probe force microscopy. It is shown that the surface charge distribution is highly dependent on the conformation of amyloids (e.g., the helical pitch of amyloid fibrils) as well as the pH of a solvent.