Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High‐salt intake reduces renal tissue levels of inflammatory cytokines in mice

High salt (HS) intake is usually considered as an aggravating factor to induce inflammatory renal injury. However, the changes in the renal levels of inflammatory cytokines during HS intake is not yet clearly defined. We hypothesize that HS increases renal levels of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) but decreases interleukin‐10 (IL‐10; anti‐inflammatory cytokine) and these responses exacerbate in NO deficient conditions. Both wild‐type (WT) and endothelial NO synthase knockout (eNOSKO) mice (~8 weeks old, n = 6 in each group) were given normal‐salt (NS; 0.3% NaCl) and HS (4% NaCl) containing diets for 2 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was determined by tail‐cuff plethysmography and urine collections were made using metabolic cages. Basal SBP was higher in eNOSKO than WT mice (131 ± 7 vs 117 ± 3 mmHg; p < .05). HS intake for 2 weeks increased SBP in eNOSKO (161 ± 5 mmHg) but not in WT mice. In NS groups, the cytokine levels in renal tissues (measured using ELISA kits and expressed in pg/mg protein) were significantly higher in eNOSKO than WT mice (TNF‐α, 624 ± 67 vs. 325 ± 73; IL‐6, 619 ± 106 vs. 166 ± 61; IL‐10, 6,087 ± 567 vs. 3,929 ± 378). Interestingly, these cytokine levels in HS groups were significantly less both in WT (TNF‐α, 114 ± 17; IL‐6, 81 ± 14; IL‐10, 865 ± 130) and eNOSKO (TNF‐α, 115 ± 18; IL‐6, 56 ± 7; IL‐10, 882 ± 141) mice. These findings indicate that HS induces downregulation of cytokines in the kidney. Such HS‐induced reduction in cytokines, particularly TNF‐α (a natriuretic agent), would facilitate more salt‐retention, and thus, leading to salt‐sensitive hypertension in NO deficient conditions.
Deamidated Gliadin Antibodies: Do They Add to Tissue Transglutaminase-IgA Assay in Screening for Celiac Disease?

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text ABSTRACT Objectives: Use of deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) test kits as adjunctive to tissue-transglutaminase-IgA (TTG-IgA) for the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) has been a controversial issue. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the diagnostic performance of DGP antibodies compared with TTG-IgA and to evaluate the correlation between DGP-antibody titers and degree of enteropathy. Methods: We included children who underwent endoscopy and biopsies because of positivity of any of the serology tests in the “celiac profile” (TTG-IgA, DGP-IgA, and DGP-IgG) from 2012 to 2019. We divided children into clinically suspected cases of CD (group 1) and asymptomatic cases screened as they were from a high-risk group (group 2). Results: Group 1 constituted 52 children and group 2 included 81 children (76 type-1 diabetes [T1D]). The sensitivity and positive-predictive value (PPV) of DGP-IgG in group 1 (90%, 98%) and group 2 (91%, 85.5%) were comparable with TTG-IgA (98%, 92% in group 1; 100%, 80% in group 2). By adding DGP-IgG to TTG-IgA, the performance of TTG-IgA has improved marginally in group 1 (sensitivity 100%, PPV 92.3%). All cases with DGP-IgG titer 2 times ULN in group 1, and >4 times ULN in group 2 had villous atrophy. All T1D patients with TTG IgA >10 times ULN had villous atrophy. Conclusions: DGP-IgG assay did not add to the performance of TTG-IgA. DGP-IgG titer correlated with enteropathy. The diagnosis of CD can be made in asymptomatic T1D child with TTG-IgA titer >10 times ULN and positive endomyseal antibodies.
Rhythmic adenosine triphosphate release from the cyanobacterial circadian clock protein KaiC revealed by real‐time monitoring of bioluminescence using firefly luciferase

The cyanobacterial circadian clock is composed of three clock proteins, KaiA, KaiB and KaiC. This KaiABC clock system can be reconstituted in vitro in the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and Mg2+, and shows circadian rhythms in the phosphorylation level and ATPase activity of KaiC. Previously, we found that ATP regulates a complex formation between KaiB and KaiC, and KaiC releases ATP from KaiC itself (PLoS One, 8, 2013, e80200). In this study, we examined whether the ATP release from KaiC shows any rhythms in vitro. We monitored the release of ATP from wild‐type and ATPase motif mutants of KaiC as a bioluminescence in real time using a firefly luciferase assay in vitro and obtained the following results: (a) ATP release from KaiC oscillated even without KaiA and KaiB although period of the oscillation was not 24 hr; (b) ATP was mainly released from the N‐terminal domain of KaiC; and (c) the ATP release was enhanced and suppressed by KaiB and KaiA, respectively. These results suggest that KaiC can generate basal oscillation as a core clock without KaiA and KaiB, whereas these two proteins contribute to adjusting and stabilizing the oscillation.
Frequency of examination and perceived contribution of factors relating to work-related musculoskeletal disorders of physiotherapists

Objective. Literature confirms that many physiotherapists suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), but studies mention different, complementary and contradictory findings regarding risk factors. This scoping review aimed at revealing the most frequently examined and contributory WMSD factors mentioned in recent studies about physiotherapists. Methods. Based on specific inclusion/exclusion and appraisal criteria, 11 studies published between 2012 and 2018 were included in the analysis. The factors recorded per publication were grouped into 18 categories, the frequency of their appearance across the sources was counted and the median ranks of their relative reported contribution were calculated. Results. Excessive workload was found to be the most contributory factor, followed by the application of manual orthopaedic techniques. However, demanding and repetitive manual tasks were the most common factors investigated in the publications reviewed. A medium-strength correlation was found between the frequency of examination and reported contribution of factors but with a noticeable range of the confidence interval possibly due to the diversity of the approaches in the studies reviewed. Conclusions. The findings indicate a relative discordance between the level of contribution of each factor to the development of WMSDs and the types of factors most frequently addressed by studies.
Solid Dispersion Controlled Release: Effect of Particle Size, Compression Force and Temperature

AbstractSolid dispersions are dynamic systems, a careful control of processing variables is required to produce desired physicochemical properties of these systems.The influence of drug particle size, dispersion temperature and compression force on the release rate of theophylline from solid dispersed system tablets was studied. Theophylline base (micronized and granulate) were embedded into a polymeric mixture of PEG and acrylic/methacrylic esters at controlled temperature and shock cooled. Tablets were made at two compressional forces and drug release was measured spectrophotometrically over a period of fifteen hours.The release rate of drug dispersed in these insoluble matrices was independent of particle size but not of hardness.However, variations in ratios of polymeric mixture and dispersion temperature controls the drug release rate from inert matrix more effectively than such factors as drug particle size and lower range of tablet hardness. The fast cooling produced excellent reproducibility of dr.
Pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis: low-risk human papilloma virus detection in two further cases

We report two cases of histologically documented pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis in middle-aged male patients, which showed positivity for low-risk serotype human papillomavirus DNA. To our knowledge, only one other case has been documented. Further immunohistochemical proliferative markers were performed and compared to literature findings in penile epithelial proliferations. Evolution to invasive verrucous carcinoma has been associated with absence of HPV DNA. Thus, if confirmed by further studies, HPV testing should be included in pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis assessment to address prognosis, and management.
Comparison of carcass characteristics and meat quality between Simmental crossbred cattle, Cattle-yaks, and Xuanhan yellow cattle.

BACKGROUND In order to compare the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Steers of Xuanhan yellow cattle, Simmental crossbreed cattle (Simmental × Xuanhan yellow cattle), and Cattle-yak (Jersey × Yak). All steers were feed with the same diet from 6 months until slaughter at 30 months. The longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle were used to compare the meat quality traits. RESULTS By comparison, Simmental crossbreed cattle had higher growth performance (P < 0.05), carcass characteristics (P < 0.05); Cattle-yak had higher value of a* , b* of meat color (P < 0.05), and higher protein contents of meat (P < 0.05); Xuanhan yellow cattle had higher water holding capacity (P < 0.05), and lower shear force (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The results show that Simmental crossbred cattle had better meat performance and provided low-fat meat with a beneficial fatty acid composition, but with lower meat quality; Cattle-yaks provided greater meat color and higher protein content; Xuanhan yellow cattle provided meat with preferable tenderness. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Metastatic mediastinal germ-cell tumor and concurrent COVID-19: when chemotherapy is not deferrable.

Nappi and colleagues recently reported the viewpoints of 53 highly experienced practitioners regarding the management of patients with germ-cell tumors (GCTs) during the COVID-19 pandemic [1]. In this survey, the authors recommend that “chemotherapy should be withheld until an active COVID-19 infection has resolved or has been ruled out with highly accurate molecular testing. ” Here, we report the case of a young man diagnosed with a metastatic mediastinal GCT who received chemotherapy despite persistent SARS-CoV-2 positivity (Fig. 1). In March 2020, this 29-year-old patient underwent magnetic resonance, which revealed a lumbar spinal mass with spinal cord invasion. Following loss of sensibility in both lower limbs, palliative neurosurgery was performed, with histological diagnosis of seminoma (placental alkaline phosphatase, CD117 +, CD30−, alpha-fetoprotein [αFP]−, Ki67: 80%). Serum betahuman chorionic gonadotropin (βHCG) was undetectable, whereas αFP and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were elevated (117 ng/mL; 580 U/L), suggesting nonseminoma. The computed tomography (CT) scan showed a tumor mass of 9.4 × 6.2 × 10 cm in the anterior mediastinum, with superior vena cava compression. The testicles had no evidence of disease and the SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab was negative. Given the poor-risk features [2], chemotherapy with the VIP regimen was commenced (etoposide 75 mg/m, ifosfamide 1,200 mg/m, cisplatin 20 mg/m, days 1–5, every 21 days). VIP was preferred to BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin) to limit the contacts with the health care system and to avoid bleomycin pulmonary toxicity. Prophylactic filgrastim was administered for 7 days. After cycle 1, the patient developed transient high fever, conjunctivitis, dysgeusia, and anosmia and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Blood tests revealed lymphocytopenia and elevation of C-reactive protein, transaminases, and LDH. He was hospitalized and treated with hydroxychloroquine, darunavir, and enoxaparin, with complete resolution of symptoms. However, two swabs before cycle 2 were positive for SARS-CoV-2. To ensure optimal treatment delivery, cycle 2 was administered on April 14, and hydroxychloroquine was administered on days 1–7. αFP decreased to 20 ng/mL. The restaging CT scan revealed significant tumor response at the mediastinal and lumbar levels. However, atypical, basal pneumonia was compatible with COVID-19 (Fig. 2). Despite this finding, cycle 3 was administered and hydroxychloroquine was discontinued owing to suggested uselessness. Swabs were performed on May 19 (negative) and May 20 (positive). Finally, two serial swabs tested negative and SARS-CoV-2–specific immunoglobulin G (DiaSorin, Saluggia, Italy) were detected. The additional cycle 4 was administered on June 2. αFP, βHCG, and LDH were normal. A leukapheresis procedure was performed, with the successful collection of CD34+ cells for subsequent high-dose chemotherapy [3], and the patient underwent another intervention of spinal stabilization.
Chrysene accelerates the proceeding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with the aggravation of inflammation and apoptosis in cigarette smoke exposed mice

Chrysene, one of the basic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), has been reported to make damages to human health and living environment. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disorder with high morbidity and mortality. To investigate the role of chrysene in the development of COPD, male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to the cigarette smoke (CS) followed with the administration of chrysene. Morphological analyses indicated that chrysene caused earlier and severer pathological changes in CS-exposed mice. Besides, CS-exposed mice with chrysene treatment showed obvious collagen deposition, elevated α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and reduced E-cadherin abundance at earlier stage, which suggested the acceleration and aggravation of pulmonary fibrosis. Moreover, quantification of leukocytes and pro-inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues implied that chrysene significantly exacerbated the proceeding of inflammation in CS-exposed mice. Furthermore, significantly increased apoptotic rates, augmented expressions of apoptotic related proteins and highly expressed TRPV1 were determined in CS-exposed mice with chrysene treatment, which indicated the association between COPD pathogenesis and TRPV1 channel. In summary, our findings elucidate that chrysene accelerates the development of COPD in a murine model with new molecular mechanisms.
Facile synthesis of 3-(1-(4'-(3-chloro-2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxoazetidin-1-yl)biphenyl-4-yl)-5-oxo-2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-4(5H)-ylidene)indolin-2-ones: β-Lactam derivatives as antimicrobes

A facile synthesis of b-lactam derivatives; 3-(1-(4'-(3-chloro-2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxoazetidin-1-yl)biphenyl-4-yl)-5-oxo-2-phenyl-1 H -imidazol-4(5 H )-ylidene)indolin-2-ones ( 6a - e ) and 3-(1-(3-chloro-2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxoazetidin-1-yl)-5-oxo-2-phenyl-1 H -imidazol-4(5 H )-ylidene)indolin-2-ones ( 7a - e ) is described herein. The title compounds 6a - e and 7a - e were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans and Bacillus subtilis respectively using a two fold serial dilution technique. Investigation revealed that 2-hydroxy phenyl function at b-lactam ring in compounds 6d and 7d is a key factor for both antifungal and antibacterial activity, as newly designed compounds 6d and 7d exhibited good biological activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)12.5 mg/mL against Candida albicans and Bacillus subtilis respectively.
Viscoelastic Properties of Concentrated Solutions of Polyvinyl Alcohol

The dynamic viscosity and rigidity of concentrated solutions of polyvinyl alcohol samples having different molecular weights have been measured by means of a torsionally oscillating rheometer and an electromagnetic transducer within the ranges of frequencies from 0.08 to 400 cps and the temperature range from 20° to 55°C. The solutions behave almost as Newtonian liquids at lower frequencies; however, at the frequencies around 1 to 10 cps the viscosity of solutions begins to decrease while the rigidity increases rapidly. The frequency at which the rather abrupt change in dynamic viscosity and rigidity takes place is lower the higher the concentration, the higher the molecular weight, and the lower the temperature. The effects of the concentration, temperature, and molecular weight on the zero shear (frequency) viscosity have been examined quantitatively, and some of characteristic features observed on other high polymers have also been found. Comparison of the dynamic voscosity with the steady‐flow viscosity shows that the frequency dependence of dynamic viscosity is not quite quantitatively equivalent to the rate of shear dependence of steady‐flow viscosity. The dynamic data have also been compared with two molecular theories of viscoelastic behavior of high polymers, and showed rather good agreement. A slight discrepancy observed in this comparison may be attributed to the molecular weight distribution in the sample and intermolecular interlacings in the concentrated solution.
Effect of Si additions on thermal stability and the phase transition sequence of sputtered amorphous alumina thin films

Si-alloyed amorphous alumina coatings having a silicon concentration of 0 to 2.7 at. % were deposited by combinatorial reactive pulsed DC magnetron sputtering of Al and Al-Si (90-10 at. %) split segments in Ar/O2 atmosphere. The effect of Si alloying on thermal stability of the as-deposited amorphous alumina thin films and the phase formation sequence was evaluated by using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The thermal stability window of the amorphous phase containing 2.7 at. % of Si was increased by more than 100 °C compared to that of the unalloyed phase. A similar retarding effect of Si alloying was also observed for the α-Al2O3 formation temperature, which increased by more than 120 °C. While for the latter retardation, the evidence for the presence of SiO2 at the grain boundaries was presented previously, this obviously cannot explain the stability enhancement reported here for the amorphous phase. Based on density functional theory molecular dynamics simulations and synchrotr.
3D Photogrammetry Reveals Dynamics of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) Lesion Progression Across a Thermal Stress Event

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was first observed in the United States Virgin Islands in January 2019 on a reef at Flat Cay off the island of St. Thomas. A year after its emergence, the disease had spread to several reefs around St. Thomas causing significant declines in overall coral cover. Rates of tissue loss are an important metric in the study of coral disease ecology, as they can inform many aspects of etiology such as disease susceptibility and resistance among species, and provide critical parameters for modeling the effects of disease among heterogenous reef communities. The present study quantified tissue loss rates attributed to SCTLD among six abundant reef building species (Colpophyllia natans, Montastraea cavernosa, Diploria labyrinthiformis, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Orbicella annularis, and Porites astreoides). Field-based 3D models of diseased corals, taken approximately weekly, indicated that the absolute rates of tissue loss from SCTLD slowed through time, corresponding with the accumulation of thermal stress that led to mass bleaching. Absolute tissue loss rates were comparable among species prior to the bleaching event but diverged during and remained different after the bleaching event. Proportional tissue loss rates did not vary among species or through time, but there was considerable variability among M. cavernosa colonies. SCTLD poses a significant threat to reefs across the Caribbean due to its persistence through time, wide range of susceptible coral species, and unprecedented tissue loss rates. Intervention and management efforts should be increased during and immediately following thermal stress events in order maximize resource distribution when disease prevalence is decreased.
The Effects of Subliminal Goal Priming on Emotional Response Inhibition in Cases of Major Depression

Previous studies have provided evidence that automatic emotion regulation (AER), which is primed by control goals, can change emotion trajectory unconsciously. However, the cognitive mechanism and associated changes in depression remain unclear. The current study aimed to examine whether subliminal goal priming could change the emotional response inhibition among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and their healthy controls. A group of patients with depression and a healthy control group were both primed subliminally by playing control goal related or neutral words for 20 ms each; afterward, they judged the gender of happy or angry faces in an emotional Go/No-Go task. A group of depressed patients and a healthy control group both were both primed subliminally with control goal-related words (20 ms) or neutral words (20 ms), and they judged the gender of happy or angry faces in an emotional Go/No-Go task. Among patients with depression, there were fewer false alarms of the No-Go response to emotional stimulus after priming with control goal rather than neutral words. Meanwhile, patients with MDD in the subliminal regulation goal priming condition reacted faster to happy rather than angry faces; no significant difference was found in the subliminal neutral priming condition. These findings suggest the malleability of inhibitory control in depression using subliminal priming goals.
Biosignal-Based Attention Monitoring to Support Nuclear Operator Safety-Relevant Tasks

In the main control room (MCR) of a nuclear power plant (NPP), the quality of an operator's performance can depend on their level of attention to the task. Insufficient operator attention accounted for more than 26% of the total causes of human errors and is the highest category for errors. It is therefore necessary to check whether operators are sufficiently attentive either as supervisors or peers during reactor operation. Recently, digital control technologies have been introduced to the operating environment of an NPP MCR. These upgrades are expected to enhance plant and operator performance. At the same time, because personal computers are used in the advanced MCR, the operators perform more cognitive works than physical work. However, operators may not consciously check fellow operators' attention in this environment indicating potentially higher importance of the role of operator attention. Therefore, remote measurement of an operator's attention in real time would be a useful tool, providing feedback to supervisors. The objective of this study is to investigate the development of quantitative indicators that can identify an operator's attention, to diagnose or detect a lack of operator attention thus preventing potential human errors in advanced MCRs. To establish a robust baseline of operator attention, this study used two of the widely used biosignals: electroencephalography (EEG) and eye movement. We designed an experiment to collect EEG and eye movements of the subjects who were monitoring and diagnosing nuclear operator safety-relevant tasks. There was a statistically significant difference between biosignals with and without appropriate attention. Furthermore, an average classification accuracy of about 90% was obtained by the k-nearest neighbors and support vector machine classifiers with a few EEG and eye movements features. Potential applications of EEG and eye movement measures in monitoring and diagnosis tasks in an NPP MCR are also discussed.
Amino Acid Catabolism During Nitrogen Limitation in Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Diatoms can accumulate high levels of triacylglycerols (TAGs) under nitrogen depletion and have attracted increasing attention as a potential system for biofuel production. In Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a model diatom, about 40% of lipid is synthesized from the breakdown of cellular components under nitrogen starvation. Our previous studies indicated that carbon skeletons from enhanced branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) degradation under nitrogen deficiency contribute to TAG biosynthesis in P. tricornutum. In this review, we outlined the catabolic pathways of all 20 amino acids based on the genome, transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome data. The contribution of these amino acid catabolic pathways to TAG accumulation was also analyzed.