Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caspase 9 and Caspase 3 Immunohistochemical Pattern in Skeletal and Cardiac Muscles at Different Times after Death: An Experimental Study on PMI Estimation

(1) Background: The estimation of the post mortem interval (PMI) is a challenge for forensic pathologists because data emerging from methods commonly applied are not always conclusive, since several conditions exist that may affect the reliability of these parameters. Thus, new approaches have been proposed to overcome such a limit. In recent years, several studies have been performed on proteins analyzing their expression/degradation patterns in relation to the progressing of the post mortem interval. (2) Methods: The immunoreactivity patterns of two apoptosis mediators—Caspase 9 and Caspase 3—have been tested in order to evaluate their potential role as markers of the post mortem interval. The immunohistochemical analysis was performed on samples of skeletal and cardiac muscles obtained from rats at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 72 h after death. (3) Results: The observed immunoreactivity patterns of both Caspase 9 and Caspase 3 showed a significant correlation with increasing post mortem interval either in skeletal or cardiac muscles, while the comparison of the immunoreactivity patterns of the two apoptotic mediators within each tissue appeared consistent with a preliminary activation of the “initiator” Caspase 9, which, in turn, subsequently activates the “executioner” Caspase 3. (4) Conclusion: The different expressions and decrease immunohistochemically observed on both caspases with progressing PMI support the usefulness of the combined analysis for post mortem interval estimation.
Nature-Inspired Structures Applied in Heat Transfer Enhancement and Drag Reduction

Heat exchangers are general equipment for energy exchange in the industrial field. Enhancing the heat transfer of a heat exchanger with low pump energy consumption is beneficial to the maximum utilization of energy. The optimization design for enhanced heat transfer structure is an effective method to improve the heat transfer coefficient. Present research shows that the biomimetic structures applied in different equipment could enhance heat transfer and reduce flow resistance significantly. Firstly, six biomimetic structures including the fractal-tree-like structure, conical column structure, hybrid wetting structure, scale structure, concave-convex structure and superhydrophobic micro-nano structure were summarized in this paper. The biomimetic structure characteristics and heat transfer enhancement and drag reduction mechanisms were analyzed. Secondly, four processing methods including photolithography, nanoimprinting, femtosecond laser processing and 3D printing were introduced as the reference of biomimetic structure machining. Finally, according to the systemic summary of the research review, the prospect of biomimetic heat transfer structure optimization was proposed.
Shared Genetic Etiology between Alzheimer’s Disease and Blood Levels of Specific Cytokines and Growth Factors

Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has a significant genetic and immunological component, but the molecular mechanisms through which genetic and immunity-related risk factors and their interplay contribute to AD pathogenesis are unclear. Therefore, we screened for genetic sharing between AD and the blood levels of a set of cytokines and growth factors to elucidate how the polygenic architecture of AD affects immune marker profiles. For this, we retrieved summary statistics from Finnish genome-wide association studies of AD and 41 immune marker blood levels and assessed for shared genetic etiology, using a polygenic risk score-based approach. For the blood levels of 15 cytokines and growth factors, we identified genetic sharing with AD. We also found positive and negative genetic concordances—implying that genetic risk factors for AD are associated with higher and lower blood levels—for several immune markers and were able to relate some of these results to the literature. Our results imply that genetic risk factors for AD also affect specific immune marker levels, which may be leveraged to develop novel treatment strategies for AD.
Measurement and 3D Visualization of the Human Internal Heat Field by Means of Microwave Radiometry

The possibility of non-invasive determination of the depth of the location and temperature of a cancer tumor in the human body by multi-frequency three-dimensional (3D) radiothermography is considered. The models describing the receiving of the human body’s own radiothermal field processes are presented. The analysis of the possibility of calculating the desired parameters based on the results of measuring antenna temperatures simultaneously in two different frequency ranges is performed. Methods of displaying on the monitor screen the three-dimensional temperature distribution of the subcutaneous layer of the human body, obtained as a result of data processing of a multi-frequency multichannel radiothermograph, are considered. The possibility of more accurate localization of hyperthermia focus caused by the presence of malignant tumors in the depth of the human body with multi-frequency volumetric radiothermography is shown. The results of the study of various methods of data interpolation for displaying the continuous intrinsic radiothermal field of the human body are presented. Examples of displaying the volumetric temperature distribution by the moving plane method based on digital models and the results of an experimental study of the thermal field of the human body and head are given.
Factors Affecting Posterior Capsule Opacification in the Development of Intraocular Lens Materials

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is the most common complication arising from the corrective surgery used to treat cataract patients. PCO arises when lens epithelial cells (LEC) residing in the capsular bag post-surgery undergo hyper-proliferation and transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts, migrating from the posterior capsule over the visual axis of the newly implanted intraocular lens (IOL). The developmental pathways underlying PCO are yet to be fully understood and the current literature is contradictory regarding the impact of the recognised risk factors of PCO. The aim of this review is firstly to collate the known biochemical pathways that lead to PCO development, providing an up-to-date chronological overview from surgery to established PCO formation. Secondly, the risk factors of PCO are evaluated, focussing on the impact of IOLs’ properties. Finally, the latest experimental model designs used in PCO research are discussed to demonstrate the ongoing development of clinical PCO models, the efficacy of newly developed IOL technology, and potential therapeutic interventions. This review will contribute to current PCO literature by presenting an updated overview of the known developmental pathways of PCO, an evaluation of the impact of the risk factors underlying its development, and the latest experimental models used to investigate PCO. Furthermore, the review should provide developmental routes for research into the investigation of potential therapeutic interventions and improvements in IOL design in the aid of preventing PCO for new and existing patients.
Antiviral Efficacy of Ribavirin and Favipiravir against Hantaan Virus

Ecological changes, population movements and increasing urbanization promote the expansion of hantaviruses, placing humans at high risk of virus transmission and consequent diseases. The currently limited therapeutic options make the development of antiviral strategies an urgent need. Ribavirin is the only antiviral used currently to treat hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Hantaan virus (HTNV), even though severe side effects are associated with this drug. We therefore investigated the antiviral activity of favipiravir, a new antiviral agent against RNA viruses. Both ribavirin and favipiravir demonstrated similar potent antiviral activity on HTNV infection. When combined, the efficacy of ribavirin is enhanced through the addition of low dose favipiravir, highlighting the possibility to provide better treatment than is currently available.
Neonatal Immune System Ontogeny: The Role of Maternal Microbiota and Associated Factors. How Might the Non-Human Primate Model Enlighten the Path?

Interactions between the immune system and the microbiome play a crucial role on the human health. These interactions start in the prenatal period and are critical for the maturation of the immune system in newborns and infants. Several factors influence the composition of the infant’s microbiota and subsequently the development of the immune system. They include maternal infection, antibiotic treatment, environmental exposure, mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and food introduction. In this review, we focus on the ontogeny of the immune system and its association to microbial colonization from conception to food diversification. In this context, we give an overview of the mother–fetus interactions during pregnancy, the impact of the time of birth and the mode of delivery, the neonate gastrointestinal colonization and the role of breastfeeding, weaning, and food diversification. We further review the impact of the vaccination on the infant’s microbiota and the reciprocal case. Finally, we discuss several potential therapeutic interventions that might help to improve the newborn and infant’s health and their responses to vaccination. Throughout the review, we underline the main scientific questions that are left to be answered and how the non-human primate model could help enlighten the path.
Application of Brown Algae (Sargassum angustifolium) Extract for Improvement of Drought Tolerance in Canola (Brassica napus L.)

Background: Abiotic environmental stresses, especially drought stress, is one of the most important problems in arid and semi-arid regions. Like other major crops, Brassica napus is vulnerable to drought stress. Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate efficacy of Sargassum angustifolium extract on mitigating adverse effects of drought stress on B. napus seedlings during vegetative growth under greenhouse conditions. Materials and Methods: Seedlings were periodically sprayed with the seaweed extract until they reached 7-leaf stage. Then water deficit stress was imposed and measurements were performed at morphological, biochemical and molecular levels on three phases: 80% field capacity for 20 days (Phase I), 60% field capacity for 20 days (Phase II) and 40% field capacity for 20 days (Phase III). Real-Time PCR assay was carried out to monitor the changes in expression of the genes involved in proline biosynthesis. Results: Morphological measurements revealed that seaweed treatment improved shoot height and dry weight compared to control (p<0.05). Biochemical analyses indicated that foliar application of seaweed extract significantly enhanced the photosynthetic pigments’ content, free radical scavenging and superoxide dismutase activity (p<0.05). Moreover, proline content was significantly increased in plant tissues treated with seaweed extract (p<0.05). The results of Real-Time PCR assay showed that the increase in proline content is due to enhanced expression of P5CS which is involved in biosynthesis of proline, and to decreased expression of PRODH which catalyzes proline degradation. Conclusions: Overall, the results obtained in this research suggest that application of S. angustifolium extract as a biostimulant is able to protect canola seedlings against deteriorating effects of drought stress.
Data Spine: A Federated Interoperability Enabler for Heterogeneous IoT Platform Ecosystems

Today, the Internet of Things (IoT) is pervasive and characterized by the rapid growth of IoT platforms across different application domains, enabling a variety of business models and revenue streams. This opens new opportunities for companies to extend their collaborative networks and develop innovative cross-platform and cross-domain applications. However, the heterogeneity of today’s platforms is a major roadblock for mass creation of IoT platform ecosystems, pointing at the current absence of technology enablers for an easy and innovative composition of tools/services from the existing platforms. In this paper, we present the Data Spine, a federated platform enabler that bridges IoT interoperability gaps and enables the creation of an ecosystem of heterogeneous IoT platforms in the manufacturing domain. The Data Spine allows the ecosystem to be extensible to meet the need for incorporating new tools/services and platforms. We present a reference implementation of the Data Spine and a quantitative evaluation to demonstrate adequate performance of the system. The evaluation suggests that the Data Spine provides a multitude of advantages (single sign-on, provision of a low-code development environment to support interoperability and an easy and intuitive creation of cross-platform applications, etc.) over the traditional approach of users joining multiple platforms separately.
Surfactant-Assisted Distal Pulmonary Distribution of Budesonide Revealed by Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Direct lung administration of budesonide in combination with surfactant reduces the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Although the therapy is currently undergoing clinical development, the lung distribution of budesonide throughout the premature neonatal lung has not yet been investigated. Here, we applied mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) to investigate the surfactant-assisted distal lung distribution of budesonide. Unlabeled budesonide was either delivered using saline as a vehicle (n = 5) or in combination with a standard dose of the porcine surfactant Poractant alfa (n = 5). These lambs were ventilated for one minute, and then the lungs were extracted for MSI analysis. Another group of lambs (n = 5) received the combination of budesonide and Poractant alfa, followed by two hours of mechanical ventilation. MSI enabled the label-free detection and visualization of both budesonide and the essential constituent of Poractant alfa, the porcine surfactant protein C (SP-C). 2D ion intensity images revealed a non-uniform distribution of budesonide with saline, which appeared clustered in clumps. In contrast, the combination therapy showed a more homogeneous distribution of budesonide throughout the sample, with more budesonide distributed towards the lung periphery. We found similar distribution patterns for the SP-C and budesonide in consecutive lung tissue sections, indicating that budesonide was transported across the lungs associated with the exogenous surfactant. After two hours of mechanical ventilation, the budesonide intensity signal in the 2D ion intensity maps dropped dramatically, suggesting a rapid lung clearance and highlighting the relevance of achieving a uniform surfactant-assisted lung distribution of budesonide early after delivery to maximize the anti-inflammatory and maturational effects throughout the lung.
The Multiple Functions of Rho GTPases in Fission Yeasts

The Rho family of GTPases represents highly conserved molecular switches involved in a plethora of physiological processes. Fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has become a fundamental model organism to study the functions of Rho GTPases over the past few decades. In recent years, another fission yeast species, Schizosaccharomyces japonicus, has come into focus offering insight into evolutionary changes within the genus. Both fission yeasts contain only six Rho-type GTPases that are spatiotemporally controlled by multiple guanine–nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), and whose intricate regulation in response to external cues is starting to be uncovered. In the present review, we will outline and discuss the current knowledge and recent advances on how the fission yeasts Rho family GTPases regulate essential physiological processes such as morphogenesis and polarity, cellular integrity, cytokinesis and cellular differentiation.
Syntheses and Structural Investigations of Penta-Coordinated Co(II) Complexes with Bis-Pyrazolo-S-Triazine Pincer Ligands, and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities

Two penta-coordinated [Co(MorphBPT)Cl2]; 1 and [Co(PipBPT)Cl2]; 2 complexes with the bis-pyrazolyl-s-triazine pincer ligands MorphBPT and PipBPT were synthesized and characterized. Both MorphBPT and PipBPT act as NNN-tridentate pincer chelates coordinating the Co(II) center with one short Co-N(s-triazine) and two longer Co-N(pyrazole) bonds. The coordination number of Co(II) is five in both complexes, and the geometry around Co(II) ion is a distorted square pyramidal in 1, while 2 shows more distortion. In both complexes, the packing is dominated by Cl…H, C-H…π, and Cl…C (anion-π stacking) interactions in addition to O…H interactions, which are found only in 1. The UV-Vis spectral band at 564 nm was assigned to metal–ligand charge transfer transitions based on TD-DFT calculations. Complexes 1 and 2 showed higher antimicrobial activity compared to the respective free ligand MorphBPT and PipBPT, which were not active. MIC values indicated that 2 had better activity against S. aureus, B. subtilis, and P. vulgaris than 1. DPPH free radical scavenging assay revealed that all the studied compounds showed weak to moderate antioxidant activity where the nature of the substituent at the s-triazine core has a significant impact on the antioxidant activity.
Cytomegalovirus Infection and Inflammation in Developing Brain

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a highly prevalent herpesvirus that can cause severe disease in immunocompromised individuals and immunologically immature fetuses and newborns. Most infected newborns are able to resolve the infection without developing sequelae. However, in severe cases, congenital HCMV infection can result in life-threatening pathologies and permanent damage of organ systems that possess a low regenerative capacity. Despite the severity of the problem, HCMV infection of the central nervous system (CNS) remains inadequately characterized to date. Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) show strict species specificity, limiting the use of HCMV in experimental animals. Infection following intraperitoneal administration of mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) into newborn mice efficiently recapitulates many aspects of congenital HCMV infection in CNS. Upon entering the CNS, CMV targets all resident brain cells, consequently leading to the development of widespread histopathology and inflammation. Effector functions from both resident cells and infiltrating immune cells efficiently resolve acute MCMV infection in the CNS. However, host-mediated inflammatory factors can also mediate the development of immunopathologies during CMV infection of the brain. Here, we provide an overview of the cytomegalovirus infection in the brain, local immune response to infection, and mechanisms leading to CNS sequelae.
Orthohantavirus Survey in Indigenous Lands in a Savannah-Like Biome, Brazil

In Brazil, the first confirmed cases of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in Indigenous populations occurred in 2001. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of orthohantavirus infections in the Utiariti Indigenous land located in the southeastern region of the Brazilian Amazon. In December 2014 and 2015, a survey was conducted using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in nine villages belonging to the Haliti–Paresí Indigenous communities. A total of 301 participants were enrolled in the study. Of the two study cohorts, the one from 2014 showed a prevalence of 12.4%, whereas the one from 2015 had a serum prevalence of 13.4%. Analysis of the paired samples of 110 Indigenous people who participated in both stages of the study enabled identification of four individuals who had seroconverted during the study period. Identifying the circulation of orthohantaviruses in the Utiariti Indigenous land highlights a serious public health problem in viral expansion and highlights the need to implement preventive measures appropriate to the sociocultural reality of these communities.
Training Load Monitoring Considerations for Female Gaelic Team Sports: From Theory to Practice

Athlete monitoring enables sports science practitioners to collect information to determine how athletes respond to training loads (TL) and the demands of competition. To date, recommendations for females are often adapted from their male counterparts. There is currently limited information available on TL monitoring in female Gaelic team sports in Ireland. The collection and analysis of female athlete monitoring data can provide valuable information to support the development of female team sports. Athletic monitoring can also support practitioners to help minimize risk of excessive TL and optimize potential athletic performance. The aims of this narrative review are to provide: (i) an overview of TL athlete monitoring in female team sports, (ii) a discussion of the potential metrics and tools used to monitor external TL and internal TL, (iii) the advantages and disadvantages of TL modalities for use in Gaelic team sports, and (iv) practical considerations on how to monitor TL to aid in the determination of meaningful change with female Gaelic team sports athletes.
The Effects of Androstenone on the Plasma Serotonin, β-Endorphin, and Cortisol Concentrations in Thoroughbred Horses

Simple Summary The development of horse managing tools is needed to prevent accidents and to improve welfare for domestic horses because the safety hazards for people who are exposed to horses are well documented. Androstenone, a pheromone secreted from boars, changes the behavior of dogs to become less excited. In horses, a previous study showed that a specific receptor for androstenone was expressed in the vomeronasal organ and nasal cavity. Horses treated with androstenone also showed more compliant behaviors. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of androstenone for changing horse behaviors. The change in the plasma concentrations of serotonin, β-endorphin, and cortisol in response to the treatment of androstenone was evaluated using an immunoassay. The results of this study demonstrated that androstenone may control the neuroendocrine system of horses, resulting in behavioral changes. This is the first work that studies the mechanism of pheromone treatment in horses and can be applied for further study about the effect of pheromone therapy on horses. Abstract Androstenone influences the changing behaviors of animals. Previous studies discovered that an androstenone receptor was expressed in horses and treatment with androstenone induced horses to be more compliant. As changes in the level of neuroendocrine factors result in animal behavioral changes, the objective of the study was to monitor the changes in the concentrations of 5-HT, β-endorphin, and cortisol in response to androstenone. Eight thoroughbred horses (five mares and three geldings) were treated with androstenone diluted in jojoba oil (10 µg/mL) and only oil for a control cross-overly. A handler applied the treatments to the horses′ nostril and rubbed for 5 s. Blood samples were collected before, 15, 30, and 60 min after each treatment. The concentrations of each neurotransmitter were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentrations of each neurotransmitter after the treatment were compared to its baseline concentration. The concentration of 5-HT of the androstenone-treated horses remained consistent throughout the experiment, while the concentration of the control group significantly decreased over time. The plasma concentration of β-endorphin in the androstenone-treated group also remained constant, whereas the concentration increased in the control group. Cortisol levels did not change in either the treated or untreated groups. An androstenone treatment triggers changes in the secretion of 5-HT and β-endorphin in horses.