Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synergistic remineralization of enamel white spot lesions using mesoporous bioactive glasses loaded with amorphous calcium phosphate

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to create a new delivery system that can synergistically remineralize enamel white spot lesions (WSLs). Materials and methods: The delivery system (PAA-ACP@aMBG) was prepared by using aminated mesoporous bioactive glasses (aMBG) as the carrier loaded with polyacrylic-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (PAA-ACP). The materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES), and so on. Forty-eight artificial WSLs enamel samples were randomized to four groups: artificial saliva (negative control, NC), casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), PAA-ACP@aMBG, and MBG. The effects of demineralization and remineralization of the enamel surface were compared by means of surface microhardness (SMH) measurements, surface color change measurements, fluorescence microscopy (FM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: There was no significant difference in the surface microhardness recovery rate (SMHRR) or color recovery rate (CRR) among the CPP-ACP group, PAA-ACP@aMBG group and MBG group (P>0.05), but these values were significantly higher than those in the NC group (p < 0.01). FM demonstrated that the remineralization depth in the PAA-ACP@aMBG group was significantly greater than that of the remaining three groups (p < 0.01). SEM analysis indicated that the enamel demineralization marks in the PAA-ACP@aMBG group, CPP-ACP group, and MBG group were obscured by mineral deposition. Conclusions: PAA-ACP@aMBG showed good mineralization properties, implying its great potential for clinical application.
Functional regulation of syntaxin-1: An underlying mechanism mediating exocytosis in neuroendocrine cells

The fusion of the secretory vesicle with the plasma membrane requires the assembly of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein complexes formed by synaptobrevin, syntaxin-1, and SNAP-25. Within the pathway leading to exocytosis, the transitions between the “open” and “closed” conformations of syntaxin-1 function as a switch for the fusion of vesicles with the plasma membranes; rapid assembly and disassembly of syntaxin-1 clusters on the plasma membrane provide docking and fusion sites for secretory vesicles in neuroendocrine cells; and the fully zippered trans-SNARE complex, which requires the orderly, rapid and accurate binding of syntaxin-1 to other SNARE proteins, play key roles in triggering fusion. All of these reactions that affect exocytosis under physiological conditions are tightly regulated by multiple factors. Here, we review the current evidence for the involvement of syntaxin-1 in the mechanism of neuroendocrine cell exocytosis, discuss the roles of multiple factors such as proteins, lipids, protein kinases, drugs, and toxins in SNARE complex-mediated membrane fusion, and present an overview of syntaxin-1 mutation-associated diseases with a view to developing novel mechanistic therapeutic targets for the treatment of neuroendocrine disorders.
Comparing therapeutic modulators of the SOD1 G93A Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis mouse pathophysiology

Introduction Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a paralyzing, multifactorial neurodegenerative disease with limited therapeutics and no known cure. The study goal was to determine which pathophysiological treatment targets appear most beneficial. Methods A big data approach was used to analyze high copy SOD1 G93A experimental data. The secondary data set comprised 227 published studies and 4,296 data points. Treatments were classified by pathophysiological target: apoptosis, axonal transport, cellular chemistry, energetics, neuron excitability, inflammation, oxidative stress, proteomics, or systemic function. Outcome assessment modalities included onset delay, health status (rotarod performance, body weight, grip strength), and survival duration. Pairwise statistical analysis (two-tailed t-test with Bonferroni correction) of normalized fold change (treatment/control) assessed significant differences in treatment efficacy. Cohen’s d quantified pathophysiological treatment category effect size compared to “all” (e.g., all pathophysiological treatment categories combined). Results Inflammation treatments were best at delaying onset (d = 0.42, p > 0.05). Oxidative stress treatments were significantly better for prolonging survival duration (d = 0.18, p < 0.05). Excitability treatments were significantly better for prolonging overall health status (d = 0.22, p < 0.05). However, the absolute best pathophysiological treatment category for prolonging health status varied with disease progression: oxidative stress was best for pre-onset health (d = 0.18, p > 0.05); excitability was best for prolonging function near onset (d = 0.34, p < 0.05); inflammation was best for prolonging post-onset function (d = 0.24, p > 0.05); and apoptosis was best for prolonging end-stage function (d = 0.49, p > 0.05). Finally, combination treatments simultaneously targeting multiple pathophysiological categories (e.g., polytherapy) performed significantly (p < 0.05) better than monotherapies at end-stage. Discussion In summary, the most effective pathophysiological treatments change as function of assessment modality and disease progression. Shifting pathophysiological treatment category efficacy with disease progression supports the homeostatic instability theory of ALS disease progression.
Exploration of sodium homeostasis and pharmacokinetics in bile duct-ligated rats treated by anti-cirrhosis herbal formula plus spironolactone

Renal sodium retention is an essential indicator that is used for the prognosis of cirrhosis with ascites that requires diuretic treatment to restore sodium homeostasis. The diuretic effects of Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang (YCHT) alone or in combination with diuretics for sodium retention in patients with cirrhosis have not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the diuretic effects and sodium retention caused by YCHT with spironolactone, from both the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic perspective, in bile duct-ligated rats. The HPLC method was validated and utilized for the pharmacokinetic analysis of rat urine. Urine samples were collected and analyzed every 4 hours for 32 h after oral administration of YCHT at 1 or 3 g/kg daily for 5 days in bile duct-ligated rats. A dose of 20 mg/kg spironolactone was also administered to pretreat the YCHT 1 g/kg or the 3 g/kg group on the 5th day to explore the interaction of the two treatments. Urine sodium, potassium, weight, volume, and spironolactone and canrenone levels were measured to investigate fluid homeostasis after the coadministration. The linearity, precision, and accuracy of the HPLC method were suitable for subsequent urinary pharmacokinetic analyses. The pharmacokinetic parameters in the 1 g/kg YCHT with spironolactone group revealed that the elimination half-life of the spironolactone metabolite, canrenone, was prolonged. In addition, the cumulative excretion amount, the area under the rate curve (AURC), and the maximum rate of excretion (Rmax) were significantly decreased when the spironolactone group was pretreated with 3 g/kg YCHT. Urinary sodium excretion elicited by spironolactone was suppressed by pretreatment with 1 or 3 g/kg YCHT. The 32-hour urine output was not altered by the administration of YCHT alone, but it was significantly decreased by 64.9% after the coadministration of YCHT with spironolactone. The interaction of spironolactone and YCHT was found to decrease urine sodium–potassium and water excretion, and this change was attributed to the decreased level of spironolactone metabolites and possibly the regulation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system by obstructed cirrhosis. The dose adjustment of YCHT or diuresis monitoring should be noted when co-administering YCHT and spironolactone to treat hepatic diseases clinically.
Antimicrobial peptides from marine animals: Sources, structures, mechanisms and the potential for drug development

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a major challenge in current clinical treatment. As essential natural molecules involved in innate immunity, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have the potential to break the limits of antibiotic resistance. While AMPs are widely presented in various organisms on this planet, the marine environment is unique in generating a large number of AMPs that exhibit characteristic structures and functions. This review summarizes the structures and mechanisms of action of AMPs derived from invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals in the ocean. The comparison of AMPs from organisms in different habitats demonstrates the preference of Arg (arginine) and Leu (leucine) in marine AMPs, which might be associated with the adaptation to the unique features of bacterial membranes in marine environments. In addition, the potential and applications of marine AMPs for the development of novel antibiotics are also described. These summaries are expected to provide a reference for the development and utilization of marine resources in drug development or aquiculture.
Understanding Crassostrea virginica tolerance of Perkinsus marinus through global gene expression analysis

Disease tolerance, a host’s ability to limit damage from a given parasite burden, is quantified by the relationship between pathogen load and host survival or reproduction. Dermo disease, caused by the protozoan parasite P. marinus, negatively impacts survival in both wild and cultured eastern oyster (C. virginica) populations. Resistance to P. marinus has been the focus of previous studies, but tolerance also has important consequences for disease management in cultured and wild populations. In this study we measured dermo tolerance and evaluated global expression patterns of two sensitive and two tolerant eastern oyster families experimentally challenged with distinct doses of P. marinus (0, 106, 107, and 108 parasite spores per gram wet weight, n = 3–5 individuals per family per dose). Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified several modules correlated with increasing parasite dose/infection intensity, as well as phenotype. Modules positively correlated with dose included transcripts and enriched GO terms related to hemocyte activation and cell cycle activity. Additionally, these modules included G-protein coupled receptor, toll-like receptor, and tumor necrosis factor pathways, which are important for immune effector molecule and apoptosis activation. Increased metabolic activity was also positively correlated with treatment. The module negatively correlated with infection intensity was enriched with GO terms associated with normal cellular activity and growth, indicating a trade-off with increased immune response. The module positively correlated with the tolerant phenotype was enriched for transcripts associated with “programmed cell death” and contained a large number of tripartite motif-containing proteins. Differential expression analysis was also performed on the 108 dosed group using the most sensitive family as the comparison reference. Results were consistent with the network analysis, but signals for “programmed cell death” and serine protease inhibitors were stronger in one tolerant family than the other, suggesting that there are multiple avenues for disease tolerance. These results provide new insight for defining dermo response traits and have important implications for applying selective breeding for disease management.
Microglia isolation from aging mice for cell culture: A beginner’s guide

Microglia, the innate immune cell of the central nervous system, play significant roles in brain development, maintenance, homeostasis, and neuroinflammation. Although numerous methods have been developed to isolate microglia from embryonic or postnatal mouse brains, still major difficulties exist in isolating microglia from adult mice, often resulting in low yield and risk of cellular activation. Therefore, there is a need for a more efficient method to isolate pure and high-yield microglia from adult mice to study various neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to develop a fully functional protocol for the isolation of microglia by comparing different protocols. We investigated the efficacy of three protocols in terms of cell yield, purity, cellular activation, cellular aging, and migration properties and proposed the modified protocol (PROTOCOL 1), which provides an optimal yield of functional microglial cells with a minimum of material and equipment and allows young researchers with little experience to isolate microglia and helps them to delve deeper into the world of neuroscience.
Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation induced sedative effects in healthy volunteers: A resting-state fMRI study

Background Previous studies indicated the sedative effect of acupoint stimulation. However, its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the sedative effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) and to explore the brain regions involved in this effect in healthy volunteers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques. Methods In this randomized trial, 26 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to the TEAS group (receiving 30 min of acupoint stimulation at HT7/PC4) and the control group. fMRI was conducted before and after the intervention. The primary outcome was the BIS value during the intervention. Secondary outcomes included the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and region of interest (ROI)-based functional connectivity (FC) showed by fMRI. Results In healthy volunteers, compared with the control group, ALFF values in the TEAS-treated volunteers decreased in the left thalamus, right putamen, and midbrain, while they increased in the left orbitofrontal cortex. More FC existed between the thalamus and the insula, middle cingulate cortex, somatosensory cortex, amygdala, and putamen in subjects after TEAS treatment compared with subjects that received non-stimulation. In addition, ALFF values of the thalamus positively correlated with BIS in both groups. Conclusion Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation could induce a sedative effect in healthy volunteers, and inhibition of the thalamus was among its possible mechanisms. Clinical trial registration www.ClinicalTrials. gov; identifier: NCT01896063.
OICETS on-orbit laser communication experiments

We present the results of the on-orbit free-space laser communications between the Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite (OICETS) and the Advanced Relay and Technology Mission (ARTEMIS) geostationary satellite. We first introduce the history of developing OICETS and add some descriptions on characteristics of OICETS, where the performance of the optical communication terminal named the Laser Utilizing Communications Equipment (LUCE) is also stated. We summarize the on-orbit investigation results of LUCE's function and finally make a report on the inter-orbit laser communication experiment carried out by ARTEMIS and OICETS.
Serum C-reactive protein levels are associated with clinical pregnancy rate after in vitro fertilization among normal-weight women

Objective To assess whether low-grade inflammation, measured by serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, is associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Design A retrospective study. Setting University-affiliated IVF center. Patient(s) In the present study, 875 women of normal weight who underwent their first fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles for IVF treatment were divided into three groups according to serum concentrations of hsCRP. Intervention(s) Serum from women undergoing IVF was collected on days 2-4 of a spontaneous menstrual cycle prior to the commencement of ovarian stimulation. Main Outcome Measure(s) The IVF outcomes included implantation, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and live birth rates. Result(s) The women were divided into three groups according to the baseline serum levels of hsCRP as follows: low hsCRP (<1 mg/L; n=517), medium hsCRP (1-3 mg/L; n= 270), high hsCRP (>3 mg/L; n=88). The maternal age was similar among the three groups. The women in the high and medium hsCRP group had significantly higher BMI compared with those in the low hsCRP group. The protocol of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, the gonadotropin dose administered, the serum estradiol levels, progesterone levels and the endometrial thickness on the day of triggering, as well as the number of retrieved oocytes, fertilized oocytes and good quality embryos, and the oocyte maturation rate were similar among the three groups. Implantation, biochemical pregnancy and clinical miscarriage rates did not differ significantly were not significantly different among three groups. The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the high hsCRP group compared with that in the low hsCRP group (50.0% versus 63.4%; P<0.0167), which contributed to a significant decrease in birth rate (39.8% versus 53.8%; P<0.0167). High serum hsCRP levels was found to be a factor affecting live birth rate Conclusion(s) Among women of normal weight undergoing their first IVF treatment, it was found that low-grade inflammation was associated with reduced clinical pregnancy and live birth rates following fresh ET cycles.
Current approaches for modeling ecosystem services and biodiversity in agroforestry systems: Challenges and ways forward

Limited modeling studies are available for the process-based simulation of ecosystem services (ESS) and biodiversity (BD) in agroforestry systems (AFS). To date, limited field scale AFs models are available to simulate all possible ESS and BD together. We conducted an extensive systematic review of available agroforestry (AF), BD, and soil erosion models for the simulation potential of seven most desirable ESS in AFS. Simple to complex AF models have an inherent limitation of being objective-specific. A few complex and dynamic AF models did not meet the recent interest and demands for the simulation of ESS under AFS. Further, many ESS modules especially soil erosion, GHGs emission, groundwater recharge, onsite water retention, nutrients and pesticide leaching, and BD are often missing in available AF models, while some existing soil erosion models can be used in combination with AF models. Likewise mechanistic and process-based BD diversity models are lacking or found limited simulation potential for ESS under AFS. However, further efforts of model development and improvement (integration and coupling) are needed for the better simulation of complex interactive processes belonging to ESS under AFS. There are different possibilities but a proficient modeling approach for better reliability, flexibility, and durability is to integrate and couple them into a process-based dynamic modular structure. Findings of the study further suggested that crop modeling frameworks (MFW) like SIMPLACE and APSIM could be potential ones for the integration and coupling of different suitable modeling approaches (AF, soil protection, GHGs emission, flood prevention, carbon sequestration, onsite water retention, ground recharge, nutrient leaching, and BD modules) in one platform for dynamic process based ESS estimation on daily basis at the field scale.
Expression pattern of genes involved in biomineralization in black and orange mantle tissues of pearl oyster, Pinctada persica

A few species of mollusks display color variation in their soft tissues. In pearl oysters, the color polymorphism in mantle tissue is associated with the color and radiance of shell and pearl. The study of biomineralization related genes in mantle tissue of pearl oysters can be used as a suitable approach to better identify the molecular mechanisms that influence shell and pearl quality and color variations. In this study, we investigated the expression of biomineralization-related genes in black and orange mantle morphotypes of pearl oyster, Pinctada persica in both warm and cool seasons using quantitative real-time PCR. Our results showed that the genes involved in biomineralization of the prismatic and nacre layer, i.e.; ASP, KRMP, MRNP34, SHELL, SHEM1B, LINKINE, PIF, SHEM5, NACREIN, and in pigmentation (TYR2A) were significantly higher expressed in orange phenotype compared to those of black one. The higher expression of ASP, KRMP, SHEM5, LINKINE and NACREIN in orange phenotype was only observed in warm season, but PIF, SHELL, SHEM1B, and TYR2A were upregulated in both warm and cool seasons. These results suggest the existence of different genetic processes between the two color morphs of P. persica and the more active role of genes in orange morphotype, particularly in warmer season. This study provides better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying biomineralization in pearl oysters.
Marine ecological security assessment from the perspective of emergy ecological footprint

Introduction Marine ecological security assessments are considered as a basis for coordinating marine economic development and ecological protection. Methods We propose an assessment method based on the emergy ecological footprint which first measures the emergy of the natural and economic elements of the marine ecosystem. Considering the role of economic, social and waste discharge factors in the marine ecosystem, an ecological security evaluation index is constructed, and a dynamic evaluation is conducted based on long time series data to characterize the change trend of ecological security. Results The Guangxi marine ecosystem was selected as the case study, and the ecological security dynamic evaluation was conducted by collecting data from 2008 to 2020. The results show that Guangxi's marine ecosystem has always been in an ecologically secure state, but since 2010, the emergy ecological footprint intensity has been increasing, indicating ecosystem deterioration. Therefore, some targeted suggestions are put forward. Discussion This method provides a new assessment tool for marine ecological security evaluation and offers guidance for the sustainable development and utilization of marine ecosystems.
Evaluating depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in non-human primates

Depression and anxiety are some of the most prevalent and debilitating mental health conditions in humans. They can present on their own or as co-morbidities with other disorders. Like humans, non-human primates (NHPs) can develop depression- and anxiety-like signs. Here, we first define human depression and anxiety, examine equivalent species-specific behaviors in NHPs, and consider models and current methods to identify and evaluate these behaviors. We also discuss knowledge gaps, as well as the importance of evaluating the co-occurrence of depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in animal models of human disease. Lastly, we consider ethical challenges in depression and anxiety research on NHPs in order to ultimately advance the understanding and the personalized treatment of these disorders.