Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amelioration of Fibrotic Remodeling of Human 3‐Dimensional Full‐Thickness Skin by Transglutamase 2 Inhibition

Fibrotic tissues are characterized by excessive crosslinking between extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, rendering them more resistant to degradation. Although increased crosslinking of ECM is thought to play an important role for progression of tissue fibrosis, enhanced ECM crosslinking has not yet been targeted therapeutically in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Here, we investigated the role of transglutaminase 2 (TG2), a central crosslinking enzyme, in the activation of SSc fibroblasts.
Neuroanatomical Correlates of the Late Positive Potential in Youth with Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

Background The late positive potential (LPP) could be a marker of emotion dysregulation in youth with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD). However, the neuroanatomical correlates of the LPP are still not clarified. Objective To provide cortical and deep gray matter correlates of the LPP in youth, specifically, youth with PBD. Methods Twenty-four 7 to 17 years-old children with PBD and 28 healthy controls (HC) underwent cortical thickness and deep gray matter volumes measurements through magnetic resonance imaging and LPP measurement elicited by passively viewing emotional faces through electroencephalography. T-tests compared group differences in LPP, cortical thickness, and deep gray matter volumes. Linear regressions tested the relationship between LPP amplitude and cortical thickness/deep gray matter volumes. Results PBD had a more pronounced LPP amplitude for happy faces and a thinner cortex in prefrontal areas than HC. While considering both groups, a higher LPP amplitude was associated with a thicker cortex across occipital and frontal lobes, and with a smaller right globus pallidus volume. In addition, a higher LPP amplitude for happy faces was associated with smaller left caudate and left globus pallidus volumes across both groups. Finally, the LPP amplitude correlated negatively with right precentral gyrus thickness across youth with PBD, but positively across HC. Conclusion Neural correlates of LPP in youth included fronto-occipital areas that have been associated also with emotion processing and control. The opposite relationship between BPD and HC of LPP amplitude and right precentral gyrus thickness might explain the inefficacy of the emotional control system in PBD.
Towards the identification of the latent periodicity in DNA sequences

In this paper we compared the information decomposition (ID) method and the spectral-statistical (SS) approach. We showed that the SS approach does not take into account the effect of small samples, and it does erroneous search of statistically significant period in the DNA sequence. Detection of the "profile periodicity" by SS approach depends solely on the ratio of the lengths of the latent periods. The revealed drawbacks of the spectral-statistical approach show that to search for DNA regions with latent periodicity it is more consistent from mathematical point of view to use Z-statistic and the method of information decomposition.
Maternal obesity and offspring health: Adapting metabolic changes through autophagy and mitophagy

Maternal obesity leads to obstetric complications and a high prevalence of metabolic anomalies in the offspring. Among various contributing factors for maternal obesity‐evoked health sequelae, developmental programming is considered as one of the leading culprit factors for maternal obesity‐associated chronic comorbidities. Although a unified theory is still lacking to systematically address multiple unfavorable postnatal health sequelae, a cadre of etiological machineries have been put forward, including lipotoxicity, inflammation, oxidative stress, autophagy/mitophagy defect, and cell death. Hereinto, autophagy and mitophagy play an essential housekeeping role in the clearance of long‐lived, damaged, and unnecessary cell components to maintain and restore cellular homeostasis. Defective autophagy/mitophagy has been reported in maternal obesity and negatively impacts fetal development and postnatal health. This review will provide an update on metabolic disorders in fetal development and postnatal health issues evoked by maternal obesity and/or intrauterine overnutrition and discuss the possible contribution of autophagy/mitophagy in metabolic diseases. Moreover, relevant mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies will be discussed in an effort to target autophagy/mitophagy and metabolic disturbances in maternal obesity.
Melatonin inhibits chondrosarcoma cell proliferation and metastasis by enhancing miR‐520f‐3p production and suppressing MMP7 expression

Chondrosarcoma has a high propensity to metastasize and responds poorly to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is very important in chondrosarcoma metastasis. Melatonin exhibits anticarcinogenic activity in many types of cancers by suppressing the expression of certain MMP family members, but this has not yet been clearly determined in chondrosarcoma. Our study demonstrates that MMP7 plays an essential role in chondrosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and anoikis resistance. We also found that MMP7 is highly expressed in chondrosarcomas. Our in vitro and in vivo investigations show that melatonin strongly inhibits chondrosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and anoikis resistance by directly suppressing MMP7 expression. Melatonin reduced MMP7 synthesis by promoting levels of miR‐520f‐3p expression, which were downregulated in human chondrosarcoma tissue samples. Pharmacological inhibition of miR‐520f‐3p markedly reversed the effects of melatonin upon chondrosarcoma proliferation and metastasis. Thus, our study suggests that melatonin has therapeutic potential for reducing the tumorigenesis and metastatic potential of chondrosarcoma via the miR‐520f‐3p/MMP7 axis.
Relationship between deep and superficial sensitivity assessments and gait analysis in diabetic foot patients

Peripheral neuropathy is a prevalent complication of diabetes that can lead to gait impairment and its adverse consequences. This study explored the potential utility of different parameters of gait analysis using a single sensor unit as a simple tool to detect peripheral neuropathy in 85 diabetic patients (DP) with diabetic foot in whom different somato‐sensitivity tests in the feet were performed. Gait spatiotemporal parameters were examined by sensor inertial measurement placed in the lumbar area, while the superficial sensitivity pathway was assessed by nociception tests and deep sensitivity was examined by light touch‐pressure and vibration sensitivity tests. Correlations between each sensory test and gait parameters were analysed in a logistic regression model in order to assess if gait parameters are associated with two different sensory pathways. Impaired deep sensory pathways were significantly (P < .05) correlated with lower gait speed, reduced cadence, smaller stride length, longer stance periods, and a higher risk of falling on the Tinetti Scale, while all gait parameters were significantly (P < .01) correlated with the superficial sensory pathway. Type 2 diabetics have significantly (P < .05) higher impairment in vibratory sensitivity than type 1 diabetics, and the years with diabetes mellitus (DM) diagnosis have a significant (P < .05) association with reduced vibration sensitivity. These findings indicate relationships between the deep sensory pathway and gait impairments in DP measured by inertial sensors, which could be a useful tool to diagnose gait alterations in DP and to evaluate the effect of treatments to improve gait and thus the risk of falls in diabetic patients.
Can we Effectively Combine Tangibles and Ultrasound Mid-Air Haptics? A Study of Acoustically Transparent Tangible Surfaces

We propose to study the combination of acoustically transparent tangible objects (ATTs) and ultrasound mid-air haptic (UMH) feedback to support haptic interactions with digital content. Both these haptic feedback methods have the advantage of leaving users unencumbered, and present uniquely complementary strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we provide an overview of the design space for haptic interactions covered by this combination, as well as requirements for their technical implementation. Indeed, when imagining the concurrent manipulation of physical objects and delivery of mid-air haptic stimuli, reflection and absorption of sound by the tangibles may impede delivery of the UMH stimuli. To demonstrate the viability of our approach, we study the combination of single ATT surfaces, i.e. the basic building blocks for any tangible object, and UMH stimuli. We investigate attenuation of a focal point focused through various plates of acoustically transparent materials, and run three human subject experiments investigating the impact of acoustically transparent materials on detection thresholds, discrimination of motion, and localization of ultrasound haptic stimuli. Results show that tangible surfaces which do not significantly attenuate ultrasound can be fabricated with relative ease. The perception studies confirm that ATT surfaces do not impede perception of UMH stimulus properties, and thus that both may viably be combined in haptics applications.
Proteome profiling highlights mechanisms underlying pigment and tocopherol accumulation in red and black rice seeds

Rice is a major component of the human diet and feeds more than 50 million people across the globe. We previously developed two pigmented rice cultivars, Super‐hongmi (red seeds) and Super‐jami (black seeds), that are highly rich in antioxidants and exhibit high levels of radical scavenging activities. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the accumulation of pigments and different antioxidants in these rice cultivars remains largely elusive. Here, we report the proteome profiles of mature Super‐hongmi and Super‐jami seeds, and compared them with the Hopum (white seeds) using a label‐free quantitative proteomics approach. This approach led to the identification of 5127 rice seed proteins of which 1628 showed significant changes in the pigmented rice cultivar(s). The list of significantly modulated proteins included a phytoene desaturase (PDS3) which suggested accumulation of ζ‐carotene in red seeds while the black seeds seem to accumulate more of anthocyanins because of the higher abundance of dihydroflavonol 4‐reductase. Moreover, proteins associated with lignin and tocopherol biosynthesis were highly increased in both red and black cultivars. Taken together, these data report the seed proteome of three different colored rice seeds and identify novel components associated with pigment accumulation in rice.
A note on spillover and robustness for flexible systems

Many stabilizer designs for infinite-dimensional systems, for example, flexible systems, are based on a finite-dimensional approximation of the original system. It is shown that whether or not this approach leads to a stabilizing controller for the infinite-dimensional system is, in fact, a robustness question: lack of robustness can lead to a spillover effect from the neglected dynamics, which destroys the stability. This phenomenon is illustrated by an example of a damped flexible system. >
Calculation of self and mutual impedances in planar magnetic structures

The high frequency operation of magnetic components, in applications such as filters, makes them ideal candidates for thick film technology along with resistors and capacitors. This in turn leads to distinct advantages over labor intensive wire wound components: improved reliability, repeatability, accuracy and consequential cost reductions. This paper establishes a new set of formulas for the self and mutual impedances of planar coils on ferromagnetic substrates. A planar coil in air is a special case of the generalized formulas. The formulas are derived directly from Maxwell's equations and therefore serve as a useful yardstick for simpler approximations. The formulas take full account of the current density distribution in the coil cross-section and the eddy current losses in the substrate. Experimental and calculated impedances up to 100 MHz are presented for a four layer device with three turns per layer which is 150 /spl mu/m thick and 40 mm/sup 2/ in area. >
Propagation of a Forbush decrease in cosmic ray intensity to 15.9 AU

By observation of the large Forbush decrease in cosmic ray intensity of April-May 1978 at heliocentric radial distances of 1.01, 6.97, and 15.91 AU, it is found that the causative magnetized plasma cloud moved outwards from the sun at an apparent radial speed of about 960 km s/sup -1/, independent of radial distance over this range. Recovery from the impulsive decrease in intensity was markedly slower at the large distances. On the basis of this fact and other considerations, several tentative suggestions are made as to the large scale nature of Forbush decreases and their relationship to the 11-year solar modulation of galactic cosmic ray intensity.
A biopolymeric mesh enriched with PLGA microparticles loaded with AT101 for localized glioblastoma treatment

Current treatment strategies for glioblastoma (GBM) including surgical resection and adjuvant radio/chemotherapy result in a limited progression-free survival time of patients due to rapidly occurring tumor recurrences. The urgent need for more effective treatments has led to the development of different approaches for localized drug delivery systems (DDSs) offering the advantages of reduced systemic side effects. A promising candidate for the treatment of GBMs is AT101, the R-(-)-enantiomer of gossypol due to its ability to induce apoptosis or trigger autophagic cell death in tumor cells. Here, we present an alginate-based drug-releasing mesh ladened with AT101-loaded PLGA microspheres (AT101-GlioMesh). The AT101-loaded PLGA microspheres were fabricated using an oil-in-water emulsion solvent evaporation method obtaining a high encapsulation efficiency. The drug-loaded microspheres enabled the release of AT101 over several days at the tumor site. The cytotoxic effect of the AT101-loaded mesh was evaluated using two different GBM cell lines. Strikingly, encapsulation of AT101 in PLGA-microparticles and subsequent embedding in GlioMesh resulted in a sustained delivery and more efficient cytotoxic effect of AT101 on both GBM cell lines. Thus, such a DDS holds promise for GBM therapy likely by preventing the development of tumor recurrences.
Marine aerosol concentrations and estimated fluxes over the sea

Aerosol particulate fluxes, generated at the sea surface by the action of the wind, have been derived from a comprehensive series of measurements taken in the Outer Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. These observations cover wind speeds from essentially zero to values in excess of 30 m s−1, and show that the particle production, over the radius range from 1 to 25 μm, is very strongly dependent upon the prevailing wind speed, especially for the larger particles. These fluxes, estimated for a height of about 10 m above the ocean surface, may be approximated by an expression comprising the sum of two log-normal distributions (in particle radius R) of the form: where the values of fI and R0i remain essentially unchanged with wind speed, but with the values of Ai being strongly dependent upon this parameter. Alternative formulations of the aerosol flux, based upon combining field observations of the dependence of whitecap coverage upon prevailing wind speed with estimates of aerosol production from laboratory-simulated whitecaps, provide poorer approximations to the aerosol observations, especially at the higher wind speeds when a substantial spume-drop contribution may be expected.
Historical controls in clinical trials: a note on linking Pocock's model with the robust mixture priors.

Several Bayesian methods have been proposed to borrow information dynamically from historical controls in clinical trials. In this note, we identify key features of the relationship between the first method proposed, the bias-variance method, which is strongly related to the commensurate prior approach, and a more recent and widely used approach called robust mixture priors (RMP). We focus on the two key terms that need to be chosen to define the RMP, namely $w$, the prior probability that the new trial differs systematically from the historical trial, and $s_v^2$, the variance of the vague component of the RMP. The relationship with Pocock's prior reveals that different combinations of these two terms can express similar prior beliefs about the amount of information provided by the historical data. This demonstrates the value of fixing $s_v^2$, e.g., so the vague component is "worth one subject. " Prior belief about the relevance of the historical data is then driven by a single value, the prespecified weight $w$.
OsbHLH067, OsbHLH068, and OsbHLH069 redundantly regulate inflorescence axillary meristem formation in rice

Rice axillary meristems (AMs) are essential to the formation of tillers and panicle branches in rice, and therefore play a determining role in rice yield. However, the regulation of inflorescence AM development in rice remains elusive. In this study, we identified no spikelet 1-Dominant (nsp1-D), a sparse spikelet mutant, with obvious reduction of panicle branches and spikelets. Inflorescence AM deficiency in nsp1-D could be ascribed to the overexpression of OsbHLH069. OsbHLH069 functions redundantly with OsbHLH067 and OsbHLH068 in panicle AM formation. The Osbhlh067 Osbhlh068 Osbhlh069 triple mutant had smaller panicles and fewer branches and spikelets. OsbHLH067, OsbHLH068, and OsbHLH069 were preferentially expressed in the developing inflorescence AMs and their proteins could physically interact with LAX1. Both nsp1-D and lax1 showed sparse panicles. Transcriptomic data indicated that OsbHLH067/068/069 may be involved in the metabolic pathway during panicle AM formation. Quantitative RT-PCR results demonstrated that the expression of genes involved in meristem development and starch/sucrose metabolism was down-regulated in the triple mutant. Collectively, our study demonstrates that OsbHLH067, OsbHLH068, and OsbHLH069 have redundant functions in regulating the formation of inflorescence AMs during panicle development in rice.
The RNA-binding protein NANOS1 controls hippocampal synaptogenesis

Proteins from the NANOS family are conserved translational repressors with a well-known role in gonad development in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In addition, Drosophila Nanos controls neuron maturation and function, and rodent Nanos1 affects cortical neuron differentiation. Here we show that rat Nanos1 is expressed in hippocampal neurons and that the siRNA-mediated knockdown of Nanos1 impairs synaptogenesis. We found that both dendritic spine size and number were affected by Nanos1 KD. Dendritic spines were smaller and more numerous. Moreover, whereas in control neurons most dendritic PSD95 clusters contact pre-synaptic structures, a larger proportion of PSD95 clusters lacked a synapsin counterpart upon Nanos1 loss-of-function. Finally, Nanos1 KD impaired the induction of ARC typically triggered by neuron depolarization. These results expand our knowledge on the role of NANOS1 in CNS development and suggest that RNA regulation by NANOS1 governs hippocampal synaptogenesis.
Longitudinal transitions in initiation, cessation, and relapse of cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use among US youth and adults: Validation of a microsimulation model

Introduction Estimates of initiation, cessation, and relapse rates of tobacco cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use can facilitate projections of longer-term impact of their use. We aimed to derive transition rates and apply them to validate a microsimulation model of tobacco that newly incorporated e-cigarettes. Methods We fit a Markov multi-state model (MMSM) for participants in Waves 1–4.5 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) longitudinal study. The MMSM had nine cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use states (current/former/never use of each), 27 transitions, two sex categories, and four age categories (youth: 12-17y; adults: 18-24y/25-44y/≥45y). We estimated transition hazard rates, including initiation, cessation, and relapse. We then validated the Simulation of Tobacco and Nicotine Outcomes and Policy (STOP) microsimulation model, by: (a) using transition hazard rates derived from PATH Waves 1–4.5 as inputs, and (b) comparing STOP-projected prevalence of smoking and e-cigarette use at 12 and 24 months to empirical data from PATH Waves 3 and 4. We compared the goodness-of-fit of validations with “static relapse” and “time-variant relapse,” wherein relapse rates did not or did depend on abstinence duration. Results Per the MMSM, youth smoking and e-cigarette use was generally more volatile (lower probability of maintaining the same e-cigarette use status over time) than that of adults. Root-mean-squared error (RMSE) for STOP-projected versus empirical prevalence of smoking and e-cigarette use was <0.7% for both static and time-variant relapse simulations, with similar goodness-of-fit (static relapse: RMSE 0.69%, CI 0.38–0.99%; time-variant relapse: RMSE 0.65%, CI 0.42–0.87%). PATH empirical estimates of prevalence of smoking and e-cigarette use were mostly within the margins of error estimated by both simulations. Discussion A microsimulation model incorporating smoking and e-cigarette use transition rates from a MMSM accurately projected downstream prevalence of product use. The microsimulation model structure and parameters provide a foundation for estimating the behavioral and clinical impact of tobacco and e-cigarette policies.
Estimation and Prediction from Inverse Rayleigh Distribution Based on Lower Record Values

This article discusses Bayesian and non-Bayesian estimation problem of the unknown parameter for the inverse Rayleigh distribution based on lower record values. Maximum likelihood estimator of the unknown parameters were obtained. Also, Bayes estimator have been developed under squared error and zero one loss functions. These estimators are derived using the informative prior distribution. Bayesian and non Bayesian interval estimation for the inverse Rayleigh parameters are obtained. Furthermore, Bayesian prediction interval of the future record values are discussed and obtained. Finally practical example using simulated record values are given to illustrate the theoretical results of prediction interval.