Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vital signal sensing and manipulation of a microscale organ with a multifunctional soft gripper

Description A millimeter-scale multifunctional soft gripper provides mechanical and thermal stimulation as well as biosignal sensing. Soft grippers that incorporate functional materials are important in the development of mechanically compliant and multifunctional interfaces for both sensing and stimulating soft objects and organisms. In particular, the capability for firm and delicate grasping of soft cells and organs without mechanical damage is essential to identify the condition of and monitor meaningful biosignals from objects. Here, we report a millimeter-scale soft gripper based on a shape memory polymer that enables manipulating a heavy object (payload-to-weight ratio up to 6400) and grasping organisms at the micro/milliscale. The silver nanowires and crack-based strain sensor embedded in this soft gripper enable simultaneous measurement of the temperature and pressure on grasped objects and offer temperature and mechanical stimuli for the grasped object. We validate our miniaturized soft gripper by demonstrating that it can grasp a snail egg while simultaneously applying a moderate temperature stimulation to induce hatching process and monitor the heart rate of a newborn snail. The results present the potential for widespread utility of soft grippers in the area of biomedical engineering, especially in the development of conditional or closed-loop interfacing with microscale biotissues and organisms.
Response to Letter‐to‐Editor by Lixandrão et al. published in Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports 31(2), 489–492, 2021

We commend Lixandrão et al.1 for the substantial work (i.e., additional analyses) they have put into their Letter to the Editor, containing a number of comments to our recent study published in Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports.3 In their initial publication,2 Lixandrão and coworkers reported data on a change score fixed effects metaanalysis indicating that conventional highload strength training (HLST) may be superior compared to lowload blood flow restricted (LLBFR) exercise for causing improvements in maximal muscle strength.2 In contrast, employing a post score (i.e., followup score) randomeffects metaanalysis, we found that the effect of HLST and LLBFR exercise were not different, that is eliciting strength increases of comparable magnitude.3 We fail to agree with Lixandrão et al. that the outcome of their secondary analyses1 can be considered supportive of an unbiased methodological approach in the initial analysis,2 as implicitly stated in their closing comment.1 As elaborated below, the additional work presented in the Commentary by Lixandrão et al.1 merely underlines that the different conclusions between their review/metaanalysis2 and our recent systematic review and metaanalysis3 arise from differences in analytical designs and methodological approaches. In their Letter to the Editor,1 Lixandrão et al. raise three main points of criticism: (i) The use of post scores compared to change scores analyses, (ii) bias in the selection of comparator arms (interventions/comparators), and (iii) bias in the selection of primary outcomes (which strength parameters to select for the primary analysis).
Endocytosis and stress: From mechanisms to cellular physiology

This issue presents a series of articles and reviews on the theme “Endocytosis and stress. ” The purpose of this issue was to cover various aspects of the functions of endocytosis, but also in a variety of model organisms to highlight how this conserved process has been exploited throughout evolution. A series of reviews highlight connections between endocytosis and the properties of the extracellular environment, including signaling molecules, nutrient availability, or biophysical constraints, as well as the importance of endocytosis in cellular function, adaptation, and pathologies. The plethora of cellular functions regulated by endocytosis is well discussed by Giangreco et al. (2021) who provide a series of examples illustrating the various functions of endocytic proteins in cellular physiology, and the pathologies derived from their malfunction. This includes the role of adaptor proteins in clathrinmediated endocytosis (CME) and non-clathrin-mediated endocytosis (NCE), how this regulates signaling pathways, and the links with tumorigenesis.Two reviews then detail the connections between endocytosis and the regulation of signaling pathways. Wu et al. (2021) focus on the mechanisms by which Wnt signaling, a key pathway in development and morphogenesis in animals, is regulated by endocytosis and endosomal trafficking. They notably highlight work in Caenorhabditis elegans on the involvement in Wnt signaling and stress response. Seib and Klein (2021) then discuss the role of endocytosis in the activation of Notch signaling. They mention the importance of endocytosis in generating pulling forces leading to Notch cleavage, a crucial step in Notch pathway activation, but also additional functions in the recycling of Notch ligands. The interplay between membrane tension and CME is carefully reviewed by Djakbarova et al. (2021). The importance of membrane tension in physiological processes such as cell division, migration, or spreading is also underscored. In their monograph, the authors detail how membrane tension is established, regulated, and how this regulates CME. Two additional reviews focus on the regulation of nutrient transporters by endocytosis. Ivanov and Vert (2021) describe the exquisite molecular mechanisms by which
Exposure to ionizing radiation disrupts normal epigenetic aging in Japanese medaka

Alterations to the epigenome are a hallmark of biological aging and age-dependent patterning of the DNA methylome (“epigenetic aging”) can be modeled to produce epigenetic age predictors. Rates of epigenetic aging vary amongst individuals and correlate to the onset of age-related disease and all-cause mortality. Yet, the origins of epigenetic-to-chronological age discordance are not empirically resolved. Here, we investigate the relationship between aging, DNA methylation, and environmental exposures in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). We find age-associated DNA methylation patterning enriched in genomic regions of low CpG density and that, similar to mammals, most age-related changes occur during early life. We construct an epigenetic clock capable of predicting chronological age with a mean error of 61.1 days (~8.4% of average lifespan). To test the role of environmental factors in driving epigenetic age variation, we exposed medaka to chronic, environmentally relevant doses of ionizing radiation. Because most organisms share an evolutionary history with ionizing radiation, we hypothesized that exposure would reveal fundamental insights into environment-by-epigenetic aging interactions. Radiation exposure disrupted epigenetic aging by accelerating and decelerating normal age-associated patterning and was most pronounced in cytosines that were moderately associated with age. These findings empirically demonstrate the role of DNA methylation in integrating environmental factors into aging trajectories.
Development of crosshair light sharing PET detector with TOF and DOI capabilities using fast LGSO scintillator

Objective. Time-of-flight (TOF) and depth-of-interaction (DOI) are well recognized as important information to improve PET image quality. Since such information types are not correlated, many TOF-DOI detectors have been developed but there are only a few reports of high-resolution detectors (e.g. 1.5 mm resolution) for brain PET systems. Based on the DOI detector, which enables single-ended readout by optically coupling a pair of crystals and having a loop structure, we have developed the crosshair light sharing (CLS) PET detector that optically couples the four-loop structure, consisting of quadrisected crystals comparable in size to a photo-sensor, to four photo-sensors in close proximity arranged in a windmill shape. Even as a high-resolution detector, the CLS PET detector could obtain both TOF and DOI information. The coincidence resolving time (CRT) of the CLS PET detector needs to be further improved, however, for application to the brain PET system. Recently, a fast LGSO crystal was developed which has advantages in detection efficiency and CRT compared to the GFAG crystal. In this work, we developed the CLS PET detector using the fast LGSO crystal for the TOF-DOI brain PET system. Approach. The crystals were each 1.45 × 1.45 × 15 mm3 and all surfaces were chemically etched. The CLS PET detector consisted of a 14 × 14 crystal array optically coupled to an 8 × 8 MPPC array. Main results. The fast LGSO array provided 10.1% energy resolution at 511 keV, 4.7 mm DOI resolution at 662 keV, and 293 ps CRT with the energy window of 440–620 keV. Significance. The developed CLS PET detector has 290% higher coincidence sensitivity, 30% better energy resolution, and 32% better time resolution compared to our previous CLS PET detector.
Sustained release of curcumin self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) from solvent-cast Soluplus® films

Abstract The objective of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of formulating and loading Curcumin SEDDS (Self-Emulsified Drug Delivery Systems) into films made from Soluplus® as the film-forming polymer. Films with up to 30% of Curcumin SEDDS were prepared by the solvent casting technique and analyzed for their mechanical and dissolution properties. A nine-run, two-factor, three-level factorial design was utilized to investigate the effect of SEDDS load (10, 20, and 30% w/w) and film thickness (10, 25, and 40 mils) on the tensile strength, elongation, and adhesiveness of the films. The dissolution profile of the films was also investigated by a USP Type 1 method. SEDDS loading was found to plasticize Soluplus® and to yield transparent films of good mechanical properties. Increasing SEDDS load, however, was found to reduce the tensile strength of the films, while increasing their adhesiveness and elongation. On the other hand, while an increase in film thickness was found to increase the tensile strength of the films, it reduced the elongation capacity of the films. Loading SEDDS into Soluplus® films was also found to sustain their release over 6 h, where a significant delay in release was found at lower SEDDS loads. This study demonstrated that Soluplus® can be used not only to formulate SEDDS into polymeric films but also to sustain their release over an extended time.
Screening, Monitoring, and Referral to Treatment for Young Adolescents at an Urban School-Based Health Center.

BACKGROUND This study describes the experience of implementing a screening, monitoring, and referral to treatment (SMARTT) initiative at an urban middle school school-based health center. METHODS Retrospective data were collected for adolescents screened with the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17-Y. At-risk adolescents having unmet health needs were offered a mental health referral, and those that declined a mental health referral were offered a primary care monitoring (PCM) visit with the medical provider. Chi-square analyses were used to evaluate differences in screening and outcomes by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. RESULTS One out of four adolescents had a positive PSC-17-Y or negative screen with other identified concerns. Approximately half of these at-risk adolescents accepted a mental health referral, and 86% of those who declined agreed to the PCM visit. More than two-thirds of the PCM group did not need continued monitoring and support at follow-up, and 85.4% of youth who had a mental health assessment accepted mental health services. CONCLUSIONS The SMARTT initiative successfully demonstrated that co-located and integrated mental health services can enhance access and connection to mental health services for at-risk youth. In addition, PCM visits were found to be an effective option for youth who declined mental health referrals.
A Critical Tiriti Analysis of the recruitment and performance review processes of public sector chief executives in Aotearoa

Objective: Breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti) and evidence of institutional racism have been consistently documented within the public sector for decades. Chief executives across the sector have a critical responsibility to lead the implementation of the Crown's Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities. This paper examines the recruitment and performance review processes of public sector chief executives from 2000 to 2020 to ascertain Te Tiriti compliance.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity of Palladium-polyvinylpyrrolidone Complex in Oxidation of Octene-1

The metal complex catalysis with participation of unsaturated hydrocarbons gains great interest because of ecological aspect and a possibility of re-using of the catalyst. It has a number of advantages in comparison with a heterogeneous catalysis, such as high activity and selectivity, low temperatures of reaction and pressure. A palladium-polyvinylpyrrolidone complex was synthesized and characterized by potentiometry, conductometry, mass-, and IR-spectroscopy. The complex was tested for catalytic activity in reaction of octene-1 oxidation by inorganic oxidizers (KIO4, NaBrO3, Na2S2O8, K2S2O8) in dimethylsulfoxide or dimethylformamide under mild conditions. The reaction product was octanone-2, obtained in good yield (80-98 %) and characterized by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The catalysts can be easily recycled five consecutive runs without significant loss of catalytic efficiency. The use of different surface analysis techniques, such as: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), led to a better understanding of the polymer promoting effect. Copyright © 2018 BCREC Group. All rights reservedReceived: 18th December 2017; Revised: 6th August 2018; Accepted: 9th August 2018How to Cite: Akbayeva, D.N. , Bakirova, B.S., Seilkhanova, G.A. , Sitzmann, H. (2018). Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity of Palladium-polyvinylpyrrolidone Complex in Oxidation of Octene-1. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 13 (3): 560- 572 (doi:10.9767/bcrec.13.3.1980.560-572)Permalink/DOI: https://doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.13. 3.1980. 560-572
Skipping ahead: A circuit for representing the past, present, and future

Envisioning the future is intuitively linked to our ability to remember the past. Within the memory system, substantial work has demonstrated the involvement of the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus in representing the past and present. Recent data shows that both the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus encode future trajectories, which are segregated in time by alternating cycles of the theta rhythm. Here, we discuss how information is temporally organized by these brain regions supported by the medial septum, nucleus reuniens, and parahippocampal regions. Finally, we highlight a brain circuit that we predict is essential for the temporal segregation of future scenarios.
Use of metformin following a population-level intervention to encourage people with pre-diabetes to enroll in the National Diabetes Prevention Program

Introduction The National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) and metformin are interventions to slow progression from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes. When coverage for the NDPP was offered by a public research university’s health insurance plan, proactive strategies were used to combat historically low enrollment. Although not specifically targeted by these strategies, metformin use was higher than expected, leading to this evaluation. Research design and methods We used insurance enrollment, claims, pharmacy, and laboratory data for 64 131 adult employees, dependents, and retirees to identify individuals with pre-diabetes and invite them to enroll in the NDPP at no out-of-pocket cost. The characteristics of individuals with pre-diabetes who used metformin before and after their invitation were compared with NDPP enrollees. Results 8131 individuals with pre-diabetes were identified. Of these, 776 (9.5%) enrolled in a NDPP and 802 (9.9%) used metformin. Metformin users were younger, had higher body mass index, were more likely to have comorbidities, and had higher baseline hemoglobin A1c levels than non-users. Timing of metformin use varied with 107 (13%) discontinuing, 426 (53%) continuing, and 269 (34%) initiating metformin use after their NDPP invitation. Of NDPP enrollees, 13 (2%) discontinued, 56 (7%) continued, and 34 (4%) initiated metformin use when they enrolled. Conclusions Despite no active encouragement, use of metformin was similar to the rate of enrollment in the NDPP. Metformin use was higher for individuals with higher likelihood of responding. With the proven cost-effectiveness of metformin, targeted strategies to increase metformin use in individuals with pre-diabetes who are likely to respond, but not willing to enroll in a lifestyle intervention, are needed.
Fatigue, Emotion, and Cognitive Performance in Simulated Long-Duration, Single-Piloted Flight Missions.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue of air force pilots has become an increasing concern due to changes in mission characteristics. In the current study we investigated fatigue, emotions, and cognitive performance in a simulated 11-h mission in the 39 Gripen fighter aircraft. METHODS: A total of 12 subjects were evaluated in a high-fidelity dynamic flight simulator for 12 consecutive hours. Perceived fatigue was measured by the Samn-Perelli Fatigue Index (SPFI). Emotions were assessed with the Circumplex Affect Space. Cognitive performance was assessed by five cognitive tasks. RESULTS: Significant increase in self-reported fatigue, general decrease in two positive emotional states, as well increase of one negative emotional state occurred after approximately 7 h into the mission. Self-reported fatigue negatively correlated with enthusiasm and cheerfulness (r 0.75; 0.49, respectively) and positively correlated with boredom and gloominess (r 0.61; r 0.30, respectively). Response time in the low-order task negatively correlated with enthusiasm, cheerfulness and calmness (r 0.44; r 0.41; r 0.37, respectively) and positively correlated with boredom and anxiousness (r 0.37; r 0.28, respectively). Mission duration had an adverse impact on emotions in these environmental conditions, particularly after 7 h. DISCUSSION: These results contribute to the understanding of fatigue development in general and of emotion-cognition relationships. These findings emphasize that both emotional states and the type of cognitive tasks to be performed should be considered for planning long-duration missions in single-piloted fighter aircrafts as to increase the probability of missions success. Rosa E, Gronkvist M, Kolegard R, Dahlstrom N, Knez I, Ljung R, Willander J. Fatigue, emotion, and cognitive performance in simulated long-duration, single-piloted flight missions. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(9):710719.
Prevalence and Whole-Genome Sequence-Based Analysis of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates from the Recto-Anal Junction of Slaughter-Age Irish Sheep

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) bacteria are foodborne, zoonotic pathogens of significant public health concern. All STEC organisms harbor stx, a critical virulence determinant, but it is not expressed in most serotypes. ABSTRACT Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) organisms are a diverse group of pathogenic bacteria capable of causing serious human illness, and serogroups O157 and O26 are frequently implicated in human disease. Ruminant hosts are the primary STEC reservoir, and small ruminants are important contributors to STEC transmission. This study investigated the prevalence, serotypes, and shedding dynamics of STEC, including the supershedding of serogroups O157 and O26, in Irish sheep. Recto-anal mucosal swab samples (n = 840) were collected over 24 months from two ovine slaughtering facilities. Samples were plated on selective agars and were quantitatively and qualitatively assessed via real-time PCR (RT-PCR) for Shiga toxin prevalence and serogroup. A subset of STEC isolates (n = 199) were selected for whole-genome sequencing and analyzed in silico. In total, 704/840 (83.8%) swab samples were Shiga toxin positive following RT-PCR screening, and 363/704 (51.6%) animals were subsequently culture positive for STEC. Five animals were shedding STEC O157, and three of these were identified as supershedders. No STEC O26 was isolated. Post hoc statistical analysis showed that younger animals are more likely to harbor STEC and that STEC carriage is most prevalent during the summer months. Following sequencing, 178/199 genomes were confirmed as STEC. Thirty-five different serotypes were identified, 15 of which were not yet reported for sheep. Serotype O91:H14 was the most frequently reported. Eight Shiga toxin gene variants were reported, two stx1 and six stx2, and three novel Shiga-toxin subunit combinations were observed. Variant stx1c was the most prevalent, while many strains also harbored stx2b. IMPORTANCE Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) bacteria are foodborne, zoonotic pathogens of significant public health concern. All STEC organisms harbor stx, a critical virulence determinant, but it is not expressed in most serotypes. Sheep shed the pathogen via fecal excretion and are increasingly recognized as important contributors to the dissemination of STEC. In this study, we have found that there is high prevalence of STEC circulating within sheep and that prevalence is related to animal age and seasonality. Further, sheep harbor a variety of non-O157 STEC, whose prevalence and contribution to human disease have been underinvestigated for many years. A variety of Stx variants were also observed, some of which are of high clinical importance.
Evaluation of fentanyl toxicity and metabolism using a zebrafish model

The increased abuse of novel drugs has created a critical need for cheap and rapid in vivo models to understand whole organism drug‐induced toxicity and metabolic impacts. One such model is zebrafish, which share many similarities to human. Assays have been developed for behavioral, toxicity, and metabolism elucidation following chemical exposure. The zebrafish model provides the advantage of assessing these parameters within a single study. Previous zebrafish studies have evaluated the behavioral effects of fentanyl, but not developmental toxicity and its relation to metabolism. In this study, we evaluate the effects of fentanyl on the development of wild‐type (TL strain) zebrafish and its metabolism over 4 days. Fertilized eggs were exposed to six concentrations of fentanyl (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 50, and 100 μM) through embryo media incubated at 28–29°C. Observations included egg coagulation, somite formation, heartbeat, tail and yolk morphology, pericardial formation, and swim bladder inflation. The incubation media was analyzed for the presence of metabolites using a targeted metabolomics approach. Fentanyl concentration caused significant effects on survival and development, with notable defects to the tail, yolk, and pericardium at 50 and 100 μM. Despropionyl fentanyl (4‐ANPP), β‐hydroxy fentanyl, and norfentanyl were detected in zebrafish larvae. We present a single in vivo model to assess toxicity and metabolism of fentanyl exposure in a vertebrate model system. Our findings provide a foundation for further investigations into fentanyl's mechanism of action and translation to human drug exposure.