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Cancers, Vol. 15, Pages 509: The Role of Intratumor Microbiomes in Cervical Cancer Metastasis

Background: Intratumor microbiomes can influence tumorigenesis and progression. The relationship between intratumor microbiomes and cervical cancer metastasis, however, remains unclear. Methods: We examined 294 cervical cancer samples together with information on microbial expression, identified metastasis-associated microbiomes, and used machine learning methods to validate their predictive ability on tumor metastasis. The tumors were subsequently typed based on differences in microbial expression. Differentially expressed genes in different tumor types were combined to construct a tumor-prognostic risk score model and a multiparameter nomogram model. In addition, we performed a functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes to infer the mechanism of action between microbiomes and tumor cells.
mdpi.com Jan 14, 2023

IJMS, Vol. 24, Pages 1638: A Paternal Methylation Error in the Congenital Hydrocephalic Texas (H-Tx) Rat Is Partially Rescued with Natural Folate Supplements

Folate deficiencies, folate imbalance and associated abnormal methylation are associated with birth defects, developmental delays, neurological conditions and diseases. In the hydrocephalic Texas (H-Tx) rat, 10-formyl tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (FDH) is reduced or absent from the CSF and the nuclei of cells in the brain and liver and this is correlated with decreased DNA methylation. In the present study, we tested whether impaired folate metabolism or methylation exists in sexually mature, unaffected H-Tx rats, which may explain the propagation of hydrocephalus in their offspring. We compared normal Sprague Dawley (SD, n = 6) rats with untreated H-Tx (uH-Tx, n = 6 and folate-treated H-Tx (TrH-Tx, n = 4).
mdpi.com Jan 14, 2023

Nutrients, Vol. 15, Pages 430: Association between Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and the Risk of the Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: The increasing occurrence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is largely related to harmful food habits. Among them, the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is noteworthy. However, to our knowledge, there are not enough high-quality methodological studies summarizing the association between the intake of SSBs and the MetS. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the existing published results on this association among adults by synthesizing the existing evidence. (2) Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies following the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant information was extracted and presented following the PRISMA recommendations. PubMed and SCOPUS databases were searched for studies published until June 2022 that assessed the association between SSB consumption (including soft drinks, ...
mdpi.com Jan 14, 2023

Brain Sciences, Vol. 13, Pages 144: Altered Functional Connectivity Density in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment

Although disturbed functional connectivity is known to be a factor influencing cognitive impairment, the neuropathological mechanisms underlying the cognitive impairment caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain unclear. To characterize the neural mechanisms underlying T2DM-related brain damage, we explored the altered functional architecture patterns in different cognitive states in T2DM patients. Thirty-seven T2DM patients with normal cognitive function (DMCN), 40 T2DM patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (DMCI), and 40 healthy controls underwent neuropsychological assessments and resting-state functional MRI examinations. Functional connectivity density (FCD) analysis was performed, and the relationship between abnormal FCD and clinical/cognitive variables was assessed. The regions showing abnormal FCD in T2DM patients were mainly located in the temporal lobe and cerebellum, but ...
mdpi.com Jan 14, 2023

IJMS, Vol. 24, Pages 1644: Characterization of Lipopolysaccharide Effects on LRRK2 Signaling in RAW Macrophages

Dysfunction of the immune system and mitochondrial metabolism has been associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathology. Mutations and increased kinase activity of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are linked to both idiopathic and familial PD. However, the function of LRRK2 in the immune cells under inflammatory conditions is contradictory. Our results showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation increased the kinase activity of LRRK2 in parental RAW 264.7 (WT) cells. In addition to this, LRRK2 deletion in LRRK2 KO RAW 264.7 (KO) cells altered cell morphology following LPS stimulation compared to the WT cells, as shown by an increase in the cell impedance as observed by the xCELLigence measurements.
mdpi.com Jan 14, 2023

IJMS, Vol. 24, Pages 1645: Excess Absorbance as a Novel Approach for Studying the Self-Aggregation of Vital Dyes in Liquid Solution

In the present paper, a simple method for analyzing the self-aggregation of dyes in a solution by a UV-visible absorption measurements is proposed. The concept of excess absorbance is introduced to determine an equation whose coefficients determine the parameters of the aggregation equilibrium. The computational peculiarities of the model are first discussed theoretically and then applied to sodium fluorescein in polar protic and aprotic solvents, as well as in aqueous solutions of methylene blue, which is a cationic dye. Although the experimental responses are very different, the model appears to work equally well in both cases. The model reveals that the trimer is the most likely configuration in both solvents.
mdpi.com Jan 14, 2023

Cells, Vol. 12, Pages 313: Triphasic 3D In Vitro Model of Bone-Tendon-Muscle Interfaces to Study Their Regeneration

The transition areas between different tissues, known as tissue interfaces, have limited ability to regenerate after damage, which can lead to incomplete healing. Previous studies focussed on single interfaces, most commonly bone-tendon and bone-cartilage interfaces. Herein, we develop a 3D in vitro model to study the regeneration of the bone-tendon-muscle interface. The 3D model was prepared from collagen and agarose, with different concentrations of hydroxyapatite to graduate the tissues from bones to muscles, resulting in a stiffness gradient. This graduated structure was fabricated using indirect 3D printing to provide biologically relevant surface topographies. MG-63, human dermal fibroblasts, and Sket.4U cells were found suitable cell models for bones, tendons, and muscles, respectively.
mdpi.com Jan 14, 2023

Drones, Vol. 7, Pages 58: Distributed Motion Planning for Multiple Quadrotors in Presence of Wind Gusts

This work demonstrates distributed motion planning for multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle in a windy outdoor environment. The motion planning is modeled as a receding horizon mixed integer nonlinear programming (RH-MINLP) problem. Each quadrotor solves an RH-MINLP to generate its time-optimal speed profile along a minimum snap spline path while satisfying constraints on kinematics, dynamics, communication connectivity, and collision avoidance. The presence of wind disturbances causes the motion planner to continuously regenerate new motion plans, thereby significantly increasing the computational time and possibly leading to safety violations. Control Barrier Functions (CBFs) are used for assist in collision avoidance in the face of wind disturbances while alleviating the need to recalculate the motion plans continually.
mdpi.com Jan 14, 2023

IJFS, Vol. 11, Pages 18: Nonprofits and C Corporations: Performance Comparison

We extend the performance comparison study of nonprofits (NPs) and pass-throughs by examining large NPs and large C corporations (CCs). Unlike that study, we also examine performance outcomes under two different tax shield policies. We use the Capital Structure Model as our main methodology. Our purpose is to compare large NPs with large CCs in terms of debt choice, valuation, leverage gain, and growth-related outcomes. All tests considered, NPs (compared to CCs) have a 34.90% valuation advantage; achieve a 78.12% greater increase in value when going from nongrowth to growth (using a 12.34% lower plowback ratio and 10.97% less in retained earnings); attain a 2.56% greater optimal leverage ratio; and, realize 10.97% less in dollars added from ...
mdpi.com Jan 14, 2023

Applied Sciences, Vol. 13, Pages 1119: Evaluating the Thermal Performance and Environmental Impact of Agricultural Greenhouses Using Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger: An Experimental Study

The thermal performance and environmental impact of agricultural greenhouses (GH) connected to earth-to-air heat exchanger (EAHE) systems depend on the ambient temperature, soil temperature, EAHE system, and greenhouse specifications. The impact of an EAHE system on the temperature and humidity of a GH microclimate, as well as its effects on CO2 emissions and heating energy consumption, are determined experimentally. Two scaled-down models of agricultural GHs (2 × 1.4 × 1.4 m3) were developed. Each GH was equipped with a heater. A spiral EAHE system was integrated into only one of the GHs. The temperature differences in the microclimate range from 3.5 °C to 7.5 °C, with the microclimates of GH + EAHE and GH being quite similar.
mdpi.com Jan 14, 2023

Applied Sciences, Vol. 13, Pages 1118: Study of Dynamics in Metallic MEMS Cantilevers—Pull-In Voltage and Actuation Speed

For different metals and varying geometries, this paper presents simulations of electrostatically actuated MEMS cantilevers regarding their influence on pull-in voltage and actuation speed. Three-dimensional electromechanical modeling including many non-linearities has been performed to study some static but mainly dynamic features. The results show that the involved parameters have different influences on the actuation speed and pull-in voltage: lower length, higher thickness as well as lower density and higher Young’s modulus of material diminish the actuation time, while longer length, smaller thickness, and smaller Young’s modulus reduce the actuation voltages. Shorter actuation times and smaller actuation voltages cannot be obtained and optimized simultaneously.
mdpi.com Jan 14, 2023

JoF, Vol. 9, Pages 112: Termite Mushrooms (Termitomyces), a Potential Source of Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds Exhibiting Human Health Benefits: A Review

Termite mushrooms have been classified to the genus Termitomyces, family Lyophyllaceae, order Agaricales. These mushrooms form a mutualistic association with termites in the subfamily Macrotermitinae. In fact, all Termitomyces species are edible and have unique food value attributed to their texture, flavour, nutrient content, and beneficial mediational properties. Additionally, Termitomyces have been recognized for their ethno-medicinal importance in various indigenous communities throughout Asia and Africa. Recent studies on Termitomyces have indicated that their bioactive compounds have the potential to fight against certain human diseases such as cancer, hyperlipidaemia, gastroduodenal diseases, and Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, they possess various beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
mdpi.com Jan 14, 2023

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