The aim of this study was to test whether lyophilized conditioned media from human dental pulp mesenchymal stem cell cultures promote the healing of critical-size defects created in the calvaria of ...rats. Prior to the surgical procedure, the medium in which dental pulp stem cells were cultured was frozen and lyophilized. After general anesthesia, an 8 mm diameter bone defect was created in the calvaria of twenty-four rats. The defects were filled with the following materials: xenograft alone (G1) or xenograft associated with lyophilized conditioned medium (G2). After 14 or 42 days, the animals were euthanized, and the specimens processed for histologic and immunohistochemical analysis. Bone formation at the center of the defect was observed only in the G2 at 42 days. At both timepoints, increased staining for VEGF, a marker for angiogenesis, was observed in G2. Consistent with this, at 14 days, G2 also had a higher number of blood vessels detected by immunostaining with an anti-CD34 antibody. In conclusion, conditioned media from human dental pulp mesenchymal stem cell cultures had a positive effect on the regenerative process in rat critical-size bone defects. Both the formation of bone and enhancement of vascularization were stimulated by the conditioned media.
Artificial neural networks are efficient learning algorithms that are considered to be universal approximators for solving numerous real-world problems in areas such as computer vision, language ...processing, or reinforcement learning. To approximate any given function, neural networks train a large number of parameters—up to millions, or even billions in some cases. The large number of parameters and hidden layers in neural networks make them hard to interpret, which is why they are often referred to as black boxes. In the quest to make artificial neural networks interpretable in the field of computer vision, feature visualization stands out as one of the most developed and promising research directions. While feature visualizations are a valuable tool to gain insights about the underlying function learned by the network, they are still considered to be simple visual aids requiring human interpretation. In this paper, we propose that feature visualizations—class visualizations in particular—are analogous to mental imagery in humans, resembling the experience of seeing or perceiving the actual training data. Therefore, we propose that class visualizations contain embedded knowledge that can be exploited in a more automated manner. We present a series of experiments that shed light on the nature of class visualizations and demonstrate that class visualizations can be considered a conceptual compression of the data used to train the underlying model. Finally, we show that class visualizations can be regarded as convolutional filters and experimentally show their potential for extreme model compression purposes.
In order to analyze the environmental performance of Smallholder Dairy Farms (SHDFs) located in the State of Mexico, a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) was carried out using two methodological approaches ...(A1 and A2) to estimate and interpret environmental impacts. A1 consisted in obtaining the average inputs and outputs of 15 SHDFs to generate a representative farm life cycle inventory, while A2 included an individual environmental impact analysis per SHDF to obtain average values of the contributions per analyzed midpoint impact category. The feed production subsystem generated the highest contributions to environmental impacts per liter of raw milk produced. Estimated emissions based on A2 approach, resulted in higher environmental impacts compared to results obtained with A1. The estimated values for the midpoint impact categories obtained with A2: Climate change, Fossil depletion, Terrestrial acidification, and Agricultural land occupation, were 8.73%, 30.77%, 100%, and 20.49% higher compared to A1 approach, respectively. While A2 provides more accurate results, it requires more time and resources compared to the integration of a panel of representative dairy farms.
Climate change threatens many native species from the Amazon Forest. Among the endangered species is the Açaí (
Euterpe oleracea
), which is a species with great national and international interest, ...due to the nutritional benefits and medicinal properties of its fruits. However, there is still no information on the ecophysiological responses of Açaí to climate change. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of increased temperature and CO
2
concentration change on the ecophysiology of Açaí seedlings. To do so, Açaí seedlings were subjected, for 90 days, to three different climatic scenarios: current Amazon; RCP4.5 (current average temperature in the Amazon + 2.5 °C and 538 ppm of carbon dioxide concentration i.e. CO
2
); and RCP8.5 (+ 4.5 °C and 936 ppm of CO
2
concentration). In addition, two irrigation levels were applied within each climatic scenario: seedlings maintained at 90% (not stressed) and 40% (stressed) of the water holding capacity of the substrate. Gas exchange, water status, fluorescence parameters, enzymatic antioxidants activity and dry matter production were evaluated. High CO
2
concentration enhanced Açaí gas exchange (increasing CO
2
assimilation), regardless of substrate water availability and temperature. However, high temperature and high vapor-pressure deficit reduced quantum yield and increased the minimum fluorescence and enzymatic antioxidants activity. With that, Açaí seedlings did not convert the additional assimilated carbon (due to higher CO
2
concentration) into biomass, showing decreased total dry mass accumulation for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios. Our results indicated that the positive impacts of increased CO
2
concentration to gas exchange may not offset the negative impacts of increased air temperature and VPD to Açaí growth.
We identified
Pycard
and
BC017158
genes as putative effectors of the Quantitative Trait locus (QTL) that we mapped at distal chromosome 7 named
Irm1
for Inflammatory response modulator 1, controlling ...acute inflammatory response (AIR) and the production of IL-1β, dependent on the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. We obtained the mapping through genome-wide linkage analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in a cross between High (AIRmax) and Low (AIRmin) responder mouse lines that we produced by several generations of bidirectional selection for Acute Inflammatory Response. A highly significant linkage signal (LOD score peak of 72) for
ex vivo
IL-1β production limited a 4 Mbp interval to chromosome 7. Sequencing of the locus region revealed 14 SNPs between “High” and “Low” responders that narrowed the locus to a 420 Kb interval. Variants were detected in non-coding regions of
Itgam
,
Rgs10
and
BC017158
genes and at the first exon of
Pycard
gene, resulting in an E19K substitution in the protein ASC (apoptosis associated speck-like protein containing a CARD) an adaptor molecule in the inflammasome complex. Silencing of
BC017158
inhibited IL1-β production by stimulated macrophages and the E19K ASC mutation carried by AIRmin mice impaired the
ex vivo
IL-1β response and the formation of ASC specks in stimulated cells. IL-1β and ASC specks play major roles in inflammatory reactions and in inflammation-related diseases. Our results delineate a novel genetic factor and a molecular mechanism affecting the acute inflammatory response.
The purpose of this study was to learn how physical activity, anxiety, resilience and engagement can influence optimism in older adults. An observational, quantitative, descriptive and transversal ...design was used with non-probabilistic sampling. A descriptive statistical analysis of the sample, Cronbach's alpha test of internal consistency and linear correlation using Pearson's correlation coefficient (
) were performed. In addition, a t-Student test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kolmogorov-Smirnov test of normality and Levene test of homogeneity, as well as a multivariate linear regression model, were conducted. Participants who had not engaged in physical activity showed an increased total anxiety and significantly greater decrease in concentration compared to those who had engaged in physical activity. The Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and resilience of participants who had not engaged in physical activity were significantly lower than those of the participants who had engaged in physical activity. Those with a partner showed significantly lower decreases in concentration compared to single women. Regarding UWES, the current scores and dedication of couples were significantly higher than singles, as for resilience. In addition, the levels of pessimism in participants living on the coast were significantly higher compared to those living inland; in addition, a greater number of days with less anxiety is seen in those who performed physical activity. A multivariate linear regression model,
(7, 349) = 30.6,
< 0.001, explained 38% of the variance of LOT-R; those attending a public center had a lower LOT-R than those who did not, and high values of anxiety were associated with low levels of LOT-R, while high values of resilience were associated with high values of LOT-R. The results from the study provide support for future programs for older adults, in order to be able to determine in a much more precise way the objectives of programs intended for users of this age group.
Two non-inbred mouse lines, phenotypically selected for maximal (AIRmin) and minimal (AIRmax) acute inflammatory response, show differential susceptibility/resistance to the development of several ...chemically-induced tumor types. An intercross pedigree of these mice was generated and treated with the chemical carcinogen dimethylhydrazine, which induces lung and intestinal tumors. Genome wide high-density genotyping with the Restriction Site-Associated DNA genotyping (2B-RAD) technique was used to map genetic loci modulating individual genetic susceptibility to both lung and intestinal cancer. Our results evidence new common quantitative trait loci (QTL) for those phenotypes and provide an improved understanding of the relationship between genomic variation and individual genetic predisposition to tumorigenesis in different organs.
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disease characterized by colonic mucosal lesions associated with an increased risk of carcinogenesis. UC pathogenesis involves environmental and genetic ...factors. Genetic studies have indicated the association of gene variants coding for the divalent metal ion transporter SLC11A1 protein (formerly NRAMP1) with UC susceptibility in several animal species. Two mouse lines were genetically selected for high (AIRmax) or low (AIRmin) acute inflammatory responses (AIR). AIRmax is susceptible, and AIRmin is resistant to DSS-induced colitis and colon carcinogenesis. Furthermore, AIRmin mice present polymorphism of the Slc11a1 gene. Here we investigated the possible modulating effect of the Slc11a1 R and S variants in DSS-induced colitis by using AIRmin mice homozygous for Slc11a1 R (AIRmin
) or S (AIRmin
) alleles. We evaluated UC by the disease activity index (DAI), considering weight loss, diarrhea, blood in the anus or feces, cytokines, histopathology, and cell populations in the distal colon epithelium. AIRmin
mice have become susceptible to DSS effects, with higher DAI, IL6, G-CSF, and MCP-1 production and morphological and colon histopathological alterations than AIRmin
mice. The results point to a role of the Slc11a1 S allele in DSS colitis induction in the genetic background of AIRmin mice.
El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la producción in vitro de metano (CH4), dióxido de carbono (CO2), y variables fermentativas de gramíneas templadas y tropicales. El diseño experimental ...fue completamenteal azar. La producción de biogás, CH4 y CO2 fue mayor en las gramíneas tropicales (199.20, 55.78, y 121.58 mL g materia seca (MS) comparada con las de clima templado (61.87, 26.6 y 52.9 mL g MS−1), respectivamente. La producción de ácidos grasos volátiles (AGV) (mmol L−1) fue mayor (P < 0,05) en las gramíneas templadas. Sin embargo, la producción de ácido acético, precursor del CH4 fue mayor en las tropicales. El pH y la población de bacterias ruminales fueron similares entre gramíneas. Conclusión: las gramíneas tropicales evaluadas incrementaron la producción de biogás por gramo de materia seca fermentada, la cantidadde ácido acético y como consecuencia también se incrementó la producción de CH4.
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