A neural network-based model framework for cell-fate decisions and development.

Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) fulfill the essential function of maintaining the stability of cellular differentiation states by sustaining lineage-specific gene expression, while driving the progression of development. However, accounting for the relative stability of intermediate differentiation stages and their divergent trajectories remains a major challenge for models of developmental biology. Here, we develop an empirical data-based associative GRN model (AGRN) in which regulatory networks store multilineage stage-specific gene expression profiles as associative memory patterns.

The role of intraamygdaloid oxytocin in spatial learning and avoidance learning.

The goal of the present study is to investigate the role of intraamygdaloid oxytocin in learning-related mechanisms. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide which is involved in social bonding, trust, emotional responses and various social behaviors. By conducting passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests on male Wistar rats, the role of intraamygdaloid oxytocin in memory performance and learning was investigated.

Vasopressin as Possible Treatment Option in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rather common, presenting with prevalent early problems in social communication and accompanied by repetitive behavior. As vasopressin was implicated not only in salt-water homeostasis and stress-axis regulation, but also in social behavior, its role in the development of ASD might be suggested. In this review, we summarized a wide range of problems associated with ASD to which vasopressin might contribute, from social skills to communication, motor function problems, autonomous nervous system alterations as well as sleep disturbances, and altered sensory information processing.

Mercury occurrence and speciation in sediments from hard coal mining in Czechia.

This study examines Hg distribution in stream sediments impacted by hard coal mining in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB), Czechia. By means of a comparative analysis, geological samples and samples from stream sediments were used to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the effects of anthropogenic activities on Hg distribution and speciation. Total Hg (THg), total organic and inorganic carbons (TOC and TIC), and total sulphur (TS) were measured in the samples to reveal a potential relationship.

Intraamygdaloid Oxytocin Increases Time Spent on Social Interaction in Valproate-Induced Autism Animal Model.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder that affects about 1.5% of children worldwide. One of the core symptoms is impaired social interaction.

Role of Ultrafast Internal Conversion and Intersystem Crossing in the Nonadiabatic Relaxation Dynamics of -Nitrobenzaldehyde.

-Nitrobenzaldehyde (NBA) is a well-known photoactivated acid and a prototypical photolabile nitro-aromatic compound. Despite extensive investigations, the ultrafast relaxation dynamics of NBA is still not properly understood, especially concerning the role of the triplet states. In this work, we provide an in-depth picture of this dynamics by combining single- and multireference electronic structure methods with potential energy surface exploration and nonadiabatic dynamics simulations using the Surface Hopping including ARbitary Couplings (SHARC) approach.

Excited states of ortho-nitrobenzaldehyde as a challenging case for single- and multi-reference electronic structure theory.

We present a large set of vertical excitation calculations for the ortho-nitrobenzaldehyde (oNBA) molecule, which exhibits a very challenging excited-state electronic structure like other nitroaromatic compounds. The single-reference methods produce mostly consistent results up to about 5.5 eV.

The Role of Intraamygdaloid Oxytocin and D2 Dopamine Receptors in Reinforcement in the Valproate-Induced Autism Rat Model.

Background: autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting around 1 out of 68 children and its incidence shows an increasing tendency. There is currently no effective treatment for ASD. In autism research, the valproate (VPA)-induced autism rodent model is widely accepted.

Genetic polymorphisms and decreased protein expression of ABCG2 urate transporters are associated with susceptibility to gout, disease severity and renal-overload hyperuricemia.

Gout is a common crystal induced disease of high personal and social burden, characterised by severe arthritis and comorbidity if untreated. Impaired function of ABCG2 transporter is causative in gout and may be responsible for renal-overload type hyperuricemia. Despite its importance, there is limited information on how clinical parameters correlate with protein expression and that with genetic changes.

Deep learning study of tyrosine reveals that roaming can lead to photodamage.

Amino acids are among the building blocks of life, forming peptides and proteins, and have been carefully 'selected' to prevent harmful reactions caused by light. To prevent photodamage, molecules relax from electronic excited states to the ground state faster than the harmful reactions can occur; however, such photochemistry is not fully understood, in part because theoretical simulations of such systems are extremely expensive-with only smaller chromophores accessible. Here, we study the excited-state dynamics of tyrosine using a method based on deep neural networks that leverages the physics underlying quantum chemical data and combines different levels of theory.

Intraamygdaloid Oxytocin Reduces Anxiety in the Valproate-Induced Autism Rat Model.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder affecting about 1.5% of children, and its prevalence is increasing. Anxiety is one of the most common comorbid signs of ASD.

The impact of saline mine water on fate of mineral elements and organic matter: The case study of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin.

The work presented here provides a complex environmental impact of sediments in vicinity to the area of the former Lazy coal mine site in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Czech Republic). The main aim of this work has been to determine the degree of contamination, to describe the organic matter, and to carry out sorption isotherms to see the size and distribution of pores in the monitored sediments that are the crucial parameters to assumption of removal mechanisms of elements carried in mine water. The results show that the greatest enrichment of Mn, Sr, Ba, and was in sediments of the first tens of meters from the mine water discharge sediments.

Catalytic promiscuity in the RNA World may have aided the evolution of prebiotic metabolism.

The Metabolically Coupled Replicator System (MCRS) model of early chemical evolution offers a plausible and efficient mechanism for the self-assembly and the maintenance of prebiotic RNA replicator communities, the likely predecessors of all life forms on Earth. The MCRS can keep different replicator species together due to their mandatory metabolic cooperation and limited mobility on mineral surfaces, catalysing reaction steps of a coherent reaction network that produces their own monomers from externally supplied compounds. The complexity of the MCRS chemical engine can be increased by assuming that each replicator species may catalyse more than a single reaction of metabolism, with different catalytic activities of the same RNA sequence being in a trade-off relation: one catalytic activity of a promiscuous ribozyme can increase only at the expense of the others on the same RNA strand.

The Future of Origin of Life Research: Bridging Decades-Old Divisions.

Research on the origin of life is highly heterogeneous. After a peculiar historical development, it still includes strongly opposed views which potentially hinder progress. In the 1st Interdisciplinary Origin of Life Meeting, early-career researchers gathered to explore the commonalities between theories and approaches, critical divergence points, and expectations for the future.

Prevention of Entero-Atmospheric Fistula: The Initial Closure of the Abdomen.

Background And Aims: The "Open Abdomen" technique for difficult conditions such as trauma, necrotizing pancreatitis, severe peritonitis, reoperations and transplantations have become a very useful way to save patients. The more severe complication of this method are the enteroatmospheric fistulae with a frequency of 5-75% and a mortality up to 42%. So any effort to prevent these is very essential.

Assessment of geogenic input into Bilina stream sediments (Czech Republic).

Over the past 100 years, the area along the River Bílina has been influenced by open-cast brown-coal mining, coal processing, petroleum refineries, and chemical plants. As a result, the extensive industrial activity has changed the overall character as well as the morphology of the landscape. A survey was underway to investigate the occurrence and distribution of various elements in the sediments of the River Bílina-a tributary of the River Elbe, a watercourse running through the Czech Republic and Germany-in order to discern the natural background from anthropogenic pollution.

Mercury contamination of stream sediments in the North Bohemian Coal District (Czech Republic): Mercury speciation and the role of organic matter.

Industrial expansion in the North Bohemian Coal District over the past decades has had an adverse effect not only on stream sediments but also on the freshwater system. So far mercury occurrence has not been properly investigated in the area. In response to this situation, the present study applies mercury quantification and speciation in order to predict the possible mobility of mercury.

Prognostic significance of EGFR and COX-2 expression in colorectal cancer and their association. A study in Greek population.

Purpose: Colon cancer is one of the most common malignancies. Various prognostic markers have been proposed and individualized treatment strategies have been adapted according to tumor molecular and genetic characteristics. The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively analyze a possible association between the expression of COX- 2 and EGFR and clinical and histopathological factors of patients undergoing colon surgery in a Greek population.

Parecoxib's effects on anastomotic and abdominal wound healing: a randomized Controlled trial.

Background: Current evidence regarding the effects of selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors on gastrointestinal anastomoses is controversial. An experimental randomized control study was conducted in our institution to histopathologically evaluate the consequences of parecoxib, on intestinal and abdominal wound healing.

Methods: Twenty-four adult Wistar rats underwent laparotomy, ascending colon transection, and hand-sewn anastomosis.

Effect of Increased Intra-abdominal Pressure on Liver Histology and Hemodynamics: An Experimental Study.

Background: While reduction of portal venous (PV) blood flow has been described in animal models of intra-abdominal hypertension, reports on compensatory changes in hepatic arterial (HA) flow, known as the hepatic arterial buffer response are controversial.

Materials And Methods: Pneumoperitoneum with helium was induced in 13 piglets. Hemodynamic measurements and pathological assessment were conducted at baseline and during the three subsequent phases: Phase A: 45 minutes with a stable intra-abdominal pressure of 25 mmHg; phase B: 45 minutes with a stable intra-abdominal pressure of 40 mmHg; and phase C during which the abdomen was re-explored and reperfusion of the liver was allowed to take place.

Effects of Lornoxicam on Anastomotic Healing: A Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Control Experimental Study.

Introduction and Aim. With the implementation of multimodal analgesia regimens, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are often administered for optimal pain control and reduction of opioid use. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of lornoxicam, a NSAID, on anastomotic healing employing an animal model.

Merkel cell carcinoma of unknown primary site; case presentation and review of the literature.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin malignancy associated with sun exposure and considered as a Neuroendocrine Tumor due to its characteristic histologic features. However there is increasing number of reports of Unknown Primary MCC's (UPMCC). Although initially UPMCC was considered a variant of known primary MCC, there is growing evidence that it could represent a different clinical entity.

Contrast-Enhanced Color Doppler Ultrasonography for Preoperative Evaluation of Sentinel Lymph Node in Breast Cancer Patients.

Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is the standard of care for breast cancer patients with non-palpable axillary lymph nodes. We evaluated the usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in preoperative detection of malignant SLNs.

Methods: 50 patients with breast cancer (median age: 60 years) underwent a color power Doppler ultrasonography with intravenous contrast (Sonovue®) preoperatively, and findings suggestive of metastatic disease to the SLN were documented.