Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genotypic Variation for High Temperature Tolerance in Relation to Carbon Partitioning and Grain Sink Activity in Wheat

Effect of high temperature tolerance in relation to carbon partitioning and grain sink activity was studied in ten genotypes of wheat (viz C 306, PBW 343, PBW 502, PBW 509, PBW 521, PBW 522, PBW 550, Inqalab, WL 711 and Sonalika) under normal (November, 25.6°C during grain filling) and late planting conditions (December, 29.4°C). Contents of reducing sugars first increased till actively metabolizing stage i.e. 14 days after anthesis (DAA) in parallel with the activity of acid invertase and thereafter declined. Significant reduction in total free sugars and sucrose content was observed during grain development. Acid invertase activity got induced especially in PBW 343 and C 306 under late sown conditions, whereas sucrose synthase, total amylase activities got repressed. Sucrose synthase was significantly high at all stages and it predominated over invertases. Neutral invertase and total amylase showed peak activity of one week earlier in the late sown crop as compared to normal sown crop. A premature cessation of starch deposition occurred in cvs PBW 521, PBW 522 under late sown conditions due to shortening of grain filling period. Our results suggest that decline in sugar content in spite of high sucrolytic enzymes may be correlated to more utilization of assimilates over production/translocation for grain sink activity under high temperature influences. Knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie carbohydrate partitioning in diverse genotypes could be exploited for generating germplasm that can tolerate high temperature.
Antifungal Activity of Eupolauridine and Its Action on DNA Topoisomerases

ABSTRACT The azafluoranthene alkaloid eupolauridine has previously been shown to have in vitro antifungal activity and selective inhibition of fungal topoisomerase I. The present study was undertaken to examine further its selectivity and mode of action. Eupolauridine completely inhibits the DNA relaxation activity of purified fungal topoisomerase I at 50 μg/ml, but it does not stabilize the cleavage complex of either human or fungal topoisomerase I. Cleavage complex stabilization is the mode of action of topoisomerase I targeting drugs of the camptothecin family. Also, unlike camptothecin, eupolauridine does not cause significant cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. To determine if the inhibition of topoisomerase I is the principal mode of antifungal action of eupolauridine, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with alterations in topoisomerase genes were used in clonogenic assays. The antifungal activity of eupolauridine was not diminished in the absence of topoisomerase I; rather, the cells lacking the enzyme were more sensitive to the drug. Cell-killing activity of eupolauridine was also more pronounced in cells that overexpressed topoisomerase II. In vitro assays with the purified yeast enzyme confirmed that eupolauridine stabilized topoisomerase II covalent complexes. These results indicate that a major target for fungal cell killing by eupolauridine is DNA topoisomerase II rather than topoisomerase I, but does not exclude the possibility that the drug also acts against other targets.
The physics of tablet compression. III. Design and construction of an instrumented tableting machine.

The design and performance of an instrumented tableting machine are resented. A Stokes Model A-3 single punch machine has been fitted with strain and displacement gauges to permit simultaneous recording of several variables including the force exerted by the upper punch, the force exerted on the lower punch, the movement of the upper punch, and the ejection force. Several fields of tablet research which can benefit by the use of this instrument are discussed.
Allergy in patients under fourteen years of age in Alergológica 2005.

OBJECTIVE To present the most significant data obtained on patients younger than 14 years from the Alergológica-2005 study. RESULTS Nine hundred seventeen (18.3%) of the patients included in the study were under the age of 14 (average age 8 years with a similar distribution by gender) and were heavy users of healthcare resources. The most frequently diagnosed illnesses were rhinitis/conjunctivitis (44.7%), asthma (40.5%), food allergy (14.5%), and atopic dermatitis (11.6%). The prevalence of these diseases in children is notably higher than in the adult population in the study. However, urticaria (7%) and drug allergies (3%) were less frequent than in those aged over 14 years. Rhinitis and asthma are allergic in the majority of cases (> 80%). Egg (39%) and milk (32%) were the foods that most frequently caused allergies, especially in children under 7 years of age. Atopic dermatitis was mild in the majority of patients and the use of topical steroids for its treatment has become less widespread in comparison with Alergológica-92, probably as a result of the use of calcineurin inhibitors. Acute urticaria in children is more frequent than the chronic form and is usually caused by foods. Allergy to drugs is very infrequent although the agents responsible are the same as those for adults, beta-lactams and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. CONCLUSION The study provides interesting and useful epidemiologic and clinical data on the child population consulting in Allergy services in Spain.
MicroRNAs of Equine Amniotic Mesenchymal Cell-derived Microvesicles and Their Involvement in Anti-inflammatory Processes

Cell-derived microvesicles (MVs) are a recently discovered mechanism of cell-to-cell communication. Our previous data show that MVs secreted by equine amniotic mesenchymal-derived cells (AMCs) are involved in downregulation of proinflammatory genes in lipopolysaccharide-stressed equine tendon and endometrial cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether AMC-MVs contain selected microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in inflammation. Two pools of cells, derived from 3 amniotic membranes each, and their respective MVs were collected. Small RNAs were extracted and deep sequenced, followed by miRNA in silico detection. The analysis identified 1,285 miRNAs, which were quantified both in AMCs and MVs. Among these miRNAs, 401 were classified as Equus caballus miRNAs, 257 were predicted by homology with other species (cow, sheep, and goat), and 627 were novel candidate miRNAs. Moreover, 146 miRNAs differentially expressed (DE) in AMCs and MVs were identified, 36 of which were known and the remaining were novel. Among the known DE miRNAs, 17 showed higher expression in MVs. Three of these were validated by real time polymerase chain reaction: eca-miR-26, eca-miR-146a, and eca-miR-223. Gene ontology analysis of validated targets showed that the DE miRNAs in cells and MVs could be involved both in immune system regulation by modulating interleukin signaling and in the inflammatory process. In conclusion, this study suggests a significant role of AMCs in modulating immune response through cell–cell communication via MV-shuttling miRNAs.
Reproductive biology of a Characidiinae (Osteichthyes, Characidae) from the Ubatiba River, Maricá-RJ.

The Ubatiba river is a coastal stream subject to stochastic spates all over the year and, Characidium sp.n. is among the twenty-two species that compose its ichthyofauna. In this study we analyse some traits of its reproductive biology and discuss whether the adopted strategy has causal relationship with the environmental variables. Specimens were collected in the upper Ubatiba river. Samplings, were carried out monthly by electrofishing, between Oct./94 and Sep./95. Some differences between male and female strategies were observed. Females were significantly (p < 0.05) bigger than males; length--weight relationship was different (p < 0.05) between sexes with the onset of sexual maturity occuring at smaller sizes among males. Reproductive investment is high for both males and females but higher for males, maximum Gonadosomatic Index for females and males were 40.97% and 44.90%, respectively. Reproductive specimens were registered all over the year, suggesting continuous reproduction. High values of fecundity were also registered varying from 1342 to 5535 eggs for ripe females of 4.4 and 7.0 cm, respectively and an amount of 1105 oocytes per grams of fish. We suggest that differences in the reproductive strategy, between sexes, determine the observed patterns in the size structure; the absence of males in the higher SL classes could be a consequence of high mortality rates and/or reduction in the growth rates as a precocity consequence in the onset of reproduction and/or high reproductive investment. Relationship between continuous reproduction and environmental condition could be explained as an adaptation to maximise supervivency of the young fishes that is: guarantee the species maintenance in a stochastic environment.
E2R2: Energy-Efficient and Reliable Routing for Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are resource constrained. Energy is one of the most important resources in such networks. Therefore, optimal use of energy is necessary. In this paper, we present a novel energy-efficient routing protocol for WSNs. The protocol is reliable in terms of data delivery at the base station (BS). We consider mobility in sensor nodes and in the BS. The proposed protocol is hierarchical and cluster based. Each cluster consists of one cluster head (CH) node, two deputy CH nodes, and some ordinary sensor nodes. The reclustering time and energy requirements have been minimized by introducing the concept of CH panel. At the initial stage of the protocol, the BS selects a set of probable CH nodes and forms the CH panel. Considering the reliability aspect of the protocol, it puts best effort to ensure a specified throughput level at the BS. Depending on the topology of the network, the data transmission from the CH node to the BS is carried out either directly or in multihop fashion. Moreover, alternate paths are used for data transmission between a CH node and the BS. Rigorous simulation results depict the energy efficiency, throughput, and prolonged lifetime of the nodes under the influence of the proposed protocol. Future scope of this work is outlined.
The development of single infections of Nematodirus battus in lambs

The course of single infections of Nematodirus battus was studied and the developmental phases of the fourth larval stage described. The third moult occurred between days 2 and 4 after infection and the fifth between days 8 and 10. The period of maximum larval penetration of the intestinal mucosa occurred around day 4 and most of the larvae had returned to the mucosal surface by day 6, during the middle of the fourth-stage. Some larvae remained deep in the mucosa and moulted to the fifth-stage in this site. The relationship between growth and morphological development was not constant and was different in worm populations from different sites. Some larvae grew very rapidly during the early fourth-stage and then entered a period of lethargus while continuing to develop sexually, while others grew and developed throughout the larval stage. The worms recovered from the second 30% of the small intestine were consistently smaller and less advanced morphologically than those from the first 30%. The worms in the posterior region of the small intestine were preferentially lost from the mucosa in the third- and fourth-stages between days 2 and 4 and from the mucosal surface as adults between days 12 and 16.
Practical considerations in the pharmacologic treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Purpose of review Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and deadly disease. The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved two medications for the treatment of IPF – pirfenidone and nintedanib. Given the limited clinical experience with these agents, a number of questions remain regarding their use. Recent findings Both pirfenidone and nintedanib were demonstrated to reduce the rate of decline in forced vital capacity in independent large, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trials. The successful implementation of both agents in clinical practice is dependent on many factors, including which patients to prescribe them in and managing patient expectations regarding efficacy and side effects. Pirfenidone is frequently associated with gastrointestinal upset, malaise, and rash. Nintedanib often causes diarrhea. Both drugs may cause elevations in liver-associated enzymes and require serial monitoring. Despite the side effects mentioned, these drugs are generally well tolerated in the long term. It should be emphasized to patients that these drugs do not represent a ‘cure’ for IPF and that the goal of therapy is stabilization of their disease. Summary Currently many questions remain regarding the use of pirfenidone and nintedanib in IPF, including which drug to prescribe, the optimal patient population to treat, the duration of therapy, and how to define treatment success or failure. It also remains to be seen whether combination therapy with both agents will result in improved outcomes. Hopefully, future randomized controlled trials will address these issues.
A histochemical study on condylar cartilage and glenoid fossa during mandibular advancement.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate cellular hypertrophic activities in the mandibular condylar cartilage (MCC) and the glenoid fossa (GF) during mandibular advancement in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of Sprague-Dawley rats, as evidenced by fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8). METHODS AND MATERIALS Fifty-five female 24-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four experimental and control groups, with a mandibular advancement appliance on the experimental rats' lower incisors. The rats were euthanized on days 3, 14, 21, and 30 of the study, and their TMJ was prepared for a immunohistochemical staining procedure to detect FGF8. RESULTS FGF8 expression was significantly higher among the experimental rats (P = .002). Patterns of ascension and descension of FGF8 expression were similar in experimental and control samples. The results show an overall enhanced osteogenic transition occurring in both the MCC and the GF in experimental rats in comparison with controls. The level of cellular changes in the MCC is remarkably higher than in the GF. CONCLUSION In the MCC and the GF, cellular morphologic and hypertrophic differentiations increase significantly during mandibular advancement. It is also concluded that endochondral ossification in the MCC and intramembranous ossification in the GF occur during adaptive remodeling.
Expression of A20 in the vessel wall of rat-kidney allografts correlates with protection from transplant arteriosclerosis

Background. Chronic rejection with development of transplant arteriosclerosis is the major culprit involved in loss of kidney allografts. The allografts’ fate was thought to depend on the intensity of the host immune responses and the potency of immunosuppressive regimens. Recent data suggests that grafts contribute to their own survival by way of up-regulation of “cytoprotective” genes. Methods. We analyzed the expression of four cytoprotective genes, A20, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and heme oxygenase (HO)-1, in three rat renal allograft models of chronic rejection: Fisher 344–Lewis (F344/Lew), Dark Agouti–Brown Norway (DA/BN), and DA–Wistar-Furth (WF). We chose these genes for their known anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic function in endothelial cells (EC) and the atheroprotective function of A20 in smooth muscle cells (SMC). Results. Twenty-eight and 9 weeks following transplantation, F344/Lew and DA/BN transplants had stable graft function. Histopathologic analysis showed moderate tissue damage, minimal cellular infiltrates, and preserved vascular integrity correlating with high expression of A20 in SMC. Conversely, impaired allograft function in the DA/WF combination with substantial transplant arteriosclerosis was noted in 60% of the grafts correlating with absent or decreased A20 expression in EC and SMC. In all combinations, expression of HO-1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL colocalized with infiltrating cells and was not informative on the graft status. Conclusions. We demonstrate for the first time a strict correlation between A20 expression in the vessel and the absence of transplant arteriosclerosis in rat kidney-allograft models. This data is similar to data obtained in human kidney allografts and suggests that A20 may represent a novel therapeutic target for the prevention of chronic allograft rejection.
Systemic Delivery of a Brain-Penetrant TrkB Antagonist Reduces Cocaine Self-Administration and Normalizes TrkB Signaling in the Nucleus Accumbens and Prefrontal Cortex

Cocaine exposure alters brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the brain. BDNF signaling through TrkB receptors differentially modulates cocaine self-administration, depending on the brain regions involved. In the present study, we determined how brain-wide inhibition of TrkB signaling affects cocaine intake, the motivation for the drug, and reinstatement of drug taking after extinction. To overcome the inability of TrkB ligands to cross the blood–brain barrier, the TrkB antagonist cyclotraxin-B was fused to the nontoxic transduction domain of the tat protein from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (tat-cyclotraxin-B). Intravenous injection of tat-cyclotraxin-B dose-dependently reduced cocaine intake, motivation for cocaine (as measured under a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement), and reinstatement of cocaine taking in rats allowed either short or long access to cocaine self-administration. In contrast, the treatment did not affect operant responding for a highly palatable sweet solution, demonstrating that the effects of tat-cyclotraxin-B are specific for cocaine reinforcement. Cocaine self-administration increased TrkB signaling and activated the downstream Akt pathway in the nucleus accumbens, and had opposite effects in the prefrontal cortex. Pretreatment with tat-cyclotraxin-B normalized protein levels in these two dopamine-innervated brain regions. Cocaine self-administration also increased TrkB signaling in the ventral tegmental area, where the dopaminergic projections originate, but pretreatment with tat-cyclotraxin-B did not alter this effect. Altogether, our data show that systemic administration of a brain-penetrant TrkB antagonist leads to brain region-specific effects and may be a potential pharmacological strategy for the treatment of cocaine addiction. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling through TrkB receptors plays a well established role in cocaine reinforcement. However, local manipulation of BDNF signaling yields divergent effects, depending on the brain region, thereby questioning the viability of systemic TrkB targeting for the treatment of cocaine use disorders. Our study provides first-time evidence that systemic administration of a brain-penetrant TrkB antagonist (tat-cyclotraxin-B) reduces several behavioral measures of cocaine dependence, without altering motor performance or reinforcement by a sweet palatable solution. In addition, although cocaine self-administration produced opposite effects on TrkB signaling in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex, tat-cyclotraxin-B administration normalized these cocaine-induced changes in both brain regions.
Long-Term Functioning of Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A 4-yr Follow-up Study

ObjectivesThe aim was to study changes over time for multiple outcomes based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and to compare long-term outcomes with norms. DesignA prospective cohort study with 4-yr follow-up was conducted. Main outcome measures were as follows: Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Trail Making Test A and B, Barthel Index, Sickness Impact Profile-68, Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire, Social Support List-12, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales, COOP-WONCA Charts, and Short Form-36 Health Survey. ResultsSeventy-six patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were included. Measurements were done at T1 = 0.4 yrs (SD, 0.3 yrs) and T2 = 3.9 yrs (SD, 0.7 yrs) after onset. Significant improvements over time were found for Barthel Index (T1 = 18.5; T2 = 19.5; P = 0.023), Trail Making Test B (T1 = 119.4; T2 = 104.6; P = 0.025), Social Support List-12 total score (T1 = 31.1; T2 = 32.7; P = 0.042) and esteem support (T1 = 10.2; T2 = 10.9; P = 0.027), Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales (physician-orientation) (T1 = 21.8; T2 = 19.2; P = 0.020), and Short Form-36 Health Survey (role-emotional) (T1 = 54.6; T2 = 73.9; P = 0.048). Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Sickness Impact Profile-68, and Short Form-36 Health Survey scores remained stable over time. A decline was found for COOP-WONCA (overall-health) (T1 = 2.3; T2 = 2.7; P = 0.021). At 4-yr follow-up, proportions of depression (27%) and fatigue (60%) were larger and scores on the Fatigue Severity Scale (mean [SE], 4.3 [0.2]), Trail Making Test A (mean [SE], 51.3 [3.9]), and Trail Making Test B (mean [SE], 104.4 [0.2]) were significantly worse than norm scores. ConclusionsMany patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage had fairly good long-term outcomes, but problems in executive functioning, mood, and fatigue still exist at long-term follow-up.
Development of agranular reticulum in Sertoli cells of the testis of the dogfish Squalus acanthias during spermatogenesis

Biochemical analyses of Squalus testis indicates that key enzymes involved with androgen production increase progressively from immature regions containing spermatogonia to mature regions in the late spermatid stage of maturation (Canick et al., 1983). In an effort to identify cells possessing the cytological characteristics of steroid production and to determine the structural correlates of the observed functional changes, we have carried out an electron microscopic study of Squalus testis. This report demonstrates that Sertoli cells contain a well‐developed agranular reticulum, mitochondria with tubulovesicular cristae, and numerous lipid droplets. Moreover, as germ cells mature, there is an increase in abundance of agranular reticulum in the adjacent Sertoli cells. By the time of spermatid elongation, this has reached dramatic proportions and fills the Sertoli cell as a mass of tubules. These results lead us to conclude that the Sertoli cell is responsible for secretion of the increasing amounts of androgen during the spermatogenetic cycle in Squalus.
Blocking monoclonal antibodies of TIM proteins as orchestrators of anti-tumor immune response

Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based treatment of cancer has a significant effect on current practice in medical oncology, and is considered now as one of the most successful therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. MAbs are designed to initiate or enhance anti-tumor immune responses, which can be achieved by either blocking inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules or triggering activating receptors. TIM gene family members are type-I surface molecules expressed in immune cells, and play important roles in the regulation of both innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Therapeutic strategies based on anti-TIMs mAbs have shown promising results in experimental tumor models, and synergistic combinations of anti-TIMs mAbs with cancer vaccines, adoptive T-cell therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy will have great impact on cancer treatment in future clinical development.