Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbial mechanisms and ecosystem flux estimation for aerobic NOy emissions from deciduous forest soils

Significance Reactive nitrogen oxides (NOy) can negatively impact air quality, visibility, and human health. Biogenic sources of NOy are poorly understood despite their growing importance in future scenarios of decreasing anthropogenic emissions. Using soil from two forest stands that differ in plant and soil characteristics, we show that ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and to a lesser extent, heterotrophic microbes are the primary producers of NOy. Moreover, we show that ammonia-oxidizing archaea contribute little to NOy yet play a central role in determining nitrogen-cycle rates in forests. Given known relationships between tree species and soil characteristics, we conclude that NOy emissions are spatially variable, occurring in hotspots throughout the eastern United States. Reactive nitrogen oxides (NOy; NOy = NO + NO2 + HONO) decrease air quality and impact radiative forcing, yet the factors responsible for their emission from nonpoint sources (i.e., soils) remain poorly understood. We investigated the factors that control the production of aerobic NOy in forest soils using molecular techniques, process-based assays, and inhibitor experiments. We subsequently used these data to identify hotspots for gas emissions across forests of the eastern United States. Here, we show that nitrogen oxide soil emissions are mediated by microbial community structure (e.g., ammonium oxidizer abundances), soil chemical characteristics (pH and C:N), and nitrogen (N) transformation rates (net nitrification). We find that, while nitrification rates are controlled primarily by chemoautotrophic ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), the production of NOy is mediated in large part by chemoautotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). Variation in nitrification rates and nitrogen oxide emissions tracked variation in forest communities, as stands dominated by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) trees had greater N transformation rates and NOy fluxes than stands dominated by ectomycorrhizal (ECM) trees. Given mapped distributions of AM and ECM trees from 78,000 forest inventory plots, we estimate that broadleaf forests of the Midwest and the eastern United States as well as the Mississippi River corridor may be considered hotspots of biogenic NOy emissions. Together, our results greatly improve our understanding of NOy fluxes from forests, which should lead to improved predictions about the atmospheric consequences of tree species shifts owing to land management and climate change.
Does Task Activation in Task Switching Influence Inhibition or Episodic Interference?

N–2 repetition costs in task switching refer to slower responses to ABA sequences compared to CBA sequences, reflecting the persisting inhibition of task A across the ABA sequence. The magnitude of inhibition is thought to be sensitive to activation levels of interfering tasks. This is supported by larger n–2 repetition costs when the response–cue interval (RCI) is reduced: At short RCIs, a just-performed task is highly active when a new task is required, triggering more inhibition. However, recent work has shown that much of the n–2 repetition cost measures episodic interference, rather than inhibition. The current study addressed whether RCI manipulations influence inhibition or episodic interference. N–2 repetition costs were considerably reduced when episodic interference was controlled. Increasing the RCI led to equivalent reductions in the n–2 repetition cost for inhibition and episodic components of the cost, but for the former, the cost was entirely absent at longer RCIs.
Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia show high numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells which are reduced by conventional chemotherapy

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is considered as one of the most common cancer in pediatric malignancies. Among ALL, B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) represents 80% to 85% of the childhood ALL. Problem: Although anti B-ALL chemotherapy kill B-ALL, it associates with alteration in the numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, and thus impacts the overall immunity. Aim: To evaluate the impact of anti B-ALL on the numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in correlation to the numbers of CD10+ B cells in B-ALL pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were drawn from previously diagnosed B-ALL before (n = 10 cases) and after (n = 10 cases) chemotherapy as well as from healthy controls (n = 10 cases). The numbers of CD4+, CD8+ T-cells and CD10+ B cells were measured in these samples by flow cytometry. Results: As expected, the numbers of CD10+ B-cells were increased in B-ALL patients before chemotherapy which were associated with increases in the numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. Chemotherapy of B-ALL patients, during the induction phase, induced dramatic decreases in the numbers of CD10+ B cells, which were associated with decreases in the numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. Tin spite of this alteration, the ratio of CD4/CD8 in B-ALL patients were remained similar before and after chemotherapy as compared to those in healthy controls. Conclusion: Anti B-ALL chemotherapy induces alterations in the frequencies of T-cell subsets. Given the importance of these cells in anti-tumor immunity, our data may lead to further studies to investigate the different subsets of these cells, in particular regulatory T-cells.
Cognitive, Work and Social Outcomes in Fully Recovered First-Episode Schizophrenia: On and Off Antipsychotic Medication

Objective: This study examined the development in cognition, work, and social functioning in a group of fully recovered first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients across six–eight years and inspected whether changes in outcome were similar when individuals were off medication as when they were on medication. Method: Ten out of 28 participants were identified as fully recovered by the eighth follow-up. Assessments were conducted yearly, apart from the first year, when assessments were conducted every six months. Cognition was assessed with MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery. Functional outcomes were obtained through Global functioning: Social and Global functioning: Role. Information from semistructured interviews were also gathered. Data were analyzed with linear multilevel models. Results: There were steady improvements in cognition, social, and role functioning among the patients, but the changes were significantly larger when individuals were off antipsychotic medications than on medications for processing speed and work functioning. T-tests showed that unmedicated participants were not healthier than medicated participants at baseline. The most common reason for discontinuing medication treatment was negative side effects. Instead, many of the participants highlighted the use of active coping mechanisms for maintaining recovery. Conclusions: The findings challenge some of the views about medication treatment of FES patients. For a subgroup of FES patients, continuous medication treatment is not necessary for maintaining low levels of symptoms. These patients show sustained good functioning once fully recovered. Due to a small sample size, these results may not be generalized to the general FES population and need to be replicated with studies of larger sample sizes.
Comparative Study of Physicochemical and Antibacterial Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles Prepared by Laser Ablation of Zn Target in Water and Air

Here, we report on ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) generated by nanosecond pulsed laser (Nd:YAG, 1064 nm) through ablation of metallic Zn target in water and air and their comparative analysis as potential nanomaterials for biomedical applications. The prepared nanomaterials were carefully characterized in terms of their structure, composition, morphology and defects. It was found that in addition to the main wurtzite ZnO phase, which is conventionally prepared and reported by others, the sample laser generated in air also contained some amount of monoclinic zinc hydroxynitrate. Both nanomaterials were then used to modify model wound dressings based on biodegradable poly l-lactic acid. The as-prepared model dressings were tested as biomedical materials with bactericidal properties towards S. aureus and E. coli strains. The advantages of the NPs prepared in air over their counterparts generated in water found in this work are discussed.
Treatment with DHA Modifies the Response of MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells and Tumors from nu/nu Mice to Doxorubicin through Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest.

Background Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been shown to reduce growth of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo; it may also benefit the action of cytotoxic cancer drugs. The mechanisms for these observations are not completely understood. Objectives We sought to explore how pretreatment of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with DHA alters gene expression with doxorubicin (DOX) treatment and confirm that feeding DHA to tumor-bearing nu/nu mice improves the efficacy of DOX. Methods MDA-MB-231 cells were subjected to 4 conditions: a control mixture of 40 μM linoleic and 40 μM oleic acid (OALA), DHA (60 μM plus OALA), OALA DOX (0.41 μM), or DHA DOX (plus OALA) and assessed for effects on viability and function. Female nu/nu mice (6 wk old) bearing MDA-MB-231 tumors were randomly assigned to a nutritionally complete diet (20 g ± 2.8 g DHA/100 g diet) containing a polyunsaturated:saturated fat ratio of 0.5, with or without injections 2 times/wk of 5 mg DOX/kg for 4 wk. Results Microarray and protein analysis indicated that DHA DOX cells, compared with OALA DOX, had upregulated expression of apoptosis genes, Caspase-10 (1.3-fold), Caspase-9 (1.4-fold), and Receptor (TNFRSF)-interacting serine-threonine kinase 1 (RIPK1) (1.2-fold), while downregulating cell cycle genes, Cyclin B1 (-2.1-fold), WEE1 (-1.6-fold), and cell division cycle 25 homolog C (CDC25C) (-1.8-fold) (P < 0.05). DHA DOX-treated mice had 50% smaller tumors than control mice (P < 0.05). Analysis of proapoptotic proteins from tumors of DHA DOX mice showed increased Caspase-10 (by 68%) and BH3 interacting domain death agonist (Bid) (by 50%), decreased B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2) (by 24%), and decreased cell cycle proteins Cyclin B1 and Cdc25c (both by 42%), compared with control mice (P < 0.05). Conclusions Supplementation with DHA facilitates the action of DOX in MDA-MB-231 cells and in nu/nu mice, which may occur via amplification of the effect of DOX on apoptosis and cell cycle genes.
Speak Up! Prosocial Intervention Verbalizations Predict Successful Bystander Intervention for a Laboratory Analogue of Sexual Aggression

This study evaluated a mechanism by which men’s self-efficacy to intervene increases their likelihood of preventing a laboratory analogue of sexual aggression (SA) via specific verbalizations and whether alcohol inhibits this mechanism. A sample of 78 male peer dyads were randomly assigned to consume an alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverage and complete a laboratory paradigm to assess bystander intervention to prevent SA toward a female who had ostensibly consumed an alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverage. Participants’ verbalizations during the task were subjected to quantitative analysis. Regardless of alcohol use, bystander self-efficacy increased the likelihood of successful bystander intervention via participants’ use of more prosocial verbalizations. Findings highlight prosocial verbalizations within the male peer context that may effectively prevent SA.
The Potential of Different Origin Stem Cells in Modulating Oral Bone Regeneration Processes

Tissue engineering has gained much momentum since the implementation of stem cell isolation and manipulation for regenerative purposes. Despite significant technical improvements, researchers still have to decide which strategy (which type of stem cell) is the most suitable for their specific purpose. Therefore, this short review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the three main categories of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells in the context of bone regeneration for dentistry-associated conditions. Importantly, when deciding upon the right strategy, the selection needs to be made in concordance with the morbidity and the life-threatening level of the condition in discussion. Therefore, even when a specific type of stem cell holds several advantages over others, their availability, invasiveness of the collection method and ethical standards become deciding parameters.
microRNA‐27a and microRNA‐146a SNP in cerebral malaria

During Plasmodium falciparum infection, microRNA expression alters in brain tissue of mice with cerebral malaria compared to noninfected controls. MicroRNA regulates gene expression post‐transcriptionally to influence biological processes. Cerebral malaria pathology caused mainly by the immunological disorder. We hypothesize that single‐nucleotide polymorphism in a microRNA influences microRNA biogenesis or target gene recognition and altering susceptibility to cerebral malaria.
Dominant and non-dominant leg press training induce similar contralateral and ipsilateral limb training adaptations with children.

Cross-education has been extensively investigated with adults. Adult studies report asymmetrical cross-education adaptations predominately after dominant limb training. The objective of the study was to examine unilateral leg-press (LP) training of the dominant or non-dominant leg on contralateral and ipsilateral strength and balance measures. Forty-two youth (10-13 years) were placed (random allocation) into a dominant (n=15) or non-dominant (n=14) leg-press training group or non-training control (n=13). Experimental groups trained 3 times per week for 8 weeks and were tested pre-/post-training for ipsilateral and contralateral 1-repetition maximum (RM) LP, knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC), countermovement jump (CMJ), triple hop test (THT), elbow flexors (EF) MVIC and handgrip MVIC, as well as Stork and Y balance test. Both dominant and non-dominant LP training significantly (p<0.05) increased both ipsilateral and contralateral lower body strength (LP 1RM [Dominant:59.6-81.8%; Non-dominant:59.5-96.3%], KE MVIC [Dominant:12.4-18.3%; Non-dominant:8.6-18.6%], KF MVIC [Dominant:7.9-22.3%; Non-dominant:non-significant-3.8%]), and power (CMJ: Dominant:11.1-18.1%; Non-dominant: 7.7-16.6%]) with the exception that non-dominant LP training demonstrated a non-significant change with the contralateral KF MVIC. Other significant improvements were with non-dominant LP training on ipsilateral EF 1RM (6.2%) and THT (9.6%). There were no significant changes with EF and handgrip MVIC. The contralateral leg Stork balance test was impaired following dominant LP training. KF MVIC exhibited the only significant relative post-training to pre-training (post-test/pre-test) ratio differences between dominant versus non-dominant LP cross-education training effects. In conclusion, children exhibit symmetrical cross-education or global training adaptations with unilateral training of dominant or non-dominant upper leg.
Epidemiological aspects of the persistent transmission of rabies during an outbreak (2010 – 2017) in Harare, Zimbabwe

Canine-mediated human rabies is endemic to the entire African continent, where the disease burden is often highest in rural communities of resource-limited countries. In this study, we analysed an animal rabies outbreak, which had persisted since 2010 in the predominantly metropolitan capital city of Zimbabwe, Harare. As rabies is considered to disproportionally affect rural communities, the persistence of urban rabies in this metropolitan setting is of interest. In order to gain an improved understanding of the epidemiology of the outbreak under investigation, we utilised both routine surveillance data that had been collected during the first eight years of the outbreak (2010–2017), as well as molecular epidemiological analyses relying on the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo methodology. This approach allowed us to characterize virus transmission by identifying specific suburbs within the city limits where persistent disease transmission took place, while also confirming that immunologically naïve dogs were the most likely reservoir species in and around the city. In addition to gaining an improved local understanding of the outbreak, we are also able to infer that rabies was likely introduced to the city in 2010 when a rabid animal was moved from the north-east of Zimbabwe into Harare–resulting in an epizootic event. The work presented here not only showcased the value of combining conventional and molecular epidemiological data, but also highlighted the importance of maintaining rabies vaccination coverage and continued public awareness in urban areas where the risk appears to be low. By educating the general population on rabies and relying on owners to bring their companion animals to strategically placed vaccination points, the control and elimination of rabies from Harare may be feasible.
AMPKα2 knockout enhances tumour inflammation through exacerbated liver injury and energy deprivation‐associated AMPKα1 activation

Tissue damage and its associated‐inflammation act as tumour initiators or propagators. AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is activated by environmental or nutritional stress factors, such as hypoxia, glucose deprivation, and other cell injury factors, to regulate cell energy balance and differentiation. We previously have reported that AMPKα2 deficiency resulted in the energy deprivation in tumour‐bearing liver and the enhanced‐hepatocyte death. In this study, AMPKα2 knockout mice and the liver metastasis model of colon cancer cells were used to address the role of AMPKα isoforms in tumour inflammation. First, we found that the AMPKα2 deficiency exacerbated the liver injury and recruitment of macrophages. Meanwhile, although compensatory expression of AMPKα1 was not significant after AMPKα2 knockout, AMPKα1 phosphorylation was elevated in remnant liver in AMPKα2 knockout mice, which was positively associated with the enhanced energy deprivation in the AMPKα2 deficient mice. Furthermore, the activated AMPKα1 in macrophage contributed to its polarizing to tumour‐associated phenotype. Thus, the enhanced tumour‐associated inflammation and activation of AMPKα1 in the AMPKα2 deficient mice may exacerbate the tumour development by affecting the tumour inflammatory microenvironment. Our study suggests that the two isoforms of AMPKα, AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 play different roles in controlling tumour development.
Key role of SMN/SYNCRIP and RNA-Motif 7 in spinal muscular atrophy: RNA-Seq and motif analysis of human motor neurons

The molecular mechanisms responsible for selective motor neuron loss in SMA remain elusive. Rizzo et al. show that deregulated transcripts in SMA-motor neurons share motif 7, targeted by SYNCRIP, which binds SMN. Impaired SYNCRIP-SMN interaction leads to dysregulation of downstream genes, such as NEUREXIN2, which could represent therapeutic targets.
Histamine H3 receptor ligands by hybrid virtual screening, docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and investigation of their biological effects

Histamine H3 receptors (H3R), belonging to G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCR) class A superfamily, are responsible for modulating the release of histamine as well as of other neurotransmitters by a negative feedback mechanism mainly in the central nervous system (CNS). These receptors have gained increased attention as therapeutic target for several CNS related neurological diseases. In the current study, we aimed to identify novel H3R ligands using in silico virtual screening methods. To this end, a combination of ligand‐ and structure‐based approaches was utilized for screening of ZINC database on the homology model of human H3R. Structural similarity‐ and pharmacophore‐based approaches were employed to generate compound libraries. Various molecular modeling methodologies such as molecular docking and dynamics simulation along with different drug likeness filtering criteria were applied to select anti‐H3R ligands as promising candidate molecules based on different known parent lead compounds. In vitro binding assays of the selected molecules demonstrated three of them being active within the micromolar and submicromolar Ki range. The current integrated computational and experimental methods used in this work can provide new general insights for systematic hit identification for novel anti‐H3R agents from large compound libraries.
Modulation of Renal Insulin Signaling Pathway and Antioxidant Enzymes with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes: Effects of Resveratrol

Background and objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a disease of insulin deficiency or its inability of usage by the target tissues leading to impairment of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolisms. Resveratrol, having robust anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, has a high potential to treat or prevent the pathogenesis of diseases. This study was conducted to reveal the relationship between diabetes-induced oxidative stress and tissue inflammation with changes in main enzymatic antioxidants (cat, sod, gpx, and gst) and the components of the insulin signaling pathway (insulin Rβ, irs-1, pi3k, akt, mtor) in kidney tissues. Additionally, the effects of resveratrol on these parameters were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups; (1) control/vehicle; (2) control/20 mg/kg resveratrol; (3) diabetic/vehicle; (4) diabetic/20 mg/kg resveratrol. Gene and protein expressions of antioxidant enzymes and insulin signaling elements were evaluated in renal tissues. Results: Downregulation of antioxidant enzymes’ gene expression in the kidney tissues of diabetic rats was demonstrated and this situation was devoted partially to the reduced gene expression of nfκb. Moreover, the components of renal insulin signaling elements were upregulated at both gene and protein expression levels in diabetic rats, and resveratrol treatment decreased this sensitization towards the control state. Conclusion: Resveratrol partially improved diabetes-induced renal oxidative stress and inflammation due to healing action on renal antioxidant enzymes and insulin signaling pathway components.