Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Regulatory B Cells in the Progression of Cervical Cancer

This study is to investigate the role of regulatory B (Breg) cells in cervical cancer. In total, 70 cases of cervical cancer, 52 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and 40 normal controls were enrolled. The percentage of Breg cells was detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-10 were measured by ELISA. The correlation between Breg cells and the clinical characterizations of cervical cancer was analyzed. The inhibition effect of Breg cells on CD8+ T cells was tested by blocking IL-10 in vitro. The percentage of CD19+CD5+CD1d+ Breg cells and the level of IL-10 of patients with cervical cancer or CIN were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). And the postoperative levels of Breg cells and IL-10 were significantly lower than the preoperative levels (P < 0.05). Breg cells and the IL-10 level were positively correlated in cervical cancer patients (r = 0.516). In addition, the Breg cell percentage was closely related to the FIGO stages, lymph node metastasis, tumor differentiation, HPV infection, and the tumor metastasis of cervical cancer (P < 0.05). The Breg cell percentage was negatively correlated with CD8+ T cells of cervical cancer patients (r = ‐0.669). The level of IL-10 in the culture supernatant of Bregs treated with CpG was significantly higher than that of non-Bregs (P < 0.05). After coculture with Bregs, the quantity of CD8+ T cells to secrete perforin and Granzyme B was significantly decreased, and this effect was reversed after blocking IL-10 by a specific antibody. Breg cells are elevated in cervical cancer and associated with disease progression and metastasis. Moreover, they can inhibit the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells.
An Experiment in Teaching Cognitive Systems Online

In Fall 2014 we offered an online course CS 7637 Knowledge-Based Artificial Intelligence: Cognitive Systems (KBAI) to about 200 students as part of the Georgia Tech Online MS in CS program. We incorporated lessons from learning science into the design of the project-based online KBAI course. We embedded ~150 microexercises and ~100 AI nanotutors into the online videos. As a quasi-experiment, we ran a typical inperson class with 75 students in parallel, with the same course syllabus, structure, assignments, projects and examinations. Based on the feedback of the students in the online KBAI class, and comparison of their performance with the students in the inperson class, the online course appears to have been a success. In this paper, we describe the design, development and delivery of the online KBAI class. We also discuss the evaluation of the course.
A Global View of Translation in Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Infected Cells

Infection of mammalian cells with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) results in the inhibition of cellular translation, while viral translation proceeds efficiently. This host “shutoff” is mediated by multiple mechanisms. VSV infection alters the phosphorylation of cellular eIF4E-BP1, thereby sequestering the cap-binding protein eIF4E. The viral matrix protein, M, blocks nuclear export of host mRNPs, and inhibits cellular transcription, suppressing the host mRNA pool. VSV replicates within the cytoplasm, and during transcription the viral polymerase transcribes 5 mRNAs that are structurally identical to cellular mRNAs with respect to their 5¢ cap-structure and 3¢-polyadenylate tail. We employed the global approach of massively parallel sequencing cytoplasmic, monosome, and polysome-associated mRNA to interrogate the impact of VSV infection of HeLa cells on translation. Analysis of sequencing reads in the different fractions shows > 60% of the cytoplasmic and polysome-associated reads map to the 5 viral mRNAs by 6 hours post-infection (hpi), which corresponds with host shutoff. Consistent with the overwhelming abundance of viral mRNA on polysomes, reads mapping to cellular genes were reduced after infection, although a subset exhibited increased polysome association. Analysis of viral and cellular mRNA distributions within polysome profiles by quantitative PCR supports a redistribution of cellular mRNAs to smaller polysomes and monosomes in infected cells. To test the contribution of blocking nuclear mRNA export to shutoff, we infected cells with a viral mutant in M (M51R), which is
Comparative Diplectanum aequans (Monogenea) infestations in cultured European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea

In the present study, monogenean infestations were investigated on the gills of the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax grown in culture cages located at Yakakent coast of the Black Sea and Milas coast of the Aegean Sea. Parasitological investigations were conducted simultaneously at both localities during September 2014, February and April 2015. While a total of 100 fish specimens were examined from Yakakent samples whose average length was 19.37 cm, a total of 88 fish specimens were examined from Milas samples whose length was 22.67 cm in average. Only one monogenean species Diplectanum aequans was recovered from investigated fish specimens at both sampling localities. Infestation prevalence (%) and mean intensity values of D. aequans were 89.0% and 9.6 ± 0.8 in Yakakent samples while those infestation indices were 90.9% and 13.3 ± 1.2 in Milas samples, respectively. The difference between the infestation prevalence (%) values of D. aequans at both sampling localities was not statistically significant, on the other hand, the difference was statistically significant in the mean intensity values at both locations. Diplectanum aequans showed a homogeneous distribution in all gill arches of fish without any statistically significant difference. This is the first comparative study on the infestation of D. aequans on the gills of European sea bass D. labrax cultured in the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea.
Spatial and seasonal distributions of the phototrophic dinoflagellate Biecheleriopsis adriatica (Suessiaceae) in Korea: quantification using qPCR

Copyright © 2019 The Korean Society of Phycology 111 http://e-algae.org pISSN: 1226-2617 eISSN: 2093-0860 Spatial and seasonal distributions of the phototrophic dinoflagellate Biecheleriopsis adriatica (Suessiaceae) in Korea: quantification using qPCR Hee Chang Kang, Hae Jin Jeong*, Jin Hee Ok, Ji Hyun You, Se Hyeon Jang, Sung Yeon Lee, Kyung Ha Lee, Jae Yeon Park and Jung-Rae Rho School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Suwon 16229, Korea Department of Marine Biotechnology, College of Ocean Science and Technology, Kunsan National University, Kunsan 54150, Korea
Interactive Data Mining: A Brief Survey

In the rapidly growing technologies, there exist large amount of data generated, captured and maintained in many industries. There is a need to analyse, and take strategic decision based on the historical data and to update the existing data as per the current need. In this paper, we have conducted a comprehensive survey on the areas related data mining such as Data Extraction, Transformation and Loading; Interactive Data mining; Knowledge Discovery and Content summarization. This survey highlights the challenges of the existing methods, evolutionary growth of technologies. Towards the end, the paper highlights prospective avenues for further research in the area of Interactive Data Mining.
The role of cultural norms in shaping attitudes towards amphibians in Cape Town, South Africa

Urban ecosystems are increasingly viewed as an important component within strategies for wildlife conservation but are shaped as much by natural systems as they are by social and political processes. At the garden scale, attitudes and preferences govern design and maintenance choices including the decision to encourage or discourage specific faunal presence. At the global scale, charismatic taxa that are well-liked attract more conservation funding and volunteer stewardship. Amphibians are a class of animals that are both loved and loathed making them a suitable subject for comparing and unpacking the drivers of preference and attitudes towards animals. We conducted a mixed methods survey of 192 participants in three adjacent neighbourhoods in Cape Town, South Africa. The survey included both quantitative and qualitative questions which were analysed thematically and used to explain the quantitative results. The results revealed that attitudes formed during childhood tended to be retained into adulthood, were shaped by cultural norms, childhood experiences and the attitudes of primary care-givers. The findings are significant for environmental education programmes aimed at building connectedness to nature and biophilic values.
Identifikasi Keragaman Gen DGAT1 serta Asosiasinya terhadap Karakteristik Karkas dan Sifat Perlemakan Domba

ABSTRAK Karakteristik karkas dan sifat perlemakan pada daging domba dikontrol oleh banyak gen salah satunya gen DGAT1 (Diacylglycerol Acyltransferasel 1). Penelitian ini bertujuan mengidentifikasi SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) gen DGAT1 pada titik mutasi g.8539 C>T dan asosiasinya terhadap karakteristik karkas dan sifat perlemakan pada domba Indonesia. Total sampel domba yang digunakan sebanyak 150 buah terdiri dari 35 sampel domba compass agrinak (DCA), 36 sampel domba barbados cross (DBC), 41 sampel domba komposit garut (DKG), 20 sampel domba ekor gemuk (DEG), dan 18 sampel domba ekor tipis (DET). Karakteristik karkas dan sifat perlemakan diukur dari domba jantan berumur 10-12 bulan. Identifikasi keragaman DGAT1|ALuI dianalisis dengan metode PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). Hasil keragaman gen DGAT1 bersifat polimorfik dalam DET dan DEG, sedangkan DCA, DBC, dan DKG bersifat monomorfik. Dua genotipe disebut CC dan CT ditemukan dalam DET dan DEG. Titik mutasi gen DGAT1 berasosiasi (P<0.05) dengan karakteristik karkas, yaitu bobot dan panjang karkas. Selain itu, keragaman gen DGAT1 juga berasosiasi signifikan (P<0.05) dengan asam lemak jenuh, yaitu asam stearat (C18:0) dan asam arakidat (C20:0) dan asam lemak tak jenuh tunggal, yaitu asam oleat (C18:1n9c). Gen DGAT1 memiliki kontribusi dalam karakteristik karkas dan komposisi asam lemak pada domba.Kata Kunci: domba, gen DGAT1, karakteristik karkas, PCR-RFLP, sifat perlemakan ABSTRACT Characteristic of carcass and fatness traits of sheep is regulated by many genes such as DGAT1 (Diacylglycerol Acyltransferasel 1) gene. The research was aimed to investigate SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) of DGAT1 and its association with characteristic of carcass and fatness traits in Indonesian sheep. A total sample of sheeps used 150 rams of 10–12 months consisted 35 samples of compas agrinak sheep (CAS), 36 of barbados cross (BCS), 41 of garut composite (GCS), 20 of javanese fat tailed (JFT), and 18 of javanese thin tailed (JTT). Identification variant of DGAT1|ALuI were performed by PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). The results of polymorphism of DGAT1 were found in JTT and JFT. However, SNP of DGAT1 in CAS, BCS and GCS were monomorfic. Two genotype namely CC and CT were found in JTT and JFT populations. A SNP of the DGAT1 was associated (P<0.05) with characteristic of carcass, including weight and length of carcass. The variant of DGAT1 was associated too with saturated fatty acids (SFA) including stearic acid (C18:0) and arachidic acid (C20:0), and mono unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) including oleic acid (C18:1n9c). The DGAT1 gene was contribute to characteristic carcass and fatty acid composition in sheep.Keywords: DGAT1 gene, characteristic carcass, fatness traits, PCR-RFLP, sheep
Identification of angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from enzymatic hydrolysates of pork loin

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides in enzymatic hydrolysates from pork loin. Pork hydrolysates were produced by injecting different enzymes to the loins as follows: un-injected pork (fresh pork), injected with water (no enzyme control), 100 ppm protease type XIII (E1), 80 ppm thermolysin (E2), and the combination of 100 ppm protease type XIII and 80 ppm thermolysin (E3). The highest degree of hydrolysis (96.7%) and ACE inhibitory activity (90.1%) were observed in the E2-treated hydrolysate. Next, the E2-treated hydrolysate was fractionated and purified by using two different chromatographic methods, and the fractions with the highest ACE inhibitory activity were selected at each step. Finally, two peptides (Leu-Val-Gly-Arg-Pro-Arg-His-Gly-Gln and Val-Phe-Pro-Ser) were identified in the E2-treated hydrolysate using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. The smaller peptide, Val-Phe-Pro-Ser, showed a lower IC50 value for ACE inhibitory activity than the nona-peptide and captopril, a commercial ACE inhibitor. The results of this study suggest that the isolated nona-peptide, Leu-Val-Gly-Arg-Pro-Arg-His-Gly-Gln, possessed strong ACE inhibitory activity. Therefore, overnight incubation of fresh pork in a refrigerator after thermolysin injection may make the pork more beneficial for human consumption. Graphical Abstract
Protein kinases CK1 and CK2 as new targets for neurodegenerative diseases

Following the discovery of the human kinome, protein kinases have become the second most important group of drug targets as they can be modulated by small ligand molecules. Moreover, orally active protein kinase inhibitors have recently reached the market and there are many more in clinical trials. The lack of treatments for neurodegenerative diseases has increased human and financial efforts in the search for new therapeutic targets that could provide new effective drug candidates. The importance of kinases in the molecular pathway of neuronal survival is under study, but different key pathways have been described. New roles for the old casein kinases 1 and 2, currently known as protein kinases CK1 and CK2, have recently been discovered in the molecular pathology of different neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The search for specific inhibitors of these enzymes has become an important challenge for the treatment of these devastating diseases. The role of these two kinases in the molecular pathology of different neurodegenerative diseases together with different chemical families that are able to more or less specifically inhibit CK1 and CK2 are discussed in this review. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev 31:924‐954, 2011
Multivariate analysis of morphometry effect on race performance in Thoroughbred horses

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the effects of morphometric measurements on race performance (m/sec) of Thoroughbred horses. Data of morphometric measurements (withers height, rump height, chest girth, chest width, front chest width, chest depth, neck length, shoulder length, length of withers to rump, rump length, body length, head width, head length, and cannon circumference) were taken from 244 Thoroughbred horses chosen at random. A total of 2888 racing records were considered for race performance. The effects [. ]
In vitro and in vivo Areca catechu crude aqueous extract as an anthelmintic against Ascaridia galli infection in chickens

Aim: Intestinal parasites cause severe diseases at poultry farms, especially in developing countries, including Indonesia. Infections cause significant decreases in productivity at poultry farms. Ascaridia galli is a common nematode found in chickens with a prevalence of up to 92%. This study evaluates the in vitro and in vivo effects of Areca catechu crude aqueous extract (AAE) as an anthelmintic against A. galli. Materials and Methods: In the in vitro study, already-infected slaughtered chickens were collected from local slaughterhouses in Yogyakarta. The chicken intestines were carefully examined and transported to the Parasitological Laboratory of Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta. A. galli was collected from the intestines and put into a Petri dish containing 0.62% saline solution. Sixty A. galli individuals were soaked in different concentrations of the AAE for 3-6 h. The number of deceased A. galli was recorded by ascertaining whether they had ceased movement using a stereo microscope. The morphological characteristics of the parasites were studied. The in vivo study used 40 female chickens that were 1.5 months old and infected with the eggs of A. galli. Approximately 3000 infective eggs were found in each chicken. There were four treatment groups; Group A served as the control and was treated with Aquadestilata, Group B was treated with 26 mg/ml of AAE, Group C was treated with 79 mg/ml of AAE, and Group D was treated with 50 mg/ml of pyrantel pamoate. The AAE was applied using a pipette for 14 days. The observed parameters include the effect of the treatments on hematology, body weight (BW), and the number of A. galli eggs within each gram of fecal matter. Results: The AAE damaged the morphology, including the anterior end, posterior end, and vulva, of A. galli in vitro. The tegument of the anterior and posterior ends was slightly rougher, wrinkled, and damaged. The vulva and spicule ducts were irregular and indistinct. The average eggs per gram (EPG) in the untreated control increased in vivo from 1450±355.90 to 1975±325.96. The average EPG decreased from 1485±386.62 to 0±0.00 during 14 days of treatment of 79 mg/ml of AAE. The mean BW gain in the treated chickens was significantly (p<0.5) higher than the control. The treatment with 79 mg/ml of AAE increased the total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume values in the chickens. Conclusion: AAE can cause morphological changes and subsequent death in adult A. galli in vitro and effectively decrease ascariasis severity in chickens, therefore increasing overall BW in vivo.
Parthenogenesis as a Solution to Hybrid Sterility: The Mechanistic Basis of Meiotic Distortions in Clonal and Sterile Hybrids

Hybrid sterility is a hallmark of speciation, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we report that speciation may regularly proceed through a stage at which gene flow is completely interrupted, but hybrid sterility occurs only in male hybrids whereas female hybrids reproduce asexually. We analyzed gametogenic pathways in hybrids between the fish species Cobitis elongatoides and C. taenia, and revealed that male hybrids were sterile owing to extensive asynapsis and crossover reduction among heterospecific chromosomal pairs in their gametes, which was subsequently followed by apoptosis. We found that polyploidization allowed pairing between homologous chromosomes and therefore partially rescued the bivalent formation and crossover rates in triploid hybrid males. However, it was not sufficient to overcome sterility. In contrast, both diploid and triploid hybrid females exhibited premeiotic genome endoreplication, thereby ensuring proper bivalent formation between identical chromosomal copies. This endoreplication ultimately restored female fertility but it simultaneously resulted in the obligate production of clonal gametes, preventing any interspecific gene flow. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the emergence of asexuality can remedy hybrid sterility in a sex-specific manner and contributes to the speciation process.
Mechanobiological Regulation of Glioblastoma Initiation and Invasion

Author(s): Wong, Sophie Y. | Advisor(s): Kumar, Sanjay | Abstract: Glioblastoma remains elusive to treat due to the diffuse infiltration of single tumor cells into the surrounding tissue. Current standard therapies - surgery, radiation, chemotherapy - have been ineffective at significantly increasing survival time. Although many studies have focused on factors that affect glioma growth and invasion, it is still unclear how and why this disease is so aggressive. Promising chemotherapeutic drugs have failed in clinical trials even though specific targets were identified. The existence of tumor-initiating cells (TICs), a subpopulation within primary tumors, could explain how the heterogeneous makeup of the bulk tumor leads to quick adaptability to resist surrounding cues that limit migration and growth. The work presented in this dissertation has approached this problem from a biophysical perspective, demonstrating that the extracellular matrix (ECM) can serve as a regulator of TIC invasion and initiation both in vitro and in vivo. We first characterized TIC migration and growth on 2D ECMs and found that they were able to migrate readily even on soft ECMs. Noting that cellular contractility is important for cells to sense environmental cues in the surrounding tissue, we manipulated the TICs with upregulation of myosin activators. Thus, we were able to rescue mechanosensing in the TICs and found that migration of the CA RhoA TICs was limited on soft ECMs. We then used 3D invasion assays to confirm that high contractility in TICs limits invasion and migration in 3D as well. Lastly, we implanted CA RhoA TICs in orthotopic mouse models and found that increased cellular contractility limits tumor occupancy and significantly increases survival time.
New fossil Malthodes Kiesenwetter, 1852 of the subgenus Libertimalthodes Kupryjanowicz & Fanti, 2019 from Baltic amber (Coleoptera: Cantharidae)

A new species of soldier beetle of the genus Malthodes is described from Eocene Baltic amber of the Kaliningrad region, Russia. The new species is placed within the subgenus Libertimalthodes based on the long elytra covering the last abdominal segments, the last ventrite wide and little modified, and the markedly larger aedeagus. Malthodes (Libertimalthodes) spaceae sp. nov. is the third fossil species of the subgenus Libertimalthodes and is distinguished from congeners by the last ventrite narrower and not concave in the middle of the apex or by shorter last tergite and bigger aedeagus. The recent discovery of three specimens (including M. spaceae sp. nov.) with long elytra can shed light on the origin of the genus.
The effect of feeding inorganic and organic selenium sources on the performance and content of selenium in milk of transition dairy cows

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of supplementing close-up and fresh dairy cows’ diets with sodium selenite or organic sources of selenium (Se) on the dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and composition. Based on their body condition score (BCS), previous lactation milk yield and expected calving date, 24 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were balanced and randomly assigned to 4 experimental treatments. Experimental treatments were: control (basal diet without Se supplementation with 0.10 and 0.15 mg of Se kg -1 DM in close-up and fresh diets, respectively), sodium selenite supplementation (0.50 mg of Se kg -1 DM; Se-S), selenium yeast supplementation (0.50 mg of Se kg -1 DM; Se-Y) and selenomethionine supplementation (0.50 mg of Se kg -1 DM; Se-M). Neither Se supplementation nor Se source affected DMI pre- and postpartum. Milk production and composition were not different across Se sources, but concentrations of Se in milk were 14 and 10% greater for cows fed Se-M and Se-Y than for those fed control, respectively. Cows fed Se–M had lower somatic cell count than control (SCC; 173.11 vs. 318.89 cells × 10 3 Ml -1 ). The changes of BW and BCS pre- and postpartum were not affected by treatments over experimental period. The results of present study showed that selenomethionine supplementation compared to other sources decreased SCC in transition cows. In addition, milk Se concentrations increased in Se-Y and Se-M groups more significantly compared to the Se-S group. This indicates that organic Se had better replace inorganic Se for transition dairy cows.