Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility of Day‐12.5 and Day‐13.5 Fetal Mouse Palates Cultured in Vitro to 5‐Fluorouracil and Hydroxyurea

Abstract The maxillary regions of day‐12.5 and day‐13.5 ICR mouse fetuses were cultivated in a chemically‐defined serumless medium by a suspension culture technique to examine the toxic effects of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) and hydroxyurea (HU) on cultured palates and to compare the sensitivity of fetal mouse palates at different stages of development. The palates of day‐12.5 and day‐13.5 fetal mice were explanted and exposed in vitro for 72 hr to 0.1–50 μg 5‐FU/ml or to 5–76 μg HU/ml. 5‐FU inhibited the growth and fusion of day‐12.5 palatal shelves in vitro dependently on its concentrations. Day‐13.5 palates were significantly less sensitive to 5‐FU than day‐12.5 palates, and the minimal toxic concentrations (MTCs) of 5‐FU were 0.1 and 10 μg/ml for day‐12.5 and day‐13.5 fetal palates, respectively. HU inhibited the in vitro growth and fusion of day‐12.5 fetal palatal shelves in a concentration dependent manner, but only slightly suppressed the growth of day‐13.5 fetal palates. The MTCs of HU were 19 and 76 μg/ml for day‐12.5 and day‐13.5 fetal palates, respectively. Therefore, day‐12.5 fetal mouse palates (at stage‐1 or earlier stages of palatogenesis) seemed significantly more susceptible to these teratogenic chemicals than day‐13.5 fetal palates (at stages 2–3 of palatogenesis). The palates of day‐12.5 ICR fetal mice may be more suitable than day‐13.5 palates for in vitro teratogen screening and for the study of mechanisms of normal and abnormal palatogenesis.
Iron pyrites as a sulphur fertilizer

Iron pyrites (FeS2), without any special treatment other than grinding, was found to be highly effective as a sulphur fertilizer for Trifolium subterraneum L. The dry weights of tops of plants fertilized with iron pyrites at 170 lb/acre (50% by weight of particles < 9 µ in diameter) or at 340 lb/acre (14% < 9 µ in diameter) were more than three times those of plants which did not receive applied sulphur (P < 0.001), and were similar to those of plants receiving 40 lb sulphur per acre (sulphur sufficiency) as either sodium sulphate or sublimed sulphur. The smallest mean particle size used (65% < 9 µ in diameter) did not produce any further increases in dry weights. Iron pyrites at very high rates of application (1360 and 680 lb/acre) of the smallest mean particle size were not toxic to the plants. Small quantities of sublimed sulphur applied with the iron pyrites did not increase the dry weight responses to the iron pyrites. Sterilization of the iron pyrites, or inoculation of sterilized iron pyrites with either an American or a Tasmanian culture of iron-oxidizing bacteria similar to Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, had no effect on the dry weight responses. No indications were found that the presence of phosphate ions decreased the dry weight responses to iron pyrites. It is suggested that in warmer humid climates, smaller applications or larger mean particle sizes of iron pyrites might suffice to alleviate a similar degree of sulphur deficiency.
Genus and race specificity in the red algal parasite Leachiella pacifica (Choreocolacaceae, Rhodophyta)

Abstract Leachiella pacifica Kugrens is parasitic on species of Polysiphonia and Pterosiphonia (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) in the north-east Pacific. Culture studies reveal that Pterosiphonia spp. are resistant to L. pacifica from Polysiphonia paniculata Montagne. Similarly, L. pacifica on Pterosiphonia bipinnata (Postels et Ruprecht) Falkenberg does not grow on Polysiphonia paniculata. This pattern, of specificity reveals that L. pacifica exists as two forms that are able to infect only their respective host genus. This pattern is analogus to fungal parasites that have been given the designation ‘formae speciales’. Two isolates of L. pacifica from Polysiphonia paniculata show differences in their ability to successfully infect various isolates of P. paniculata, indicating that the parasite can be further subdivided into races. Resistance in most infections is expressed early in parasite development and is associated with the accumulation of brown pigmentation in the host cell wall at the site of spore pe.
Influence of pre-hardening duration and dehardening temperatures on varietal freezing resistance in faba beans ( Vicia faba L.)

Summary — Hardening response of winter faba beans at 8/2°C (day/night) to pre-hardening periods at 15°C of different length (3-11 days after plant emergence) and dehardening at various temperatures (7-15°C) was examined in a series of experiments with 9 European varieties through detached leaf tests. Extending the pre-hardening period lowered the level of acquired freezing resistance (FR) in the first leaf (lowest one) and obviously shortened the phase of linear increase (AFR=The level of FR in the second (and third) leaf always exceeded that in the first one and differences between them were most prominent under longer periods of prehardening, suggesting that the potential FR in a leaf can be attained only if hardening has already started at the onset of leaf expansion. The dehardening process started without any lag at temperatures above 8.5°C, and the decline in FR was steeper at the beginning than at later stages. The initial rates of decline depended on the ambient temperatures and ranged between 3-0.7°C/day at 15 and 8.5°C, respectively. At temperatures around 7°C acquired FR remained almost constant. Varietal differences in hardened plants amounted to 1-2°C and were maximally expressed with short prehardening. Superior to all varieties was the old French land race Cote d’Or (resistance == -16°C); nevertheless, considerable differences were also evident between the other varieties. The varietal rank pattern was consistent in different leaves if taken from the same plants, but did not completely agree between different experiments when 15 or less plants of a variety were used. Hence more than 15 plants are regarded as necessary to obtain reliable values of varietal FR. The varietal rank pattern of fully hardened plants remained almost unchanged during partial dehardening. These results are discussed with regard to their significance for crop production and plant breeding. cold hardening/dehardening - varietal freezing resistance - differential leaf response - winter beans - ! cia faba L.
Cold-Atmospheric Plasma Induces Tumor Cell Death in Preclinical In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Human Cholangiocarcinoma

Through the last decade, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as an innovative therapeutic option for cancer treatment. Recently, we have set up a potentially safe atmospheric pressure plasma jet device that displays antitumoral properties in a preclinical model of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a rare and very aggressive cancer emerging from the biliary tree with few efficient treatments. In the present study, we aimed at deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor effects of CAP towards CCA in both an in vivo and in vitro context. In vivo, using subcutaneous xenografts into immunocompromised mice, CAP treatment of CCA induced DNA lesions and tumor cell apoptosis, as evaluated by 8-oxoguanine and cleaved caspase-3 immunohistochemistry, respectively. The analysis of the tumor microenvironment showed changes in markers related to macrophage polarization. In vitro, the incubation of CCA cells with CAP-treated culture media (i.e., plasma-activated media, PAM) led to a dose response decrease in cell survival. At molecular level, CAP treatment induced double-strand DNA breaks, followed by an increased phosphorylation and activation of the cell cycle master regulators CHK1 and p53, leading to cell cycle arrest and cell death by apoptosis. In conclusion, CAP is a novel therapeutic option to consider for CCA in the future.
Red smudge in durum wheat reduces seedling vigour

The effect of red smudge, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Died.) Drechs, on germination and early seedling development of four durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum Desf.) cultivars was examined using artificially and naturally infected seeds. Rate of germination was similar for red smudged and healthy seeds. Percent germination of naturally infected, but not of artificially infected seeds, was lower for the red smudge than for the control treatments. The number of seminal roots was also lower for the naturally infected than for the control seeds. Lengths of the longest seminal root and of the coleoptile at 12 d were greater in the control than in the disease treatments, regardless of whether the seeds were naturally or artificially infected. It was concluded that red smudge of durum wheat seed reduced seedling vigour. There was transmission of P. tritici-repentis to the coleoptile but not to the true leaves. Key words: Red smudge, tan spot transmission, seedling vigour, durum wheat
Inherited Risk Factors of Thromboembolic Events in Patients with Primary Nephrotic Syndrome

Background and objectives. Venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) are among the most important complications of nephrotic syndrome (NS). We conducted a study that aimed to determine the prevalence of inherited risk factors for VTE in NS and to identify which factors are independent predictors of VTE. Materials and Methods. Thirty-six consecutive patients with primary NS that underwent percutaneous kidney biopsy between January 2017 and December 2017 were enrolled in this retrospective, observational study. VTEs were the primary outcome. Baseline demographic and biochemical data were collected from medical records, and genetic testing was done for polymorphisms of Factor V, PAI, MTHFR, and prothrombin genes. Results. The incidence of VTE was 28%, and the median time to event was 3 months (IQR: 2–9). The prevalence of inherited risk factors was 14% for Factor V Leiden mutation, 5.6% for prothrombin G20210A, 44.5% for PAI, and 27.8% for each of the two polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene. On multivariate analysis, the presence of at least two mutations was independently associated with the risk of VTE (HR, 8.92; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.001 to 79.58, p = 0,05). Conclusions. These findings suggest that genetic testing for inherited thrombophilia in NS could play an important role in detecting high-risk patients that warrant prophylactic anticoagulation.
Expression of Reg Iα Protein in Human Gastric Cancers

Background/Aims: Although regeneratinggene(Reg) Iα protein has a trophic effect on gastric epithelial cells, it is unclear whether Reg Iα protein and its receptor are involved in gastric carcinogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the Reg Iα protein expression in human gastric cancers and assessed its relationship to clinicopathological factors. Methods: Sixty-one gastric cancer specimens were examined, using immunohistochemistry, for Reg Iα protein, p53, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. The expression of both Reg Iα and Reg receptor mRNA was examined in seven human gastric cancer cell lines (MKN1, MKN28, MKN45, MKN74, KATOIII, GCIY, and AGS) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis. Results: Twenty-three (37.7%) of the 61 gastric cancer tissues samples were positive for Reg Iα protein. The Reg Iα expression was significantly related to the presence of lymphatic invasion but not to tumor size, tumor stage, Lauren’s classification, presence of venous invasion, lymph node metastases, or p53 overexpression. Gastric cancers positive for Reg Iα protein showed a significantly higher proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index than negative ones. The expression of both Reg Iα and Reg receptor mRNA was detected in all seven gastric cancer cell lines. Conclusion: Reg Iα protein may play a role in the development of gastric cancers.
Precision of cementum annuli method for aging male white-tailed deer

The most common method used to estimate ages of harvested white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and other cervids is a criterion based on tooth replacement-and-wear (TRW). Previous studies have shown this method is prone to considerable error because TRW is partially subjective. A presumably more accurate, but more labor intensive and expensive, method to estimate age involves the counting of cementum annuli (CA) of cross-sectioned incisors. Quantifying rate of error of the CA aging method is not possible without known-aged specimens, but precision of duplicate CA age estimates for two teeth may be related to accuracy if identical factors influence both CA accuracy and precision. The objective of this research was to identify and assess factors affecting precision of paired CA ages as well as evaluate congruence between TRW and CA age estimates. We obtained paired CA age estimates from a laboratory specializing in CA aging for 473 adult (≥ 1 year old), male white-tailed deer harvested in Iowa (USA; 2014–2018). Not all CA age estimates of paired incisors agreed with one another and probability of agreement between the paired CA ages decreased as the certainty level of the CA ages provided by the laboratory decreased and was dependent upon the batches in which they were aged by the laboratory. We also estimated the age of 1,292 adult, male deer using both TRW and CA methods and compared the congruence between the TRW and CA age estimates. Congruence rates of CA and TRW ages differed among age classes (80% congruence in yearling TRW age classification, 65% with 2-year-olds, 78% with ≥3-year-olds). Our results showed that CA aging is imperfect and that the certainty level is an important factor to consider with CA ages, as shown in previous research, as is the batch in which the teeth were aged. We also confirmed previous studies’ findings that CA and TRW ages for adult deer are not always congruent, particularly in age classes other than the yearling age class. Our results suggest managers are best served by using TRW to age adult deer as yearlings or ≥2-years-old. If additional age classes are required, CA aging is likely to be a better tool than TRW.
Voraussetzungen für eine effektive Therapie chronisch rezidivierender Vaginalcandidosen

Zusammenfassung. Im Rahmen einer Spezial‐sprechstunde wurden 67 Problempatientinnen im Alter von 5–79 Jahren mit chronisch rezidivierender Vaginal‐candidose betreut. Von diesen wiesen 34 bei Erstvor‐stellung vaginal einen positiven mykologischen Befund auf. Bei Überweisung betrug die durchschnittliche Zahl der Rezidive 5 pro Jahr über einen Zeitraum von 5,2 Jahren. Leitsymptome waren vaginaler Pruritus, Brennen, entzündliche Schwellung. Dyspareunie und Fluor vaginae. Fast alle Patientinnen sind mehrmals ambulant lokal oder systemisch antimykotisch behandelt worden. Die häufigsten Erreger waren C. albicans in 18 Fällen (53%), C. glabrata in 10 (29%) und C. krusei in 3 (9%). Während alle Infektionen durch C. albicans und C. krusei mit quälenden Symptomen einhergingen, verliefen die Erkrankungen durch C. glabrata symptomarm. Komplizierte Verläufe waren, unabhängig von der Art des auslösenden Erregers, begleitet von hohen, teilweise langzeitpersistierenden IgM‐Antikörpern bei überraschendem Fehlen von Candida‐spezifischem IgG. Weitere Laboruntersuchungen der Routine weisen keine krankheitsbezogenen Normabweichungen auf. Von 60 Candida‐Stämmen wurden minimale Hemmkonzentrationen (MHK) gegenüber Fluconazol im Mikrodilutionstest bestimmt. Die MHK‐Werte für C. albicans lagen zwischen 0,78 und 3,125 μg/ml, für C. glabrata zwischen 8 und 32 μg/ml und für C. krusei zwischen 25 und 128 μg/ml. In 7 Fällen war eine alleinige Lokaltherapie mit Nystatin‐Ovula effektiv. 18 Patientinnen wurden entsprechend der Empfindlichkeit der Erreger mit 100–800 mg Fluconazol oral über 10–20 Tage behandelt. In 13 Fällen wurde Symptomfreiheit und Erregerelimination erreicht. Bei Fluconazol‐Resistenz der Erreger oder therapeutischem Nichtansprechen erfolgte eine Kombinationstherapie mit Itraconazol oral 100–200 mg/d über 10–20 Tage und lokaler Applikation von Nystatin‐Ovula (2 times 1 Mie. IE über 10 Tage) ohne Effekt. Drei Patientinnen, je eine mit C. ‐albicans‐, C. ‐glabrata‐ und C. ‐krusei‐Infektion, wurden mit Candidin in Konzentrationen von 0,005 BE/ml bis 500 BE/ml vacciniert. In allen Fällen konnte eine Antikör‐perbildung induziert werden, was bisher ohne Einfluß auf das Beschwerdebild blieb. Bei lediglich 2 Patientinnen konnten weder eine klinische Besserung noch eine mykologische Sanierung erreicht werden. Die Ergebnisse belegen den Nutzen einer exakten Erregerdifferenzierung mit Resistenztestung als Therapiebasis. Bei Probleminfektionen bilden serologische Befunde eine sinn‐volle Ergänzung in der Verlaufskontrolle und Prognose‐beurteilung.
Assessing the Influence of the Sourcing Voltage on Polyaniline Composites for Stress Sensing Applications

Polyaniline (PANI) has recently gained great attention due to its outstanding electrical properties and ease of processability; these characteristics make it ideal for the manufacturing of polymer blends. In this study, the processing and piezoresistive characterization of polymer composites resulting from the blend of PANI with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in different weight percentages (wt %) is reported. The PANI/UHMWPE composites were uniformly homogenized by mechanical mixing and the pellets were manufactured by compression molding. A total of four pellets were manufactured, with PANI percentages of 20, 25, 30 and 35 wt %. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to confirm the effective distribution of PANI and UHMWPE particles in the pellets. A piezoresistive characterization was performed on the basis of compressive forces at different voltages; it was found that the error metrics of hysteresis and drift were influenced by the operating voltage. In general, larger voltages lowered the error metrics, but a reduction in sensor sensitivity came along with voltage increments. In an attempt to explain such a phenomenon, the authors developed a microscopic model for the piezoresistive response of PANI composites, aiming towards a broader usage of PANI composites in strain/stress sensing applications as an alternative to carbonaceous materials.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the daily management of biotechnological therapy in inflammatory bowel disease patients: Reorganisational response in a high-volume Italian inflammatory bowel disease centre

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having a major clinical as well as organisational impact on the national health-care system in Italy, particularly in high-volume hospitals which are usually active for many essential clinical needs, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Here, we report major clinical and organisational challenges at a high-volume Italian IBD centre one month after the start of the Italian government’s restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All routine follow-up IBD visits of patients in remission were cancelled or rescheduled for 8–12 weeks’ time. However, access to the hospital for therapy or for unstable/relapsing patients was not considered postponable. Everyone attending the centre (e.g. physicians, nurses, administrative personnel and patients) were advised to respect the general recommended rules for hand hygiene and social distancing, to disclose if they had a fever or cough or flu-like symptoms and to wear a surgical mask and gloves. At the entrance of the therapy area, a control station was set up in order to double-check all patients with a clinical interview and conduct thermal scanning. A total of 1451 IBD patients under biotechnological or experimental therapy actively followed in the CEMAD IBD centre were included in the study. About 65% of patients maintained their appointment schedules without major problems, while in 20% of cases planned infusions were delayed because of the patient’s decision or practical issues. About 10% of patients receiving subcutaneous therapy were allowed to collect their medicine without a follow-up visit. Finally, 10% of patients living outside the Lazio region requested access to their therapy at a local centre closer to their home. At present, five patients have been found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection but with minimal symptoms, 22 are in ‘quarantine’ for contact considered to be ‘at risk’ for the infection. Up to now, none of them has experienced significant symptoms. This study represents the first observational detailed report about short-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient organisation and management in a high-volume IBD centre.
Systemic inflammation is associated with differential neural reactivity and connectivity to affective images

Abstract Systemic inflammation is increasingly appreciated as a predictor of health and well-being. Further, inflammation has been shown to influence and be influenced by affective experiences. Although prior work has substantiated associations between inflammatory and affective processes, fewer studies have investigated the neurobiological correlates that underlie links between systemic, low-grade inflammation and affective reactivity. Thus, the current study examined whether markers of systemic inflammation (i.e. interleukin-6, C-reactive protein) are associated with differential patterns of neural activation and connectivity in corticolimbic regions in response to affective images. We investigated this question in a sample of 66 adults (44 women, M age = 54.98 years, range = 35–76) from the Midlife in the United States study. Higher levels of inflammation were associated with lower activity in limbic regions (i.e. amygdala, hippocampus, anterior insula, temporal pole) when viewing positive (vs neutral) images. Higher levels of inflammation were also associated with greater connectivity between the hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex in response to positive images. Inflammatory markers were not associated with significant differences in activation or connectivity to negative images. These findings highlight the utility of health neuroscience approaches in demonstrating that physiological processes such as inflammation are related to how our brains respond to affective information.
Proximate and Ultimate Aspects of Phenotypic Plasticity in Timing of Great Tit Breeding in a Heterogeneous Environment

Using the theoretical framework of phenotypic plasticity, we studied the timing of breeding in great tits (Parus major), combining proximate questions about its physiological causation and ultimate questions about its fitness consequences. The plasticity observed in the timing of breeding can be explained either as an adaptation to the best time for rearing young or as determined by changing environmental conditions prior to laying. We related the variation in timing of breeding and breeding success to local temperature and food abundance. For the most part, spring temperature (but also caterpillar abundance and low temperature around the expected start of egg laying) as well as the presence of the birds in their breeding territories during the previous winter explained within-population variation in timing. Intraindividual variation in timing showed a plastic response to changes in environmental conditions prior to laying, but the plasticities did not differ among individuals. Birds raising their young when food was most abundant were the most successful breeders. The most productive laying date differed significantly among years because unpredictable yearly fluctuations in environmental conditions after the birds started laying still affected the development of caterpillars. In addition to being affected by changes in environmental conditions early in the season, the laying dates of experienced tits were affected by the difference between their timing and the caterpillars' timing in the previous year. Thus, great tits adjust their timing to the best time for rearing young, but variation in environmental conditions will maintain variation in timing.