Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of a Synbiotic Mix on Lymphoid Organs of Broilers Infected with Salmonella typhimurium and Clostridium perfringens

Simple Summary The use of synbiotics in the poultry industry could be a tool to regulate immunological activity and generate beneficial effects against pathogens, like Salmonella typhimurium and Clostridium perfringens, particularly in those cases where the use of antibiotics during poultry production was excluded. Either through the generation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) that contribute to mucosa proliferation or promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, synbiotics could favor a microenvironment that improves the activity of the immune system. However, the organization and response of lymphocytes in lymphoid tissues could be modified by the type of active compound of the synbiotic. Therefore, the present work investigated the effect of a synbiotic mix on lymphoid tissues of broilers infected with Salmonella typhimurium and Clostridium perfringens. The results showed that the mix of probiotics Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, Pediococcus acidilactici MA18/5Ma and a prebiotic can stimulate the bursa and the IgA production, increasing the size of its follicles and promoting the ability to resist infections caused by S. typhimurium in broilers. Abstract Synbiotic consumption can modulate immune response. This work involves studying the effect of a synbiotic on lymphoid organs and IgA of broilers infected with Salmonella typhimurium and Clostridium perfringens. A total of 258 one-day-old male broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus), line COBBAvian48 (free of growth-promoting antibiotics), were distributed into eight treatment groups. A symbiotic mix comprising Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Pediococcus acidilactici MA18/5 M as probiotics and 4.5% (0.045 g g−1) of Agave tequilana fructans as prebiotic per dose (one milliliter) was administered through drinking water the first day of life. Bursa, spleen and thymus were analyzed. Broilers treated with the synbiotic, whether or not infected with pathogens, had bigger bursa follicles than the non-treated (p < 0.05), and the ones from the synbiotic group had more lymphocytes than the control group (p < 0.05). Thymus follicles of the synbiotic group were bigger than the control group (p < 0.05). Lesions associated with Salmonella infection were found in the bursa, however, in the broilers treated with the synbiotic, the lesions were less intense and were not present after 32 days of life. The synbiotic mix can stimulate the bursa, increasing the size of their follicles and promoting the ability to resist infections caused by S. typhimurium in broilers.
A novel murine model of reversible bile duct obstruction demonstrates rapid improvement of cholestatic liver injury

There are limited murine models of cholestatic liver diseases characterized by chronic biliary obstruction and resumption of bile flow. While murine bile duct ligation (BDL) is a well‐established model of obstructive cholestasis, current models of BDL reversal (BDLR) alter biliary anatomy. We aimed to develop a more physiologic model of BDLR to evaluate the time course and mechanism for resolution of hepatic injury after biliary obstruction. In the present study, we restored bile flow into the duodenum without disruption of the gall bladder after murine BDL using biocompatible PE‐50 tubing. After establishing the technique, overall survival for BDLR at 7 or 14 days after BDL was 88%. Sham laparotomy was performed in control mice. Laboratory data, liver histology, and hepatic gene expression were compared among BDL, BDLR, and controls. Laboratory evidence of cholestatic liver injury was observed at day 7 after BDL and rapid improvement occurred within 48 hr of BDLR. After BDLR there was also enhanced gene expression for the bile acid transporter Abcb11, however, bile duct proliferation persisted. Assessment of the immune response showed increased gene and protein expression for the general immune cell marker Cd45 in BDLR versus BDL mice suggesting a reparative immune response after BDLR. In summary, we have established a novel murine model of BDLR that allows for the investigation into bile acid and immune pathways responsible for hepatic repair following obstructive cholestasis. Future studies with our model may identify targets for new therapies to improve outcome in pediatric and adult cholestatic liver disease.
Substrate specificity of polyphenol oxidase

Abstract The ubiquitous type-3 copper enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO) has found itself the subject of profound inhibitor research due to its role in fruit and vegetable browning and mammalian pigmentation. The enzyme itself has also been applied in the fields of bioremediation, biocatalysis and biosensing. However, the nature of PPO substrate specificity has remained elusive despite years of study. Numerous theories have been proposed to account for the difference in tyrosinase and catechol oxidase activity. The “blocker residue” theory suggests that bulky residues near the active site cover CuA, preventing monophenol coordination. The “second shell” theory suggests that residues distant (∼8 Å) from the active site, guide and position substrates within the active site based on their properties e.g., hydrophobic, electrostatic. It is also hypothesized that binding specificity is related to oxidation mechanisms of the catalytic cycle, conferred by coordination of a conserved water molecule by other conserved residues. In this review, we highlight recent developments in the structural and mechanistic studies of PPOs and consolidate key concepts in our understanding toward the substrate specificity of PPOs.
New insights into allergic transfusion reactions and their causal relationships, pathogenesis, and prevention

A llergic transfusion reactions (allergic-TRs), or allergic reactions triggered by transfusion, are among the most common adverse nonhemolytic transfusion reactions that occur during or shortly after the transfusion of blood derivatives, especially platelet concentrates (PCs). Previous reports describe an allergic-TR incidence of 1% to 4% in response to the transfusion of PCs. Allergic-TRs most commonly manifest as urticaria, pruritus, erythematous rash, angioedema, bronchospasm, and/or hypotension. These manifestations occur across a spectrum of severity but are most commonly mild and involve only localized pruritus and/or urticaria. More severe reactions involving anaphylaxis or anaphylaxis shock occur in less than 1% of all allergic-TRs. In many cases, however, the causal relationship between the transfusion and subsequent allergic-TR is ambiguous. Consequently, the actual allergic-TR incidence and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In contrast to allergic-TRs, the diagnostic methods applied to common allergic diseases such as asthma and food allergy have been well established. These include several popular methods, including tryptase, skin, and provocative challenge tests and allergen-specific IgE detection in blood samples. These tests are limited by a relatively low diagnostic value or a high level of patient risk. Subsequently, the basophil activation test (BAT) was established to overcome these disadvantages. This functional assay can mimic the clinical phenotype of a patient more closely than can allergy tests that merely detect the presence of allergen-specific IgE. The BAT is now widely used as a simple, sensitive, and specific blood test to diagnose allergic reactions to substances such as foods, inhalants, medicines, and venom. The subsequent introduction of the BAT to the field of transfusion medicine in the past decade has yielded a substantial amount of information not only about the causal relationship between transfusion and allergic-TRs, but also about the mechanisms underlying these reactions. Other studies during this period have identified new candidate donor (or derivative) factors that may directly induce or facilitate allergic-TRs. Furthermore, the Council of Europe has approved a platelet additive solution (PAS), while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of PCs stored in PAS and the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) has recently released washed PCs as a commercially approved blood derivative. Related largescale studies have accurately evaluated the effects of these newly released components against the development of allergic-TRs. Moreover, multiple studies have reported a lower rate of allergic-TR in response to solvent/detergent (S/D)-treated plasma transfusion. In this review, we describe these recent advances in our understanding of allergic-TRs and particularly the causal relationship between transfusion and allergic-TRs, the underlying pathological mechanisms and existing preventive strategies.
NOX4 Deficiency Exacerbates the Impairment of Cystatin C-Dependent Hippocampal Neurogenesis by a Chronic High Fat Diet

Hippocampal neurogenesis is linked with a cognitive process under a normal physiological condition including learning, memory, pattern separation, and cognitive flexibility. Hippocampal neurogenesis is altered by multiple factors such as the systemic metabolic changes. NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) has been implicated in the regulation of brain function. While the role of NOX4 plays in the brain, the mechanism by which NOX4 regulates hippocampal neurogenesis under metabolic stress is unclear. In this case, we show that NOX4 deficiency exacerbates the impairment of hippocampal neurogenesis by inhibiting neuronal maturation by a chronic high fat diet (HFD). NOX4 deficiency resulted in less hippocampal neurogenesis by decreasing doublecortin (DCX)-positive neuroblasts, a neuronal differentiation marker, and their branched-dendrites. Notably, NOX4 deficiency exacerbates the impairment of hippocampal neurogenesis by chronic HFD. Moreover, NOX4 deficiency had a significant reduction of Cystatin C levels, which is critical for hippocampal neurogenesis, under chronic HFD as well as normal chow (NC) diet. Furthermore, the reduction of Cystatin C levels was correlated with the impairment of hippocampal neurogenesis in NOX4 deficient and wild-type (WT) mice under chronic HFD. Our results suggest that NOX4 regulates the impairment of Cystatin C-dependent hippocampal neurogenesis under chronic HFD.
Eating Disorder Behaviors Among Transgender Individuals: Exploring the Literature

BACKGROUND: Many transgender individuals of varying ages are at risk of developing eating disorder behaviors or unhealthy weight management behaviors. AIMS: This article reports the results of a review of the current literature on eating disorder behaviors among transgender individuals. METHODS: A literature search using CINAHL Complete, PubMed, and PsychInfo was conducted using key words “eating disorder,” “eating disorder behaviors,” and “transgender. ” Results were narrowed through author review and concurrence to eight peer-reviewed English language articles from 2013 to 2018. RESULTS: Four main themes emerged across the articles reviewed: gender characteristics and body dissatisfaction, public affirmations and stigma, amenorrhea, and mental health treatment and therapies. CONCLUSIONS: There is still much exploration needed to better care for this population in a sensitive and timely manner. Many valuable clinical implications have emerged from the current literature, which provide a positive step toward optimal individualized patient care.
Isolation, structural features and rheological properties of water-extractable β-glucans from different Greek barley cultivars

β-Glucans were isolated from six Greek barley cultivars (Persefoni, Kos, Thessaloniki, Athinaida, Dimitra and Triptolemos) by water extraction at 47 °C, enzymatic removal of starch and protein and subsequent precipitation of the water-soluble β-glucans with 37% (w/v) ammonium sulfate saturation. The purity of barley β-glucans was high (>93% dry basis) with some small contamination by protein (<3.84%). The molecular size of the β-glucan isolates was determined by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC); the weight-average molecular weights and the intrinsic viscosities ranged between 0.45 × 106 and 1.32 × 106 and 2.77 and 4.11 dl g−1, respectively. Structural features of barley β-glucans were revealed by 13C NMR spectroscopy and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) of the oligomers released by the hydrolytic action of lichenase. Lichenase degradation showed that β-glucans from all barley cultivars consisted of blocks of cellotriosyl and cellotetraosyl units, accounting for 90.6–92.3% of the total oligomers released, with a molar proportion of these units between 2.31 and 2.77. Rheological measurements of aqueous solutions/dispersions of β-glucans showed the behaviour of non-interacting polysaccharides and a transition from the typical viscoelastic response to gel-like properties after a time period that depended on the molecular size of the polysaccharide. The lowest molecular size β-glucans from the Triptolemos cultivar showed shorter gelation times than their higher molecular weight counterparts. The effect of sugar incorporation (glucose, fructose, sucrose, xylose and ribose), at a concentration of 30% (w/v), to the β-glucans gels (6% w/v) on compression parameters seemed to be related to the type of sugar used; the pentose sugars substantially reduced gel firming. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Violence Typologies Among Youth: A Latent Class Analysis of Middle and High School Youth

Research documents high rates of interpersonal violence (e.g., bullying, dating violence, sexual assault) among middle and high school youth, during which time dating and sexual relationships are emerging. Most research to date focuses on one type of violence at a time or examines the co-occurrence of violence within an age group. This study examined interpersonal violence victimization and perpetration (IVVP) within the context of middle and high school with data from 738 middle school students and 1,311 high school students. Results show distinct classes, or groups, of IVVP among middle and high school students. Three classes emerged for the middle school sample and included a normative class (66.8%; n = 493), a victim of bullying class (28.1%; n = 207), and a mixed/poly-victim class (5.2%; n = 38). Five classes emerged for the high school sample and included a normative class (66.7%; n = 975), a victim of bullying class (18.1%; n = 237), a homophobic bully–victim class (11.0%; n = 144), a poly-victim class (3.1%; n = 40), and a sexual assault perpetrator class (1.1%; n = 15). Demographic and adjustment indicators differentiated many of the classes in each age group. The findings illustrate that there are distinct differences between middle and high school student’s exposure to and perpetration of violence. Middle school students may be best served by programs that address victimization experiences while high school may be a developmental moment to introduce sexual assault prevention programs.
No Adaptation of the Prion Strain in a Heterozygous Case of Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

We investigated a clinical case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in a person heterozygous for methionine/valine at codon 129 of the prion protein gene and identified the same strain properties in variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in methionine homozygous persons and in bovine spongiform encephalopathy. These results indicate no adaptation of the agent in a different genetic background.
Weed community structure in spring-seeded crops in Manitoba

The phytosociological structure of weed communities in spring wheat, barley, oats, flax, and canola was investigated using data collected during a 3-yr survey of 1384 fields in Manitoba. Fields were surveyed during July and August, after the application of all herbicides. Association and cluster analysis techniques, using the presence or absence of species in a field, were employed to distinguish co-occurring groups of species. Only a small number of significant positive and negative associations were found between species and only minor clusters with a few species were formed at low similarity levels. These results indicated that the weed community was composed of species responding to conditions more or less independently of each other. A comparison of weed associations among the five crops and four geographic regions in the province indicated that the weed community structure was determined largely by climatic variables. The pattern of weed association in the four geographic regions was correlated with.
Gene expression in flavonoid biosynthesis: Correlation with flavonoid accumulation in developing citrus fruit

Two genes active in the early steps of flavonoid biosynthesis were isolated from a citrus cDNA library, and their expression patterns were analyzed during citrus (Citrus unshiu Marc.) fruit development in relation to flavonoid contents. The respective cDNA clones from chalcone isomerase (CHI, CitCHI) and flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H, CitF3H) are 931 and 1360 bp long, encoding 222 and 362 amino acid residues. CitCHI seems to be a single-copy gene, whereas a few CitF3H-related sequences are present in the citrus genome. Messenger RNA levels of the flavonoid biosynthetic genes CitCHI and CitF3H and two previously isolated chalcone synthases (CHS, CitCHS1, and CitCHS2) were analyzed in various tissues during fruit development. Transcript levels for CitCHS1, CitCHS2, CitCHI, and CitF3H were generally high in young tissues and low in senescent tissues. Flavonoid changes were analyzed in relation to gene expression. High flavonoid contents were found in young tissues. The high expression of flavonoid biosynthetic genes and high accumulation of flavonoids in young fruits suggest that flavonoids are synthesized in the early developmental stage.
The cellular and humoral immune response to influenza vaccination is comparable in asthmatic and healthy subjects

ABSTRACT Annual influenza vaccination is recommended as a preventive measure for all patients with asthma since asthma exacerbations in children and adults are associated to viral infections including influenza. There is concern about the adequate immune response in asthmatics with ICS treatment. The production of antibodies to influenza in asthmatics has been demonstrated. However, cellular immunity is poorly understood. The aim of the study was to compare the humoral and cellular immune responses to influenza vaccine in asthmatic and healthy subjects. Twenty-five asthmatic patients attending the Allergy and Clinical Immunology Service at the Hospital General de Mexico and 25 healthy adults were included. Blood samples were obtained before, 4 and 12 months after immunization with influenza vaccine, influenza-specific antibodies were determined by the hemagglutination inhibition test and influenza-specific memory B, TCD4+, and TCD8 + lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry. All the asthmatic patients received ICS treatment. The Geometric Mean titers for all influenza serotypes were similar in both groups; seropositivity and the cellular immune response increased in both groups over time and was comparable. Influenza vaccination in asthmatic patients with immunotherapy and ICS achieved protective antibody levels and cellular immunity over time comparable to healthy subjects.
Systematic analysis of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in salivary glands reveals underlying transmission mechanism caused by SARS‐CoV‐2

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a global pandemic that has caused severe health threats and fatalities in almost all communities. Studies have detected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in saliva with a viral load that lasts for a long period. However, researchers are yet to establish whether SARS‐CoV‐2 can directly enter the salivary glands. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the presence of angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)/transmembrane serine proteases 2 (TMPRSS2) expression in salivary glands using publicly available databases. The distribution of ACE2 and TMPRSSs family in salivary gland tissue and other tissues was analyzed. The Genotype‐Tissue Expression dataset was employed to explore the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in various body organs and salivary glands in a healthy population. The single‐cell sequencing data for salivary gland samples (including submandibular salivary gland and parotid gland) from mice were collected and analyzed. The components and proportions of salivary gland cells expressing the key protease TMPRSSs family were analyzed. Transcriptome data analysis showed that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were expressed in salivary glands. The expression levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were marginal without significant differences in different age groups or between men and women. Single‐cell RNA sequence analysis indicated that TMPRSS2 was mainly expressed in salivary gland epithelial cells. We speculate that SARS‐CoV‐2 may be entered in salivary glands.
Millet improvement through regeneration and transformation

Millets, comprising the small-seeded group of the Poaceae family, represent one of the major food- and feed-crops in the semi-arid tropical regions of Africa and Asia. Compared to major crops of the world, these indigenous crops possess a number of beneficial characteristics including tolerance to extreme climatic and soil conditions; hence, adapts to poor soil fertility and moisture deficient areas. Moreover, millets are also nutritionally rich especially in vitamins and minerals, and most of them are gluten-free. Despite all these benefits, millets are encountered with several production constraints. The major bottleneck affecting millets are their extremely low yield since they are mostly cultivated in marginal areas with poor moisture and fertility conditions. Inherent characteristics, such as susceptibility to lodging, also significantly affect the productivity of millets. Millets are also commonly known as orphan- or neglected-crops due to too little attention given to them by the world scientific community. Genetic improvement in millets could be achieved not only by conventional approaches but also through modern techniques such as genetic modification or transgenics. The main benefits of regeneration and transformation in millet improvement are: i) the multiplication of identical copies of plants that are free of diseases and pests, and ii) the regeneration of the whole plant from transformed tissues with desirable traits. Success in plant transformation is largely dependent on the efficiency of regeneration. Establishing optimum regeneration method for each plant species and ecotype is therefore, a pre-requisite before embarking on plant transformation. In this review, we present various studies made to identify optimum regeneration and transformation methods for major millets. The prospects of applying advanced regeneration and transformation techniques to these vital but under-studied crops of the developing world are also discussed. Key words: Millets, under-researched crops, orphan crops, in vitro regeneration, transformation.
Antilithiatic effect of flowers of Jasminum Auriculatum Vahl

The effect of oral administration of aqueous and alcohol extracts of Jasminum auriculatum Vahl (Oleaceae) flowers on calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis has been studied in male albino rats. Ethylene glycol feeding resulted in hyperoxaluria as well as increased renal excretion of calcium and phosphate. Supplementation with aqueous and alcohol extract of J. auriculatum flowers significantly reduced the elevated urinary oxalate, showing a regulatory action on endogenous oxalate synthesis. The increased deposition of stone forming constituents in the kidneys of calculogenic rats was significantly lowered by curative and preventive treatment using aqueous and alcohol extracts. The results indicate that the flowers of J. auriculatum are endowed with antiurolithiatic activity. Key words: Ethylene glycol, flowers, hyperoxaluria, Jasminum auriculatum, nephrolithiasis