Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Structural Characteristics of Cellulose Nanocrystals Obtained from Kraft Pulp

Kraft pulp cellulose was hydrolyzed using sulfuric acid, under different thermophysical conditions of temperature, time, pulp concentration, and sonication time. The experimental design revealed the effect of these conditions and their interaction on the hydrolysis yield obtained. In addition, the top five cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) yields from this experiment design were analyzed. The results obtained indicated that CNCs possess a morphology that can be described as individualized rod particles, with average diameters less than 50 nm and different size distribution. In the analysis of CNCs features, significant Pearson correlations were established between the crystallinity of the CNC, CNC yield, and interplanar crystallites distance (Δd/d). The thermogravimetric (DTG) profiles exhibited two CNCs degradation stages, where the second stage CNCs degradation showed a significative correlation with CNC sulfur content. In our analysis, the crystallographic parameters exhibited a correlation with the mechanical behavior of the CNC, since the potential variation between the distances of the crystalline planes is related to the stress and deformation present in the crystallites of CNCs. This study provides new knowledge regarding CNCs, further enhancing information for CNC-based industries and the processability of CNCs for the development of new materials.
Constitutive Expression of CCL22 Is Mediated by T Cell–Derived GM-CSF

Key Points T cell–secreted GM-CSF is a key mediator of constitutive CCL22 expression. Induction of CCL22 represents a novel immunoregulatory mechanism of GM-CSF. CCL22 is a key mediator of leukocyte trafficking in inflammatory immune responses, allergy, and cancer. It acts by attracting regulatory T cells and Th2 cells via their receptor CCR type 4 (CCR4). Beyond its role in inflammation, CCL22 is constitutively expressed at high levels in lymphoid organs during homeostasis, where it controls immunity by recruiting regulatory T cells to dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, we aimed to identify the mechanisms responsible for constitutive CCL22 expression. We confirmed that CD11c+ DCs are the exclusive producers of CCL22 in secondary lymphatic organs during homeostasis. We show that in vitro both murine splenocytes and human PBMCs secrete CCL22 spontaneously without any further stimulation. Interestingly, isolated DCs alone, however, are unable to produce CCL22, but instead require T cell help. In vitro, only the coculture of DCs with T cells or their supernatants resulted in CCL22 secretion, and we identified T cell–derived GM-CSF as the major inducer of DC-derived CCL22 expression. In vivo, Rag1−/− mice, which lack functional T cells, have low CCL22 levels in lymphoid organs, and this can be restored by adoptive transfer of wild-type T cells or administration of GM-CSF. Taken together, we uncover T cell–derived GM-CSF as a key inducer of the chemokine CCL22 and thus, to our knowledge, identify a novel role for this cytokine as a central regulator of immunity in lymphatic organs. This knowledge could contribute to the development of new therapeutic interventions in cancer and autoimmunity.
Longitudinal associations of physical activity and modified organized sport participation with executive function and psychosocial health in preschoolers

ABSTRACT To examine the longitudinal associations of objectively measured physical activity and modified organized sport participation with executive functions and psychological health in preschoolers. One hundred and eighty-five preschool children, mean age 4.2 ± 7.68; (years:months), 34% girls were followed for one year. Physical activity was measured using accelerometery, examining light, moderate, vigorous, moderate-to-vigorous, and total physical activity. Parents reported children’s participation in modified organized sport. Direct assessment of children’s executive functions (working memory, inhibition and shifting) and educator-reported psychosocial difficulties were also collected. Associations were examined using linear regression adjusting for covariates, baseline developmental outcomes and preschool clustering. Vigorous physical activity at baseline was positively associated with children’s shifting performance (b = 0.245; 95% CI: 0.006, 0.485, p =.045) at follow-up, while the association for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity approached significance (b = 0.119; 95% CI: −0.001, 0.239, p =.051). Children not participating in modified organized sport at baseline demonstrated better inhibition scores 12-months later compared to sports participants (Mdiff 0.06; CI: 0.00, 0.13, p =.046). Increasing time spent in higher intensity physical activity among preschool children may be a viable target for supporting their later cognitive development, although there was no clear benefit of early participation in modified organized sport.
Expression of CD73 is associated with tumor progression and intratumoral inflammation in breast cancer

CD73 is a lymphocyte differentiation antigen and highly expressed in many human solid tumors. CD73 is known to be associated with tumor progression, but its role in human breast cancer is still under investigation. The aims of this study were to evaluate the expression of CD73 in human breast cancer and to analyze its prognostic significance in breast cancer. A total of 198 patients who underwent surgery for the treatment of primary breast cancer were enrolled. Tissue microarrays (TMA) were constructed with breast cancer tissues and immunohistochemical staining for CD73 was performed on TMA tissue sections. The clinicopathologic characteristics were evaluated from the patient's medical records and pathologic reports. The average age of the patients was 51.7 ± 10.7. Positive expression rate of CD73 for all breast cancer was 25.4%. Positive rate of CD73 expression in invasive breast cancer was 30.9%, which was significantly higher than that of 5.4% of ductal carcinoma in situ. CD73 expression was significantly associated with higher T‐stage, node metastasis, positive progesterone receptor status and presence of intratumoral inflammation. There was no significant association between molecular subtypes and CD73 expression. The disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rate at 5 years were 90.1% and 96.6%, respectively. There was no difference in DFS and OS according to CD73 expression. In conclusion, this study showed that CD73 expression is associated with tumor progression and inflammation in breast cancer. Our results suggest that CD73 has a potential as a prognostic marker and a therapeutic target of breast cancer.
Effect of dietary phytochemicals from tomato peels and rosehip meal on the lipid peroxidation of eggs from laying hens

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with tomato peels (TP) and rosehip meal (RM) on their phytochemicals transfer to the egg, the antioxidant profile and the markers of lipid peroxidation in stored eggs. The experiment was conducted on 42-week-old TETRA SL laying hens, which were assigned to three dietary treatments with 30 birds each: the Control group (CON) received a corn-soybean diet containing 6% flaxseed meal without any by-product addition. Groups TP and RM received Diet CON with additionally 2% TP and 2% RM, respectively. Average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and laying percentage were not significantly changed by the dietary treatments. Compared to the other groups, the inclusion of dietary TP led to a significant increase in egg weight (p < 0.05) and vitamin E content in eggs (p < 0.05). The dietary inclusion of RM generated a higher vitamin A content in eggs compared to Groups CON and TP (p < 0.10). After 40 d of storage, in Groups CON, TP and RM the vitamin E contents of eggs deceased by 10.1%, 14.2% and 13.3%, respectively, whereas the reduction of the lutein and zeaxanthin concentration in eggs was more pronounced (by 24.8%, 21.8% and 25.5%, respectively). For the most primary as well as for secondary oxidation products, storage time had a significant influence (p < 0.05) on the degradation process of the eggs. After 40 d of storage, the most distinct reduction in the formation rate of secondary oxidation products was observed in Group RM (by more than 30%), while the reduction for Group TP amounted from 15% to 25%, when compared with Group CON. Therefore, the results of the present study showed a significantly positive effect of RM in retarding the lipid peroxidation process during storage.
Home Range and Activity of a Gray Squirrel Population

Home range determinations were made on observation-trapping, trapping, and radiotracking locations for 55 gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). The mean minimum home range for all data was 0.49 ha (1.20 acres); the greatest linear dimension was 136.7 m (448.6 feet). Males had a larger home range than females. Radiotracking produced smaller mean home ranges and greater linear dimension measurements than did observation-trapping. Composite home ranges assumed an elipse shape skewed along the major axis. The 11 environmental variables tested contributed little to describing the variance in squirrel activity; no determination between active and inactive groups was attained using a discriminant function analysis. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 38(4):860-867 Once a better understanding of animal movements has been attained, such problems as predator and disease control, food and cover production and manipulation, censusing, and movements beyond management areas may be approached more intelligently. This study was conducted to determine the size and shape of gray squirrel home ranges within a population; also analyzed were the effects of various environmental factors on squirrel winter activity. Home ranges determined by trapping and direct observation were compared with ranges determined by telemetry and trapping on the same site one year apart. The availability and adaptability of the gray squirrel made it an excellent subject for movement investigations. Many data concerning home range of the gray squirrel have been collected incidental to larger studies (Seton 1928, Goodrum 1940, Brown and Yeager 1945, Allen 1952, Moran 1953, Uhlig 1955). On the present study area, Pack (1966) determined an average home range of 0.50 ha (1.24 acres) and 0.59 ha (1.45 acres), depending on the sample on which the calculation was based. Flyger (1960), working in two Maryland woodlots which were comparable to the present study area, calculated an average home range of 0.57 ha (1.40 acres). Little can be found in the literature concer ing the consistent response of gray squi rels to various weather conditions. Hicks (1949) reported on fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) activity, but no statistical analysis was attempted. Most of the information on gray squirrel activity has been obtained by casual observation. The most consistent factors affecting activity which have been reported are low temperatures when accompanied by high winds (Bakken 1959, Sharp 1959, Pack 1966). This combination tended to reduce squirrel activity. Use of the data from the thesis of J. C. Pack is gratefully acknowledged. Special thanks are extended to H. S. Mosby and H. E. Burkhart for review and criticism of the
An Insight on Molecular Mechanisms & Novel Therapeutic Approaches in Epileptogenesis.

Epilepsy is a second most common neurological disease with abnormal neural activity involving activation of various intracellular signalling transduction mechanisms. The molecular and system biology mechanisms responsible for epileptogenesis are not well defined or understood. Neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration & Epigenetic modification elicit epileptogensis. The excessive neuronal activities in brain are associated with neurochemical changes underlying the deleterious consequences of excitotoxicity. The prolonged repetitive excessive neuronal activities extended to brain tissue injury by activation of microglia regulating abnormal neuroglia remodelling and monocyte infiltration in response to brain lesions inducing axonal sprouting contributing to neurodegeneration. The alteration of various downstream transduction pathways resulted in intracellular stress responses associating endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction; activation of nucleases, proteases mediated neuronal death. The recently novel pharmacological agents modulate various receptors like mTOR, COX-2, TRK, JAK-STAT, epigenetic modulators and neurosteroids are used for attenuation of epileptogenesis. Whereas, the various molecular changes like mutation of cell surface, nuclear receptor and ion channels focusing repetitive episodic seizures have been explored by preclinical and clinical studies. Despite of effective pharmacotherapy for epilepsy, the inadequate understanding of precise mechanisms, drug resistance and therapeutic failure are the current fundamental problems in epilepsy. Therefore, the novel pharmacological approaches evaluated for efficacy on experimental models of epilepsy need to be identified and validated. In addition, we need to understand the downstream signalling pathways of new targets for the treatment of epilepsy. This review emphasizes on current state of novel molecular targets as therapeutic approaches and future directions for the management of epileptogenesis. Novel Pharmacological approaches and clinical exploration is essential to make new frontiers in curing epilepsy.
CHANGES OF FREE AND CONJUGATED ABA IN THE FRUIT OF 'SATOHNISHIKI' SWEET CHERRY AND THE ABA METABOLISM AFTER APPLICATION OF (S)-(+)-ABA

SummaryThe fruit from the sweet cherry cv. Satohnishiki (Prunus avium L.) was analysed to investigate changes of free and conjugated ABA in the pulp and seed, and the ABA metabolism after application of (s)-(+) ABA solution. Fruit firmness dramatically decreased 38 d after full bloom (DAFB). In the pulp, the level of cis-trans ABA (s-ABA) was highest between 29-38 DAFB after which they gradually decreased, while the levels of conjugated s-ABA were highest on 33-38 DAFB and then gradually decreased until harvest. It was observed that before the decrease of fruit firmness, the s-ABA level in the pulp reached a maximum, it is therefore assumed that ABA is related to fruit softening. In the seed, the s-ABA content substantially increased from 19-24 DAFB and then remained at an almost constant level, in contrast, the conjugated s-ABA was highest during the earlier stages of growth (19-24 DAFB) and then dramatically decreased towards harvest. Both trans-trans ABA (t-ABA) and conjugated t-ABA in the seed maintai.
Further epidemiological survey for atovaquone resistant related gene of Babesia gibsoni in Japan during 2015–2018

A single-nucleotide polymorphism causing the replacement of methionine with isoleucine (M121I) in cytochrome b of Babesia gibsoni has been reported to reduce the susceptibility to atovaquone (ATV) in B. gibsoni infection. In our previous study, B. gibsoni with M121I was suggested to exist in nature. Thus, further examinations were performed. In total, 105 genomic DNA samples from B. gibsoni-infected dogs were collected from western (98 samples from 15 prefectures) and eastern areas (7 samples from 4 prefectures) in Japan. The M121I variant population was identified using allele-specific real-time PCR: it was then detected in nine samples (8.57%), which was higher than that in the previous study (4.11%). Although there are unclear points, such as the history of ATV usage, careful attention should be given to emerging ATV resistance.
Dynamic changes in vascular size and density in transgenic mice with Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we used vessel size imaging to investigate the specific microvascular changes and most susceptible brain regions during AD progression in an amyloid precursor protein 23 (APP23) transgenic AD mouse model. Using 9.4 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the values of microvascular density (Density), mean vessel diameter (mVD), and vessel size index (VSI) were compared between APP23 and wild-type (WT) mice at 3, 6, 9, 14, and 20 months of age. Our results demonstrate that in 20-month old APP23 and WT mice, the Density values were significantly decreased, while the vascular dilatation and diameter had increased. However, a transient increase in the cortex Density at 14-months was observed in APP23 mice. Additionally, our results suggest that the hippocampus is the susceptible brain region affected by the abnormal microvascular angiogenesis during the early stages of AD. Together, our findings indicate that vessel size imaging using MRI can provide novel biomarkers for the early detection of AD, and for monitoring the effects of vascular-targeted therapeutics in AD.
From micro- to macroevolution: brood parasitism as a driver of phenotypic diversity in birds

Abstract A fundamental question in biology is how diversity evolves and why some clades are more diverse than others. Phenotypic diversity has often been shown to result from morphological adaptation to different habitats. The role of behavioral interactions as a driver of broadscale phenotypic diversity has received comparatively less attention. Behavioral interactions, however, are a key agent of natural selection. Antagonistic behavioral interactions with predators or with parasites can have significant fitness consequences, and hence act as strong evolutionary forces on the phenotype of species, ultimately generating diversity between species of both victims and exploiters. Avian obligate brood parasites lay their eggs in the nests of other species, their hosts, and this behavioral interaction between hosts and parasites is often considered one of the best examples of coevolution in the natural world. In this review, we use the coevolution between brood parasites and their hosts to illustrate the potential of behavioral interactions to drive evolution of phenotypic diversity at different taxonomic scales. We provide a bridge between behavioral ecology and macroevolution by describing how this interaction has increased avian phenotypic diversity not only in the brood parasitic clades but also in their hosts.
The Lattices of Monadic Filters in Monadic BL-algebras

In this paper, we focus on lattice structures of the set of monadic filters (monadic filters, stable monadic filters, involutory monadic filters) of monadic BL-algebras and prove that (a) the classes of all monadic filters in monadic BL-algebras forms a complete Heyting algebras with respect to inclusion; (b) the class of all stable monadic filters relative a monadic filter F in monadic BL-algebras is a complete Boolean algebra with respect to inclusion; (c) the class of all involutory monadic filters relative a monadic filter F in monadic BL-algebras is a complete Boolean algebra with respect to inclusion. These results also provide the solid foundation to study the variety of monadic BL-algebras.
Salinity and Subspeciation in Natrix sipedon

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The ahp promoter of Salmonella enterica sv. typhimurium : regulation and merits for heterologous antigen expression in vivo

Previous studies (Francis and Gallagher, 1993) have shown that the ahp promoter of Salmonella is activated during macrophage interaction and in response to hydrogen peroxide. Subsequent studies (Taylor et al., 1997) reported that the ahp gene when tagged with the bioluminescent reporter system Mudlux, became unresponsive to hydrogen peroxide in a low osmotic environment, whilst enhanced expression of ahp resulted from exposure to a combination of high osmolarity and hydrogen peroxide. Thus the Mudlux element appeared to cause ahp to be osmoregulated. In this thesis, regulation of wild type and Mudlux-tagged ahp expression was examined by reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Maximum induction of ahpC in MPG203 was seen in LSLB and minimal media, after treatment with both hydrogen peroxide and sodium chloride in combination, which is in agreement with the luminometer data. However, ahpC in MPG203 was induced to a greater degree after treatment with hydrogen peroxide compared with sodium chloride, which is in disagreement with the luminometer data. The results from the RT-PCR were different for SL 1344, were maximum induction of ahpC in LSLB was recorded after treatment with salt, and after treatment with a combination of salt and hydrogen peroxide in minimal media. The basis for this aberrant osmoregulation of ahp is still not fully resolved, as to whether it is under transcriptional or post-transcriptional control. Because of its mode of activation, the potential of the ahp promoter as a tool for in vivo expression of foreign antigens (Francis et al., 1993; Taylor et al., 1998) was also examined. Two other known in vivo expressed promoters, PpagC and PspvA were included in the study for comparison. The antigens encoded on the plasmids used for immunisation, were gene fragments cloned from listeriolysin (LLO) of Listeria monocytogenes and glycoprotein 63 (Gp63) of Leishmania major which contained T cell epitopes. GFP, was also used as a control for protein stability and was encoded on a plasmid construct and used for immunisations. Salmonella typhimurium strain MPG424 was utilised as a vector for immunisation. It contained both a purA and an
Changes of Protein in Natto (a fermented soybean food) Affected by Fermenting Time

The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of fermentation time on the proteins of steamed soybean inoculated with Bacillus subtilis (natto). The result was found that the contents of trichloroacetic acid soluble nitrogen (TCA-N) and drgree of hydrolysis (DH) of protein increased with the fermentation time increased, but the protein solubility was declined with increasing the fermentation time in advance, then increased. The most bands of soy proteins were found to disappear from the Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) electrophoretogram after 24 h of fermentation. Some of nonessential amino acids were found to remarkedly decline, but some of them were remained unchanged after 24-48 h of fermentation. , However the most essential amino acids were found to declined after 36h of fermentation, then all of them increased after 48 h of fermentation except histidine.