Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antiviral Activities of Compounds Isolated from Pinus densiflora (Pine Tree) against the Influenza A Virus

Pinus densiflora was screened in an ongoing project to discover anti-influenza candidates from natural products. An extensive phytochemical investigation provided 26 compounds, including two new megastigmane glycosides (1 and 2), 21 diterpenoids (3–23), and three flavonoids (24–26). The chemical structures were elucidated by a series of chemical reactions, including modified Mosher’s analysis and various spectroscopic measurements such as LC/MS and 1D- and 2D-NMR. The anti-influenza A activities of all isolates were screened by cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assays and neuraminidase (NA) inhibition assays. Ten candidates were selected, and detailed mechanistic studies were performed by various assays, such as Western blot, immunofluorescence, real-time PCR and flow cytometry. Compound 5 exerted its antiviral activity not by direct neutralizing virion surface proteins, such as HA, but by inhibiting the expression of viral mRNA. In contrast, compound 24 showed NA inhibitory activity in a noncompetitive manner with little effect on viral mRNA expression. Interestingly, both compounds 5 and 24 were shown to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results provide not only the chemical profiling of P. densiflora but also anti-influenza A candidates.
Effects of Prunus cerasus L. Seeds and Juice on Liver Steatosis in an Animal Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

The accumulation of adipose tissue increases the risk of several diseases. The fruits-intake, containing phytochemicals, is inversely correlated with their development. This study evaluated the effects of anthocyanin-rich tart cherries in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. DIO rats were exposed to a high-fat diet with the supplementation of tart cherry seeds powder (DS) and seed powder plus juice (DJS). After 17 weeks, the DIO rats showed an increase of body weight, glycaemia, insulin, and systolic blood pressure. In the DS and DJS groups, there was a decrease of systolic blood pressure, glycaemia, triglycerides, and thiobarbituric reactive substances in the serum. In the DJS rats, computed tomography revealed a decrease in the spleen-to-liver attenuation ratio. Indeed, sections of the DIO rats presented hepatic injury characterized by steatosis, which was lower in the supplemented groups. In the liver of the DIO compared with rats fed with a standard diet (CHOW), a down-regulation of the GRP94 protein expression and a reduction of LC3- II/LC3-I ratio were found, indicating endoplasmic reticulum stress and impaired autophagy flux. Interestingly, tart cherry supplementation enhanced both unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy. This study suggests that tart cherry supplementation, although it did not reduce body weight in the DIO rats, prevented its related risk factors and liver steatosis.
Developmental changes in foregut functioning of packhorse lobster, Jasus (Sagmariasus) verreauxi (Decapoda : Palinuridae), phyllosoma larvae

The development of foregut structure and digestive function was examined in Jasus (Sagmariasus) verreauxi phyllosomas (instars 1-13) using resin histology and video analysis. Early instar (1-3) phyllosoma had very simple anterior foreguts with little differentiation into ventral and dorsal chambers, no filter press and small lateral comb-row setae. By mid instars (4-7), the filter press had developed and ventral and dorsal chambers of the foregut were distinct. The number and robustness of lateral setae had increased and a dense mat of anterior floor setae had formed. The filter press became increasingly complex in later-instar (8-13) larvae and dense robust lateral comb-row setae, main brushes and a thick mat of anterior floor setae forming longitudinal channels had developed by this stage. The mechanism of food digestion remained similar between instars but changes in foregut structures suggest that the degree of internal mastication, filtration and capacity to sort and mix particles improved with age. This research has implications for artificial diet development in crustacean culture and understanding dietary shifts during larval development.
Black stem galls on aspen: anatomy and histochemistry

Large black stem galls occur sporadically on trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) in western Canada. Although little is known about their cause or structure, trees having these galls are less likely than surrounding aspen to have advanced decay caused by the fungus Phellinus tremulae. The anatomy and histochemistry of black galls and associated branch galls were studied and compared with normal wood and bark. Light microscopy showed that the cambium of black galls produces greater numbers of cells per growth ring and that growth rings are two to three times wider than normal. Vessel elements and fibers are unusually small and misshapen. Gall xylem has characteristics associated with wounding or infection: ray cells filled with phenolic deposits, and vessel elements occluded by tyloses and granular material. Frequent radial strands of undifferentiated callus tissue surrounded by necrophylactic periderms indicate sites of cambial damage of unknown cause. White areas within dark-colored gall xylem of some s.
Diagnosing the environmental causes of the decline in Grey Partridge Perdix perdix survival in France

We studied Grey Partridge Perdix perdix mortality during breeding to identify the environmental causes of a long-term decline in adult survival. We radiotagged and monitored daily from mid-March to mid-September 1009 females on ten contrasting study sites in 1995-97. Simultaneously, we recorded habitat features and estimated the abundance of Hen and Marsh Harriers Circus cyaneus and C. aeruginosus, Red Fox Vulpes vulpes and mustelids. We experimentally tested whether scavenging could have biased predation rates. We also examined, through the necropsy of 80 carcasses of Grey Partridge, whether disease, parasites or poisoning could have been ultimate causes of high predation rates. The survival rate of radiotagged females during spring and summer ranged from 0.25 to 0.65 across study areas. Mortality peaked in May, June and July when females were laying and incubating. The direct negative impact of farming practices was low (6%). Predation was the main proximate cause of female mortality during breeding (73%) and determined the survival rate, suggesting no compensation by other causes of mortality. Ground carnivores were responsible for 64% of predation cases, and raptors for 29%, but this proportion varied across study sites. Disease and poisoning did not appear to favour predation, and scavenging was not likely to have substantially overestimated predation rates. The predation rate on breeding females was positively correlated with the abundance of Hen and Marsh Harriers, suggesting an additional mortality in areas where harriers were abundant. The proportion of raptor predation was linearly related to harrier abundance. The predation rate was not correlated with the abundance of the Red Fox and mustelids. A potential density-dependent effect on the predation rate was confounded by the abundance of harriers. We found no convincing relationship between the predation rate and habitat features, but we observed a positive relationship between the abundance of Hen and Marsh Harriers and the mean field size. This suggested that habitat characteristics may contribute to high predation rates through predator abundance or habitat-dependent predation.
Autopsy Findings and Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With COVID-19

Background: The new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS–CoV-2), has caused more than 210 000 deaths worldwide. However, little is known about the causes of death and the virus's pathologic features. Objective: To validate and compare clinical findings with data from medical autopsy, virtual autopsy, and virologic tests. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Autopsies performed at a single academic medical center, as mandated by the German federal state of Hamburg for patients dying with a polymerase chain reaction–confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Patients: The first 12 consecutive COVID-19–positive deaths. Measurements: Complete autopsy, including postmortem computed tomography and histopathologic and virologic analysis, was performed. Clinical data and medical course were evaluated. Results: Median patient age was 73 years (range, 52 to 87 years), 75% of patients were male, and death occurred in the hospital (n = 10) or outpatient sector (n = 2). Coronary heart disease and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the most common comorbid conditions (50% and 25%, respectively). Autopsy revealed deep venous thrombosis in 7 of 12 patients (58%) in whom venous thromboembolism was not suspected before death; pulmonary embolism was the direct cause of death in 4 patients. Postmortem computed tomography revealed reticular infiltration of the lungs with severe bilateral, dense consolidation, whereas histomorphologically diffuse alveolar damage was seen in 8 patients. In all patients, SARS–CoV-2 RNA was detected in the lung at high concentrations; viremia in 6 of 10 and 5 of 12 patients demonstrated high viral RNA titers in the liver, kidney, or heart. Limitation: Limited sample size. Conclusion: The high incidence of thromboembolic events suggests an important role of COVID-19–induced coagulopathy. Further studies are needed to investigate the molecular mechanism and overall clinical incidence of COVID-19–related death, as well as possible therapeutic interventions to reduce it. Primary Funding Source: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization in soil and water ecosystems: A useful method for studying the effect of xenobiotics on bacterial community structure

The ability of soil and groundwater ecosystems to recover from chemical contamination is primarily dependent on the presence of a microbial community which has the ability to remove it. Nevertheless, there has been a little research into these communities because it is strictly dependent on methods capable of identifying and characterizing their community structure and functioning. The use of molecular methods makes it possible to overcome this kind of identification limitation. In this work, we applied the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method to different samples, such as soil and groundwater contaminated with s-triazine herbicides (simazine or terbuthylazine) and surface water treated with the pharmaceutical oseltamivir carboxylate (Tamiflu). We compared the bacterial community structure in the presence/absence of these xenobiotics. The use of 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes, designed specifically for the main phylogenetic levels (Archaea, Bacteria, α-, β-, γ-, ε-subdivision of Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Gram-positive bacteria with a high or low DNA G + C content, Cytophaga-Flavobacter-Bacteroides phylum, and sulfate-reducing bacteria), and a DAPI stain made it possible to assess the structure of the bacterial community and its changes in the presence of these xenobiotics in all the ecosystems studied.
Targeting ERK-Hippo Interplay in Cancer Therapy

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is a part of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway which allows the transduction of various cellular signals to final effectors and regulation of elementary cellular processes. Deregulation of the MAPK signaling occurs under many pathological conditions including neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic syndromes and cancers. Targeted inhibition of individual kinases of the MAPK signaling pathway using synthetic compounds represents a promising way to effective anti-cancer therapy. Cross-talk of the MAPK signaling pathway with other proteins and signaling pathways have a crucial impact on clinical outcomes of targeted therapies and plays important role during development of drug resistance in cancers. We discuss cross-talk of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway with other signaling pathways, in particular interplay with the Hippo/MST pathway. We demonstrate the mechanism of cell death induction shared between MAPK/ERK and Hippo/MST signaling pathways and discuss the potential of combination targeting of these pathways in the development of more effective anti-cancer therapies.
Fathers’ needs in a surgical neonatal intensive care unit: Assuring the other parent

Objectives Fathers of infants admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) play an important role and have individual needs that are often not recognised. While there is considerable evidence regarding mothers’ needs in the NICU, information about fathers’ is particularly limited. This study identifies the needs of fathers of newborns admitted to NICU for general surgery of major congenital anomalies, and whether health-care professionals meet these needs. Methods Forty-eight fathers of infants admitted for surgery between February 2014 and September 2015 were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Fathers completed the Neonatal Family Needs Inventory comprising 56 items in 5 subscales (Support, Comfort, Information, Proximity, Assurance) at admission and discharge and whether these needs were met; as well as the Social Desirability Scale. Results Responses showed Assurance was the most important subscale (M 3.8, SD .26). Having questions answered honestly (M 3.9, SD .20) and knowing staff provide comfort to their infant (M 3.94, SD .24) were fathers’ most important needs. By discharge, fathers expressed a greater importance on being recognised and more involved in their infant’s care. More than 91% indicated their ten most important needs were met by the NICU health-care professionals, with no significant changes at discharge. Clergical visits (M 2.08, SD 1.21) were least important. Conclusions Reassurance is a priority for fathers of neonates in a surgical NICU, particularly regarding infant pain management and comfort. It is important that health-care professionals provide reliable, honest information and open-access visiting. Notably, fathers seek greater recognition of their role in the NICU—beyond being the ‘other’ parent.
Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Events among Pregnant Women with Cardiovascular Disease

Objective Cardiovascular disease increases the risk of maternal mortality. This study examined the risk factors for cardiovascular events in pregnant women with cardiovascular disease. Methods This was a case-control study conducted in 2 phases at Japanese maternal and fetal care centers. The primary survey, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, investigated whether the institutions had managed pregnant women with cardiovascular disease from April 2014 to March 2016. From 424 individual facilities surveyed, 135 facilities were found to have experience in managing pregnant women. In the secondary survey, the 135 institutions were asked to complete a web-based questionnaire, which collected detailed clinical information about cases, including cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular events, maternal background, and the perinatal outcome. Results Information on 302 pregnant women with cardiovascular disease was collected. None of the 302 patients died. There were 25 women with cardiovascular events (cardiovascular event group) and 277 women without cardiovascular events (non-cardiovascular event group); the two groups were compared. No significant differences were found in the perinatal outcomes. Medication use before pregnancy was identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular events (adjusted odds ratio, 23.28; 95% confidence interval, 8.15-66.47; p<0.001). In pregnant women with cardiovascular disease, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or III before pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events in comparison to NYHA functional class I (p<0.001 for both). Conclusion Medication use before pregnancy and NYHA functional class >I were risk factors for cardiovascular events in pregnant women with cardiovascular disease.
Anti-inflammatory ergosterol derivatives from the endophytic fungus Fusarium chlamydosporum

Abstract Two new ergosterol derivatives namely, chlamydosterols A [(22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-diene-3β,5α,6β-triol 6-decanoate] (1) and B [5α,6β,25-trihydroxy-(22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-dien-3-one] (5) and three known ergosterols: ergosta-7,22-dien-3β-ol (2), ergosta-5,7,22-triene-3β-ol (3), and ergosta-7,22-diene-3β,5α,6β-triol (4) were separated from the EtOAc extract of the endophytic fungus Fusarium chlamydosporum isolated from Anvillea garcinii (Asteraceae) leaves growing in Saudi Arabia. Their structural assignment was accomplished by various spectroscopic analyses, as well as comparing with the published data. The 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibitory potential of the isolated metabolites was assessed. Compounds 1 and 3 displayed moderate 5-LOX inhibitory potential with IC50s 3.06 and 3.57 µM, respectively compared to indomethacin (IC50 1.13 µM). Graphical Abstract
Sodium-Dependent Glucose Transporter 1 (SGLT1) Stabled by HER2 Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation by Activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in HER2+ Breast Cancer

Aerobic glycolysis is a hallmark of tumor cells. SGLT1 plays a vital role in glucose metabolism. However, whether SGLT1 could promote cell growth and proliferation in breast cancer remains unclear. Here, we investigated the expression of SGLT1 in breast cancer and examined its role in malignant behavior and prognosis. Further, we examined the SGLT1 expression in breast cancer tissues and its relationship with clinicopathologic characteristics. We clarified that SGLT1 was overexpressed in HER2+ breast cancer cell lines and was affected by HER2 status. We further found that SGLT1 affected breast cancer cell proliferation and patient survival by mediating cell survival pathway activation. SGLT1 was overexpressed in HER2+ breast cancers and associated with lymph node metastasis and HER2+ status. Inhibition of HER2 decreased SGLT1 expression, and the extracellular acidification rate was also reduced in the UACC812 and SKBR3 cell lines. These changes could be reversed by proteasome inhibitor treatment. Knockdown of SGLT1 blocked PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation. Further, we demonstrated that high SGLT1 was significantly correlated with shorter survival in all breast cancer patients and specifically in HER2+ breast cancer patients. Therefore, we conclude that SGLT1 is overexpressed in HER2+ breast cancer, thereby promoting cell proliferation and shortening survival by activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. This study submits that SGLT1 is promising not only as a novel biomarker of HER2+ breast cancer subtype but also as a potential drug target.
Effect of Hay Storage on Oil Yield and Quality in Three Cymbopogon Species (C. winterianus, C. martinii and C. flexuosus) during Different Harvesting Seasons

ABSTRACT Hay storage of Cymbopogon martinii and C. winterianus, either in the shade or in the open, was found to be advantageous during summer and rainy seasons, respectively. Maximum enhancements of 31.4% and 18.0% in oil content over the fresh distilled herbs were recorded in 5 and 7 days respectively. The safe limit of herb storage varied according to the species and storage conditions. Storage of C. flexuosus herbage always caused a reduction in oil content except during the summer when it was not affected for three days under shade storage. Temperature and humidity were found to play a vital role in biosynthesis/accumulation of essential oils in stored herbs.
Anthelmintic and antimicrobial activities of three new depsides and ten known depsides and phenols from Indonesian lichen: Parmelia cetrata Ach.

Abstract An extensive phytochemical study of a foliose lichen from Indonesia, Parmelia cetrata, resulted in the successful isolation of 13 phenol and depside derivatives (1–13) including the previously unreported depsides 3′-hydroxyl-5′-pentylphenyl 2,4-dihydroxyl-6-methylbenzoate (7), 3′-hydroxyl-5′-propylphenyl 2,4-dihydroxyl-6-methylbenzoate (8) and 3′-hydroxyl-5′-methylphenyl 2-hydroxyl-4-methoxyl-6-propylbenzoate (9). The anti-infective activity of isolated compounds was evaluated against the gram-negative bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. 2,4-Dihydroxyl-6-pentylbenzoate (5) and lecanoric acid (6) induced growth inhibition of A. fischeri with inhibition values of 49% and 100% at a concentration of 100 µM, respectively. The antibacterial activity might be due to their free carboxyl group. A phenolic group at C4 also contributed to the antimicrobial activity of the depsides as shown for compounds 7 and 8, which caused 89% and 96% growth inhibition at 100 µM, respectively. Lecanoric acid (6) in addition possesses significant anthelmintic effects causing 80% mortality of C. elegans at 100 µg/mL. Graphical Abstract
Feasibility of characterizing reproductive events in large nondomestic species by transrectal ultrasonic imaging

The feasibility of using transrectal ultrasonography for imaging the in situ morphology of the reproductive tract of females of several large nondomestic and endangered species was studied. Two black (Diceros bicornis) and 1 white (Diceros simus) rhinoceros, 2 Asian (Elaphus maximus) and 2 African (Loxodonta africana) elephants, 4 banteng (Bos javanicus), 1 gaur (Bos taurus), 1 giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), and 1 bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) were examined. Real-time ultrasonic images were obtained for the following structures: 1) rhinoceros—corpus luteum, ovarian follicles, uterus, cervix, and early conceptus, 2) elephants—posterior uterus and cervix, 3) banteng and gaur—corpus luteum, ovarian follicles, uterus, cervix, and conceptus, 4) giraffe—posterior uterus, placentomes, and late conceptus, 5) camel—posterior uterus, fetal fluids, and fetal membranes. Individual ovarian follicles were identified and monitored over a 34 day observational period in 1 nontranquilized white rhinoceros. Difficulties and limitations in viewing the ovaries in the elephants were attributed to operator inexperience and to the size, positioning, and demeanor of the animals. Pregnancy was detected in 1 black rhinoceros (27 days), 1 banteng cow (48 days), the giraffe (13 months), and in the bactrian camel (approximately 3½ months). Impending embryonic loss was suspected in the banteng cow because a heartbeat was not detected in the embryo proper; the cow was subsequently diagnosed nonpregnant by transrectal palpation 20 days later. It is concluded that the ability afforded by transrectal ultrasonography to detect and measure ovarian structures and changes in morphology of the tubular genitalia and conceptus provides a research methodology for the elucidation of certain aspects of reproductive biology, and a clinical modality for reproductive management and assisted fertilization programs of large nondomestic species.