Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulatory T cells and cytotoxic T cells close to the epithelial–stromal interface are associated with a favorable prognosis

ABSTRACT Cytotoxic T cells and regulatory T cells play a crucial role in the outcome of cancer patients. Besides the density of these cells, it was shown recently that the spatial distribution is equally important. Here, we specifically analyzed the spatial distribution of these T cell subtypes at the epithelial–stromal interface in a rectal cancer cohort and its relevance for prognosis. We studied a cohort of 191 patients with advanced rectal cancer treated by radiochemotherapy (RCT). Tissue microarrays were immunohistochemical double-stained by FoxP3+ and CD+. Cell densities were analyzed in the stromal and epithelial compartment. Additionally, an image analysis software calculated the distances of lymphocytes to the epithelial–stromal interface (ESI). CD8+ and FoxP3+ cell counts decreased clearly after RCT with the decrease of FoxP3+ being more pronounced than of CD8+ cells. In the invasive front, short distances of the ESI to CD8+ and to FoxP3+ cells were associated with improved overall survival. Cell counts in the stromal compartment had no influence on prognosis. No correlation between stromal and epithelial lymphocyte densities was observed. The distance of epithelial–stromal interface to CD8+ and FoxP3+ cells was more accurate in predicting prognosis in the stromal compartment of rectal cancer patients than mere cell counts and could thereby be means of better stratifying patients for therapy. This observation will have to be validated in future prospective studies with regard to other tumor entities and its implications for the responsiveness of tumors to new therapeutic modalities.
Responses of Young Norway Spruce (Picea abies) to Winter Browsing by Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus): Effects on Height Growth and Stem Morphology

The effects of natural and simulated winter browsing by roe deer on mortality, growth and defects in tree form among young recently planted Norway spruces were studied in two field studies and one simulation (clipping) experiment. No effect of browsing or clipping on mortality was observed. However, height growth was reduced by browsing and clipping, and the reduction increased with increases in the number of years in which they were browsed or clipped. Browsing or clipping in three successive years reduced height growth by the equivalent of about 1 yr. Spruces frequently became multi-trunked and/or developed multiple leaders as long as browsing and clipping lasted. However, when the browsing or clipping ceased, almost all spruces became single-trunked again. A more persistent effect was that many of the multiple trunks developed into large, abnormal branches or "spike-knots". The characteristics of the spike-knots resulting from browsing and clipping were very similar to those caused by other types of damage. The results indicate that roe deer browsing on spruce is less harmful than many Swedish foresters have feared.
Screening Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata (l) walp) lines for infection responses to some Cowpea Viruses in Nigeria

Thirty-three cowpea varieties were screened in a screen-house in Ibadan, Nigeria for responses to four cowpea viruses; namely, Bean common mosaic potyvirus - blackeye cowpea strain (BCMV-BlC), Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic potyvirus (CABMV), Cowpea Mottle Carmovirus (CMeV) and Southern bean mosaic sobemovirus (SBMV). 33 x 5 factorial experiment in completely randomised design was used, disease severity was measured at the second and sixth weeks after mechanical inoculation of the viruses and scored from 1 (no infection) to 5 (very severe infection). Symptomless plants were serologically tested with Protein – A sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (PAS-ELISA) to distinguish lines with latent infection from none infected lines. The yield in 2000 was not significantly (p KEY WORDS: Cowpea viruses, Disease incidence, Cowpea, Vigna, ELISA. Global Jnl Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.10(4) 2004: 473-478
Composição centesimal e teor de colesterol do camarão branco do Pacífico

This study aimed to determine the proximate composition and cholesterol content in muscular portion of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) collected from a shrimp farm located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The analysis in the muscular portion were performed after cephalothorax and exoskeleton removal. According to the results, the moisture, protein, ash, lipids and cholesterol had an average value of 74.1g 100 g-1, 21.9 g 100 g-1, 1.5g 100g-1, 0.3g 100g-1 and 26.1mg 100g-1, respectively. Comparing the results found on this research to data reported in the literature for other species, it can be observed that the flesh of the shrimp L. vannamei showed a low content of lipids and cholesterol and higher concentrations of protein, representing a wide nutritional value to the product.
Morphology and Toxicology of Prorocentrum faustiae sp. nov., a Toxic Species of Non-Planktonic Dinoflagellate from Heron Island, Australia

A new species of non-planktonic dinoflagellate, Prorocentrum faustiae isolated from the Australian Barrier Reef, is described using scanning electron microscopy. This species can be identified by its shape, size, surface micromorphology, architecture of the periflagellar area, and intercalary band. Analysis of cells of Prorocentrum faustiae using the HPLC-fluoroscent method confirms the production of both okadaic acid and DTX-1.
Targeting ubiquitin protein ligase E3 component N-recognin 5 in cancer cells induces a CD8+ T cell mediated immune response

ABSTRACT UBR5 is a nuclear phosphoprotein of obscure functions. Clinical analyses reveal that UBR5 amplifications and overexpression occur in over 20% cases of human breast cancers. Breast cancer patients carrying UBR5 genetic lesions with overexpression have significantly reduced survival. Experimental work in vitro and in vivo demonstrates that UBR5, functioning as an oncoprotein, plays a profound role in breast cancer growth and metastasis. UBR5 drives tumor growth largely through paracrine interactions with the immune system, particularly through inhibiting the cytotoxic response mediated by CD8+ T lymphocytes, whereas it facilitates metastasis in a tumor cell-autonomous manner via its transcriptional control of key regulators of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition, ID1 and ID3. Furthermore, simultaneous targeting of UBR5 and PD-L1 yields strong therapeutic benefit to tumor-bearing hosts. This work significantly expands our scarce understanding of the pathophysiology and immunobiology of a fundamentally important molecule and has strong implications for the development of novel immunotherapy to treat highly aggressive breast cancers that resist conventional treatment.
The changing bryophyte flora of Oxfordshire

AbstractSince 1794 about 1.3 species per year have been added to the known bryophyte flora of Oxfordshire.This is chiefly due to taxonomic research combined with diligent and intelligent collecting but it is also partly due to the immigration or at least the increasing frequency of some species. Twenty- five species (ca 7% of the flora) have not been recorded during the present century, and may be extinct, but many more have declined in frequency. The paper seeks to elucidate the extent and the causes of such changes; for this purpose much evidence from other districts is reviewed.Apart from the physical destruction of local specialized habitats and the creation of new habitats, the more important causes of widespread change have been: (a) eutrophication of both land and water, partly as a result of (b) changes in agricultural practice, including the heavy application of fertilizers, and immediate ploughing and resowing after harvest; (c) a decline in grazing, especially by rabbits; (d) changes in forestr.
Evaluation of profiles of Aeromonas salmonicida as epidemiological markers of furunculosis infections in fish

Strains of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, the agent of furunculosis disease of salmonid fish, have fairly uniform plasmid patterns. Of 35 strains examined by agarose gel electrophoresis, 28 had a pattern consisting of four small plasmids (4.2, 3.6, 3.5, 3.3 Mda) and a larger plasmid. The larger plasmid was most often 50–56 Mda, but it was larger in some strains. In the remaining seven strains, the same general profile was seen, but one of the small plasmids was missing. An additional plasmid was present in six strains. The pattern seen in 30 strains collected from Ontario fish over an 8-year period did not differ significantly from five reference isolates from other locations. Plasmid profiles of A. salmonicida strains appear too uniform to provide a useful epidemiological tool. The non-pigmented. atypical strains of A. salmonicida subsp. achromogenes and A. salmonicida subsp. masoucida, A. media, and brown-pigmented strains of A. hydrophila had different plasmid DNA profiles, which were distinct from those of typical isolates of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns, determined by the agar dilution method, were uniform for most typical strains. A non-transferable resistance to tetracyclmes was found in two Ontario isolates, but antibiotic resistance was relatively uncommon among the Ontario isolates.
Gone in 360 Seconds: Hijacking with Hitag2

An electronic vehicle immobilizer is an anti-theft device which prevents the engine of the vehicle from starting unless the corresponding transponder is present. Such a transponder is a passive RFID tag which is embedded in the car key and wirelessly authenticates to the vehicle. It prevents a perpetrator from hot-wiring the vehicle or starting the car by forcing the mechanical lock. Having such an immobilizer is required by law in several countries. Hitag2, introduced in 1996, is currently the most widely used transponder in the car immobilizer industry. It is used by at least 34 car makes and fitted in more than 200 different car models. Hitag2 uses a proprietary stream cipher with 48-bit keys for authentication and confidentiality. This article reveals several weaknesses in the design of the cipher and presents three practical attacks that recover the secret key using only wireless communication. The most serious attack recovers the secret key from a car in less than six minutes using ordinary hardware. This attack allows an adversary to bypass the cryptographic authentication, leaving only the mechanical key as safeguard. This is even more sensitive on vehicles where the physical key has been replaced by a keyless entry system based on Hitag2. During our experiments we managed to recover the secret key and start the engine of many vehicles from various makes using our transponder emulating device. These experiments also revealed several implementation weaknesses in the immobilizer units.
Canopy Gas Exchange Response to Moisture Stress in Old and New Maize Hybrid

Grain yield improvement of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids in Ontario has been associated with increased stress tolerance. Effects of shortterm water-deficit stress on canopy gas exchange of an old and a new maize hybrid were studied. Plants of Pride 5 (old) and Pioneer 3902 (new) were grown under controlled-environtrtent conditions until tassel emergence and, subsequently, plants were transferred to enclosures, each containing the aboveground parts of four plants. Canopy photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, and stem water potential were measured continuously for 7 d. Plants were either well watered or exposed to a water-deficit stress by withholding water supply until net canopy photosynthesis declined to zero and, subsequently, plants were rehydrated. Under well-watered conditions, the two hybrids did not differ significantly in terms of canopy photosynthesis, transpiration, and stem water potential. In contrast, hybrids responded differently to a water-deficit stress. Cumulative canopy photosynthesis and transpiration during the drying cycle were reduced by 21 and 31%, respectively, in Pioneer 3902 and by 34 and 31%, respectively, in Pride 5. The threshold stem water potential related stomatal closure, and thus, photosynthesis and transpiration, was lower for Pioneer 3902 than for Pride 5. During the recovery day, canopy photosynthesis was 53% higher and canopy transpiration was 31% higher in Pioneer 3902 than in Ride 5. Respiration per unit CO 2 fixed was lower in Pioneer 3902 than in Pride 5 in all conditions.
Methyl mercury in pristine and impounded boreal peatlands, Experimental Lakes Area, Ontario

Methyl mercury (MeHg) concentrations were measured in peat and peat porewater of pristine wetlands and an impounded riparian wetland at the Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario, Canada. In pristine wetlands, MeHg concentrations in peat ranged from 0.1 to 60 ng·g-1 and in peat porewater from 0.02 (the detection limit) to 7.3 ng·L-1, with higher concentrations in wetlands that received upland runoff. Impoundment increased the average MeHg concentration in the near-surface peat porewater from 0.2 to 1.0 ng·L-1. As the increase was most dramatic near the peat - surface water interface, we suggest that the elevated MeHg concentrations resulted from an increase in net MeHg production associated with the decomposition of inundated vegetation. Impoundment increases the area of potential Hg methylation by imposing anoxia over the entire wetland surface and by facilitating the exchange of nutrients and MeHg between the peat surface and the surface water. No clear chemical control on MeHg concentration wa.
Two reciprocally monophyletic mtDNA lineages elucidate the taxonomic status of Mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella)

Mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella) rank among the most critically endangered mammals on the Arabian Peninsula. Past conservation efforts have been plagued by confusion about the phylogenetic relationship among various ‘phenotypically discernable’ populations, and even the question of species boundaries was far from being certain. This lack of knowledge has had a direct impact on conservation measures, especially ex situ breeding programmes, hampering the assignment of captive stocks to potential conservation units. Here, we provide a phylogenetic framework, based on the analysis of mtDNA sequences (360 bp cytochrome b and 213 bp Control Region) of 126 individuals collected from the wild throughout the Arabian Peninsula and from captive stocks. Our analyses revealed two reciprocally monophyletic genetic lineages within the presumed species Gazella gazella: one ‘northern clade’ on the Golan Heights (Israel/Syrian border) and one genetically diverse larger clade from the rest of the Arabian Peninsula including the Arava Valley (Negev, Israel). Applying the Strict Phylogenetic Species Concept (sensu Mishler & Theriot, 2000) allows assigning species status to these two major clades.
Considérations sur l'évolution de la Basse Mésopotamie au cours des derniers millénaires

Les idees concernant l'evolution de la basse-Mesopotamie ont beaucoup evolue et des auteurs comme Morgan, Lees et Falcon ou Larsen ont soutenu des points de vue tres differents, notamment quant a la position de la cote septentrionale du Golfe arabo-persique depuis les epoques proto-historiques. Des donnees complementaires sont versees ici au dossier. Rejetant les explications simplistes, l'auteur s'efforce de montrer le role respectif de la tectonique, de l'eustatisme, des changements climatiques et des caracteristiques hydrologiques et sedimentologiques. Ces considerations, appuyees sur des datations au radiocarbone et le recours aux donnees de l'archeologie et de l'epigraphie, permettent a l'auteur de proposer un schema general d'evolution de la region. A la fin de l'epoque Obeid, la remontee post-glaciaire du niveau marin s'est traduite par une position tres interne de la ligne de rivage, a proximite des grands sites sumeriens. L'avancee du delta a ete ensuite tres rapide et a l'epoque hellenistique la cote etait plus meridionale qu'aujourd'hui, tandis qu'au debut de l'epoque islamique un recul sensible de la cote s'est accompagne d'une vaste extension des marais.
Chemical ecology of predator–prey interactions in aquatic ecosystems: a review and prospectusThe present review is one in the special series of reviews on animal–plant interactions.

The interaction between predator and prey is an evolutionary arms race, for which early detection by either party is often the key to success. In aquatic ecosystems, olfaction is an essential source of information for many prey and predators and a number of cues have been shown to play a key role in trait-mediated indirect interactions in aquatic communities. Here, we review the nature and role of predator kairomones, chemical alarm cues, disturbance cues, and diet cues on the behaviour, morphology, life history, and survival of aquatic prey, focusing primarily on the discoveries from the last decade. Many advances in the field have been accomplished: testing the survival value of those chemicals, providing field validation of laboratory results, understanding the extent to which chemically mediated learning may benefit the prey, understanding the role of these chemicals in mediating morphological and life-history adaptations, and most importantly, the selection pressures leading to the evolution of chemi.
Correlates of Single Versus Multiple Functional Disabilities Among Aging Americans: Race/Ethnicity and Region of Birth

Background: Significant racial/ethnic disparities exist in the prevalence of functional disability among older Americans. Objective: The study analyzed the odds of older people in the United States experiencing single and multiple disabilities, by race and region of birth. Method: Data came from the American Community Survey (2011–2015). Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used. Results: Region of birth, race/ethnicity, age, citizenship status, duration of stay, sex, marital status, veteran status, educational attainment, poverty status, and class of workers were all significantly associated with reports of either single or multiple disabilities. However, the introduction of the interaction terms for citizenship status by race modified some of the significant results. For instance, being born in Latin America no longer reduced the odds in reports of both single and multiple disabilities. However, compared with Whites and native-born of all races, both Hispanics who were either naturalized or were noncitizens had lower odds of reporting multiple disabilities (27% and 28% lower, respectively), whereas naturalized Hispanics also had significantly reduced odds (22%) for a single disability. Conclusion: These findings add to the disability, race/ethnicity, and place of birth literature.
The histomorphological analysis of liver following administration of low doses of diclofenac and ibuprofen

This study was conducted to investigate and to compare liver perturbation following administration of low doses of diclofenac and ibuprofen to rats. Hundred and forty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were dosed with 3, 5 and 10 mg kg-1 diclofenac and ibuprofen in saline via intraperitoneal injection for 15 days. The control group was administered with saline in a similar manner. Four rats were euthanised every three days until day 15. Livers were removed, cleaned and a section across the right lobe was taken and fixed in 10% formalin for light microscopy and TUNEL assay. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse the data. p<0.05 was accepted as significant in this study. Three, 5 and 10 mg kg-1 diclofenac-treated groups and 5, 10 mg kg-1 ibuprofen administered groups showed significant changes compared to saline-treated group at day 15. The changes include presence of focal infiltration by neutrophils and lymphocytes and mild focal necrosis. In 5 and 10 mg kg-1 diclofenac administered groups and 10 mg kg-1 ibuprofen-treated group, apoptotic cells were seen around the perivenular regions (PV) only at day 15. However, not all the PVs were present with apoptotic cells. This study has shown that, diclofenac is probably more potent in inducing histomorphological changes at low doses. Both the drugs seem to exert time and dose dependent liver morphological alterations to the treated animals.
Pitolisant for Daytime Sleepiness in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Who Refuse Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment. A Randomized Trial

Rationale: Excessive daytime sleepiness is a common disabling symptom in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pitolisant, a selective histamine H3 receptor antagonist with wake-promoting effects, for the treatment of daytime sleepiness in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea refusing continuous positive airway pressure treatment. Methods: In an international, multicenter, double-blind, randomized (3:1), placebo-controlled, parallel-design trial, pitolisant was individually titrated at up to 20 mg/d over 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. Key secondary endpoints were maintenance of wakefulness assessed on the basis of the Oxford Sleep Resistance test, safety, Clinical Global Impression of severity, patient’s global opinion, EuroQol quality-of-life questionnaire, and Pichot fatigue questionnaire. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 268 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (75% male; mean age, 52 yr; apnea–hypopnea index, 49/h; baseline sleepiness score, 15.7) were randomized (200 to pitolisant and 68 to placebo) and analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was reduced more with pitolisant than with placebo (−2.8; 95% confidence interval, −4.0 to −1.5; P < 0.001). Wake maintenance tests were not improved. The Pichot fatigue score was reduced with pitolisant. The overall impact of pitolisant was confirmed by both physicians’ and patients’ questionnaires. Adverse event incidence, mainly headache, insomnia, nausea, and vertigo, was similar in the pitolisant and placebo groups (29.5% and 25.4%, respectively), with no cardiovascular or other significant safety concerns. Conclusions: Pitolisant significantly reduced self-reported daytime sleepiness and fatigue and improved patient-reported outcomes and physician disease severity assessment in sleepy patients with obstructive sleep apnea refusing or nonadherent to continuous positive airway pressure. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials. gov (NCT01072968) and EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT 2009-017251-94).
Evaporation from a Clay Soil Covered with a Surface Mulch - Three Lysimeter Studies

Cultivation systems with mulching have been successfully tested in spring cereals for several years in Sweden. The water conserving effect of the mulch was considered to be important in these field experiments. Three experiments with lysimeters were conducted in this study to investigate the effect on evaporation of a) different amounts of mulch, b) different types of mulch and c) different frequencies of rain in combination with mulching. The lysimeters contained undisturbed soil cores from a heavy clay soil. The protection against evaporation was largest at the beginning of soil drying. It increased with increasing amounts of mulch, but there were no differences in protection between the various kinds of mulch tested. Accumulated evaporation was 12, 14 and 30% lower in the mulched compared to bare soil after 28 days with no rain, infrequent rain and frequent rain respectively. The implications for designing a cultivation system with mulching are discussed as well as its potential in different weathers.