Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral Microbiota and Immune System Crosstalk: A Translational Research

Background: Oral pathogens may exert the ability to trigger differently the activation of local macrophage immune responses, for instance Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans induce predominantly pro-inflammatory (M1-like phenotypes) responses, while oral commensal microbiota primarily elicits macrophage functions consistent with the anti-inflammatory (M2-like phenotypes). Methods: In healthy individuals vs. periodontal disease patients’ blood samples, the differentiation process from monocyte to M1 and M2 was conducted using two typical growth factors, the granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and the macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF). Results: In contrast with the current literature our outcomes showed a noticeable increase of macrophage polarization from healthy individuals vs. periodontal patients. The biological and clinical significance of these data was discussed. Conclusions: Our translational findings showed a significant variance between control versus periodontal disease groups in M1 and M2 marker expression within the second group significantly lower skews differentiation of M2-like macrophages towards an M1-like phenotype. Macrophage polarization in periodontal tissue may be responsible for the development and progression of inflammation-induced periodontal tissue damage, including alveolar bone loss, and modulating macrophage function may be a potential strategy for periodontal disease management.
Wound healing in whole potato tubers: a cytochemical, fluorescence, and ultrastructural analysis of cut and bruise wounds

Healing was investigated in whole tubers wounded by cuts and bruises and compared with core, disc, and slice wounds. Bright-field, fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy were used in conjunction with cytochemical analyses. Wound reaction cells bordering a wound site responded to wounding initially with deposition of callose at the primary pit fields followed by intussusception of lignin in the middle lamellae and primary walls and suberization along the inner surfaces of the primary walls. Suberization was initially detected by the presence of a prosuberin lamella in which suberin lamellae subsequently developed. Both lignin and the prosuberin lamella were first detected in wound reaction cells of the cortex at 4 h in cut, core, disc, and slice wounds and at 8 h in bruise wounds. Healing was completed with formation of a continuous wound cork cambium beneath the wound site. With lignification and suberization, wounded potato tubers apparently develop specialized barriers against potential path.
Lasianosides F–I: A New Iridoid and Three New Bis-Iridoid Glycosides from the Leaves of Lasianthus verticillatus (Lour.) Merr.

A series of iridoid glycosides were isolated from the leaves of Lasianthus verticillatus (Lour.) Merr. , belonging to family Rubiaceae. A new iridoid glycoside, lasianoside F (1), and three new bis-iridoid glycosides, lasianosides G–I (2–4), together with four known compounds (5–8) were isolated. The structures were established by spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments (1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) in combination with HR-ESI-MS and CD spectra.
Knowledge networks: an avenue to ecological management of invasive weeds

Abstract Ecological management of invasive weeds will require substantial increases in the application of ecological knowledge and its integration with other forms of knowledge. To enable these increases, we call for purposeful development of knowledge networks in which new knowledge about a complex situation is created by the interaction of different forms of knowledge. We believe that invasive-plant management must be based on a fine-tuning of managed ecosystems, in which operations (e.g., farm activities) are comprehensively adjusted to confront invasives with a wide array of control measures. Land managers must have the primary role in this tuning process because of their holistic knowledge of the ecosystems they manage. Additionally, such ecological management of invasives will require support from new or improved practices in many relevant sectors, e.g., involving extension workers, farm advisors, and researchers of many sorts. Knowledge networks facilitate the creation, application, and integration of knowledge that will be needed to support ecological invasive-plant management. Worldwide, knowledge networks are under very active development as promising solutions to ecological-management challenges. To develop, networks require proactive organization and facilitation. We have developed an experimental knowledge network to facilitate ecological management of field-crop weeds on the basis of collaborative learning groups that help farmers and other professionals develop necessary knowledge. These groups have been favorably evaluated by most participants, and this article describes the results of our project, including our insights into development of such networks.
Covid-19 and Pregnancy: An Overview

Abstract Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus infection (COVID-19) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in January 2020, there have been many concerns about pregnant women and the possible effects of this emergency with catastrophic outcomes in many countries. Information on COVID-19 and pregnancy are scarce and spread throughout a few case series, with no more than 50 cases in total. The present review provides a brief analysis of COVID-19, pregnancy in the COVID-19 era, and the effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy.
Reduced lactate dehydrogenase activity in the heart and suppressed sex hormone levels are associated with female-biased mortality during thermal stress in Pacific salmon

ABSTRACT Female-biased mortality has been repeatedly reported in Pacific salmon during their upriver migration in both field studies and laboratory holding experiments, especially in the presence of multiple environmental stressors, including thermal stress. Here, we used coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) to test whether females exposed to elevated water temperatures (18°C) (i) suppress circulating sex hormones (testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone and estradiol), owing to elevated cortisol levels, (ii) have higher activities of enzymes supporting anaerobic metabolism (e.g. lactate dehydrogenase, LDH), (iii) have lower activities of enzymes driving oxidative metabolism (e.g. citrate synthase, CS) in skeletal and cardiac muscle, and (iv) have more oxidative stress damage and reduced capacity for antioxidant defense [lower catalase (CAT) activity]. We found no evidence that a higher susceptibility to oxidative stress contributes to female-biased mortality at warm temperatures. We did, however, find that females had significantly lower cardiac LDH and that 18°C significantly reduced plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol, especially in females. We also found that relative gonad size was significantly lower in the 18°C treatment regardless of sex, whereas relative liver size was significantly lower in females held at 18°C. Further, relative spleen size was significantly elevated in the 18°C treatments across both sexes, with larger warm-induced increases in females. Our results suggest that males may better tolerate bouts of cardiac hypoxia at high temperature, and that thermal stress may also disrupt testosterone- and estradiol-mediated protein catabolism, and the immune response (larger spleens), in migratory female salmon. Summary: Reduced lactate dehydrogenase activity in the heart and lower circulating sex hormones are linked to female-biased mortality during thermal stress in Pacific salmon.
The prevalence of mycobacterial infections in striped bass in Chesapeake Bay

Several species of bacteria have been isolated from diseased striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum), in Chesapeake Bay. Mycobacteria species are of particular interest because of their association with chronic lesions in both fish and humans. The resulting disease in fish may be characterised by emaciation, inflammation of the skin, exophthalmia (pop-eye), ascites (dropsy), open lesions, and ulceration. The prevalence of mycobacterial infection in 217 striped bass in the Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay was determined to provide evidence of decreased overall condition of fish affected by these bacteria. The density of the granulomas was higher in the spleen and head kidney than either the heart or liver, and appeared to be most closely associated with the presence of an external lesion. Thirty-eight per cent of the fish showed some sign of an external lesion. Granulomas appeared in at least one organ in 53% of the fish sampled regardless of the presence or absence of an external skin lesion. Condition factor was significantly higher for striped bass without external lesions (0.96) than those with lesions (0.82). Striped bass with no internal granulomas and no external lesion had the highest condition factor (0.99) and fish with granulomas and external lesions the lowest (0.81). Slopes of the regression loge weight (g) and loge length (mm) for striped bass with external lesions was significantly higher than those fish without external lesions and had a lower r2. The results suggest that striped bass that are infected with mycobacteria have decreased overall health.
Lithium Content of 160 Beverages and Its Impact on Lithium Status in Drosophila melanogaster

Lithium (Li) is an important micronutrient in human nutrition, although its exact molecular function as a potential essential trace element has not yet been fully elucidated. It has been previously shown that several mineral waters are rich and highly bioavailable sources of Li for human consumption. Nevertheless, little is known about the extent in which other beverages contribute to the dietary Li supply. To this end, the Li content of 160 different beverages comprising wine and beer, soft and energy drinks and tea and coffee infusions was analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Furthermore, a feeding study in Drosophila melanogaster was conducted to test whether Li derived from selected beverages changes Li status in flies. In comparison to the average Li concentration in mineral waters (108 µg/L; reference value), the Li concentration in wine (11.6 ± 1.97 µg/L) and beer (8.5 ± 0.77 µg/L), soft and energy drinks (10.2 ± 2.95 µg/L), tea (2.8 ± 0.65 µg/L) and coffee (0.1 ± 0.02 µg/L) infusions was considerably lower. Only Li-rich mineral water (~1600 µg/L) significantly increased Li concentrations in male and female flies. Unlike mineral water, most wine and beer, soft and energy drink and tea and coffee samples were rather Li-poor food items and thus may only contribute to a moderate extent to the dietary Li supply. A novelty of this study is that it relates analytical Li concentrations in beverages to Li whole body retention in Drosophila melanogaster.
Preference of service providers for the veterinary service-a case study of Sangli District of Maharastra state, India

Availability of veterinary services is very important for development of livestock sector in India. In many locations apart from state veterinary services other veterinary services are also available and the veterinary service users have the choice available with them regarding the service providers. The preference of service providers depend upon the location, distance, livestock holding and capacity to pay and quality of services. A study was conducted among the livestock owners of Sangli district in Maharastra to assess the preference of the livestock owners towards a particular veterinary service provider. Majority of large farmers preferred state veterinary services and cooperative veterinary services where it had strong presence. Cooperative veterinary service can be a good alternative to the state veterinary services and the private veterinary service providers are still not preferred in the rural area.
Molecular characterization of Salmonella virulence genes isolated from different sources relevant to human health

Between 14 January 2010 to 30 April 2012, bacteriological examination of 1075 samples (290 rectal swabs from cattle, 335 rectal swabs from sheep, 450 cloacal swabs from poultry) from diarrheic animals revealed the isolation of 68 Salmonella belonging to 13 different Salmonella serovars. This work was done at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University as well as Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, King Saud University. The most common serovars were Salmonella Typhimurium (16 isolates), Salmonella Enteritidis (13 isolates), Salmonella Kentucky (8 isolates) and Salmonella Arizona (7 isolates). Other serovars typed were Salmonella Heidelberg (4), Salmonella Cerro (4), Salmonella Gallinarum (3), Salmonella Virginia (3), Salmonella Paratyphi-A (3), Salmonella Dublin (2), Salmonella Agona (2), Salmonella Hadar (2) and Salmonella Bardo (1). All isolates of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium were examined for the virulence genes fimA, vag, and invA and spvCgenes by Multiplex PCR. It was evident that fimA was the most common in both serovars, followed by invA, while vag and spvC had almost equal prevalence Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium isolates from cattle, sheep, poultry and human.
Understanding the role for miRNA in human leukemia

The biological function of short non-coding RNAs known as micro RNAs (miRNAs) is unravelling to uncover a complex arrangement within every cell whereby they modulate most cellular responses. There has been much investigation as to the influence of miRNA on cell signalling processes and their cellular effects. Moreover, recently miRNA have been implicated in both physiological responses, as well as having critical roles in a variety of diseased states. The effects of these unique biochemical regulators are often subtle, but decisive with regards to a cell’s pathophysiology and disease. Researchers have investigated both the regulation of signalling pathways by miRNA, but also the regulation of miRNA generation processes by signalling steps themselves. There exists an interesting interrelationship whereby miRNA can reinforce a cell’s signalling effects. Thus miRNA have a role in normal cell physiological functioning. Aberrant miRNA generation would therefore lead to unruly signalling activity through which disease often results from such dysregulation. We will review the roles for miRNA here with emphasis on their function in human leukemia. Better understanding of these mechanisms that underlie pathologically-relevant signalling alterations that create cancer or are involved in cancer chemotherapy-resistance, will lead to better targeting and treatments for not only leukemia, but all relevant cancers.
The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Pathology of the Economic and Political Architecture in Cameroon

This article examines the factors restricting an effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon. It argues that structural adjustment policies in the 1980s and 1990s as well as corruption and limited investment in recent times have severely weakened the country’s health system. This article also emphasises the interconnection between poverty, slums, and COVID-19. This interconnection brings to the fore inequality in Cameroon. Arguably, this inequality could facilitate the spread of COVID-19 in the country. This article draws attention to the political forces shaping the response to the pandemic and contends that in some regions in the country, the lack of an effective response to the pandemic may not necessarily be due to a lack of resources. In so doing, it critiques the COVID-19 orthodoxy that focuses exclusively on the pathology of the disease and advocates “technical” solutions to the pandemic, while ignoring the political and socio-economic forces that shape the fight against the pandemic. At times, medical supplies and other forms of assistance may be available, but structural violence impairs access to these resources. Politics must be brought into the COVID-19 discourse, as it shapes the response to the pandemic.
COVID-19 infection alters kynurenine and fatty acid metabolism, correlating with IL-6 levels and renal status.

Reprogramming of host metabolism supports viral pathogenesis by fueling viral proliferation, by providing, for example, free amino acids and fatty acids as building blocks. To investigate metabolic effects of SARS-COV-2 infection, we evaluated serum metabolites of COVID-19 patients (n = 33; diagnosed by nucleic acid testing), as compared to COVID-19-negative controls (n = 16). Targeted and untargeted metabolomics analyses identified altered tryptophan metabolism into the kynurenine pathway, which regulates inflammation and immunity. Indeed, these changes in tryptophan metabolism correlated with interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Widespread dysregulation of nitrogen metabolism was also seen in infected patients, with altered levels of most amino acids, along with increased markers of oxidant stress (e.g., methionine sulfoxide, cystine), proteolysis, and renal dysfunction (e.g., creatine, creatinine, polyamines). Increased circulating levels of glucose and free fatty acids were also observed, consistent with altered carbon homeostasis. Interestingly, metabolite levels in these pathways correlated with clinical laboratory markers of inflammation (i.e., IL-6 and C-reactive protein) and renal function (i.e., blood urea nitrogen). In conclusion, this initial observational study identified amino acid and fatty acid metabolism as correlates of COVID-19, providing mechanistic insights, potential markers of clinical severity, and potential therapeutic targets.
Explaining decisions of deep neural networks used for fish age prediction

Age-reading of fish otoliths (ear stones) is important for the sustainable management of fish resources. However, the procedure is challenging and requires experienced readers to carefully examine annual growth zones. In a recent study, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been demonstrated to perform reasonably well on automatically predicting fish age from otolith images. In the present study, we carefully investigate the prediction rule learned by such neural networks to provide insight into the features that identify certain fish age ranges. For this purpose, a recent technique for visualizing and analyzing the predictions of the neural networks was applied to different versions of the otolith images. The results indicate that supplementary knowledge about the internal structure improves the results for the youngest age groups, compared to using only the contour shape attribute of the otolith. However, the contour shape and size attributes are, in general, sufficient for older age groups. In addition, within specific age ranges we find that the network tends to focus on particular areas of the otoliths and that the most discriminating factors seem to be related to the central part and the outer edge of the otolith. Explaining age predictions from otolith images as done in this study will hopefully help build confidence in the potential of deep learning algorithms for automatic age prediction, as well as improve the quality of the age estimation.
Molluscicidal and Piscicidal Activities of the Extracts of Castor (Ricinus communis) Bean for Aquaculture Management

The study assesed the molluscicidal and piscicidal activities of castor plant Ricinus communis using its fruits (dried and fresh) against large and small Golden Apple Snail (GAS) and mosquito fish. It focused on the laboratory determination of lethal concentrations LC50 and LC100 through a static bioassay test. Separate experimental set-up was used for GAS and mosquito fish, where ten experimental animals where stocked in each experimental unit.
Interaction of the mormyrid fish Mormyrus kannume (Forsskål, 1775) reproduction and feeding intensity with the environment in a Nile Delta Canal,Egypt

The effect of environmental factors on the fish biological parameters and their quantification was investigated in this study during the period from January 2005 to January 2006. Bahr Shebeen Canal is a Nile canal that represents a fishery resource in the Delta of Egypt, where Mormyrus kannume shows a scanty abundance. During the period from of June to September, there was a chance to examine such interaction. The obtained results revealed that the fish spawn over an extended period, from November till May, with two main peaks of spawning activity namely: NovemberDecember and February-April. Consequently, the gonadosomatic index (GSI) could not be correlated significantly with variation in either temperature or photoperiod. In those periods of spawning activity, the fish showed the lowest feeding intensity; i.e., low abundance. This was also quantified mathematically by significant correlations between the seasonal average (excluding winter) of stomachsomatic index (SSI) and either average daily temperature (T) and photoperiod (PP) for females and to a lower extent with males. These relationships were negatively correlated, and more significant among females than males, that was attributed to a higher activity of feeding among females. Also, the fish reproduction and feeding activities were correlated significantly with electrical conductivity and rainfall. This indicated that the fish are subject to the effect of associated environmental parameters interacting with their biology. The susceptibility of this fish species to change in those variables indicates its vulnerability to any adverse climatic change. The relationship between each of fecundity, egg diameter and gonadosomatic index and the female length or age were also examined and discussed, and the mathematical correlations were presented.
A wealth of genotype-specific proteoforms fine-tunes hemoglobin scavenging by haptoglobin

Significance Haptoglobin (Hp) is one of the most abundant plasma proteins; it binds with high affinity to hemoglobin (Hb). Thereby Hp protects against the toxic effects of the heme when Hb leaks into plasma from damaged red blood cells. Therefore, serum Hp is an important antioxidant and a clinically important protein, often used as a protein biomarker. Here, we address in detail what proteoforms and proteoform assemblies co-occur in serum, and show how they differ in individuals with distinct genotypes. Our data, obtained by a range of state-of-the-art analytical methods, reveal in unprecedented detail how these hundreds of Hp proteoforms influence the scavenging of Hb through several distinctive molecular features of Hp genotypes. The serum haptoglobin protein (Hp) scavenges toxic hemoglobin (Hb) leaked into the bloodstream from erythrocytes. In humans, there are two frequently occurring allelic forms of Hp, resulting in three genotypes: Homozygous Hp 1-1 and Hp 2-2, and heterozygous Hp 2-1. The Hp genetic polymorphism has an intriguing effect on the quaternary structure of Hp. The simplest form, Hp 1-1, forms dimers consisting of two α1β units, connected by disulfide bridges. Hp 2-1 forms mixtures of linear (α1)2(α2)n-2(β)n oligomers (n > 1) while Hp 2-2 occurs in cyclic (α2)n(β)n oligomers (n > 2). Different Hp genotypes bind Hb with different affinities, with Hp 2-2 being the weakest binder. This behavior has a significant influence on Hp’s antioxidant capacity, with potentially distinctive personalized clinical consequences. Although Hp has been studied extensively in the past, the finest molecular details of the observed differences in interactions between Hp and Hb are not yet fully understood. Here, we determined the full proteoform profiles and proteoform assemblies of all three most common genetic Hp variants. We combined several state-of-the-art analytical methods, including various forms of chromatography, mass photometry, and different tiers of mass spectrometry, to reveal how the tens to hundreds distinct proteoforms and their assemblies influence Hp’s capacity for Hb binding. We extend the current knowledge by showing that Hb binding does not just depend on the donor’s genotype, but is also affected by variations in Hp oligomerization, glycosylation, and proteolytic processing of the Hp α-chain.