Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD73 promotes colitis-associated tumorigenesis in mice

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a higher risk of developing colitis-associated colorectal cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of CD73 in IBD-associated tumorigenesis. A mouse model of colitis-associated tumorigenesis (CAT) induced by azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium was successfully constructed. Model mice were injected with CD73 inhibitor or adenosine receptor agonist. Colon length, body weight loss and tumor formation were assessed macroscopically. Inflammatory cytokine measurement and RNA sequencing on colon tissues were performed. Inhibition of CD73 by adenosine 5′-(α,β-methylene) diphosphate (APCP) suppressed the severity of CAT with attenuated weight loss, longer colons, lower tumor number and smaller tumor size compared with the model group. Activation of adenosine receptors using 1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)-1-deoxy-N-ethyl-β-D-ribofuranuronamide (NECA) exacerbated CAT. Histological assessment indicated that inhibition of CD73 reduced, while activation of adenosine receptors exacerbated, the histological damage of the colon. Increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) in colonic tissue was detected in the NECA group. According to RNA sequencing results, potential oncogenes such as arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15), Bcl-2-like protein 15 (Bcl2l15) and N-acetylaspartate synthetase (Nat8l) were downregulated in the APCP group and upregulated in the NECA group compared with the model group. Therefore, inhibition of CD73 attenuated IBD-associated tumorigenesis, while activation of adenosine receptors exacerbated tumorigenesis in a C57BL/6J mouse model. This effect may be associated with the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the regulation of ALOX15, Bcl2l15 and Nat8l.
Desenvolvimento e avaliação da eficácia de filmes biodegradáveis de amido de mandioca com nanocelulose como reforço e com extrato de erva-mate como aditivo antioxidante

The objective was to develop biodegradable packaging using a polymer matrix as the cassava starch plasticized with glycerol and reinforced with the incorporation of nanocelulose of coconut fiber, as well as to evaluate the effect of the addition of an additive nature (yerba mate) in nanobiocompositos formulations with antioxidant action. The nanocrystal cellulose (L/D=39) were obtained by acid hydrolysis with 65% H2SO4. The films were prepared by casting containing 4.5 and 6.0% starch, 0.5 and 1.5% glycerol, 0.3% nanocelulose and 20% extract of yerba mate. The palm oil storage packed with films containing the additive was monitored for 40 days under conditions of accelerated oxidation (63%UR/30°C). It was found that as the losses increase polyphenol films, there is a smaller increase of the peroxide value of the packaged product, thus demonstrating that instead of the product, the compounds of the package's who are suffering oxidation. The incorporation of yerba mate extract did not alter the mechanical and barrier properties of these films.
Dasyurid marsupials as models for the physiology of ageing in humans

Marsupials of the order Dasyuromorphia have features that make them useful as models for ageing processes in humans. First, they are long-lived for their size, with most small species living for at least 1 year, often several years, contrasting with the mouse, a conventional model for ageing studies, where most populations turn over within 4–6 months. Longevity in some dasyurids allows biological comparisons with other long-lived mammals. Second, the predictable reproduction and life histories of the genera Antechinus and Sminthopsis allow analysis of the role of sex hormones in physiological changes as ageing progresses. For Antechinus, this includes the interaction between testosterone and cortisol in initiating pathologies in males but not females. Many ageing processes are expressed differently between male and female humans, and have a stress component. The neuropathological changes that occur in Antechinus can be used as a model for the dementias of ageing, including Alzheimer’s disease. The age-related neuropathologies in Antechinus indicate that hormonal influences may be important. Finally, in Sminthopsis, the interaction between sex hormones, reproduction and the fattening season offer insights into the interaction between longevity and reduced energy intake, including obesity. Thus these mammals offer useful models for many of the possible influences for healthy ageing in humans.
Cyclic Dominance and Optimal Escapement of Adams River Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

We examined escapement policies for a stock-recruitment model with negative between-year interactions. Regardless of the degree of interaction present, the optimal policy is to always equalize escapement. Parameter estimates obtained for the Adams River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) indicate that between-year interactions may occur, but confidence regions include the null hypothesis of no interaction at all (the Ricker model). We conclude that the extreme amplitude of the current recruitment cycle in this stock frustrates statistical identification of interaction. It seems unlikely that between-year interactions will be measurable until the off year runs increase by at least two to three orders of magnitude. Comparison of total yields for the Adams River sockeye shows that an equal escapement policy could increase yields by at least 35% over that obtained by the current cyclic escapement pattern. This is equivalent to obtaining an additional $27 million in total yield per annum from the Adams River .
Not just composing, but programming music in group robotics

ABSTRACT This study examines group robotics’ impacts on elementary students’ attitudes toward music, attitudes toward group work, and music composition when they are composing music via a robotics platform in collaborative and cooperative groups. One hundred ninety-one students in fourth and fifth grades completed the music composing project over the course of fourteen weeks for one hour each week. Results indicated that collaborative and cooperative group activities did not result in any significant differences in the Attitude toward Music. In the Attitude toward Group Work, collaboration and cooperation in group activities did not result in any differences while cooperation resulted in a higher score. Lastly, the collaborative group showed a higher score in the Music Composition. The results indicate that student benefits can be supported with different structures of group work, collaboration or cooperation. Further discussions and suggestions were made.
Prevention and Treatment of Spontaneous Leukemia in Germfree AKR Mice

Summary Germfree AKR mice were inoculated with cyclophosphamide at weekly intervals for long periods. Leukemia was prevented for 13 months so long as treatment was continued, but the disease appeared after the treatment was stopped. Similar treatments of leukemic AKR mice deferred the fatal issue significantly. However, the leukemic process was suppressed and not cured. Germfree AKR mice offer distinct experimental advantages for studies on leukemia.
The habitat harshness hypothesis revisited: life history of the isopod Excirolana braziliensis in sandy beaches with contrasting morphodynamics

Demographic and life history characteristics of the intertidal isopod Excirolana braziliensis (Isopoda: Cirolanidae) were compared between populations of two exposed sandy beaches with contrasting morphodynamics (reflective vs dissipative) during 22 consecutive months. Most population processes and life history traits did not give support for the ‘habitat harshness hypothesis’ (HHH): abundance of males, females, ovigerous females and juveniles was significantly higher at the reflective beach population, which also presented higher growth rates in size and weight with respect to the dissipative beach population. No significant differences in weight-at-length were found between beaches. Among the compared parameters, only the lower natural mortality rates at the dissipative beach gave support for the HHH. The results were not consistent with a previous analysis of Excirolana braziliensis along Pan-American beaches, which showed that this isopod occurs almost invariably in fine sands of tropical and temperate beaches. The results give strong support to recent findings that show that in macrofauna species capable of sustaining large populations across a wide spectrum of physical conditions, such as Excirolana braziliensis, beach morphodynamics should not be considered the primary factor affecting abundance and life history traits. Instead, our results reinforce the view that sandy beach populations are controlled by the intertwined forces of biotic and abiotic factors operating together.
ON THE STRATIGRAPHY AND PALAEOBOTANY OF A LATE‐PLEISTOCENE ORGANIC DEPOSIT AT CHELFORD, CHESHIRE

summary The stratigraphy of the Pleistocene deposits in the area of Chelford is described. The palaeobotany of a layer of organic mud within the Middle Sands of the Pleistocene sequence is described, and it is shown that the organic mud was deposited during a cool period in which a Betula-Pinus-Picea forest was the local dominant vegetation. The climatic indications given by the flora and vegetation are discussed. The organic mud is tentatively correlated with an interstadial period early in the Last Glaciation; the implications of this correlation are briefly mentioned.
Why is Harmonia axyridis the culprit in coccinellid biting incidents? An analysis of means, motive, and opportunity.

The tendency of aphidophagous coccinellids to bite humans is a subject that has seen very little study in the scientific community. With the introduction of adventive species, anecdotal reports of biting lady beetles have greatly increased in frequency and seemed to warrant further investigation. Coccinellids of three native species [ Coccinella novemnotata Herbst, Coccinella trifasciata L. , and Adalia bipunctata (L.)] and the two most common introduced species [ Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) and Coccinella septempunctata L. ] were collected in the wild and reared separately in laboratory colonies. In caged biting trials, 40 individually marked coccinellids of a single species that were given either no source of food or water or aphids ad libitum were exposed to the experimenter's hand and forearm and the movement, bite frequency, and severity with which they bit into the skin were recorded. All species tested were shown to bite humans. Feeding treatment did not have a significant effect on biting propensity or bite duration in most species. Large adventive species such as Coccinella septempunctata were distinguished by a lower propensity to bite than the smaller native species. All species except H. axyridis and C. novemnotata exhibited a startling blood-feeding behavior that is not yet clearly understood and was heretofore undocumented in this family of beetles. In two trials affording A. bipunctata and C. novemnotata adults a choice between cotton wicks soaked in cow blood or wicks soaked in water, both species preferred blood, with Adalia bipunctata preferring blood to a much greater extent. Furthermore, survivorship of hematophagic coccinellids was tested as well by monitoring the survival and weight change across individuals afforded the following five treatments: 21 aphids per day, 3 aphids per day, 3 aphids per day in addition to blood, blood only, and water only. Coccinellids given 3 aphids per day exhibited very low mortality with only three dead individuals, while the treatment given the same number of aphids in addition to bovine blood exhibited a significant drop in survivorship very similar to that of the treatment given only blood. This remarkable trend is likely a result of oxidative stress and other hardships involved with feeding on vertebrate blood. Based on the level of mortality of coccinellids that overwinter within a building (the location of greatest exposure to humans) and their lack of adaption to human blood and tissue feeding, we predict that the currently rare behavior of biting humans should decline.
What's New in the Cerebral Microcirculation?

The first part of this paper focuses on unusual aspects of the cerebral circulation. Cerebral vessels have less smooth muscle and adventitia than other vessels, and the endothelial blood‐brain barrier is unique. Because the wall of the arteries is thin, one might expect that the vessels are especially vulnerable to rupture. Pressure in intracranial arteries, however, is lower than in other arteries, because resistance of larger cerebral arteries is remarkably high. The low pressure in cerebral arteries presumably protects against rupture of the vessels. The second part of the paper summarizes some new insights into regulation of cerebral circulation. One concept is that “breakthrough” of autoregulation, with dilatation of cerebral vessels at high levels of pressure, is an active process, rather than a passive phenomenon. This conclusion is based on the finding that inhibitors of calcium‐dependent potassium channels greatly attenuate the cerebral vasodilator response during acute hypertension. The third part of the paper focuses on effects of gene transfer to cerebral blood vessels. Gene transfer to intracranial and extracranial vessels is feasible and vasomotor function can be altered. Gene transfer has proven to be useful to study vascular biology, and we are optimistic that the approach will ultimately lead to gene therapy.
The History and Status of Oyster Exploitation and Culture in South Africa

ABSTRACT Both wild and cultivated oysters are consumed in South Africa. Edible wild oysters include Striostrea margaritacea, Saccostrea cucullata, Ostrea atherstonei, and O. algoensis, all of which occur along the south and east coasts, but not on the west coast. Wild oysters are exploited commercially, recrcationally, and by subsistence fishers, with S. margaritacea being by far the most intensively targeted species. Commercial harvesting of S. margaritacea takes place along the southern Cape coast and in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), with the southern Cape hosting 102 of the 145 commercial pickers. Data on total annual commercial catch of oysters in the various harvesting areas are presented, but these are minimum estimates, because collectors do not always comply with harvesting regulations or fully report catches. Subsistence harvesting remains largely unmanagcd, except in KZN, and is particularly prevalent in the eastern Cape Province. The culture of oysters is dependent on imported Crassostrea gigas spat, mostly from Chile. Accurate annual oyster production statistics arc only available since 1985, although approximately 2 million C. gigas oysters are known to have been cultured annually throughout the 1970s and early '80s. Since then, production increased steadily from 1985 to 1991, peaking at some 8 million individuals, then declined to 2–4 million individuals from the mid 1990s onward. Although the market for oysters has grown, production has not kept up with demand, largely because of a lack of suitable locations for oyster culture. Finding suitable sites for cultivation along the northern Cape Province coast and establishing local oyster hatcheries for C. gigas are suggested as future priorities for the industry.
SPECIAL AUTONOMY FUND TO REDUCE POVERTY: DOES IT WORK?

Purpose of the study: The aim of this study is to examine the role of special autonomy funds in poverty reduction in Aceh and to find out how to deal with poverty in Aceh and what obstacles are faced by Aceh Government. Methodology: This research used a qualitative method with a case study approach to provide a detailed explanation and exploitation. Research data obtained through interviews and data obtained also through local and national online media and the media data were analyzed using Nvivo 12 Plus, specifically by using the NCapture feature, which allows researchers to systematically compile and analyze documents. Main Findings: This study found that the implementation of poverty reduction programs and policies is still in the form of false participation due to low transparency and accountability and economic dependence on other regions outside Aceh and the small number of medium and large industries in Aceh. Applications of this study: The findings of this study are useful for exploration by the Aceh Government in order to maximize the role of special autonomy funds in poverty alleviation efforts in Aceh. Novelty/Originality of this study: Research on the Aceh Special Independence Fund has been widely explained by a number of researchers. However, there is no publication that specifically explains the role of special self-government funds to reduce poverty. Consequently, the use of accountable and transparent special autonomy funds can reduce poverty in Aceh.
Conformational changes in MetNI: steered molecular dynamic studies of the methionine ABC transporter with and without substrates

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are integral membrane proteins that utilised energy from ATP hydrolysis to translocate substrates across the membrane. In addition to the common nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) and transmembrane domains (TMDs), the methionine ABC transporter has C-terminal regulatory domains (C2 domains) that belong to ACT protein family. When the amount of methionine in the cell is high, the transport stops. This phenomenon is called trans-inhibition. To understand how a trans-inhibited protein returns to an uninhibited, resting state, we performed steered molecular dynamic simulations with and without the substrates. From the simulations, we observed some important conformational changes in the whole ABC transporter, including the constriction in the translocation pathway in the TMDs and approach of the NBDs. However, the C2 domains behaved differently in two types of the simulations. These findings might help to explain the relationship of the conformational changes of the C2 domains with the rearrangements of the NBDs or TMDs, and provide a way to understand the trans-inhibition from an opposite direction.
Life Dissatisfaction and Anxiety in COVID-19 pandemic

The rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths, prolonged lockdowns, substantial restrictions on public life and an economic downturn negatively affect personal well-being. In this paper, we explore COVID-19-related determinants of life dissatisfaction and feelings of anxiety using data collected from March 23 to April 30 2020 in 25 advanced and developing countries from four continents. We find that persons with better general health, with a paid job, living with a partner, daily exercising and those avoiding loneliness report less dissatisfaction and less anxiety. The presence of children and a pet in the household has no effect. Women report anxiety feelings more often than men. Older people report lower dissatisfaction and anxiety, remarkable given that the older population is among the most vulnerable in the current pandemic. Job-related changes due to COVID-19 such as income reduction and increase or decrease of workload are associated with more dissatisfaction and more anxiety. In reaction to the pandemic governments have adopted a range of measures. We show that restrictions on mobility and requirements to wear protective gear in public increase dissatisfaction and that the state-imposed emergency increase feelings of anxiety. We find that a growing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increases dissatisfaction and anxiety but that this effect levels off with a higher number of cases. Our findings support targeted government policies to preserve economic security, and increase stability of employment.
‘The economy’ as if people mattered: revisiting critiques of economic growth in a time of crisis

ABSTRACT Coronavirus (COVID-19) policy shut down the world economy with a range of government actions unprecedented outside of wartime. In this paper, economic systems dominated by a capital accumulating growth imperative are shown to have had their structural weaknesses exposed, revealing numerous problems including unstable supply chains, unjust social provisioning of essentials, profiteering, precarious employment, inequities and pollution. Such phenomena must be understood in the context of long standing critiques relating to the limits of economic systems, their consumerist values and divorce from biophysical reality. Critical reflection on the Coronavirus pandemic is combined with a review of how economists have defended economic growth as sustainable, Green and inclusive regardless of systemic limits and multiple crises – climate emergency, economic crash and pandemic. Instead of rebuilding the old flawed political economy again, what the world needs now is a more robust, just, ethical and equitable social-ecological economy.
Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Healthcare Workers regarding Biomedical Waste Management at Biyem-Assi District Hospital, Yaounde: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Background. Biomedical waste (BMW) is defined as unwanted materials generated during diagnosis, treatment, operation, immunization, or in research activities including production of biologicals. Healthcare workers are responsible for the proper management of this waste for human safety and for the protection of the environment. Methods. An analytical knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) study was carried out at Biyem-Assi District Hospital from June 1st to July 5th, 2018, including 100 health workers from different departments. Variables of interest were knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the respondents. A structured and pretested questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was carried out using software Epi Info version 7.2. 2.6. Logistic regression was used to establish the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Results. Nurses constituted 32.0% of the participants, and more than half of the participants had 1–4 years of working experience (56.0%). Overall, the level of knowledge was satisfactory at 50.0%, that of attitudes was as unfavorable at 83.0%, and that of practices was as poor at 50.0%. Favorable attitudes were associated to satisfactory level of knowledge (ORa = 5.14 [3.10–8.51] and p=0.005). Good practices were associated to good level of knowledge (ORa = 5.26 [3.17–8.7] and p<0.001) and a favorable attitude (ORa = 7.30 [2.25–23, 71] and p<0.001). Conclusion. The level of knowledge was considered unsatisfactory for half of the staff interviewed. Attitudes were unfavourable at 83.0% and poor practices at 50.0%. Staff with a good level of knowledge were more likely to have favourable attitudes towards BWM. Also, good knowledge and attitude positively influenced the practice with regard to BMW management.