Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth Rate, Dry Matter Accumulation, and Partitioning in Soybean (Glycine max L.) in Response to Defoliation under High-Rainfall Conditions

The frequency of heavy rains is increasing with climate change in regions that already have high annual rainfall (i.e., Sichuan, China). Crop response under such high-rainfall conditions is to increase dry matter investment in vegetative parts rather than reproductive parts. In the case of soybean, leaf redundancy prevails, which reduces the light transmittance and seed yield. However, moderate defoliation of soybean canopy could reduce leaf redundancy and improve soybean yield, especially under high-rainfall conditions. Therefore, the effects of three defoliation treatments (T1, 15%; T2, 30%; and T3, 45% defoliation from the top of the soybean canopy; defoliation treatments were applied at the pod initiation stage of soybean) on the growth and yield parameters of soybean were evaluated through field experiments in the summer of 2017, 2018, and 2019. All results were compared with nondefoliated soybean plants (CK) under high-rainfall conditions. Compared with CK, treatment T1 significantly (p < 0. 05) improved the light transmittance and photosynthetic rate of soybean. Consequently, the leaf greenness was enhanced by 22%, which delayed the leaf senescence by 13% at physiological maturity. Besides, compared to CK, soybean plants achieved the highest values of crop growth rate in T1, which increased the total dry matter accumulation (by 6%) and its translocation to vegetative parts (by 4%) and reproductive parts (by 8%) at physiological maturity. This improved soybean growth and dry matter partitioning to reproductive parts in T1 enhanced the pod number (by 23%, from 823.8 m−2 in CK to 1012.7 m−2 in T1) and seed number (by 11%, from 1181.4 m−2 in CK to 1311.7 m−2 in T1), whereas the heavy defoliation treatments considerably decreased all measured growth and yield parameters. On average, treatment T1 increased soybean seed yield by 9% (from 2120.2 kg ha−1 in CK to 2318.2 kg ha−1 in T1), while T2 and T3 decreased soybean seed yield by 19% and 33%, respectively, compared to CK. Overall, these findings indicate that the optimum defoliation, i.e., T1 (15% defoliation), can decrease leaf redundancy and increase seed yield by reducing the adverse effects of mutual shading and increasing the dry matter translocation to reproductive parts than vegetative parts in soybean, especially under high-rainfall conditions. Future studies are needed to understand the internal signaling and the molecular mechanism controlling and regulating dry matter production and partitioning in soybean, especially from the pod initiation stage to the physiological maturity stage.
Characterization of Gelatin and Hydrolysates from Valorization of Farmed Salmon Skin By-Products

Salmon processing commonly involves the skinning of fish, generating by-products that need to be handled. Such skin residues may represent valuable raw materials from a valorization perspective, mainly due to their collagen content. With this approach, we propose in the present work the extraction of gelatin from farmed salmon and further valorization of the remaining residue through hydrolysis. Use of different chemical treatments prior to thermal extraction of gelatin results in a consistent yield of around 5%, but considerable differences in rheological properties. As expected from a cold-water species, salmon gelatin produces rather weak gels, ranging from 0 to 98 g Bloom. Nevertheless, the best performing gelatins show considerable structural integrity, assessed by gel permeation chromatography with light scattering detection for the first time on salmon gelatin. Finally, proteolysis of skin residues with Alcalase for 4 h maximizes digestibility and antihypertensive activity of the resulting hydrolysates, accompanied by the sharpest reduction in molecular weight and higher content of essential amino acids. These results indicate the possibility of tuning salmon gelatin properties through changes in chemical treatment conditions, and completing the valorization cycle through production of bioactive and nutritious hydrolysates.
Unique Severe COVID-19 Placental Signature Independent of Severity of Clinical Maternal Symptoms

Background: Although the risk for transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is rare, placental infections with adverse functional consequences have been reported. This study aims to analyse histological placental findings in pregnancies complicated by SARS-CoV-2 infection and investigate its correlation with clinical symptoms and perinatal outcomes. We want to determine which pregnancies are at-risk to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes related to COVID-19 in the future. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, multicentre, cohort study. All pregnant women presenting between April 2020 and March 2021 with a nasopharyngeal RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. Around delivery, maternal, foetal and placental PCR samples were collected. Placental pathology was correlated with clinical maternal characteristics of COVID-19. Results: Thirty-six patients were included, 33 singleton pregnancies (n = 33, 92%) and three twin pregnancies (n = 3, 8%). Twenty-four (62%) placentas showed at least one abnormality. Four placentas (4/39, 10%) showed placental staining positive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 accompanied by a unique combination of diffuse, severe inflammatory placental changes with massive perivillous fibrin depositions, necrosis of syncytiotrophoblast, diffuse chronic intervillositis, and a specific, unprecedented CD20+ B-cell infiltration. This SARS-CoV-2 placental signature seems to correlate with foetal distress (75% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.007) but not with the severity of maternal COVID-19 disease. Conclusion: We describe a unique placental signature in pregnant patients with COVID-19, which has not been reported in a historical cohort. We show that the foetal environment can be seriously compromised by disruption of placental function due to local, devastating SARS-CoV-2 infection. Maternal clinical symptoms did not predict the severity of the SARS-CoV-2-related placental signature, resulting in a lack of adequate identification of maternal criteria for pregnancies at risk. Close foetal monitoring and pregnancy termination in case of foetal distress can prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes due to COVID-19 related placental disease.
The Influence of Omeprazole on the Dissolution Processes of pH-Dependent Magnetic Tablets Assessed by Pharmacomagnetography

Pharmacomagnetography involves the simultaneous assessment of solid dosage forms (SDFs) in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the drug plasmatic concentration, using a biomagnetic technique and pharmacokinetics analysis. This multi-instrumental approach helps the evaluation, as GI variables can interfere with the drug delivery processes. This study aimed to employ pharmacomagnetography to evaluate the influence of omeprazole on the drug release and absorption of metronidazole administered orally in magnetic-coated tablets. Magnetic-coated tablets, coated with Eudragit® E-100 (E100) and containing 100 mg of metronidazole, were produced. For the in vivo experiments, 12 volunteers participated in the two phases of the study (placebo and omeprazole) on different days to assess the bioavailability of metronidazole. The results indicated a shift as the pH of the solution increased and a delay in the dissolution of metronidazole, showing that the pH increase interferes with the release processes of tablets coated with E100. Our study reinforced the advantages of pharmacomagnetography as a tool to perform a multi-instrumental correlation analysis of the disintegration process and the bioavailability of drugs.
Barriers towards HPV Vaccinations for Boys and Young Men: A Narrative Review

Background: HPV vaccination of both girls and boys can protect against infection and eliminate the risk for HPV-associated cancer. Due to a common misconception that the virus only poses risks to women, vaccine coverage is suboptimal among men in many countries. It is urgent to identify barriers to vaccination of boys and men. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of publications examining attitudes and beliefs regarding HPV vaccination for boys and young men. The electronic databases searched were PubMed, PsychInfo and Scopus (December 2020; last update July 2021). A total of 103 original articles were included in the final analysis. Results: The central barriers against vaccination of boys and men are: (1) lack of knowledge, (2) vaccine hesitancy in general, (3) lack of recommendation from and/or discussions with healthcare providers, (4) cost and logistics, and (5) the idea that HPV vaccination may promote promiscuity. Men who have sex with men and families belonging to ethnic minorities express a need for information tailored to their situation. Conclusions: Boys should be included in national immunization programs and men should also be offered catch-up vaccinations. Future studies should focus on addressing vaccine hesitancy and developing interventions to promote pan-gender HPV vaccination.
Aphrophoridae Role in Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca ST53 Invasion in Southern Italy

The Philaenus spumarius L. (Hemiptera Aphrophoridae) is a xylem-sap feeder vector that acquires Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca ST53 during feeding on infected plants. The bacterium is the plant pathogen responsible for olive quick decline syndrome that has decimated olive trees in Southern Italy. Damage originates mainly from the insect vector attitude that multiplies the pathogen potentialities propagating Xf in time and space. The principal action to manage insect-borne pathogens and to contain the disease spread consists in vector and transmission control. The analysis of an innovative and sustainable integrated pest management quantitative strategy that targets the vector and the infection by combining chemical and physical control means demonstrates that it is possible to stop the Xylella invasion. This review updates the available topics addressing vectors’ identification, bionomics, infection management, and induced disease by Xylella invasion to discuss major available tools to mitigate the damage consequent to the disease.
In Vitro Evaluation of Hyperthermia Magnetic Technique Indicating the Best Strategy for Internalization of Magnetic Nanoparticles Applied in Glioblastoma Tumor Cells

This in vitro study aims to evaluate the magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) technique and the best strategy for internalization of magnetic nanoparticles coated with aminosilane (SPIONAmine) in glioblastoma tumor cells. SPIONAmine of 50 and 100 nm were used for specific absorption rate (SAR) analysis, performing the MHT with intensities of 50, 150, and 300 Gauss and frequencies varying between 305 and 557 kHz. The internalization strategy was performed using 100, 200, and 300 µgFe/mL of SPIONAmine, with or without Poly-L-Lysine (PLL) and filter, and with or without static or dynamic magnet field. The cell viability was evaluated after determination of MHT best condition of SPIONAmine internalization. The maximum SAR values of SPIONAmine (50 nm) and SPIONAmine (100 nm) identified were 184.41 W/g and 337.83 W/g, respectively, using a frequency of 557 kHz and intensity of 300 Gauss (≈23.93 kA/m). The best internalization strategy was 100 µgFe/mL of SPIONAmine (100 nm) using PLL with filter and dynamic magnet field, submitted to MHT for 40 min at 44 °C. This condition displayed 70.0% decreased in cell viability by flow cytometry and 68.1% by BLI. We can conclude that our study is promising as an antitumor treatment, based on intra- and extracellular MHT effects. The optimization of the nanoparticles internalization process associated with their magnetic characteristics potentiates the extracellular acute and late intracellular effect of MHT achieving greater efficiency in the therapeutic process.
Effects of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the Pharmacokinetics of Procainamide and Its Metabolite N-Acetylprocainamide, Organic Cation Transporter Substrates, in Rats with PBPK Modeling Approach

In this study, possible changes in the expression of rat organic cationic transporters (rOCTs) and rat multidrug and toxin extrusion proteins (rMATEs) following treatment with 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) were investigated. Rats received intraperitoneal administrations of 1,25(OH)2D3 for four consecutive days, and the tissues of interest were collected. The mRNA expression of rOCT1 in the kidneys was significantly increased in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated rats compared with the control rats, while the mRNA expressions of rOCT2 and rMATE1 in the kidneys, rOCT1 and N-acetyltransferase-II (NAT-II) in the liver, and rOCT3 in the heart were significantly decreased. Changes in the protein expression of hepatic rOCT1 and renal rOCT2 and rMATE1 were confirmed by western blot analysis. We further evaluated the pharmacokinetics of procainamide (PA) hydrochloride and its major metabolite N-acetyl procainamide (NAPA) in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3. When PA hydrochloride was administered intravenously at a dose 10 mg/kg to 1,25(OH)2D3-treated rats, a significant decrease in renal and/or non-renal clearance of PA and NAPA was observed. A physiological model for the pharmacokinetics of PA and NAPA in rats was useful for linking changes in the transcriptional and translational expressions of rOCTs and rMATE1 transporters to the altered pharmacokinetics of the drugs.
Self-Assembled Behavior of Ultralightweight Aerogel from a Mixture of CNC/CNF from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

This study aims to explore the use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and cellulose nanofiber (CNF), obtained from unbleached fiber of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB), as raw materials in fabricating aerogel, using the facile technique without solvent displacement. The CNC was isolated from sulfuric acid hydrolysis, and the CNF was fibrillated using Ultra Turrax. The CNC and CNF were mixed by ultrasonication in different ratios to produce aerogel using slow freezing (−20 °C), followed by freeze-drying. The obtained aerogel was characterized as ultralightweight and highly porous material, at the density range of 0.0227 to 0.0364 g/cm3 and porosity of 98.027 to 98.667%. Interestingly, the ratio of CNC and CNF significantly affected the characteristics of the obtained aerogel. The mixed aerogel exhibited a higher specific surface area than pure CNC or CNF, with the highest value of 202.72 m2/g for the ratio of 1:3 (CNC/CNF). In addition, the crystallinity degree of obtained aerogel showed a higher value in the range of 76.49 to 69.02%, with the highest value being obtained for higher CNC content. This study is expected to provide insight into nanocellulose-based aerogel, with a promising potential for various applications.
Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: State-of-the-Art and Therapeutic Opportunities

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the malignancies with the worst prognosis despite a decade of efforts. Up to eighty percent of patients are managed at late stages with metastatic disease, in part due to a lack of diagnosis. The effectiveness of PDAC therapies is challenged by the early and widespread metastasis. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major driver of cancer progression and metastasis. This process allows cancer cells to gain invasive properties by switching their phenotype from epithelial to mesenchymal. The importance of EMT has been largely described in PDAC, and its importance is notably highlighted by the two major subtypes found in PDAC: the classical epithelial and the quasi-mesenchymal subtypes. Quasi-mesenchymal subtypes have been associated with a poorer prognosis. EMT has also been associated with resistance to treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. EMT is associated with several key molecular markers both epithelial and mesenchymal. Those markers might be helpful as a biomarker in PDAC diagnosis. EMT might becoming a key new target of interest for the treatment PDAC. In this review, we describe the role of EMT in PDAC, its contribution in diagnosis, in the orientation and treatment follow-up. We also discuss the putative role of EMT as a new therapeutic target in the management of PDAC.
From Bush Medicine to Modern Phytopharmaceutical: A Bibliographic Review of Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum spp.)

Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum spp., Pedaliaceae) is one of the best-documented phytomedicines. Its mode of action is largely elucidated, and its efficacy and excellent safety profile have been demonstrated in a long list of clinical investigations. The author conducted a bibliographic review which not only included peer-reviewed papers published in scientific journals but also a vast amount of grey literature, such as theses and reports initiated by governmental as well as non-governmental organizations, thus allowing for a more holistic presentation of the available evidence. Close to 700 sources published over the course of two centuries were identified, confirmed, and cataloged. The purpose of the review is three-fold: to trace the historical milestones in devil’s claw becoming a modern herbal medicine, to point out gaps in the seemingly all-encompassing body of research, and to provide the reader with a reliable and comprehensive bibliography. The review covers aspects of ethnobotany, taxonomy, history of product development and commercialization, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, as well as clinical efficacy and safety. It is concluded that three areas stand out in need of further investigation. The taxonomical assessment of the genus is outdated and lacking. A revision is needed to account for intra- and inter-specific, geographical, and chemo-taxonomical variation, including variation in composition. Further research is needed to conclusively elucidate the active compound(s). Confounded by early substitution, intermixture, and blending, it has yet to be demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that both (or all) Harpagophytum spp. are equally (and interchangeably) safe and efficacious in clinical practice.
A Core35S Promoter of Cauliflower Mosaic Virus Drives More Efficient Replication of Turnip Crinkle Virus

The 35S promoter with a duplicated enhancer (frequently referred to as 2X35S) is a strong dicotyledonous plant-specific promoter commonly used in generating transgenic plants to enable high-level expression of genes of interest. It is also used to drive the initiation of RNA virus replication from viral cDNA, with the consensus understanding that high levels of viral RNA production powered by 2X35S permit a more efficient initiation of virus replication. Here, we showed that the exact opposite is true. We found that, compared to the Core35S promoter, the 2X35S promoter-driven initiation of turnip crinkle virus (TCV) infection was delayed by at least 24 h. We first compared three versions of 35S promoter, namely 2X35S, 1X35S, and Core35S, for their ability to power the expression of a non-replicating green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, and confirmed that 2X35S and Core35S correlated with the highest and lowest GFP expression, respectively. However, when inserted upstream of TCV cDNA, 2X35S-driven replication was not detected until 72 h post-inoculation (72 hpi) in inoculated leaves. By contrast, Core35S-driven replication was detected earlier at 48 hpi. A similar delay was also observed in systemically infected leaves (six versus four days post-inoculation). Combining our results, we hypothesized that the stronger 2X35S promoter might enable a higher accumulation of a TCV protein that became a repressor of TCV replication at higher cellular concentration. Extending from these results, we propose that the Core35S (or mini35S) promoter is likely a better choice for generating infectious cDNA clones of TCV.
Is Plant Life-History of Biseasonal Germination Consistent in Response to Extreme Precipitation?

Future climate is projected to increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme precipitation events, and the resulting ecological consequences are often more serious than those of normal precipitation events. In particular, in desert ecosystems, due to the low frequency and strong fluctuation of extreme precipitation, the destructive consequences for desert plants caused by extreme precipitation have not received enough attention for some time. Based on statistics of extreme precipitation events (1965–2018) in the Gurbantunggut Desert, we investigated the effects of extreme precipitation (+0%, CK; +50%, W1; +100%, W2; +200%, W3; maintenance of field capacity, W4) on the plant life-history of the spring-germinated (SG) and autumn-germinated (AG) ephemeral plant Erodium oxyrhynchum by monitoring seedling emergence, survival, phenology, organ size, biomass accumulation, and allocation. The results showed that extreme precipitation caused about 2.5% seedling emergence of E. oxyrhynchum in autumn 2018 and 3.0% seedling emergence in early spring 2019, which means that most seeds may be stored in the soil or have died. Meanwhile, extreme precipitation significantly improved the survival, organ size, and biomass accumulation of SG and AG plants, and W3 was close to the precipitation threshold of SG (326.70 mm) and AG (560.10 mm) plants corresponding to the maximum individual biomass; thus, AG plants with a longer life cycle need more water for growth. Conversely, W4 caused AG plants to enter the leaf stage in advance and led to death in winter, which indicates that extreme precipitation may not be good for AG plants. Root and reproduction biomass allocation of SG and AG plants showed a significantly opposite trend under extreme precipitation treatments, which might be related to their different life-history strategies. Therefore, when only taking into account the changing trend of extreme precipitation from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6) climate projections data, we speculate that extreme precipitation may promote the growth of SG and AG plants from the beginning to the middle of this century, but extreme precipitation in autumn exceeding a certain threshold may adversely affect the survival of AG plants at the end of the century.
Understanding thiopurine methyltransferase polymorphisms for the targeted treatment of hematologic malignancies

ABSTRACT Introduction Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) catalyzes the S-methylation of thiopurines (mercaptopurine (MP) and tioguanine (TG)), chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Polymorphisms in TPMT gene encode diminished activity enzyme, enhancing accumulation of active metabolites, and partially explaining the inter-individual differences in patients’ clinical response. Areas covered This review gives an overview on TPMT gene and function, and discusses the pharmacogenomic implications of TPMT variants in the prevention of severe thiopurine-induced hematological toxicities and the less known implication on TG-induced sinusoidal obstruction syndrome. Additional genetic and non-genetic factors impairing TPMT activity are considered. Literature search was done in PubMed for English articles published since1990, and on PharmGKB. Expert opinion To titrate thiopurines safely and effectively, achieve the right degree of lymphotoxic effect and avoid excessive myelosuppression, the optimal management will combine a preemptive TPMT genotyping to establish a safe initial dose with a close phenotypic monitoring of TPMT activity and/or of active metabolites during long-term treatment. Compared to current ALL protocols, replacement of TG by MP during reinduction phase in TPMT heterozygotes and novel individualized TG regimens in maintenance for TPMT wild-type subjects could be investigated to improve outcomes while avoiding risk of severe hepatotoxicity.