Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Metabolic Inhibitors, Antibiotics, and Microgravity on Intact Cell MALDI-TOF Mass Spectra of the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus Sp. UPOC S4

The aim and novelty of this paper are found in assessing the influence of inhibitors and antibiotics on intact cell MALDI-TOF mass spectra of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. UPOC S4 and to check the impact on reliability of identification. Defining the limits of this method is important for its use in biology and applied science. The compounds included inhibitors of respiration, glycolysis, citrate cycle, and proteosynthesis. They were used at 1–10 μM concentrations and different periods of up to 3 weeks. Cells were also grown without inhibitors in a microgravity because of expected strong effects. Mass spectra were evaluated using controls and interpreted in terms of differential peaks and their assignment to protein sequences by mass. Antibiotics, azide, and bromopyruvate had the greatest impact. The spectral patterns were markedly altered after a prolonged incubation at higher concentrations, which precluded identification in the database of reference spectra. The incubation in microgravity showed a similar effect. These differences were evident in dendrograms constructed from the spectral data. Enzyme inhibitors affected the spectra to a smaller extent. This study shows that only a long-term presence of antibiotics and strong metabolic inhibitors in the medium at 10−5 M concentrations hinders the correct identification of cyanobacteria by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF).
Mast Cell-Derived SAMD14 Is a Novel Regulator of the Human Prostate Tumor Microenvironment

Simple Summary Mast cells are a type of immune cell that lives within organs and tissues of the body. When tumors develop in these organs, such as in prostate cancer, mast cells secrete multiple factors that can activate the tumor environment and help tumor cells to thrive. Here, we identify a gene called SAMD14 that is reduced in mast cells obtained from men with prostate cancer. We demonstrate that SAMD14 expression in mast cells can alter their secretions and promote the alignment of matrix fibers that cancer cells use to attach and move around on. By understanding how mast cells regulate their environment, we can reveal new directions of treatment that target the tumor environment as a whole, rather than just the tumor cells themselves. Abstract Mast cells (MCs) are important cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and are significantly associated with poor patient outcomes in prostate cancer and other solid cancers. The promotion of tumor progression partly involves heterotypic interactions between MCs and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which combine to potentiate a pro-tumor extracellular matrix and promote epithelial cell invasion and migration. Thus far, the interactions between MCs and CAFs remain poorly understood. To identify molecular changes that may alter resident MC function in the prostate tumor microenvironment, we profiled the transcriptome of human prostate MCs isolated from patient-matched non-tumor and tumor-associated regions of fresh radical prostatectomy tissue. Transcriptomic profiling revealed a distinct gene expression profile of MCs isolated from prostate tumor regions, including the downregulation of SAMD14, a putative tumor suppressor gene. Proteomic profiling revealed that overexpression of SAMD14 in HMC-1 altered the secretion of proteins associated with immune regulation and extracellular matrix processes. To assess MC biological function within a model of the prostate tumor microenvironment, HMC-1-SAMD14+ conditioned media was added to co-cultures of primary prostatic CAFs and prostate epithelium. HMC-1-SAMD14+ secretions were shown to reduce the deposition and alignment of matrix produced by CAFs and suppress pro-tumorigenic prostate epithelial morphology. Overall, our data present the first profile of human MCs derived from prostate cancer patient specimens and identifies MC-derived SAMD14 as an important mediator of MC phenotype and function within the prostate tumor microenvironment.
The Relationship between the Concentration of Magnesium and the Presence of Depressive Symptoms and Selected Metabolic Disorders among Men over 50 Years of Age

Background: changes in the concentration of magnesium influence numerous processes in the body, such as hormone and lipid metabolism, nerve conduction, a number of biochemical pathways in the brain, and metabolic cycles. As a result, changes in magnesium concentration may contribute to the emergence of such pathologies as depressive and metabolic disorders, including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Methods: blood samples were taken from 342 men whose mean age was 61.66 ± 6.38 years. The concentrations of magnesium, lipid parameters, and glucose were determined using the spectrophotometric method. Anthropometric measurements were performed to determine each participant’s body mass index (BMI). Additionally, all participants completed two questionnaires: the Beck Depression Inventory and the author’s questionnaire. Results: abnormal levels of magnesium were found in 78 people. The analysis showed that these subjects more often suffered from metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001), and depressive symptoms (p = 0.002) than participants with normal magnesium levels. Conclusion: our research showed that there is a relationship between abnormal levels of magnesium and the presence of self-reported conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and depressive symptoms among aging men. These findings may contribute to the improvement of the diagnosis and treatment of patients with these conditions.
Fabrication and Characterization of High-Quality UV Photodetectors Based ZnO Nanorods Using Traditional and Modified Chemical Bath Deposition Methods

Ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors (PDs) based on high-quality well-aligned ZnO nanorods (NRs) were fabricated using both modified and conventional chemical bath deposition (CBD) methods. The modified chemical bath deposition (M-CBD) method was made by adding air bubbles to the growth solution during the CBD process. The viability and effectiveness of M-CBD were examined by developing UV PDs based on ZnO NRs. The ZnO nano-seed layer was coated on a glass substrate utilizing radiofrequency (RF) sputtering. The impact of the different growth-times on morphology, growth rate, crystal structure, and optical and chemical properties were investigated systematically using different characterization techniques, such as field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, UV–VIS double beam spectrometer, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), respectively. The Al/ZnO UV PDs based on ZnO nanorods were fabricated with optimum growth conditions through the two methods of preparation. This study showed that the synthesized ZnO NRs using the M-CBD method for different growth times possess better properties than the conventional method under similar deposition conditions. Despite having the highest aspect ratio and growth rate of ZnO NRs, which were found at 4 h growth duration for both methods, the aspect ratio of ZnO NRs using the M-CBD technique was comparatively higher than the conventional CBD method. Besides, the UV PDs fabricated by the M-CBD method at 5 V bias voltage showed high sensitivity, short response time, quick recovery time, high gain, low dark current, and high photocurrent compared with the UV PD device fabricated by the conventional CBD method.
A Comparison of the Effect of Two Types of Whole Body Vibration Platforms on Fibromyalgia. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Whole body vibration has been proven to improve the health status of patients with fibromyalgia, providing an activation of the neuromuscular spindles, which are responsible for muscle contraction. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two types of whole body vibrating platforms (vertical and rotational) during a 12-week training program. Sixty fibromyalgia patients (90% were women) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: group A (n = 20), who performed the vibration training with a vertical platform; group B (n = 20), who did rotational platform training; or a control group C (n = 20), who did not do any training. Sensitivity measures (pressure pain and vibration thresholds), quality of life (Quality of Life Index), motor function tasks (Berg Scale, six-minute walking test, isometric back muscle strength), and static and dynamic balance (Romberg test and gait analysis) were assessed before, immediately after, and three months after the therapy program. Although both types of vibration appeared to have beneficial effects with respect to the control group, the training was more effective with the rotational than with vertical platform in some parameters, such as vibration thresholds (p < 0.001), motor function tasks (p < 0.001), mediolateral sway (p < 0.001), and gait speed (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, improvements disappeared in the follow-up in both types of vibration. Our study points out greater benefits with the use of rotational rather than vertical whole body vibration. The use of the rotational modality is recommended in the standard therapy program for patients with fibromyalgia. Due to the fact that the positive effects of both types of vibration disappeared during the follow-up, continuous or intermittent use is recommended.
Augmenting Nesidiocoris tenuis (Nesidiocoris) with a Factitious Diet of Artemia Cysts to Control Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on Tomato Plants under Greenhouse Conditions

Simple Summary Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) is an important biocontrol agent of several key arthropod pests, such as greenhouse and tobacco whiteflies, the South American tomato pinworm, thrips, plant mites, and other pests in the greenhouse. However, optimizing N. tenuis utilization in the greenhouse to control greenhouse pests such as whiteflies still needs further studies, especially in Japan. Here, we showed that factitious supplementary dietary in the form of Artemia cysts enhanced with high fructose corn syrup and honey, and delivered using a hemp rope could promote N. tenuis proliferation and spread among tomato plants. Nesidiocoris tenuis spread among tomato plants therefore, can maintain whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) eggs and nymph numbers at minimum in the greenhouse conditions. Abstract Natural predators such as Nesidiocoris tenuis are known for their role in managing greenhouse pests. However, techniques in maximizing the biological control potential of N. tenuis under field conditions are still lacking. We evaluated under greenhouse conditions the prospects of Artemia cysts enhanced with high fructose corn syrup and honey, and delivered using hemp strings (hemp rope) as supplementary factitious dietary in augmenting the proliferation and spread of N. tenuis on tomato plants. Results showed that N. tenuis supplemented with hemp rope could establish, proliferate and disperse among tomato plants compared to the N. tenuis supplemented with banker plants. Even though N. tenuis proliferated exponentially on banker plants, their movement and relocation to tomato plants, as expected, were only congested on tomato plants near the banker plants. However, as the survey continued, they relocated to the rest of the tomato plants. Furthermore, the number of Bemisia tabaci eggs and nymphs, a serious greenhouse pest of tomato, was observed to be significantly reduced in hemp rope greenhouse compared to banker plants and the negative control (no pest control system) greenhouses. This study, therefore, establishes foundational data on the usage of Artemia cysts enhanced with isomerized sugar (high fructose corn syrup) and honey under greenhouse conditions as factitious supplementary dietary in supporting N. tenuis establishment and spread, traits that are essential towards development of whitefly Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system. enhanced with isomerized sugar (high fructose corn syrup) and honey.
Involvement of the Catecholamine Pathway in Glioblastoma Development

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive tumor of the central nervous system (CNS). The standard of care improves the overall survival of patients only by a few months. Explorations of new therapeutic targets related to molecular properties of the tumor are under way. Even though neurotransmitters and their receptors normally function as mediators of interneuronal communication, growing data suggest that these molecules are also involved in modulating the development and growth of GBM by acting on neuronal and glioblastoma stem cells. In our previous DNA CpG methylation studies, gene ontology analyses revealed the involvement of the monoamine pathway in sequential GBM. In this follow-up study, we quantitated the expression levels of four selected catecholamine pathway markers (alpha 1D adrenergic receptor—ADRA1D; adrenergic beta receptor kinase 1 or G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2—ADRBK1/GRK2; dopamine receptor D2—DRD2; and synaptic vesicle monoamine transporter—SLC18A2) by immunohistochemistry, and compared the histological scores with the methylation levels within the promoters + genes of these markers in 21 pairs of sequential GBM and in controls. Subsequently, we also determined the promoter and gene methylation levels of the same markers in an independent database cohort of sequential GBM pairs. These analyses revealed partial inverse correlations between the catecholamine protein expression and promoter + gene methylation levels, when the tumor and control samples were compared. However, we found no differences in the promoter + gene methylation levels of these markers in either our own or in the database primary–recurrent GBM pairs, despite the higher protein expression of all markers in the primary samples. This observation suggests that regulation of catecholamine expression is only partially related to CpG methylation within the promoter + gene regions, and additional mechanisms may also influence the expression of these markers in progressive GBM. These analyses underscore the involvement of certain catecholamine pathway markers in GBM development and suggest that these molecules mediating or modulating tumor growth merit further exploration.
Exploring Farmers’ Reasons for Antibiotic Use and Misuse in Pig Farms in Brazil

Stressful management that makes farmed pigs susceptible to infections is associated with high antibiotic use (AMU) and resistance (AMR). Pig farmers are key stakeholders to support the international agenda pushing AMU restrictions. We interviewed 58 pig farmers on AMU/AMR, biosecurity, veterinary assistance, disease prevention and treatment, aiming to understand practices and attitudes towards the AMU/AMR problem. Farmers described a reliance on antibiotics to prevent and treat disease while neglecting biosecurity measures. We identified inappropriate AMU practices (high use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, incorrect dosage or treatment length) and unrestricted access to antibiotics, which encouraged imprudent AMU. Nevertheless, most farmers considered this AMU legitimate to guarantee herd productivity and showed unpreparedness and resistance to changing AMU practices, perceiving limitations (economic, sanitary and inspection) more easily than alternatives to reduce AMU. Agro-industries and foreign markets were mentioned, and internal consumers dismissed as potential motivators for behavioral changes. Importantly, farmers’ economic, technical and social factors may limit their autonomy to change practices. We conclude that the observed distancing of pig farmers from the AMU/AMR problem limits the efficiency of policies aiming for a prudent AMU. Our study indicates a need for education, training and behavior change nudging that should include other stakeholders beyond farmers.
Functions of Dendritic Cells and Its Association with Intestinal Diseases

Dendritic cells (DCs), including conventional DCs (cDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), serve as the sentinel cells of the immune system and are responsible for presenting antigen information. Moreover, the role of DCs derived from monocytes (moDCs) in the development of inflammation has been emphasized. Several studies have shown that the function of DCs can be influenced by gut microbes including gut bacteria and viruses. Abnormal changes/reactions in intestinal DCs are potentially associated with diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and intestinal tumors, allowing DCs to be a new target for the treatment of these diseases. In this review, we summarized the physiological functions of DCs in the intestinal micro-environment, their regulatory relationship with intestinal microorganisms and their regulatory mechanism in intestinal diseases.
Influence of Dopamine on Fluorescent Advanced Glycation End Products Formation Using Drosophila melanogaster

Non-enzymatic glycation and covalent modification of proteins leads to Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs). AGEs are biomarkers of aging and neurodegenerative disease, and can be induced by impaired neuronal signaling. The objective of this study was to investigate if manipulation of dopamine (DA) in vitro using the model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and in vivo using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, influences fluorescent AGEs (fAGEs) formation as an indicator of dopamine-induced oxidation events. DA inhibited fAGEs-BSA synthesis in vitro, suggesting an anti-oxidative effect, which was not observed when flies were fed DA. Feeding flies cocaine and methamphetamine led to increased fAGEs formation. Mutants lacking the dopaminergic transporter or the D1-type showed further elevation of fAGEs accumulation, indicating that the long-term perturbation in DA function leads to higher production of fAGEs. To confirm that DA has oxidative properties in vivo, we fed flies antioxidant quercetin (QUE) together with methamphetamine. QUE significantly decreased methamphetamine-induced fAGEs formation suggesting that the perturbation of DA function in vivo leads to increased oxidation. These findings present arguments for the use of fAGEs as a biomarker of DA-associated neurodegenerative changes and for assessment of antioxidant interventions such as QUE treatment.
Efficacy Assessment of Biosynthesized Copper Oxide Nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) on Stored Grain Insects and Their Impacts on Morphological and Physiological Traits of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Plant

Simple Summary In the current study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) were successfully formed through the reduction of CuSO4·5H2O by the activity of Aspergillus niger strain (G3-1) metabolites. The as-formed CuO-NPs were characterized by UV–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Fourier-transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Data showed the efficacy of fungal metabolites to fabricate crystallographic, spherical CuO-NPs with sizes of 14.0 to 47.4 nm at varied bending energies. The biosynthesized CuO-NPs exhibited activity against two wheat grain insects, Sitophilus granarius and Rhyzopertha dominica, in a size- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the lower CuO-NP concentrations had beneficial effects on the morphological and physiological aspects of wheat plants, without displaying any toxicity or repression of growth. Abstract Herein, CuO-NPs were fabricated by harnessing metabolites of Aspergillus niger strain (G3-1) and characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, SEM-EDX, FT-IR, and XPS. Spherical, crystallographic CuO-NPs were synthesized in sizes ranging from 14.0 to 47.4 nm, as indicated by TEM and XRD. EDX and XPS confirmed the presence of Cu and O with weight percentages of 62.96% and 22.93%, respectively, at varied bending energies. FT-IR spectra identified functional groups of metabolites that could act as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents to the CuO-NPs. The insecticidal activity of CuO-NPs against wheat grain insects Sitophilus granarius and Rhyzopertha dominica was dose- and time-dependent. The mortality percentages due to NP treatment were 55–94.4% (S. granarius) and 70–90% (R. dominica). A botanical experiment was done in a randomized block design. Low CuO-NP concentration (50 ppm) caused significant increases in growth characteristics (shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, and leaves number), photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophylls and carotenoids), and antioxidant enzymes of wheat plants. There was no significant change in carbohydrate or protein content. The use of CuO-NPs is a promising tool to control grain insects and enhance wheat growth performance.
A Low-Temperature Heat Output Photoactive Material-Based High-Performance Thermal Energy Storage Closed System

Designing and synthesizing photothermal conversion materials with better storage capacity, long-term stability as well as low temperature energy output capability is still a huge challenge in the area of photothermal storage. In this work, we report a brand new photothermal conversion material obtained by attaching trifluoromethylated azobenzene (AzoF) to reduced graphene oxide (rGO). AzoF-rGO exhibits outstanding heat storage density and power density up to 386.1 kJ·kg−1 and 890.6 W·kg−1, respectively, with a long half-life (87.7 h) because of the H-bonds based on high attachment density. AzoF-rGO also exhibits excellent cycling stability and is equipped with low-temperature energy output capability, which achieves the reversible cycle of photothermal conversion within a closed system. This novel AzoF-rGO complex, which on the one hand exhibits remarkable energy storage performance as well as excellent storage life span, and on the other hand is equipped with the ability to release heat at low temperatures, shows broad prospects in the practical application of actual photothermal storage.