Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunotherapies and Metastatic Cancers: Understanding Utility and Predictivity of Human Immune Cell Engrafted Mice in Preclinical Drug Development

Metastases cause high mortality in several cancers and immunotherapies are expected to be effective in the prevention and treatment of metastatic disease. However, only a minority of patients benefit from immunotherapies. This creates a need for novel therapies that are efficacious regardless of the cancer types and metastatic environments they are growing in. Preclinical immuno-oncology models for studying metastases have long been limited to syngeneic or carcinogenesis-inducible models that have murine cancer and immune cells. However, the translational power of these models has been questioned. Interactions between tumor and immune cells are often species-specific and regulated by different cytokines in mice and humans. For increased translational power, mice engrafted with functional parts of human immune system have been developed. These humanized mice are utilized to advance understanding the role of immune cells in the metastatic process, but increasingly also to study the efficacy and safety of novel immunotherapies. From these aspects, this review will discuss the role of immune cells in the metastatic process and the utility of humanized mouse models in immuno-oncology research for metastatic cancers, covering several models from the perspective of efficacy and safety of immunotherapies.
Uremic Sarcopenia: Clinical Evidence and Basic Experimental Approach

Sustained physical activity extends healthy life years while a lower activity due to sarcopenia can reduce them. Sarcopenia is defined as a decrease in skeletal muscle mass and strength due not only to aging, but also from a variety of debilitating chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart failure. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), who tend to be cachexic and in frail health, may develop uremic sarcopenia or uremic myopathy due to an imbalance between muscle protein synthesis and catabolism. Here, we review clinical evidence indicating reduced physical activity as renal function deteriorates and explore evidence-supported therapeutic options focusing on nutrition and physical training. In addition, although sarcopenia is a clinical concept and difficult to recapitulate in basic research, several in vivo approaches have been attempted, such as rodent subtotal nephrectomy representing both renal dysfunction and muscle weakness. This review highlights molecular mechanisms and promising interventions for uremic sarcopenia that were revealed through basic research. Extensive study is still needed to cast light on the many aspects of locomotive organ impairments in CKD and explore the ways that diet and exercise therapies can improve both outcomes and quality of life at every level.
Substitutions in Bacteriophage T4 AsiA andEscherichia coli ς70 That Suppress T4motA Activation Mutations

ABSTRACT Bacteriophage T4 middle-mode transcription requires two phage-encoded proteins, the MotA transcription factor and AsiA coactivator, along with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing the ς70 subunit. AmotA positive control (pc) mutant, motA-pc1, was used to select for suppressor mutations that alter other proteins in the transcription complex. Separate genetic selections isolated two AsiA mutants (S22F and Q51E) and five ς70 mutants (Y571C, Y571H, D570N, L595P, and S604P). All seven suppressor mutants gave partial suppressor phenotypes in vivo as judged by plaque morphology and burst size measurements. The S22F mutant AsiA protein and glutathione S-transferase fusions of the five mutant ς70 proteins were purified. All of these mutant proteins allowed normal levels of in vitro transcription when tested with wild-type MotA protein, but they failed to suppress the mutant MotA-pc1 protein in the same assay. The ς70 substitutions affected the 4.2 region, which binds the −35 sequence of E. coli promoters. In the presence of E. coli RNA polymerase without T4 proteins, the L595P and S604P substitutions greatly decreased transcription from standard E. colipromoters. This defect could not be explained solely by a disruption in −35 recognition since similar results were obtained with extended −10 promoters. The generalized transcriptional defect of these two mutants correlated with a defect in binding to core RNA polymerase, as judged by immunoprecipitation analysis. The L595P mutant, which was the most defective for in vitro transcription, failed to support E. coli growth.
Measurement of the fluorescence lifetime of GFP in high refractive index levitated droplets using FLIM.

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a widely used fluorescent probe in the life sciences and biosciences due to its high quantum yield and extinction coefficient, and its ability to bind to biological systems of interest. This study measures the fluorescence lifetime of GFP in sucrose/water solutions of known molarity in order to determine the refractive index dependent lifetime of GFP. A range of refractive indices from 1.43-1.53 were probed by levitating micron sized droplets composed of water/sucrose/GFP in an optical trap under well-constrained conditions of relative humidity. This setup allows for the first reported measurements of the fluorescence lifetime of GFP at refractive indices greater than 1.46. The results obtained at refractive indices less than 1.46 show good agreement with previous studies. Further experiments that trapped droplets of deionised water containing GFP allowed the hygroscopic properties of GFP to be measured. GFP is found to be mildly hygroscopic by mass, but the high ratio of molecular masses of GFP to water (ca. 1500 : 1) signifies that water uptake is large on a per-mole basis. Hygroscopic properties are verified using brightfield microscope imaging, of GFP droplets at low and high relative humidity, by measuring the humidity dependent droplet size. In addition, this experiment allowed the refractive index of pure GFP to be estimated for the first time (1.72 ± 0.07). This work provides reference data for future experiments involving GFP, especially for those conducted in high refractive index media. The work also demonstrates that GFP can be used as a probe for aerosol studies, which require determination of the refractive index of the aerosol of any shape.
An Ecological Life Table for the Salamander Eurycea wilderae

clinid fish Ribeiroclinus eigenmanni with discussion of the intrarelationships and zoogeography of the Clinidae. Copeia 1970(3):430-436. STEPIEN, C. A. 1985. Life history, ecology, and regulation of the color morphic patterns of the giant kelpfish, Heterostichus rostratus Girard (family Clinidae). Unpubl. Ph.D. dissert. , University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. 1986a. Regulation of color morphic patterns in the giant kelpfish: genetic versus environmental factors. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 100:181-208. 1986b. Life history and larval development of the giant kelpfish, Heterostichus rostratus Girard (family Clinidae). Fish. Bull. 84(4):809-826. 1987. Color pattern and habitat difference (Blennioidei: Clinidae) between male, female, and juvenile giant kelpfish. Bull. Mar. Sci. 41(1):45-58. WILKIE, D. W. 1966. Colour pigments in the penpoint gunnel Apodichthysflavidus and their ecological significance. Unpubl. M.S. thesis, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. WILLIAMS, G. C. 1954. Differential vertical distribution of the sexes in Gibbonsia elegans with remarks on two nominal subspecies of this fish. Copeia 1954(4):267-273.
Laboratory tests and outcome for patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) poses substantial challenges for health care systems. With a vastly expanding amount of publications on COVID-19, clinicians need evidence synthesis to produce guidance for handling patients with COVID-19. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we examine which routine laboratory tests are associated with severe COVID-19 disease. Content PubMed (Medline), Scopus, and Web of Science were searched until the 22nd of March 2020 for studies on COVID-19. Eligible studies were original articles reporting on laboratory tests and outcome of patients with COVID-19. Data were synthesised and we conducted random effects meta-analysis and estimated mean difference (MD) and standard mean difference at biomarker level for disease severity. Risk of bias and applicability concern was evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies -2. Summary 45 studies were included, of which 21 publications were used for the meta-analysis. Studies were heterogeneous, but had low risk of bias and applicability concern in terms of patient selection and reference standard. Severe disease was associated with higher white blood cell count (MD 1.28 x 109/L), neutrophil count (MD 1.49 x 109/L), C-reactive protein (MD 49.2 mg/L), lactate dehydrogenase (MD 196 U/L), D-dimer (SMD 0.58), and aspartate aminotransferase (MD 8.5 U/L), all p < 0.001. Furthermore, low lymphocyte count (MD -0.32 x 109/L), platelet count (MD -22.4 x 109/L), and haemoglobin (MD -4.1 g/L), all p < 0.001, were also associated with severe disease. In conclusion, several routine laboratory tests are associated with disease severity in COVID-19.
Are basic robotic surgical skills transferable from the simulator to the operating room? A randomized, prospective, educational study.

INTRODUCTION We aimed to assess the transferability of basic robotic skills from the simulator to the operating room while performing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) prostatectomy). METHODS Fourteen urology residents were randomized to two groups: group A was required to practice three sessions (nine tasks each) on the simulator, whereas group B was required to practice (same nine tasks) until they reached competency. Both groups were recorded while practicing on the da Vinci Surgical Skills Simulator (da Vinci Simulator). Both groups were then recorded while performing bladder mobilization during RARP. Senior residents from both groups were also recorded while performing urethro-vesical anastomosis during RARP. Recordings were assessed blindly using the validated GEARS tool by C-SATS. Spearman's correlation coefficient (rho) was used to assess correlation between GEARS scores from practice sessions on the da Vinci Simulator and the GEARS scores from bladder mobilization and urethro-vesical anastomosis during RARP. RESULTS There was no difference in total GEARS scores between the two groups in the operating room. Total GEARS scores for "ring and rail 2" and "suture sponge" tasks correlated with the total GEARS scores during urethro-vesical anastomosis (rho=0.86, p=0.007; rho=0.90, p=0.002, respectively). GEARS' efficiency component during "energy and dissection" task on the da Vinci Simulator correlated with GEARS' efficiency component during bladder mobilization (rho=0.62, p=0.03). GEARS' force sensitivity component during "ring and rail 2" and "dots and needles" tasks on the da Vinci Simulator correlated with GEARS' force sensitivity component during bladder mobilization (rho=0.58, p=0.047; rho =0.65, p=0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Objective assessments of urology residents on the da Vinci Surgical Skills Simulator tasks ring and rail 2 and suture sponge correlated with their objective assessments of bladder mobilization and urethro-vesical anastomosis. Therefore, basic robotic skills could be transferred from the simulator to the operating room.
Effect of plant density on seed yield and agronomic characters of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) under green house conditions.

xperiment was conducted to find out the genotypic differences of faba bean in response to ifferent plant densities with the aim to find suitable variety and plant density giving better roduction under green house condition. Three varieties “Baldy”, “Giza1” and “Syrian” along with ree densities i.e. 2, 4 and 6 plants per pot were used. Results showed that for parameters like tem and leaf dry weight, seed dry weight, total dry matter and stem height, highest values were btained at the highest plant density (06 plants/pot) “Syrian” gave the highest stem and leaf dry ater yield (107.20 g) and total dry weight yield (128.40gm) at this density (06 plants/pot). owever, highest main stem height, (58.17 cm/plant) was obtained in variety “Giza1” at this ensity. Highest stem and leaves dry weight (258.33g) was observed in "Syrian" when values ere averaged across the densities. However, other parameters like seed dry weight (106.84g), tal dry weight (317.93g) and main stem height (159.17) was highest in the variety “Giza1”. The rowth rate was higher at density of 06 plants per pot for all varieties. In case of “Baldy” higher rowth rate in term of main stem height (cm) was observed at density of 02 plants/ pot. Highest rowth rate was observed in “Baldy” as compared to the “Giza1” and “Syrian”, respectively. In onclusion, highest seed setting and yield was associated with the highest plant density for all arieties however genetic differences also existed. Genotypic differences in the growth rate were lso evident.
Meiotic imbalance in laboratory-produced hybrid males of Chorthippus parallelus parallelus and Chorthippus parallelus erythropus

The grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus has two quite distinct subspecies, which meet along the Pyrenees forming a hybrid zone. Using silver staining we show that on the French side Cp. parallelus has three nucleolar organizer regions, on the L 2 , L 3 and X chromosomes, while on the Spanish side Cp. erythropus has only two NORs, on the L 2 and L 3 . Laboratory F1 hybrid males show reciprocal differences in the expression of NORs. When a Cp. erythropus is female parent the male progeny show four active NORs in mitotic cells and two silver precipitates in meiotic cells, as expected. But when a Cp. parallelus female donates the X with a NOR, her male offspring have a variable disrupted nucleolar expression. Some NORs are not expressed and extra sites of cryptic rDNA are revealed. Meiosis is more disturbed in this latter F1 cross with higher levels of polyploidy, but both Fls show around 90% spermatid abnormality. Such variation in rDNA expression is also found in individuals collected from the hybrid zone, and the role of this disturbance in affecting fitness is discussed.
Predator-induced plasticity in nest visitation rates in the Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus)

Bird nestlings may be at risk not only from starvation but also from predators attracted to the nest by parental feeding visits. Hence, parents could trade reduced visitation rates for a lower predation risk. Here, through field data and an experiment, we show plasticity in daily patterns of nest visitation in the Siberian jay, Perisoreus infaustus, in response to predator activity. In high-risk territories, jay parents avoided going to the nest at certain times of the day and compensated by allocating more feeding effort to periods when predators were less active. Such modifications in provisioning routines allowed parents in high-risk habitat to significantly lower the risk of providing visitation cues to visually oriented corvid nest predators. These results indicate that some birds modify their daily nest visitation patterns as a fourth mechanism to reduce predator-attracting nest visits in addition to the clutch size reduction, maximization of food load-sizes, and prevention of allofeeding suggested by Skutch. Copyright 2005.
Changes in Seed Yield and Quality with Maturity in Onion ( Allium cepa L., cv. 'Early Cream Gold')

Development of onion (Allium cepa L., cv. 'Early Cream Gold') seed under cool climate conditions in Tasmania, Australia occurred over a longer duration than previously reported, but similar patterns of change in yield components were recorded. In contrast to previous studies, umbel moisture content declined from 85 to 67 % over 57 days while seed moisture content decreased from 85 to 31 %. Seed yield continued to increase over the duration of crop development, with increasing seed weight compensating for seed loss resulting from capsule dehiscence in the later stages of maturation. Germination percentage was high and did not vary significantly from 53 to 77 days after full bloom (DAF), but mean germination time declined and uniformity of germination increased significantly over the same time period. The percentage abnormal seedlings declined with later harvest date, resulting in highest seed quality at 77 DAF. The results of this study suggest that the decision to harvest cool climate onion seed crops before capsule dehiscence will result in a loss of potential seed yield and quality.
Antibacterial Activity of the Endophytic Fungi from a Traditional Chinese Herb Paris Polyphylla Var. Chinensis

A total of 29 endophytic fungal isolates were separated from the healthy rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis (Trilliaceae), which is a traditional medicinal herb mainly distributed in central China. Eight distinct isolates (that is, Papochf01-Papochf08) were selected for further taxonomical identification by morphological traits and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA gene sequence analysis. The results based on morphological characters revealed six genera namely Bionectria (Papochf04), Fusarium (Papochf05), Leptodontidium (Papochf07), Neonectria (Papochf02), Setophoma (Papochf08) and Trichocladium (Papochf01). Isolates Papochf01, Papochf02, Papochf03, Papochf06 and Papochf08 have not been previously reported as the endophytic fungi. The filtrate and mycelia nbutanol extracts obtained from the isolates Papochf05 and Papochf08 exhibited strong inhibition on all the test bacteria including Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas lachrymans, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Xanthomonas vesicatoria. This finding shows that endophytic fungi from P. polyphylla var. chinensis could be an alternative source for producing antimicrobial agents.
Human Tumor Antigen MUC1 as an Inducer of Dendritic Cell Migration and Distorted Maturation

The immunostimulatory outcome of the interactions of many pathogens with dendritic cells (DC) has been well characterized. There are many fewer examples of similar interactions between DC and self-molecules, especially the abnormal self-proteins such as many tumor antigens, and their effects on DC function and the immune response. We show that human epithelial cell antigen MUC1 mucin, is recognized in its aberrantly glycosylated form on tumor cells by immature human myeloid DC as both a chemoattractant (through its polypeptide core) and a maturation and activation signal (through its carbohydrate moieties). Interestingly, MUC1 is chemotactic for immature DC but not for other cells of the immune system. Not only is this the first example of a tumor antigen that has chemotactic abilities but there are also no known receptors that are expressed uniquely on immature DC. However, we have determined that the MUC1 chemotactic receptor is a member of the chemokine receptor family based on its sensitivity to pertussis toxin, the formation of pseudopods upon ligand binding, and the Ca2+ flux in response to MUC1. Upon encounter with MUC1, similar to the encounter with LPS, immature DC increase cell surface expression of CD80, CD86, CD40 and CD83 molecules and the production of IL-6 and TNF-ƒNƒncytokines, but fail to make IL-12. When these DC are co-cultured with allogeneic CD4+ T cells, they induce production of IL-13 and IL-5 and lower levels of IL-2, thus failing to induce a type 1 response. Our data suggest that in cancer patients in vivo, MUC1 attracts immature DC to the tumor through chemotaxis and then subverts their function by negatively affecting their ability to stimulate type 1 helper T cell responses important for tumor rejection.
Incidence of mycoflora complexes on retail kolanuts (C. nitida and C. acuminata ) in North Central Nigeria

Objectives: The prevalence of mycoflora associated with retail kolanuts (C. nitida and C. acuminata ) obtained randomly across the North Central States of Nigeria was studied. Methodology and results: Surface sterilized tissues of the kolanuts samples were cultured on acidified Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) using standard laboratory methods. Twelve fungi isolates, mostly toxigenic and belonging to nine genera ( Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mucor, Lasiodiplodia, Paecilomyces, Chlamydomyces, Rhizopus, Penicillium and Curvularia ) were isolated from the kolanuts tissues. L. theobromae and F. pallidoroseum were the most predominant isolates and the incidence of L. theobromae on C. nitida was significantly higher (p<0.05) than other fungi isolates. However, the occurrence of F. pallidoroseum was more frequent than L. theobromae in C. acuminata , but the difference was not significant. Conclusion and application of results: Mycoflora complexes especially of toxigenic potentials were found associated with retail C. nitida and C. acuminata in the north central states of Nigeria, raising questions on the safe consumption of the crop.
Photovoice-Based Assessment of Weight Management Experiences of Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Tamoxifen

In this study, an in-depth analysis of weight management experiences of breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen is conducted, thereby providing basic data to help develop a multidimensional strategy to reduce recurrence and increase the survival rate of breast cancer patients. Study participants included nine breast cancer patients who were treated with tamoxifen at Kosin University Hospital and Saegyero Hospital in Busan Metropolitan City, Korea. This study employed the photovoice methodology. Participants described the need for family support and cooperation with weight management, provision of personalized weight management programs by medical institutions, provision of information on weight management programs by the community, and financial support for the weight management programs for breast cancer patients at the national level. This study emphasized the importance of weight management for breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen and collected and analyzed vivid opinions of these patients using photos taken by them.
MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF SOME FRESH FRUIT JUICES SOLD BY THE LOCAL VENDORS IN KANPUR CITY, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

The quality of fruit juices is an important area of investigation in India because of community is dependent on local street vendors due to its ease of availability and low price. However, the microbiological quality of most vended juices is ignored. In the present study, microbiological quality of some street vended juices like Beet, Carrot, Pomegranate, Sugarcane and Sweet lime sold at Kanpur city (India) was evaluated during peak season of summer. This study revealed high microbial load in most of the juice samples, moreover, sugarcane juice was found extremely contaminated. The various factors were observed that may contributed the higher number of microbial load in fruit juices and among them poor quality of ice was one of the most important source. The most prevalent bacterial species isolated from fruit juices were E. coli followed by Bacillus spp. The results suggest necessity of proper hygienic practices and quality attainment to the local vendors to avoid such