Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LOCATION AND EXPRESSION OF FRUSTULINS IN THE PENNATE DIATOMS CYLINDROTHECA FUSIFORMIS, NAVICULA PELLICULOSA, AND NAVICULA SALINARUM (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)

A detailed immunocytochemical and biochemical study of the location and expression of frustulins, a family of proteins associated with the frustules of diatoms, has been performed for Cylindrotheca fusiformis Reimann et Lewin, Navicula pelliculosa (Brébisson et Kützing) Hilse, and Navicula salinarum (Grunow) Husted. Immunocytochemistry revealed that frustulins, which share homologous epitopes but are different in size, were predominantly located in the organic casing. Based on timed immunolocalization experiments and Western blotting analysis of cell extracts obtained sequentially after repleting silicate to Si‐synchronized cells, the continuous presence of the frustulins in the mature and parental organic casing of the examined species was observed. The frustulins of N. pelliculosa appeared as proteins similar to those of C. fusiformis, sharing identical epitopes. The extractions, however, yielded a markedly lower abundance of frustulins in N. pelliculosa. Peak concentrations of extracted frustulins appeared to be expressed just ahead of the silicification process in C. fusiformis, whereas the level of expression in N. pelliculosa increased along with maturation of the new valves. For N. salinarum, the presence of the frustulins could not be confirmed properly by Western blotting, most probably because of the small sample volumes, inefficient extraction, and a lower amount of homologous frustulins in the casing of this species. It is concluded that the frustulins of these species are not associated with the silicalemma of the newly formed silica deposition vesicles and therefore do not seem to be involved in the silicification process itself. Overall, the results imply a structural role of the frustulins in the casing of diatoms rather than a regulation of the silicification process.
Isolation and Characterization of Two Types of Protein Bodies in the Rice Endosperm

Two types of proteinaceous particles were observed under the electron microscope in the starchy endosperm of rice seeds. One was spherical with lamellar structure (PB-I), while the other was stained homogeneously by osmium tetroxide and not lamellar structured (PB-II). Both types of proteinaceous particles were effectively condensed from the homogenate of developing rice endosperm by an aqueous polymer two-phase system using dextran-DEAE dextran-polyethylene glycol. Separation of both types was carried out by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. These proteinaceous particles were recovered at specific gravities of 1.27 and 1.29 for PB-I and PB-II, respectively. The protein composition of these particles and their solubility fractionation were examined. Prolamin appeared in the PB-I fraction, whereas PB-II was rich in glutelin and globulin.
Adverse obstetric outcomes in public hospitals of southern Ethiopia: the role of parity

Abstract Purpose Direct obstetric causes have a significant contribution for severe maternal morbidities and mortalities, although the effect of grand multiparity on adverse obstetric outcomes remains controversial across studies. This study aimed to compare obstetric outcomes in grand multiparous and low multiparous women in two hospitals of southern Ethiopia. Materials and methods A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in one general and one comprehensive specialized hospitals in 2018. Four hundred and sixty-one mothers were included in the study. Data were collected by structured questionnaire and extraction sheets from clinical documents, and were analyzed using STATA version 14 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). Results About 39% of the included mothers had at least one adverse obstetric outcome. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, antepartum hemorrhage, and premature rupture of membrane and were higher in the grand multiparous mothers. However, obstructed labor and risk of cesarean delivery were higher in low multiparous women. History of medical illnesses, previous cesarean delivery, and high birth weight were independent predictors of adverse maternal outcomes regardless of parity. However, parity did not show statistically significant difference in obstetric outcomes. Conclusion Parity did not show statistically significant difference in experiencing adverse obstetric outcomes in women. Early identification and treatment of high-risk mothers is recommended regardless of parity.
IDENTIFICATION OF GENETIC POLYMORPHISM IN TWO EXONIC CODING REGION OF LEPTIN GENE AMONG INDIGENOUS AND CROSSBRED CATTLE

Leptin gene has its role in appetite, metabolism, growth and milk production in cattle. PCR-RFLP method was carried out to detect the polymorphism in leptin gene among Frieswal, Ongole and Sahiwal cattle. Frieswal population under study revealed that 11%, 51% and 38% are TT, CT, and CC respectively genotypes with respect to exon 2. But the same population had 22% TT, 51% CT and 27% CC genotype for first SNP in exon 3; 4% TT, 38% C Tand 58% CC genotype for second SNP in exon 3. Ongole population revealed only CT genotype with respect to exon 2, but it showed TT genotype for first SNP and CC genotype for second SNP in exon3. Sahiwal population had 4% TT, 88% CT and 8% CC genotype (exon 2), respectively. Whereas the same population revealed 4% TT, 55% CT and 41% CC genotype for first SNP in exon 3 and 4% CT and 96% CC genotype for second SNP in exon 3. Sahiwal population had no TT genotype for second SNP in exon 3.
Attenuation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection by INP0341, a salicylidene acylhydrazide, in a murine model of keratitis

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and a major cause of corneal infections worldwide. The bacterium secretes several toxins through its type III secretion system (T3SS) to subvert host immune responses. In addition, it is armed with intrinsic as well as acquired antibiotic resistance mechanisms that make treatment a significant challenge and new therapeutic interventions are needed. Type III secretion inhibitors have been studied as an alternative or in accompaniment to traditional antibiotics to inhibit virulence of bacteria. In this study, INP0341, a T3SS inhibitor, inhibited cytotoxicity by P. aeruginosa toward human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) at 100 μM without affecting bacterial growth in the liquid media. An increased expression of antimicrobial peptides and reactive oxygen species generation was also observed in cells exposed to P. aeruginosa in the presence of INP0341. Furthermore, INP0341 efficiently attenuated corneal infection by P. aeruginosa in an experimental model of murine keratitis as evident from corneal opacity, clinical score and bacterial load. Thus, INP0341 appears to be a promising candidate to treat corneal infection caused by P. aeruginosa and can be further considered as an alternative therapeutic intervention.
Long noncoding RNAs in endometriosis: Biological functions, expressions, and mechanisms

Endometriosis refers to a benign chronic gynecological disorder, and is defined as the ectopic growth of endometrium in pelvic cavity. Endometriosis affects about 10% of reproductive‐aged women. Unfortunately, the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains obscure, and the disease witnesses a lack of effective therapy approaches. Therefore, more research needs to be performed to throw light on endometriosis, its pathogenesis, and therapy. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are defined as functional cellular RNA longer than 200 nucleotides, have been implicated in many chronic disorders. It has been suggested that lncRNAs are closely related to the endometriosis process. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms by which lncRNAs associate with endometriosis should be elucidated more detailed. In our brief review, we first exhibit the aberrant lncRNAs expression in endometriosis. Then, we talk about the molecular mechanisms underlying lncRNAs in endometriosis. Finally, we also present the potential of lncRNAs as biomarkers for endometriosis.
Assessment of the Use of Pharmacologic Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Post-Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Prophylaxis (PPX) beyond 48 hours increases VTE risk 3- to 4-fold. Pharmacologic VTE PPX initiation is controversial due to potential bleeding complications. Objective: To evaluate VTE PPX in patients with TBI for practice variation, efficacy, and safety. Methods: Retrospective review from January 2013 to September 2016 in adults admitted to the intensive care unit with moderate to severe TBI. Demographics, time to stable computerized tomography scan, time to PPX initiation, PPX regimen, and incidences of VTE and adverse effects were collected. Data were analyzed via descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and linear regression models. Results: Of 96 patients included, 14.6% did not receive VTE PPX (G1), 7.3% initiated therapy within 0 to 24 hours (G2), 14.6% after 24 to 48 hours (G3), and 63.5% after 48 hours (G4). VTE occurred in 0% of G1 and G2, 28.6% of G3, and 8.2% of G4 patients (P = .038). Of 9 VTE cases, 8 received medical and 1 received trauma PPX dosing (P = .44). There were 3 major bleeds (P = .79) and 19 minor bleeds (P = .042). Of 14 fatalities, 42.9% were in G1, 0% in G2, 14.2% in G3, and 42.9% in G4 (P = .009). Conclusion: The majority of patients received delayed PPX, with no correlation between VTE incidence and PPX regimen. There was a significant difference in VTE incidence stratified by time to PPX. Further studies are required to determine optimal timing of PPX. Higher mortality rate was correlated with the lack of PPX. Increased minor bleeds occurred with earlier PPX initiation.
Transcriptomic identification of TMIGD1 and its relationship with the ileal epithelial cell differentiation in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND Crohn's disease (CD) is a complex and multifactorial illness. There are still considerable gaps in our knowledge regarding its pathophysiology. A transcriptomic approach could shed some light on little-known biological alterations of the disease. We therefore aimed to explore the ileal transcriptome to gain knowledge about CD. METHODS We performed whole transcriptome gene expression analysis on ileocecal resections from CD patients and inflammatory bowel disease-free controls, as well as on a CD-independent cohort to replicate selected results. Normalized data were hierarchically clustered, and gene ontology and the molecular network were studied. Cell cultures and molecular methods were used for further evaluations. RESULTS Genome-wide expression data analysis identified a robust transmembrane immunoglobulin domain-containing 1 (TMIGD1) gene under-expression in CD tissue, which was even more marked in inflamed ileum, and which was replicated in the validation cohort. Immunofluorescence showed TMIGD1 to be located in the apical microvilli of well-differentiated enterocytes, but not in intestinal crypt. This apical TMIGD1 was lower in the non-inflamed tissue and almost disappeared in the inflamed mucosa of surgical resections. In vitro studies showed hypoxic-dependent TMIGD1 decreased its expression in enterocyte-like cells. The gene enrichment analysis linked TMIGD1 with cell recovery and tissue remodelling in CD settings, involving guanylate cyclase activities Transcriptomics may be useful for finding new targets that facilitate studies of the CD pathology. This is how TMIGD1 was identified in CD patients, which was related to multiciliate ileal epithelial cell differentiation.
Taking the water out of “wastewater”: An ineluctable oxymoron for urban water cycle sustainability

Water, energy, and food are key resources that could easily limit sustainability of human society development. Water supply requires considerable amounts of energy, and “usedwater” carries considerable amounts of embedded energy and recoverable materials within. Usedwater is increasingly considered as a potential resource, rather than as a waste. Among process technology options that may allow efficient recovery of that energy, anaerobic digestion could be considered the most mature, already sporting countless applications worldwide. However, the present inefficient dilution‐base collection systems paradigm produces rather dilute sewage, preventing to a large degree a more efficient application of this technology. A new collection system paradigm, based on liquid sources segregation and minimal organics dilution, could result in significant energy savings for conveyance and treatment. This could also enhance recovery of nutrients and reclamation of potentially reusable water, with the associated benefit of reduced production of process residuals requiring further disposal. Implications of this model are discussed.
Taille De Première Maturité Et Période De Ponte De Penaeus Kerathurus Dans Le Golfe De Gabès, Tunisie (Decapoda, Penaeoidea)

Size at first maturity and period of egg-laying in Penaeus kerathurus of the Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia, were determined by means of two functional criteria: the presence of spermatophores and the maturation of the ovary. The carapace length corresponding to 50% of the mature females would be in the range of 29 to 30 mm. It is determined by fitting the curve representing the proportion of the females according to the logistic function P = 1 /(1+exp(-a(Lc-Lc50))). The egg-laying period is studied by means of a maturation index (MI = weight of ovary/size). This occurs from June-July to October but the oldest females lay earlier than the youngest.
Preparados homeopáticos en el crecimiento y en la producción de repollo cultivado en sistema orgânico

El repollo es consumido preferencialmente in natura y en muchos casos es producido de manera convencional, dejando trazas de residuos quimicos, lo cual puede generar afecciones directas sobre la salud del consumidor y del agricultor. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar la influencia de preparados homeopaticos en altas diluciones en el crecimiento de plantulas y en la produccion de repollo, en sistema organico. El trabajo fue compuesto por cinco experimentos para estudiar nueve tratamientos con cuatro repeticiones siendo la conduccion de tres experimentos en invernadero, utilizando el diseno experimental de bloques completos al azar, y de dos experimentos en el campo utilizando el diseno experimental de bloques al azar. Los tratamientos estudiados fueron los preparados de Arnica montana,Silicea terra, Carbo vegetabilisy Sulphur en la 6CH y 30CH (orden de dilucion centesimal hahnemanniana); y agua como testigo. Sulphur6CH aumento en dos de los tres experimentos la altura y la longitud de raiz en relacion al testigo, en plantulas de repollo. Silicea terra 30CH y Sulphur6CH aumentaron la produccion y la materia seca de cabezas de repollo cultivadas en campo, asi como, Arnica montana 6CH y 30CH tambien incrementaron la materia seca de cabezas. Se concluyo que Sulphur6CH se destaco como promisorio para mejorar la calidad de las plantulas de repollo, asi como en la produccion y materia seca de cabezas de repollo en condiciones de campo siendo estas ultimas caracteristicas tambien mejoradas por Silicea terra30CH.
Influence of Environmental Factors on Production of Berberine Content in Berberis asiatica Roxb. ex DC in Kumaun West Himalaya, India

Berberis asiatica samples collected from nine altitudes of Kumaun Himalaya, India were analyzed for berberine concentrations using high-performance liquid chromatography. Correlation between berberine concentration, size class, and season were established. The root and stem bark samples from lower altitude, having larger size class, contained more berberine. Berberine concentration was the highest in summer and lowest in the rainy season. Low level of soil moisture and higher level of soil potassium produced higher berberine concentrations.
Persistência e lixiviação de ametryn e trifloxysulfuron-sodium em solo cultivado com cana-de-açúcar

The aim of the work was to evaluate the behavior of the ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium commercial mixture in sugar-cane crop, as related to leaching potential and persistence in the environment. The Typic Haplufalf soil area was divided into two sub areas where the sugar-cane varieties SP 79 1011 and SP 80 1816 were cultivated. The treatments were constituted by pre and post-emergence applications of the commercial herbicide mixtures in 2003 and 2003 + 2004, with four soil samplings 0-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m deep. Bioassay and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) methods were used to evaluate the residues. Both methods were found satisfactory for evaluation of the commercial mixture residue, although the bioassay use did not allow evaluating the compounds separatedly. According to the data obtained from the simultaneous analysis of ametryn and trifloxysulfuron-sodium by HPLC, most of the ametryn residues remained in the soil layer 0-0.10 m deep, persisting for over 180 days after application (DAA), in soil sprayed in 2003 + 2004. Ametryn residues in 0.10 - 0.20 m deep, were as well found for the treatments sprayed in 2003 + 2004 and showed the risks of leaching and contaminating water with this herbicide. For the treatments sprayed only in 2003, a significant residual effect was not detected 490 days after application. Differences in residual effect among cultivated sub areas with the variety SP 79 1011 and SP 80 1816 were due to the different amounts of clay and organic matter in the soil. Residues of trifloxysulfuron-sodium were not found in any period of the soil sampling, as the limit of quantification by HPLC (0.06 mg L-1) is higher than the used dose of this herbicide (37 g ha-1).
Water balance and food consumption in dehydrated growing jirds (Meriones shawi shawi)

This study was an investigation of the degree to which water conservation is adapted in jirds (Meriones shawi shawi) when dehydration occurs during growth. During total water deprivation, three different stages became evident. For the first 7 days of total dehydration food intake decreased, then it stabilized over the next 4 weeks, until it approached the initial amounts, and finally increased to twice control levels. Analysis of changes water flux in growing M. s. shawi, with and without a supply of water, revealed that dehydrated animals are able to develop physiological tolerance and performance with respect to their water balance. The excretion of hyperosmotic urine in response to prolonged dehydration is intimately linked to the adaptive morphological kidney changes, i.e., selective hypertrophy, that we observed.
PPARα Agonists Suppress Osteopontin Expression in Macrophages and Decrease Plasma Levels in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Osteopontin (OPN) is a proinflammatory cytokine implicated in the chemoattraction of monocytes and the development of atherosclerosis. Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)α, a ligand-activated transcription factor with pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages, is the molecular target for fibrates, which are frequently used to treat dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk for cardiovascular disease. In the present study, we examined the regulation of OPN by PPARα agonists in macrophages and determined the effect of fibrate treatment on OPN plasma levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Treatment of human macrophages with the PPARα ligands bezafibrate or WY14643 inhibited OPN expression. PPARα ligands suppressed OPN promoter activity, and an activator protein (AP)-1 consensus site conferred this repression. Overexpression of c-Fos and c-Jun reversed the inhibitory effect of PPARα ligands on OPN transcription, and, in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, PPARα ligands inhibited c-Fos and phospho–c-Jun binding to the OPN promoter. Moreover, c-Fos and phospho–c-Jun protein expression was inhibited by PPARα agonists, indicating that PPARα ligands suppress OPN expression through negative cross talk with AP-1–dependent transactivation of the OPN promoter. This inhibitory effect of PPARα ligands on OPN expression was absent in PPARα-deficient macrophages, suggesting a receptor-mediated mechanism of OPN suppression. Finally, treatment of type 2 diabetic patients with bezafibrate significantly decreased OPN plasma levels. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism whereby PPARα ligands may impact macrophage inflammatory responses and decrease early proinflammatory markers for cardiovascular disease.
Inhibition of IFN-γ-Mediated Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Induction by the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Agonist, 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-Prostaglandin J2, Involves Inhibition of the Upstream Janus Kinase/STAT1 Signaling Pathway1

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) ligands have been reported to exert anti-inflammatory activities in macrophages by competition for transcriptional coactivators with some transcriptional factors, including NF-κB. In the present study the influence of PPARγ activators on IFN-γ-elicited macrophage stimulation and signaling cascades was investigated. The results show that IFN-γ-induced inducible NO synthase (iNOS) gene transcription, iNOS protein induction, and NO production are more sensitive to inhibition by 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15dPGJ2) than by the other two PPARγ agonists, GW1929 and ciglitazone. Delayed addition of 15dPGJ2 for 2 h resulted in reduced inhibition, suggesting action by 15dPGJ2 on the upstream signaling cascades. Immunoblotting, DNA binding, and reporter gene assays consistently revealed the inhibitory ability of 15dPGJ2, but not GW1929 or ciglitazone, on IFN-γ-elicited signaling cascades, including tyrosine phosphorylation of Janus tyrosine protein kinase 2 and STAT1, DNA binding, and IFN regulatory factor-1 trans-activation of STAT1. These effects of 15dPGJ2 were not abrogated by the PPARγ antagonist, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, indicating the PPARγ-independent actions. 15dPGJ2 also attenuated IL-6-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 in Hep3B hepatoma cells. Consistent with the inhibitory effect of reactive oxygen species on STAT1 signaling, STAT1 inhibition by 15dPGJ2 was abrogated by N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Furthermore, 15dPGJ2-induced inhibition of STAT1 phosphorylation and NO production still occurred in the presence of peroxovanadate, ruling out the action mechanism of 15dPGJ2 on tyrosine phosphatase. Taken together, for the first time in this study we demonstrate that 15dPGJ2 can inhibit cytokine-stimulated Janus kinase 2-STAT signaling through a PPARγ-independent, reactive oxygen species-dependent mechanism. These data provide a novel molecular mechanism of iNOS inhibition by 15dPGJ2 and confirm its physiological role in anti-inflammation.