Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monoterpenes Differently Regulate Acid-Sensitive and Mechano-Gated K2P Channels

Potassium K2P (“leak”) channels conduct current across the entire physiological voltage range and carry leak or “background” currents that are, in part, time- and voltage-independent. The activity of K2P channels affects numerous physiological processes, such as cardiac function, pain perception, depression, neuroprotection, and cancer development. We have recently established that, when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, K2P2.1 (TREK-1) channels are activated by several monoterpenes (MTs). Here, we show that, within a few minutes of exposure, other mechano-gated K2P channels, K2P4.1 (TRAAK) and K2P10.1 (TREK-2), are opened by monoterpenes as well (up to an eightfold increase in current). Furthermor\e, carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde robustly enhance currents of the alkaline-sensitive K2P5.1 (up to a 17-fold increase in current). Other members of the K2P potassium channels, K2P17.1, K2P18.1, but not K2P16.1, were also activated by various MTs. Conversely, the activity of members of the acid-sensitive (TASK) K2P channels (K2P3.1 and K2P9.1) was rapidly decreased by monoterpenes. We found that MT selectively decreased the voltage-dependent portion of the current and that current inhibition was reduced with the elevation of external K+ concentration. These findings suggest that penetration of MTs into the outer leaflet of the membrane results in immediate changes at the selectivity filter of members of the TASK channel family. Thus, we suggest MTs as promising new tools for the study of K2P channels’ activity in vitro as well as in vivo.
The Gastrointestinal Helminth Heligmosomoides bakeri Suppresses Inflammation in a Model of Contact Hypersensitivity

Helminths regulate host immune responses to ensure their own long-term survival. Numerous studies have demonstrated that these helminth-induced regulatory mechanisms can also limit host inflammatory responses in several disease models. We used the Heligmosomoides bakeri (Hb) infection model (also known as H. polygyrus or H. polygyrus bakeri in the literature) to test whether such immune regulation affects skin inflammatory responses induced by the model contact sensitiser dibutyl phthalate fluorescein isothiocynate (DBP-FITC). Skin lysates from DBP-FITC-sensitized, Hb-infected mice produced less neutrophil specific chemokines and had significantly reduced levels of skin thickening and cellular inflammatory responses in tissue and draining lymph nodes (LNs) compared to uninfected mice. Hb-induced suppression did not appear to be mediated by regulatory T cells, nor was it due to impaired dendritic cell (DC) activity. Mice cleared of infection remained unresponsive to DBP-FITC sensitization indicating that suppression was not via the secretion of Hb-derived short-lived regulatory molecules, although long-term effects on cells cannot be ruled out. Importantly, similar helminth-induced suppression of inflammation was also seen in the draining LN after intradermal injection of the ubiquitous allergen house dust mite (HDM). These findings demonstrate that Hb infection attenuates skin inflammatory responses by suppressing chemokine production and recruitment of innate cells. These findings further contribute to the growing body of evidence that helminth infection can modulate inflammatory and allergic responses via a number of mechanisms with potential to be exploited in therapeutic and preventative strategies in the future.
The Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition Process During the Fibrosis

Fibrosis is considered a complex form of tissue damage commonly present in the end stage of many diseases. It is also related to a high percentage of death, whose predominant characteristics are an excessive and abnormal deposition of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts -derived extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process in which epithelial cells gradually change to mesenchymal ones, is a major contributor in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. The key mediator of EMT is a multifunctional cytokine called transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) that acts as the main inducer of the ECM assembly and remodeling through the phosphorylation of Smad2/3, which ultimately forms a complex with Smad4 and translocates into the nucleus. On the other hand, the bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7), a member of the TGF family, reverses EMT by directly counteracting TGF-β induced Smad-dependent cell signaling. NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3), in turn, acts as cytosolic sensors of microbial and self-derived molecules and forms an immune complex called inflammasome in the context of inflammatory commitments. NLRP3 inflammasome assembly is triggered by extracellular ATP, reactive oxygen species (ROS), potassium efflux, calcium misbalance, and lysosome disruption. Due to its involvement in multiple diseases, NLRP3 has become one of the most studied pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Nevertheless, the role of NLRP3 in fibrosis development has not been completely elucidated. In this review, we described the relation of the previously mentioned fibrosis pathway with the NLRP3 inflammasome complex formation, especially EMT-related pathways. For now, it is suggested that the EMT happens independently from the oligomerization of the whole inflammasome complex, requiring just the presence of the NLRP3 receptor and the ASC protein to trigger the EMT events, and we will present different pieces of research that give controversial point of views.
Phylogenetic position of the southern rock lizard Australolacerta australis within the Lacertidae radiation

Abstract The southern rock lizard Australolacerta australis is a rock-dwelling lizard endemic to South Africa. The phylogenetic relationships of this species with other lacertid lizards are still not clear and have never been assessed in any phylogeny of Lacertidae using DNA sequence data. In this study we employed 3 044 base pairs from mitochondrial cytochrome b, 12S and 16S rRNA genes to investigate the phylogenetic position and the evolutionary history of A. australis. We performed phylogenetic analyses under the assumptions of Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference and estimated the timing of the cladogenic events related to A. australis by using a relaxed molecular clock method. Our phylogenetic reconstruction clearly placed A. australis within the southern African branch of the tribe Eremiadini including genera Tropidosaura, Meroles, and Pedioplanis. The former genus constitutes with A. australis a clade endemic to southernmost mountains of Africa. The radiation of this southern African clade is estimated to have occurred during the Mid Miocene (14.7–11.5 Mya), and it was likely due to the climate changes that occurred in the South African region at that time.
Development of ImmTOR Tolerogenic Nanoparticles for the Mitigation of Anti-drug Antibodies

The development of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) is a common cause for treatment failure and hypersensitivity reactions for many biologics. The focus of this review is the development of ImmTOR, a platform technology designed to prevent the formation of ADAs that can be applied broadly across a wide variety of biologics by inducing immunological tolerance with ImmTOR nanoparticles encapsulating rapamycin. The induction of tolerance is antigen-specific and dependent on the incorporation of rapamycin in nanoparticles and the presence of the antigen at the time of administration of ImmTOR. Evidence for the induction of specific immune tolerance vs. general immune suppression is supported by the findings that: (1) ImmTOR induces regulatory T cells specific to the co-administered antigen; (2) tolerance can be transferred by adoptive transfer of splenocytes from treated animals to naïve recipients; (3) the tolerance is durable to subsequent challenge with antigen alone; and (4) animals tolerized to a specific antigen are capable of responding to an unrelated antigen. ImmTOR nanoparticles can be added to new or existing biologics without the need to modify or reformulate the biologic drug. The ability of ImmTOR to mitigate the formation of ADAs has been demonstrated for coagulation factor VIII in a mouse model of hemophilia A, an anti-TNFα monoclonal antibody in a mouse model of inflammatory arthritis, pegylated uricase in hyperuricemic mice and in non-human primates, acid alpha-glucosidase in a mouse model of Pompe disease, recombinant immunotoxin in a mouse model of mesothelioma, and adeno-associated vectors in a model of repeat dosing of gene therapy vectors in mice and in non-human primates. Human proof-of concept for the mitigation of ADAs has been demonstrated with SEL-212, a combination product consisting of ImmTOR + pegadricase, a highly immunogenic enzyme therapy for the treatment of gout. ImmTOR represents a promising approach to preventing the formation of ADAs to a broad range of biologic drugs.
Effect of ABT on the activity and rate of degradation of isoproturon in susceptible and resistant biotypes of Phalaris minor and in wheat

The effect of the monooxygenase inhibitor, 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) on isoproturon phytotoxicity and metabolism was studied in resistant (R) and susceptible (S) biotypes of Phalaris minor and in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Addition of ABT (2·5, 5 and 10 mg litre-1) to isoproturon (0·25, 0·5, 1, 2 and 4 mg litre-1) in the nutrient solution significantly enhanced the phytotoxicity of isoproturon against the R biotype. Isoproturon at 0·25 mg litre-1 reduced the dry weight (DW) of the S biotype by 77%, whereas the R biotype required 4·0 mg litre-1 for similar reduction. Addition of 10 mg litre-1 of ABT to the 0·25 mg litre-1 isoproturon caused 71 and 82% reduction in DW of R and S biotypes, respectively. Wheat was more sensitive to the mixture of isoproturon and ABT than the R biotype of P. minor. Reduced concentrations of ABT in the mixture from 10 to 2·5 mg litre-1 increased the DW of the R biotype more than that of the S biotype. The R biotype metabolised [14C]isoproturon at a faster rate than the S biotype. ABT (5 mg litre-1) inhibited the degradation of [14C]isoproturon in both biotypes of P. minor and in wheat. In the presence of ABT, about half of the applied [14C]isoproturon remained as parent herbicide in all the three species after two days. The metabolites were similar in the R and S biotypes and wheat as determined by co-chromatography with reference standards and mass spectroscopy (MS). ABT inhibited the appearance of the hydroxy and monomethyl metabolites and their conjugates in all the test plants. These results suggest that the activity of the enzymes responsible for the degradation of isoproturon is greater in the R than in the S biotype of P. minor, resulting in its rapid detoxification. Incorporation of the monooxygenase inhibitor ABT into the nutrient solution greatly inhibited the degradation of [14C]isoproturon in the R biotype and increased its phytotoxicity. Both hydroxylation and N-dealkylation reactions were found to be sensitive to ABT; inhibition of hydroxylation was greater than that of demethylation. Since ABT could not completely suppress isoproturon degradation, it is possible that more than one monooxygenase is involved. © 1998 SCI
Limitations on the effects of ultraviolet radiation on benthic algae in a clear boreal forest lake

Abstract We examined the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) (280–400 nm) on epilithic algal metabolism, biomass, and taxonomy from early June to mid August 1999 (66 d) in Lake 224, an oligotrophic lake in the Experimental Lakes Area, northwestern Ontario, Canada. Epilithon colonized bare clay tiles placed under UVR-transparent (UVR+) and UVR-shielding (UVR−) acrylic filters, at depths of 0.5, 0.8, and 1.4 m. Filamentous chlorophytes and cyanophytes were the dominant algal taxa at 0.5 and 1.4 m depths, respectively, on day 28. Biovolumes did not differ between UVR treatments for any major algal class. We measured epilithic metabolism on days 28, 45, and 66 after the tiles were deployed. Photosynthesis was not affected by UVR on any date. On day 28, dark respiration was 33 to 49% greater in UVR+ than in UVR− treatments at all depths. On day 45, respiration was 11% greater in UVR+ than in UVR− treatments only at 0.5 m, and by day 66, respiration did not differ between treatments at any depth. Thus, the effects of UVR on respiration diminished with depth and over time and were strongest when epilithic biofilms were least developed. UVR probably has little impact on naturally colonized, fully developed epilithon deeper than 0.5 m in Lake 224, i.e., UVR affects <6% of the littoral zone. Comparison of our findings with those of an earlier study in Lake 224 suggests that the intensity and specific nature of UVR effects depend on the taxonomic composition of the benthic algal assemblage.
Epidemiologic Characteristics, Transmission Chain, and Risk Factors of Severe Infection of COVID-19 in Tianjin, a Representative Municipality City of China

This study was performed to describe the epidemiologic characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and explore risk factors for severe infection. Data of all 131 confirmed cases in Tianjin before February 20 were collected. By February 20, a total of 14/16 districts reported COVID-19 cases, with Baodi district reporting the most cases (n = 56). A total of 22 (16.8%) cases had a Wuhan-related exposure. Fever was the most common symptom (82.4%). The median duration of symptom onset to treatment was [1.0 (0.0–4.0) days], the duration of symptom onset to isolation [2.0 (0.0–6.0) days], and the duration of symptom onset to diagnosis [5.0 (2.0–8.0) days]. The analysis of the transmission chain showed two cluster infections with 62 cases infected. Transmission from a family member constituted 42%, usually at the end of transmission chain. Compared with patients with non-severe infections, patients with severe infections were more likely to be male (46.2 vs. 77.3%, P = 0.009) and had a Wuhan-related exposure (14.0 vs. 40.9%, P = 0.004). Multivariate logistic regression showed that male (OR 3.913, 95% CI 1.206, 12.696; P = 0.023) was an independent risk factor for severe infection. This study provides evidence on the epidemic of COVID-19 by analyzing the epidemiological characteristics of confirmed cases in Tianjin. Self-quarantine at an outbreak's early stage, especially for those with high-risk exposures, is conducive to prevent the transmission of infection. Further investigation is needed to confirm the risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection and investigate the mechanisms involved.
Short Imagery Rescripting Intervention to Treat Emotionally Dysregulated Behavior in Borderline Personality Disorder: An Exploratory Study

Background Current research on borderline personality disorder report an association between emotionally dysregulated behaviors and intrusive mental imagery depicting similar scenes. Imagery rescripting techniques have proven effective in reducing intrusive mental imagery in numerous contexts. We developed a two session-short intervention in which intrusive mental images are identified, analyzed, and modified for daily rehearsal at home. This study aimed to reduce the negative emotions and cognitions associated with self-injurious behaviors by replacing unhealthy imagery with more adaptive content. Methods Seven females diagnosed with borderline personality disorder who reported intrusive mental imagery of dysregulated behaviors were recruited for participation. Each participant engaged in two individualized treatment sessions and daily homework requiring the rehearsal of modified imagery. Emotion regulation strategies, borderline symptom severity, and depressiveness were assessed before and after treatment. Results Acceptance was positive, as no patient dropped out from treatment. Symptom exacerbation was not observed. Borderline symptom reduction was noted and indicia of emotional dysregulation and negative affect declined. Limitations The generalizability of results is limited by the small sample size and the absence of a control group. Conclusions: This new two-session short intervention was shown to decrease the emotionally dysregulated behaviors that accompany negative feelings in females with borderline personality disorder.
Growth performance, carcass characteristics, organs measurement and haematology of broiler chickens fed a high fibre diet supplemented with antibiotics or dried yeast

Four antibiotics, namely procaine penicillin, tylosin, streptomycin and neomycin-oxytetracycline each at 150 mg · kg−1, and four levels of dried yeast, viz. 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.5 g · kg−1 were incorporated into a basal high fibre diet containing 250 g · kg−1 palm kernel meal. The unsupplemented diet was the control. The nine experimental diets were fed to broilers between 7 and 42 days of age to evaluate performance, carcass characteristics, organ weights and haematology in response to the supplements. The investigation revealed that broilers fed antibiotics or dried yeast supplemented diets attained heavier (P < 0.05) body weights, consumed greater (P < 0.05) quantities of feed except on penicillin and 6.0 g · kg−1 dried yeast, converted the feed better (P < 0.05), and yielded heavier carcass and cut-parts than those fed the unsupplemented diet. Organ weights were similar in broilers on the treatments, except the greater (P < 0.05) hepatic, spleenic and gizzard weights and lengthier intestinal tracts in birds fed dried yeast. Haematological indices were superior (P < 0.05) in broilers fed supplemented diets to the basal group. The data suggest improvement in performance, carcass yield and haematology of broilers as a result of antibiotics or dried yeast supplementation of a high fibre diet.
Job Crafting and Performance in Firefighters: The Role of Work Meaning and Work Engagement

The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model was often utilized as an explanatory framework when investigating the strain process among first responders in general and firefighters in particular. Yet, little is known about the motivational processes whithin firefighters. The aim of this study is to expand the knowledge regarding the motivational process of firefighters by investigating job crafting and introducing work meaning within the motivational framework of the JD-R model, in relation to job performance. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from one sample consisting of Romanian firefighters (n = 1,151). Structural equation modeling indicated the existence of both a direct and an indirect effect between job crafting and job performance through work meaning and work engagement. Our findings suggest that firefighters actively engage in job crafting behaviors and also that work meaning can be an outcome of job crafting. Results also encourage further research related to the way work meaning impacts job performance, through its link with work engagement. This study raises attention on how Fire departments may be able to create a climate that emphasizes meaningfulness and engagement, together with opportunities toward job redesign and a focus process based on efficiency gain.
A review of issues related to measuring colonization of plant roots by bacteria

Root colonization by introduced bacteria is an important step in the interaction of beneficial bacteria with the host plant. Investigators attempting to measure root colonization by bacteria must face several issues. A clear concept or definition of root colonization should be stated in each research summary, as several different definitions have been proposed. We consider true root colonists to be those bacteria that colonize roots in competitive conditions, i.e., natural field soils. Different methods of processing root samples are required if one is measuring external root colonization alone, internal colonization alone, or both. Given that most beneficial bacterial strains currently under investigation as root colonists are members of taxa naturally found in soils, a marking system is required to differentiate the introduced strain from members of the indigenous rhizosphere community. Spontaneous antibiotic resistance, immunological approaches, and foreign DNA sequences are among the marking systems t.
Sporulation of Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot) on oilseed rape (Brassica napus) leaves inoculated with ascospores or conidia at different temperatures and wetness durations

In controlled environment experiments, sporulation of Pyrenopeziza brassicae was observed on leaves of oilseed rape inoculated with ascospores or conidia at temperatures from 8 to 20°C at all leaf wetness durations from 6 to 72 h, except after 6 h leaf wetness duration at 8°C. The shortest times from inoculation to first observed sporulation (l0), for both ascospore and conidial inoculum, were 11–12 days at 16°C after 48 h wetness duration. For both ascospore and conidial inoculum (48 h wetness duration), the number of conidia produced per cm2 leaf area with sporulation was seven to eight times less at 20°C than at 8, 12 or 16°C. Values of Gompertz parameters c (maximum percentage leaf area with sporulation), r (maximum rate of increase in percentage leaf area with sporulation) and l37 (days from inoculation to 37% of maximum sporulation), estimated by fitting the equation to the observed data, were linearly related to values predicted by inserting temperature and wetness duration treatment values into existing equations. The observed data were fitted better by logistic equations than by Gompertz equations (which overestimated at low temperatures). For both ascospore and conidial inoculum, the latent period derived from the logistic equation (days from inoculation to 50% of maximum sporulation, l50) of P. brassicae was generally shortest at 16°C, and increased as temperature increased to 20°C or decreased to 8°C. Minimum numbers of spores needed to produce sporulation on leaves were ≈25 ascospores per leaf and ≈700 conidia per leaf, at 16°C after 48 h leaf wetness duration.
Ocorrência de bicho-mineiro do cafeeiro ( Leucoptera coffeella ) influenciada pelo período estacional e pela altitude - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v25i1.2458

The influence of altitude on infestations by coffee leaf-miner, Leucoptera coffeella , and on predation levels of the species by wasps is provided. Coffee leaves were sampled from July 1998 to April 2001 in experimental plots from coffee plantations at nine different altitudes. Results showed pest occurrence throughout the whole year. Peaks of pest infestation and predation varied from year to year, mainly between August and November, and between December and February respectively. Highest infestations by leafminer occurred at 850 m altitude, while the predation levels showed slight increase up to 860 m. They reached a maximum at this point but decreased at higher altitudes. A weak, albeit significant negative correlation between pest infestation and predation has been reported.
Sex ratio variation in the cooperatively breeding alpine marmot Marmota marmota

In cooperatively breeding vertebrate species, a clear theoretical prediction about the direction of sex ratio adjustment can be made: mothers should bias the sex ratio of their offspring towards the helping sex when helpers are absent. A consistent trend in the direction predicted by theory exists in cooperative birds, but theory is still poorly tested in cooperative mammals. Here, multivariate analyses are applied to a long-term data set to test this prediction in two ways in the alpine marmot: (1) across females in a population and (2) in individual females across multiple years. It was shown that in the alpine marmot offspring sex ratio was biased towards the helping sex (males) when helpers were absent, whereas helped mothers produced unbiased sex ratio. Unhelped mothers did not adjust the litter size but produced more sons and fewer daughters than helped mothers. These results support the theoretical prediction and explain well the male bias observed among juvenile alpine marmots at the population level. The occurrence of possible sex ratio manipulations in cooperatively breeding vertebrates is also discussed. Copyright 2004.