Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heat-Responsive miRNAs Participate in the Regulation of Male Fertility Stability in Soybean CMS-Based F1 under High Temperature Stress

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of noncoding small RNAs (sRNAs), are widely involved in the response to high temperature (HT) stress at both the seedling and flowering stages. To dissect the roles of miRNAs in regulating male fertility in soybean cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS)-based F1 under HT, sRNA sequencing was performed using flower buds from HT-tolerant and HT-sensitive CMS-based F1 combinations (NF1 and YF1, respectively). A total of 554 known miRNAs, 59 new members of known miRNAs, 712 novel miRNAs, and 1145 target genes of 580 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified under normal temperature and HT conditions. Further integrated analysis of sRNA and transcriptome sequencing found that 21 DEMs and 15 differentially expressed target genes, such as gma-miR397a/Laccase 2, gma-miR399a/Inorganic phosphate transporter 1-4, and gma-miR4413a/PPR proteins, mitochondrial-like, were negatively regulated under HT stress. Furthermore, all members of the gma-miR156 family were suppressed by HT stress in both NF1 and YF1, but were highly expressed in YF1 under HT condition. The negative correlation between gma-miR156b and its target gene squamosa promoter-binding protein-like 2b was confirmed by expression analysis, and overexpression of gma-miR156b in Arabidopsis led to male sterility under HT stress. With these results, we proposed that miRNAs play an important role in the regulation of male fertility stability in soybean CMS-based F1 under HT stress.
Analysis of a Novel Bacteriophage vB_AchrS_AchV4 Highlights the Diversity of Achromobacter Viruses

Achromobacter spp. are ubiquitous in nature and are increasingly being recognized as emerging nosocomial pathogens. Nevertheless, to date, only 30 complete genome sequences of Achromobacter phages are available in GenBank, and nearly all of those phages were isolated on Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of bacteriophage vB_AchrS_AchV4. To the best of our knowledge, vB_AchrS_AchV4 is the first virus isolated from Achromobacter spanius. Both vB_AchrS_AchV4 and its host, Achromobacter spanius RL_4, were isolated in Lithuania. VB_AchrS_AchV4 is a siphovirus, since it has an isometric head (64 ± 3.2 nm in diameter) and a non-contractile flexible tail (232 ± 5.4). The genome of vB_AchrS_AchV4 is a linear dsDNA molecule of 59,489 bp with a G+C content of 62.8%. It contains no tRNA genes, yet it includes 82 protein-coding genes, of which 27 have no homologues in phages. Using bioinformatics approaches, 36 vB_AchrS_AchV4 genes were given a putative function. A further four were annotated based on the results of LC–MS/MS. Comparative analyses revealed that vB_AchrS_AchV4 is a singleton siphovirus with no close relatives among known tailed phages. In summary, this work not only describes a novel and unique phage, but also advances our knowledge of genetic diversity and evolution of Achromobacter bacteriophages.
The EMT transcription factor ZEB1 blocks osteoblastic differentiation in bone development and osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is an often‐fatal mesenchyme‐derived malignancy in children and young adults. Overexpression of EMT‐transcription factors (EMT‐TFs) has been associated with poor clinical outcome. Here, we demonstrated that the EMT‐TF ZEB1 is able to block osteoblastic differentiation in normal bone development as well as in osteosarcoma cells. Consequently, overexpression of ZEB1 in osteosarcoma characterizes poorly differentiated, highly metastatic subgroups and its depletion induces differentiation of osteosarcoma cells. Overexpression of ZEB1 in osteosarcoma is frequently associated with silencing of the imprinted DLK‐DIO3 locus, which encodes for microRNAs targeting ZEB1. Epigenetic reactivation of this locus in osteosarcoma cells reduces ZEB1 expression, induces differentiation, and sensitizes to standard treatment, thus indicating therapeutic options for ZEB1‐driven osteosarcomas. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Speckle Tracking Analysis Reveals Altered Left Atrial and Ventricular Myocardial Deformation in Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease

Background: Cardiac function can be influenced by liver cirrhosis and should be thoroughly evaluated before liver transplantation. We investigated left ventricular (LV) and, for the first time, left atrial (LA) strain and strain rate in end-stage liver cirrhosis patients of different etiologies. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study evaluated left heart function in 80 cirrhosis patients and 30 controls using standardized echocardiographic techniques and speckle tracking technology (STE) analysis. Serum markers of liver function were used for correlation analysis. Results: While conventional parameters demonstrated no alteration in systolic function, speckle tracking analysis showed a significant increase in LV longitudinal strain throughout all cardiac layers, with significant correlation to model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. LA reservoir and conduit strain as well as LA strain rate in all phases were significantly reduced in end-stage liver disease (ESLD) patients compared to control. STE for the evaluation of LA phasic function seemed to be more sensitive than volumetric methods. Kaplan-Meier curves showed a trend towards reduced post-transplant survival in patients with a reduced LA reservoir and conduit strain. Conclusion: STE analysis detected increased LV and decreased LA deformation in cirrhosis patients, thus proving to be highly sensitive to cardiac changes and useful for more precise cardiac evaluation.
Providing psychosocial support for work-from-home educators during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract A recent article discussed the results of mental support for healthcare professionals and mental care during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the report, the researchers suggest that healthcare professionals must be given psychosocial support during and after the pandemic to prevent any long-term consequence. In this correspondence, this paper proposes that psychosocial support must also be given to educators in a work-from-home setup since they are also affected by the stresses that came with the pandemic.
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-9 as an Alternative Approach to Cure Diarrhea in Saanen Kids

Simple Summary Diarrhea is often the main cause of neonatal deaths on dairy goat farms. Poor management leads to infection with pathogenic bacteria and viruses causing enteritis, the main cause of diarrhea. Efficient drugs should be developed to prevent and treat kids with diarrhea. In the current study, the role of GBacillus-9 in the prevention and treatment of Saanen kids suffering diarrhea was assessed. Our data showed that GBacillus-9 restored the intestinal microbial disorder that resulted from diarrhea and suggested that GBacillus-9 could be used as a product to improve the gut health of kids. Abstract Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-9 (GBacillus-9), derived from the intestinal tract of the white-spotted bamboo shark, secretes a variety of antimicrobial compounds that inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. In this study, the role of GBacillus-9 in the prevention and treatment of Saanen kids with diarrhea was assessed. Six healthy kids (HL) and six kids with diarrhea (DL) were selected. All kids were fed with 0.3% (w/v) GBacillus-9 (spray power) in raw milk for two weeks. The proportion of kids with diarrhea decreased gradually as the trial progressed, and 100% DL kids were cured at day 15. GBacillus-9 increased the serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-6 concentration (p < 0.05). The amplicon sequencing analysis of the fecal bacterial community revealed that the fecal microbiota was remarkably different between the HL and the DL groups at day 0. After two weeks of feeding with GBacillus-9, no significant difference in fecal microbiota was observed between HL and DL groups at the phylum level. GBacillus-9 restored the intestinal microbial disorder associated with serum immunoglobulin and interleukin concentration. Correlation analysis showed that GBacillus-9 altered globulin and interleukin concentration and that immunoglobulin was associated with Firmicutes. Collectively, our results revealed that GBacillus-9 improved the gut health of kids by improving microbial homeostasis.
Synthesis, Cytotoxicity and Anti-Proliferative Activity against AGS Cells of New 3(2H)-Pyridazinone Derivatives Endowed with a Piperazinyl Linker

Novel twenty-three 3(2H)-pyridazinone derivatives were designed and synthesized based on the chemical requirements related to the anti-proliferative effects previously demonstrated within this scaffold. The introduction of a piperazinyl linker between the pyridazinone nucleus and the additional (un)substituted phenyl group led to some compounds endowed with a limited cytotoxicity against human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and good anti-proliferative effects against gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS) as evaluated by MTT and LDH assays, using doxorubicin as a positive control. Successive analyses revealed that the two most promising representative compounds (12 and 22) could exert their effects by inducing oxidative stress as demonstrated by the hydrogen peroxide release and the morphological changes (cell blebbing) revealed by light microscopy analysis after the haematoxylin-eosin staining. Moreover, to further assess the apoptotic process induced by compounds 12 and 22, Bax expression was measured by flow cytometry. These findings enlarged our knowledge of the structural requirements in this scaffold to display valuable biological effects against cancerous cell lines.
Response of Rambler Roses to Changing Climate Conditions in Urbanized Areas of the European Lowlands

Climate change affects the possibility of crop production and yield and disrupting the maintenance of crop biodiversity, including ornamentals. Warsaw is located in a temperate zone with mixed continental and oceanic climate influences. This research examines the response of once-blooming rambler roses to changing climate conditions in connection with their frost resistance and ornamental value. The 15 selected rambler rose cultivars were observed in the years 2000–2016 in the Polish Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden—Center for Biological Diversity Conservation in Powsin. Damage to shrubs caused by frost, the timing of bud break, leaf development, and initial, full, and final flowering were recorded. We show that changes in phenology and frost damage were the effect of weather conditions in the autumn–winter–spring period. Frost damage influenced the flowering and growth of plants in different ways, depending on the extent of required pruning. The cultivars most highly tolerant to frost damage were: “Lykkefund”, “Polstjårnan”, and “Semiplena”. During the final years (2014–2016), due to mild winters, all of the studied rose cultivars could be used for a wider range of applications than previously (2000–2006 and 2009–2013). Their reintroduction helped to maintain biodiversity of old cultivars, which makes these roses a proposal for the lowlands of Central Europe.
Application of Silica Nanoparticles for Improving Growth, Yield, and Enzymatic Antioxidant for the Hybrid Rice EHR1 Growing under Water Regime Conditions

The current study was designed to assess the effect of different concentrations of silica oxide nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) (0, 30, 60, and 90 ppm) as foliar applications under three irrigation regimes i.e., irrigation every 3 days (IR3, control), irrigation every 6 days (IR6), and irrigation every 9 days (IR9) on growth, yield and certain metabolites of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. EHR1). To achieve such a goal, 2 field experiments were conducted during the 2018 and 2019 seasons at the Experimental Farm of Rice Research and Training Center (RRTC), Sakha Agricultural Station, Kafr El-sheik, Egypt. Firstly, the as-prepared nanoparticles of SiO2 were prepared from useless materials (RHs) which are considered as one of the bio burdens on the environment via treating with HCl and followed by drying and calcination. Consequently, the synthesis was examined by making use of advanced tools such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) for illustrating the hydrodynamic particle size of SiO2NPs and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanoparticles were formed with nearly spherical shape and small size. The results indicated that leaf area index, dry matter production, the number of panicles/m2, the number of filled grains/ panicles, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, and biological yield as well as chlorophyll content have witnessed a significant increase under irrigated application every 3 and 6 days. Whilst a prolonged irrigation regime up to 9 days recorded a remarkable decline in the aforementioned characteristics except for the number of unfilled grains/panicle which increased considerably in both seasons. On the other hand, proline concentration and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes were increased in both irrigated treatments every 6 and 9 days compared with control treatment (irrigation every 3 days). The foliar supplementations of (SiO2NPs) contributed to ameliorating all the aforementioned characteristics progressively up to the dosage of 90 ppm compared to control treatment (no Si/NPS application) in both seasons. Invariably, growth and yield parameters in water-stressed plants treated with SiO2NPs were higher than those in water-stressed plants without SiO2NPs addition. Based on that, it could be concluded that the foliar application of SiO2NPs can mitigate the adverse effect of water stress on rice plants.
Prostaglandin E2 Receptor 4 (EP4) as a Therapeutic Target to Impede Breast Cancer-Associated Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis

Simple Summary The formation of new blood (angiogenesis) and lymphatic (lymphangiogenesis) vessels are major events associated with most epithelial malignancies, including breast cancer. Inflammation is a key mediator of both processes, hijacked by many cancers by the aberrant expression of the inflammation-associated enzyme cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2. In this review, we focus on breast cancer and show that COX-2 is a major promoter of both events, primarily resulting from the activation of prostaglandin (PG) E receptor EP4 on tumor cells, tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and endothelial cells; and induction of oncogenic microRNAs. The COX-2/EP4 pathway also promotes additional events in breast cancer progression, such as cancer cell migration, invasion, and the stimulation of stem-like cells. Based on a combination of studies using multiple breast cancer models, we show that EP4 antagonists hold a major promise in breast cancer therapy in combination with other modalities including immune check-point inhibitors. Abstract The formation of new blood (angiogenesis) and lymphatic (lymphangiogenesis) vessels are major events associated with most epithelial malignancies, including breast cancer. Angiogenesis is essential for cancer cell survival. Lymphangiogenesis is critical in maintaining tumoral interstitial fluid balance and importing tumor-facilitatory immune cells. Both vascular routes also serve as conduits for cancer metastasis. Intratumoral hypoxia promotes both events by stimulating multiple angiogenic/lymphangiogenic growth factors. Studies on tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis and its exploitation for therapy have received less attention from the research community than those on angiogenesis. Inflammation is a key mediator of both processes, hijacked by many cancers by the aberrant expression of the inflammation-associated enzyme cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2. In this review, we focus on breast cancer and showed that COX-2 is a major promoter of both events, primarily resulting from the activation of prostaglandin (PG) E receptor EP4 on tumor cells, tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and endothelial cells; and the induction of oncogenic microRNAs. The COX-2/EP4 pathway also promotes additional events in breast cancer progression, such as cancer cell migration, invasion, and the stimulation of stem-like cells. Based on a combination of studies using multiple breast cancer models, we show that EP4 antagonists hold a major promise in breast cancer therapy in combination with other modalities including immune check-point inhibitors.
How Gentle Must Violence Against Women Be in Order to Not Be Violent? Rethinking the Word “Violence” in Obstetric Settings

With the growing concern of human rights in health, the word “violence” is being used to describe apparent disrespectful treatment received by women by either health care practitioners or health care systems. As the definition of violence in health care settings broadens, questions arise over the impact of the term in describing objective reality. Specifically, does use of the term “violence” inadvertently disempower the women that it is meant to empower? This article explores the changing use of the term “violence” and specifically draws on evidence in a South African labor ward, where phenomena such as silence and limited social support have cultural underpinnings that contradict labels of structural or obstetric violence. As global research on obstetric violence in disadvantaged communities grows, choice of terminology will become more important in filtering results into medical policy and practice.
Salt and Aroma Compound Distributions Influence Flavour Release and Temporal Perception While Eating Hot-Served Flans

To counteract the negative effect of salt overconsumption on health, strategies have been developed to reduce the salt content in food products. Among them, two promising strategies based on odour-induced saltiness enhancement and the heterogeneous distribution of flavour compounds were combined and assessed in four-layer cream-based snacks. To investigate the relationship between saltiness enhancement, temporal release and perception of flavour compounds in hot snacks with heterogeneous distribution of salt and aroma compounds, complementary techniques were used: nose space PTR-Tof-MS (Proton Transfer Reaction-Time of Flight–Mass Spectrometry) to assess the release of aroma compounds in vivo, and ATI (Alternate Time-Intensity) and TDS Temporal Dominance of Sensations) to evaluate perception as a function of time. The obtained results confirmed that the strategy of concentrating salt in the outer layer of a multilayer product was the optimal solution with respect to taste intensity. Heterogeneous salt distribution decreased aroma compound release and consequently aroma intensity but in different ways according to both salt and added aroma distribution in the food matrix. The salty taste enhancement could be due to the initial strong dominance of the salty sensation at the very beginning of the eating process. The involved mechanisms rely on a combination of physico-chemical and perceptual effects which are not clear yet.
Plantar flexor muscle stretching depresses the soleus late response but not tendon tap reflexes

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in muscle spindle sensitivity with early and late soleus reflex responses via tendon taps and transcranial magnetic stimulation, respectively, after an acute bout of prolonged static plantar flexor muscle stretching. Seventeen healthy males were tested before and after 5 min (5 × 60‐s stretches) of passive static stretching of the plantar flexor muscles. Maximal voluntary isometric torque and M wave‐normalized triceps surae muscle surface electromyographic activity were recorded. Both soleus tendon reflexes, evoked by percussion of the Achilles tendon during rest and transcranial magnetic stimulation‐evoked soleus late responses during submaximal isometric dorsiflexion were also quantified. Significant decreases in maximal voluntary isometric plantar flexion torque (−19.2 ± 13.6%, p = .002) and soleus electromyographic activity (−20.1 ± 11.4%, p < .001) were observed immediately after stretching, and these changes were highly correlated (r = 0.76, p < .001). No changes were observed in tendon reflex amplitude or latency or peak muscle twitch torque (p > .05). Significant reductions in soleus late response amplitudes (−46.9 ± 36.0%, p = .002) were detected, although these changes were not correlated with changes in maximal electromyographic activity, torque or tendon reflex amplitudes. No changes in soleus late response latency were detected. In conclusion, impaired neural drive was implicated in the stretch‐induced force loss; however, no evidence was found that this loss was related to changes in muscle spindle sensitivity. We hypothesize that the decrease in soleus late response indicates a stretch‐induced reduction in a polysynaptic postural reflex rather than spindle reflex sensitivity.
Botanical Control of Citrus Green Mold and Peach Brown Rot on Fruits Assays Using a Persicaria acuminata Phytochemically Characterized Extract

Persicaria acuminata (Polygonaceae) is a perennial herb that grows in the central area of Argentina and it is commonly used by native populations to heal infected wounds and other conditions related to fungal infections. In this article, we explored the in vitro antifungal activity of its ethyl acetate extract against a panel of three fruit phytopathogenic fungi including: Penicillium digitatum, P. italicum, and Monilinia fructicola. The sesquiterpenes isolated from the extract were also evaluated against these strains, demonstrating that the dialdehyde polygodial was the responsible for this activity. In order to encourage the use of the extract rather than the pure compound, we displayed ex vivo assays using fresh oranges and peaches inoculated with P. digitatum and M. fructicola, respectively, and subsequently treated by immersion with an extract solution of 250 and 62.5 µg/mL, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatments with commercial fungicides and the extract over the control of both fruit rots. The concentration of the active compound present in the extract used on fruit experiments was determined by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy. Finally, cytotoxicity evaluation against Huh7 cells showed that P. acuminata extract was less cytotoxic than the commercial fungicides at the assayed concentrations. After these findings we could conclude that a chemically characterized extract of P. acuminata should be further developed to treat fungal diseases in fruits from an agro-ecological model.
Loss of ZmLIPOXYGENASE4 Decreases Fusarium verticillioides Resistance in Maize Seedlings

Fusarium verticillioides is one of the most relevant fungal species in maize responsible for ear, stalk and seedling rot, as well as the fumonisin contamination of kernels. Plant lipoxygenases (LOX) synthesize oxylipins that play a crucial role in the regulation of defense mechanisms against pathogens and influence the outcome of pathogenesis. To better uncover the role of these signaling molecules in maize resistance against F. verticillioides, the functional characterization of the 9-LOX gene, ZmLOX4, was carried out in this study by employing mutants carrying Mu insertions in this gene (named as UFMulox4). In this regard, the genotyping of five UFMulox4 identified the mutant UFMu10924 as the only one having an insertion in the coding region of the gene. The impact of ZmLOX4 mutagenesis on kernel defense against F. verticillioides and fumonisin accumulation were investigated, resulting in an increased fungal susceptibility compared to the inbred lines W22 and Tzi18. Moreover, the expression of most of the genes involved in the LOX, jasmonic acid (JA) and green leaf volatiles (GLV) pathways, as well as LOX enzymatic activity, decreased or were unaffected by fungal inoculation in the mutant UFMu10924. These results confirm the strategic role of ZmLOX4 in controlling defense against F. verticillioides and its influence on the expression of several LOX, JA and GLV genes.