Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphology, performance and fluid dynamics of the crayfish escape response

ABSTRACT Sexual selection can result in an exaggerated morphology that constrains locomotor performance. We studied the relationship between morphology and the tail-flip escape response in male and female rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus), a species in which males have enlarged claws (chelae). We found that females had wider abdomens and longer uropods (terminal appendage of the tail fan) than males, while males possessed deeper abdomens and larger chelae, relative to total length. Chelae size was negatively associated with escape velocity, whereas longer abdomens and uropods were positively associated with escape velocity. We found no sex-specific differences in maximum force generated during the tail flip, but uropod length was strongly, positively correlated with tail-flip force in males. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) revealed that the formation of a vortex, rather than the expulsion of fluid between two closing body surfaces, generates propulsion in rusty crayfish. PIV also revealed that the pleopods (ventral abdominal appendages) contribute to the momentum generated by the tail. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmation of vortex formation in a decapod crustacean. Highlighted Article: The crayfish tail creates a vortex during the escape response. Momentum is added by the ventral pleopod appendages.
Deep Learning for the Classification of Small-Cell and Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Reliable entity subtyping is paramount for therapy stratification in lung cancer. Morphological evaluation remains the basis for entity subtyping and directs the application of additional methods such as immunohistochemistry (IHC). The decision of whether to perform IHC for subtyping is subjective, and access to IHC is not available worldwide. Thus, the application of additional methods to support morphological entity subtyping is desirable. Therefore, the ability of convolutional neuronal networks (CNNs) to classify the most common lung cancer subtypes, pulmonary adenocarcinoma (ADC), pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC), and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), was evaluated. A cohort of 80 ADC, 80 SqCC, 80 SCLC, and 30 skeletal muscle specimens was assembled; slides were scanned; tumor areas were annotated; image patches were extracted; and cases were randomly assigned to a training, validation or test set. Multiple CNN architectures (VGG16, InceptionV3, and InceptionResNetV2) were trained and optimized to classify the four entities. A quality control (QC) metric was established. An optimized InceptionV3 CNN architecture yielded the highest classification accuracy and was used for the classification of the test set. Image patch and patient-based CNN classification results were 95% and 100% in the test set after the application of strict QC. Misclassified cases mainly included ADC and SqCC. The QC metric identified cases that needed further IHC for definite entity subtyping. The study highlights the potential and limitations of CNN image classification models for tumor differentiation.
Evaluation of a rapid diagnostic test for Schistosoma mansoni infection based on the detection of circulating cathodic antigen in urine in Central Sudan

Background The Kato-Katz thick smear is the standard test for the diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection, but the sensitivity of this technique is low. As an alternative, (CCA) strip test has been evaluated with the conclusion that it may replace the Kato-Katz method in areas where prevalences are moderate or high. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of the CCA strip test in the diagnosis and monitoring of S. mansoni infection in Sudan. Methodology 489 stool and urine samples were collected from school children in endemic area of Sudan to determine the validity of CCA strip test based on duplicate Kato-Katz thick smear technique. Additional, 118 samples from known non schistosome-endemic area were collected to assess the CCA cross reactivity with other pathogens rather than schistosomiasis. The stability of CCA in urine samples was determined by consecutive examination of 40 positive CCA urine samples. 81 samples were used to evaluate the CCA strip test for the assessment of cure one week, three weeks and six weeks post Praziquantel treatment. Principal findings Assuming parasitological test results as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of the CCA test were 96%, 85.4%, 78.5% and 97.5% respectively. There was no cross reactivity with other pathogens. The CCA strip test showed high accuracy in monitoring of treatment 93.8% and 100% after three and six weeks of administration of Praziquantel respectively. The stability of the CCA for long time in the urine revealed a safety transportation and shipment of the samples whenever it demanded. Conclusion/Significance The uses of urine CCA strip test in the field would provide more accurate information on the epidemiology and monitoring of the Schistosoma mansoni infection in endemic areas of schistosomiasis than the conventional parasitological method. Moreover, The stability of CCA in urine samples confirms a safety transportation period of the samples whenever it required.
Potential use of visible and near-infrared spectroscopy for pine species discrimination by examination of needles

The correct identification of pine species is necessary for proper application of wood in forest‑based industries, since the quality of each species’ wood depends on factors intrinsic to the material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of near‑infrared and visible spectroscopy in the discrimination of pine species planted in southern Brazil. Needles of Pinus clausa, P. glabra, P. kesiya, P. oocarpa, P. palustris, P. pseudostrobus, P. rigida, P. roxburghii and P. serotina were collected from experimental plantations located in the region of Rio Negro, Paraná, Brazil. The needles were dried and milled for analysis. The evaluation was performed with a spectral range of 400–750 nm (visible) and 1 000–2 500 nm (near‑infrared). Analysis using the visible spectra resulted in two principal components explaining 95% of the variation between the needle samples. In the near‑infrared analysis, it was possible to discriminate between all nine pine species studied using only two principal components, where the first explained 99% of the variation between species. Spectroscopy based on needles can be used for pine species discrimination, using the original data without mathematical treatment, in southern Brazil.
YkgM and YkgO maintain translation by replacing their paralogs, zinc-binding ribosomal proteins L31 and L36, with identical activities.

When a cell is zinc-deficient, ykgM and ykgO, which encode paralogs of the zinc-binding ribosomal proteins L31 and L36, are expressed from the ykgM operon, which is ordinarily held inactive by the Zur repressor. In ribosomes lacking L31, ribosomal subunit association is weakened, resulting in reduced in vitro translation and the deletion mutants of rpmE, the gene encoding L31, forming small colonies. We isolated four suppressor mutants of ∆rpmE that formed normal colonies. All four mutation sites were located in zur, and ribosomes of zur mutant cells contained one copy of YkgM and had translational activities equivalent to those of ribosomes containing L31. L36 is highly conserved among bacteria, chloroplast, and mitochondria. Analysis of a deletion mutant of rpmJ, which encodes L36, suggested that L36 is involved in late assembly of the 50S particle, in vitro translation, and cell growth. In zur mutant cells lacking rpmJ, the paralog YkgO was expressed and took over the functions of L36. zur mutant cells contained four types of ribosomes containing combinations of L31 or YkgM, and L36 or YkgO. Copy numbers of L31 and YkgM, and L36 and YkgO, summed to 1, indicating that each paralog pair shares a binding site.
p27Kip1 Is Important in Modulating Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation

Vascular remodeling due to pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation is central to the development of pulmonary hypertension. Cell proliferation requires the coordinated interaction of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (cdk) to drive cells through the cell cycle. Cdk inhibitors can bind cyclin-cdk complexes and cause G1 arrest. To determine the importance of the cdk inhibitor p27Kip1 in PASMC proliferation we studied [3H]thymidine incorporation, changes in cell cycle, cell proliferation, and protein expression of p27Kip1 following serum stimulation in early passage rat PASMC. p27Kip1 expression decreased to 40% of baseline after serum stimulation, which was associated with an increase in both [3H]thymidine incorporation and the percent of cells in S phase. p27Kip1 binding to cyclin E decreased at 24 h, and this correlated with an increase in phosphorylation of retinoblastoma both in vivo and in vitro. Overexpression of p27Kip1 decreased [3H]thymidine incorporation and reduced cell cou.
FOUR NEW SPECIES OF MYRSIDEA (PHTHIRAPTERA: MENOPONIDAE) FROM MANAKINS (PASSERIFORMES: PIPRIDAE)

Abstract Descriptions and illustrations are given for four new species of Myrsidea Waterston from manakins. They and their type hosts are: M. edgarsmithi ex Pipra erythrocephala from Trinidad, M. andyolsoni ex Heterocercus linteatus from Brazil, M. rekasii ex Pipra mentalis from Costa Rica, and M. baileyae ex Pipra erythrocephala from Trinidad. These represent the first species of this chewing louse genus to be described from the members of the passerine family Pipridae.
Genetic diversity in wild relatives of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) as revealed by simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers

The genetic diversity in wild cowpea was assessed using cowpea derived simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A total of forty eight wild cowpea lines collected from diverse geographical locations in Africa were used for the study. Twelve SSR markers were selected for amplification of DNA of the test lines and these produced a total of ninety polymorphic bands. A dendrogram constructed using unweighted pair group using mathematical averages (UPGMA) analysis distinguished forty three accessions out of a total of forty eight accessions used for the study implying that a great diversity in wild cowpea. Accessions from Southern part of Africa have the highest polymorphism information content (PIC) values suggesting a high level of diversity from that region and is likely to be center of diversity of wild cowpea. The allele number per primer varied from 4 to 13 with an average of 7.5 alleles. The SSR, VM 36 showed the highest number of alleles with the PIC value of 0.870. This analysis revealed that SSR markers are useful tools in assessing the level of genetic diversity in wild cowpea.
Efficacy and Safety of a Ketogenic Diet in Children and Adolescents with Refractory Epilepsy—A Review

Epilepsy in the pediatric and adolescent populations is a devastating condition where individuals are prone to recurrent epileptic seizures or changes in behavior or movement that is the direct result of a primary change in the electrical activity in the brain. Although many children with epilepsy will have seizures controlled with antiseizure medications (ASMs), a large percentage of patients are refractory to drug therapy and may consider initiating a ketogenic diet. The term Ketogenic Diet or Ketogenic Diet Therapy (KDT) refers to any diet therapy in which dietary composition results in a ketogenic state of human metabolism. Currently, there are 4 major Ketogenic diet therapies—the classic ketogenic diet (cKD), the modified Atkins diet (MAD), the medium chain triglyceride ketogenic diet (MCTKD) and the low glycemic index treatment (LGIT). The compositions of the 4 main KDTs differ and limited evidence to distinguish the efficacy among different diets currently exists. Although it is apparent that more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and long-term studies are needed to evaluate efficacy, side effects and individual response to the diet, it is imperative to study and understand the metabolic profiles of patients with epilepsy in order to isolate which dietary restrictions are necessary to maximize clinical benefit.
Controlling aquatic weeds in a Saudi drainage canal using grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.)

Aquatic weeds have a negative effect on agriculture by blocking water drainage system. This is especially true in hot climate countries, like Saudi Arabia, where aquatic weeds grew quickly. For this reason, a field experiment was conducted as follows: grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.) fingerlings (average weight 3.3±0.3 g) were randomly stocked in 12 sections (50 m L x 5 m W x 1.5 m D) of a drainage canal at a rate of 0, 1, 3 and 5 fish m -2 in triplicate. Starting from upstream, the drainage canal was divided into 12 sections using 13 metal frames covered from both sides with 0.5-inch plastic mesh screens. The canal was infested with 850 km -2 of Phragmites australis Cav. (5.1±0.6 kg m -2 ), 100 km -2 of Ceratophyllum demersum L. (2.39±0.22 kg m -2 ) and filamentous algae Cladophora globulina Kutzing (0.35 kg section -1 ). Fish grew on aquatic weeds for a period of one year. The results indicated that the grass carp completely eliminated filamentous algae within 5 months. The number of Phragmites australis m -2 was significantly reduced in all treatment groups as compared to the control group. Sections containing 3 and 5 fish m -2 were yielding similar results and significantly higher than those containing 1 fish m -2 . Average daily growth rates were 3.47, 5 and 6.25 g day -1 for treatments with 1, 3 and 5 fish m -2 , respectively. Removal of aquatic macrophytes by grass carp affected water quality parameters by increasing levels of dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, turbidity, chlorophyll a (phytoplankton), conductivity and total dissolved solids in the down-stream water samples, as compared to that of up-stream.
Epidemiology of COVID-19 in an Urban Dialysis Center.

BACKGROUND During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, many countries have instituted population-wide measures for social distancing. The requirement of patients on dialysis for regular treatment in settings typically not conducive to social distancing may increase their vulnerability to COVID-19. METHODS Over a 6-week period, we recorded new COVID-19 infections and outcomes for all adult patients receiving dialysis in a large dialysis center. Rapidly introduced control measures included a two-stage routine screening process at dialysis entry (temperature and symptom check, with possible cases segregated within the unit and tested for SARS-CoV-2), isolated dialysis in a separate unit for patients with infection, and universal precautions that included masks for dialysis nursing staff. RESULTS Of 1530 patients (median age 66 years; 58.2% men) receiving dialysis, 300 (19.6%) developed COVID-19 infection, creating a large demand for isolated outpatient dialysis and inpatient beds. An analysis that included 1219 patients attending satellite dialysis clinics found that older age was a risk factor for infection. COVID-19 infection was substantially more likely to occur among patients on in-center dialysis compared with those dialyzing at home. We observed clustering in specific units and on specific shifts, with possible implications for aspects of service design, and high rates of nursing staff illness. A predictive epidemic model estimated a reproduction number of 2.2; cumulative cases deviated favorably from the model from the fourth week, suggesting that the implemented measures controlled transmission. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 epidemic affected a large proportion of patients at this dialysis center, creating service pressures exacerbated by nursing staff illness. Details of the control strategy and characteristics of this epidemic may be useful for dialysis providers and other institutions providing patient care.
Liposome-Embedding Silicon Microparticle for Oxaliplatin Delivery in Tumor Chemotherapy

Mesoporous silicon microparticles (MSMPs) can incorporate drug-carrying nanoparticles (NPs) into their pores. An NP-loaded MSMP is a multistage vector (MSV) that forms a Matryoshka-like structure that protects the therapeutic cargo from degradation and prevents its dilution in the circulation during delivery to tumor cells. We developed an MSV constituted by 1 µm discoidal MSMPs embedded with PEGylated liposomes containing oxaliplatin (oxa) which is a therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer (CRC). To obtain extra-small liposomes able to fit the 60 nm pores of MSMP, we tested several liposomal formulations, and identified two optimal compositions, with a prevalence of the rigid lipid 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000]. To improve the MSV assembly, we optimized the liposome-loading inside the MSMP and achieved a five-fold increase of the payload using an innovative lyophilization approach. This procedure also increased the load and limited dimensional changes of the liposomes released from the MSV in vitro. Lastly, we found that the cytotoxic efficacy of oxa-loaded liposomes and-oxa-liposome-MSV in CRC cell culture was similar to that of free oxa. This study increases knowledge about extra-small liposomes and their loading into porous materials and provides useful hints about alternative strategies for designing drug-encapsulating NPs.
Targeting Histone Deacetylases to Modulate Graft-Versus-Host Disease and Graft-Versus-Leukemia

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the main therapeutic strategy for patients with both malignant and nonmalignant disorders. The therapeutic benefits of allo-HSCT in malignant disorders are primarily derived from the graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect, in which T cells in the donor graft recognize and eradicate residual malignant cells. However, the same donor T cells can also recognize normal host tissues as foreign, leading to the development of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), which is difficult to separate from GvL and is the most frequent and serious complication following allo-HSCT. Inhibition of donor T cell toxicity helps in reducing GvHD but also restricts GvL activity. Therefore, developing a novel therapeutic strategy that selectively suppresses GvHD without affecting GvL is essential. Recent studies have shown that inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) not only inhibits the growth of tumor cells but also regulates the cytotoxic activity of T cells. Here, we compile the known therapeutic potential of HDAC inhibitors in preventing several stages of GvHD pathogenesis. Furthermore, we will also review the current clinical features of HDAC inhibitors in preventing and treating GvHD as well as maintaining GvL.
The Effect of the Ultra-Marathon Run at a Distance of 100 Kilometers on the Concentration of Selected Adipokines in Adult Men

Pro-inflammatory adipokines have a multifunctional role in adipogenesis, angiogenesis, glucose homeostasis, and inflammation. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of running a 100 km ultra-marathon on serum levels of two adipokines: resistin and chemerin. Fifteen male participants complete a medical questionnaire and their body composition is assessed. Serum resistin, chemerin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), glucose, and lactate levels are measured at baseline and post-race. During-race data on fluid and food consumption and energy expenditure are calculated. There is a higher (p < 0.001) post-race concentration of resistin and hs-CRP compared with resting values, with no change in chemerin levels. There is an inverse correlation of the change in resistin levels with post-run glucose values (r = 0.742, p < 0.001) and a positive correlation between changes in hs-CRP and energy expenditure (r = 0.782, p < 0.001). The present results show the impact of running an ultra-marathon on serum levels of pro-inflammatory markers released by adipose tissue. It is difficult to establish whether these results may be due to the stress of exercise, high energy expenditure or caloric deficit. However, we suggest that an addition of resistin to traditional pro-inflammatory markers (including CRP) may improve the assessment of inflammation in conditions of high-energy expenditure.
The Combination of Low Skeletal Muscle Mass and High Tumor Interleukin-6 Associates with Decreased Survival in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) is frequently associated with cachexia which is itself associated with decreased survival and quality of life. We examined relationships among body phenotype, tumor gene expression, and survival. Demographic, clinical, computed tomography (CT) scans and tumor RNASeq for 217 ccRCC patients were acquired from the Cancer Imaging Archive and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Skeletal muscle and fat masses measured from CT scans and tumor cytokine gene expression were compared with survival by univariate and multivariate analysis. Patients in the lowest skeletal muscle mass (SKM) quartile had significantly shorter overall survival versus the top three SKM quartiles. Patients who fell into the lowest quartiles for visceral adipose mass (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose mass (SCAT) also demonstrated significantly shorter overall survival. Multiple tumor cytokines correlated with mortality, most strongly interleukin-6 (IL-6); high IL-6 expression was associated with significantly decreased survival. The combination of low SKM/high IL-6 was associated with significantly lower overall survival compared to high SKM/low IL-6 expression (26.1 months vs. not reached; p < 0.001) and an increased risk of mortality (HR = 5.95; 95% CI = 2.86–12.38). In conclusion, tumor cytokine expression, body composition, and survival are closely related, with low SKM/high IL-6 expression portending worse prognosis in ccRCC.
Effects of a small fish cage farm on zooplankton assemblages (Cladocera and Copepoda: Crustacea) in a sub-tropical reservoir (SE Brazil)

In Brazil, the environmental impacts of fish cage farming in water reservoirs have not been well studied. As this activity is being increasingly practiced, investigations on the impacts of this practice are strongly needed. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of a small cage tilapia farm on zooplankton assemblages in an oligo/mesotrophic reservoir (Jurumirim Reservoir, Paranapanema River). Zooplankton, limnological variables, and water samples were obtained trimonthly during a year at two sample sites, one was located adjacent to the cage farm and the control area was located one kilometer away from it. Eighteen species were identified and Cladocera was the dominant group. The same species of microcrustaceans were identified at both sites. Among the ecological attributes studied, only evenness showed a tendency towards being higher in the control site. Significant differences between studied variables in the sites were observed only for material in suspension. The results of the study indicate that, during the studied period, the cage farm did not generate detectable changes in the zooplankton assemblages and their ecological attributes. However, small differences in some limnological variables could be an indication of some environmental changes associated with the fish farm system.