Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Significance of ABC Transporters in the Treatment of Intrinsically Resistant Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Resistance to chemotherapy remains a major challenge to treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. One suggested mechanism of this resistance is the efflux of chemotherapy drugs by the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter P-glycoprotein (also called P-gp, MDR1, or ABCB1, encoded by the ABCB1 gene) [1]. Several studies have shown a positive correlation between P-gp expression and poor clinical outcome including a now classical study by the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) in which cyclosporin A was shown to improve overall survival in high risk AML [2-4]. Thus, other clinical trials have been conducted to target P-gp, with the goal of improving the overall survival of AML patients [5-10].
Crustacean symbiosis with Caribbean sea anemones Bartholomea annulata: occupancy modeling, habitat partitioning, and persistence

Coral reef cnidarians often host crustaceans in multi-level symbioses that may cause reef-wide impacts, especially through anemoneshrimp cleaner interactions with fish clients. Despite the ubiquity and importance of these interactions, patterns of temporal and spatial variation in crustacean association with sea anemones remain largely unknown. We censused cork screw sea anemones Bartholomea annulata and crustacean associates (5 shrimp and 1 crab species) every 3−6 mo for 2.5 yr at 2 reef sites in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Crustacean abundance per anemone varied with species and census period. Occupancy rates increased with anemone body size, more so offshore where anemones were smaller and less abundant than inshore. Four species of obligate anemoneshrimps partitioned space among 5 microhabitat zones on the host anemone body. Dynamic multi-state models revealed that anemone persistence was enhanced primarily by anemone body size, with variable secondary effects of site and anemoneshrimp species. The presence of the snapping shrimp Alpheus armatus did not enhance the persistence of host anemones. However, the presence of the dedicated cleaner shrimp Ancylomenes pedersoni enhanced the persistence of small host anemones at the inshore site but reduced the persistence of the occasional cleaner shrimp Periclimenes yucatanicus on host anemones, indicating mutualistic and competitive interactions among some partners in this system. Patterns of association among anemones and crusta ceans varied significantly at both temporal (seasonal and annual) and spatial scales (among anemones and reef sites), with implications for the ecology of client fishes that visit these Caribbean anemones to receive cleaning services from anemoneshrimps.
Predictors of translocation success of captive‐reared lizards: implications for their captive management

Islands are biodiversity hotspots, but their native inhabitants are vulnerable to predation from exotic predators. Conservation of island endemics has often involved translocating captive‐reared populations to predator‐free refugia. However, the long‐term success of these translocations has rarely been assessed. We investigated the traits that maximize post‐translocation survival in a cohort of captive‐reared Suter's skinks Oligosoma suteri and compared traits normally associated with survival and persistence of lizards (body condition, speed and overall size) to that of wild‐born skinks 6 years after release onto a predator‐free island in the north‐east of New Zealand. Our models showed that larger lizards, and lizards with lower body condition, had improved survival. While sprint speed of captive‐reared lizards did not differ significantly to that of wild skinks, diving ability of captive‐reared skinks was poor, with only female captive‐reared lizards diving during trials. Our results indicate that the traits associated with higher survival after release are not necessarily obvious and may be influenced by adaptation to captive conditions. Long‐term monitoring post‐translocation is therefore vital to determine the success of the translocation.
IBA endogenous auxin regulates Arabidopsis root system development in a glutathione-dependent way and is important for adaptation to phosphate deprivation

Root system architecture results from a highly plastic developmental process to perfectly adapt to environmental conditions. In particular, the development of lateral roots (LR) and root hair (RH) growth are constantly optimized to the rhizosphere properties, including biotic and abiotic constraints. Every step of root system development is tightly controlled by auxin, the driving morphogenic hormone in plants. Glutathione, a major thiol redox regulator, is also critical for root system development but its interplay with auxin is still scarcely understood. Indeed, previous works showed that glutathione deficiency does not alter root responses to exogenous indole acetic acid (IAA), the main active auxin in plants. Because indole butyric acid (IBA), another endogenous auxinic compound, is an important source of IAA for the control of root development, we investigated the crosstalk between glutathione and IBA during root development. We show that glutathione deficiency alters LR and RH responses to exogenous IBA but not IAA. Although many efforts have been deployed, we could not identify the precise mechanism responsible for this control. However, we could show that both glutathione and IBA are required for the proper responses of RH to phosphate deprivation, suggesting an important role for this glutathione-dependent regulation of auxin pathway in plant developmental adaptation to its environment.
Chromosome organization by one-sided and two-sided loop extrusion

SMC complexes organize chromatin throughout the cell cycle across many cell types. Experiments indicate that this is achieved by an energy-consuming process known as loop extrusion, in which SMC complexes, such as condensin or cohesin, reel in DNA/chromatin, extruding and progressively growing a DNA/chromatin loop. Theoretical modeling assuming two-sided loop extrusion has successfully reproduced key features of chromatin organization across different organisms. Recent in vitro single-molecule experiments confirmed that yeast condensins extrude loops. However, condensins remain anchored to their initial loading sites, so that they extrude loops in an asymmetric, “one-sided” manner. This raises the question of whether such “one-sided” complexes are able to perform the many functions that are commonly attributed to “two-sided” loop-extruding factors in vivo, such as mitotic chromosome compaction, interphase topologically associated domain formation, and bacterial chromosomal arm juxtaposition. We simulated one-sided loop extrusion and its variants in 3D models of chromosome organization in these scenarios. We found that while pure one-sided loop extrusion is unable to reproduce these phenomena, variants of one-sided extrusion that approximate two-sided extrusion can recover in vivo observations. We propose experiments that can test our quantitative predictions, and we predict that SMC complexes in vivo may constitute effectively two-sided motors and/or exhibit biased loading. Our work suggests that loop extrusion remains a viable general mechanism of chromatin organization.
The role of opioid growth factor in enhancing the success of trabeculectomy

Over 2.2 million people have glaucoma in the U.S. Trabeculectomy surgery is commonly used to prevent complications of glaucoma, and the success of the trabeculectomy depends on the reaction of Tenon's Capsule Fibroblasts (TCFs) to the surgical trauma. The studies depicted in this thesis were aimed at establishing the role of OGF and OGFr in the modulation of cell proliferation of rabbit TCFs (RTCFs) in vitro as well as in vivo. RTCFs were isolated and established in culture. The presence of opioid growth factor (OGF) and its receptor (OGFr) was determined by immunoreactivity. The kinetics of OGFr were established in receptor binding assays. The ability of OGF to inhibit RTCF proliferation was assessed with dose response growth curves. Receptor-mediated effects of OGF were ascertained by treatment with OGF and naloxone (NAL). The toxicity of OGF action was examined in reversibility experiments. Interference of OGF-OGFr interaction by opioid antagonists or OGF antibody was conducted. The mechanism of action of the OGF/OGFr axis on the survival of RTCFs was evaluated with siRNA, BrdU, and TUNEL techniques. Treating RTCFs with OGF over a 10 million-fold range of dosages revealed that OGF works to inhibit proliferation of RTCFs in a dose dependent manner. Through receptor binding assays, OGF was seen to work in a one-site model of binding. When treating RTCFs with the long-acting opioid antagonist, naltrexone (NTX), RTCFs proliferated at a much higher rate than control or OGF treated cells. Cell counts of RTCFs treated with mitomycin-C (MMC) were
Condition Bias of Decoy‐Harvested Light Geese During the Conservation Order

Evidence that decoy harvest techniques primarily remove individuals of poorer body condition is well established in short‐lived duck species; however, there is limited support for condition bias in longer‐lived waterfowl species, such as geese, where decoy harvest is considered primarily additive because of their high natural survival rates. We evaluated support for the harvest condition bias hypothesis of 2 long‐lived waterfowl species, the lesser snow goose (Anser caerulescens caerulescens) and Ross’s goose (Anser rossii). We used proximate analysis to quantify lipid and protein content of lesser snow and Ross’s geese collected during the Light Goose Conservation Order (LGCO) in 2015 and 2016 during spring migration in Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota, USA. In each state, LGCO participants collected birds using traditional decoy techniques and we collected birds from the general population using jump‐ shooting tactics. Total body lipid content in both lesser snow and Ross’s geese varied with age, region of harvest, and harvest type (decoy or jump‐shooting). On average, adult lesser snow and Ross’s geese harvested over decoys had 60 g and 41 g, respectively, fewer lipids than conspecifics collected using jump‐ shooting. We observed lower lipid reserves in decoy‐shot geese in all 4 states sampled despite general gains in lipid reserves as migration chronology progressed. Our data support that the harvest condition bias extends to longer‐lived waterfowl species and during a life‐history event (spring migration) in which harvest is not normally observed. In the case of overabundant light geese, the disproportionate harvest of poorer‐ conditioned lesser snow and Ross’s geese may serve as an additional challenge against any realized effects of harvest to reduce the population, in addition to extremely low harvest rates. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
External and Internal Signal-to-noise Ratios Alter Timing and Location of Cortical Activities During Speech-in-noise Perception

Understanding speech in noise (SiN) is a complex task that recruits multiple cortical subsystems. There is a variance in individuals’ ability to understand SiN that cannot be explained by simple hearing profiles, which suggests that central factors may underlie the variance in SiN ability. Characterizing central functions that exhibit individual differences during a SiN task and finding their relative contributions to predicting SiN performance can reveal key neural mechanisms of SiN understanding. Here, we elucidated a few cortical functions involved during a SiN task and their hierarchical relationship using both within- and across-subject approaches. Through our within-subject analysis of source-localized electroencephalography, we demonstrated how acoustic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) alters neural activities along the auditory-motor pathway, or dorsal stream, of speech perception. In quieter noise, left supramarginal gyrus (SMG, BA40) exhibited dominant activity at an early timing (~300 ms after word onset). In contrast, in louder noise, left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG, BA44) showed dominant activity at a later timing (~700 ms). Further, through an individual differences approach, we showed that listeners show different neural sensitivity to the background noise and target speech, reflected in the amplitude ratio of cortical responses to speech and noise, named as an “internal SNR. ” We found the “softer noise” pattern of activity in listeners with better internal SNR, who also performed better. This result implies that how well a listener “unmask” target speech from noise determines the subsequent speech analysis and SiN performance. Significance This study elucidated crucial cortical mechanisms underlying speech-in-noise perception using both within- and across-subject design approaches. We found that cortical auditory evoked responses to speech involved early activation in the temporo-parietal cortex in an easy condition while a hard condition cortical activity involved late activation in the frontal cortex. Importantly, the across-subject analysis showed that pre-speech time cortical activity predicts post-speech time activity, in such a way that good performers with better neural suppression of background noise show cortical activity similar to the pattern observed in the easier condition regardless of given acoustic noise level. This suggests a critical role of pre-lexical sensory gain control processes affecting performance and cognitive load during speech-in-noise perception.
Incidence and chemical control of okra leaf spot disease

Studies were carried out in Sindh (Pakistan) for survey, identification, incidence and chemical control of leaf spot disease in okra. The disease incidence percent ranged between 53.561.5% at different locations. The maximum incidence (61.5%) was recorded at Hyderabad, followed by Tando Muhammad Khan (58.4%), Tando Allah Yar (55.1%) and Matyari (53.5%). The fungus, Alternaria alternata was isolated and identified as cause of okra leaf spot disease. Severity of leaf spot was significantly reduced in plants sprayed with Ridomil MZ, Dolomile, Topsin-M, Diesomil, protest and Tahfuz as compare to control plants sprayed with water. The results also showed that the mean infected leaves ranged from 4.7-5.9 when the data was recorded before application of fungicides while it was between 2.0-6.4 after two application of tested fungicides. However, significant maximum reduction % in severity of leaf spot disease was recorded in case of Ridomil MZ (2.8), followed by Dolomile (1.9), Topsin-M (1.7), Diesomil (1.6), protest and Tahfuz (1.5). Okra plants infected with leaf spot and sprayed with water (control) showed highly significant reduction in plant height (61.53cm) whereas, the tall plants (95.10) were recorded from plot sprayed with Ridomil M Z followed by Dolomile (91.25 cm), Topsin-M (86.60 cm), Diesomil (78.40 cm), Protest (72.75 cm) and Tahfuz (68.38 cm). Significantly lowest number of fruits per plant of okra (10.50) was recorded in control (sprayed with water), while, highest number of fruits per plant (14.90) were obtained from plot treated with Ridomil M Z, followed by Dolomile (13.90), Topsin -M (13.20), Diesomil (12.70), Protest (12.20), and Tahfuz (11.50). The data also showed highly significant difference between treatments for fruit yield of okra infected with leaf spot. The maximum fruit yield (955 kg per acre) was observed in plot treated with Ridomil MZ, followed by Dolomile (845 kg), Topsin-M (790 kg), Diesomil (738 kg), Tahfuz (594 kg) and Protest (681 kg); whereas minimum fruit yield (495 kg) per acre was recorded in plants not sprayed with fungicides.
Bio-Efficacy Of Acetonic Leaf Extract Of Murraya Koenigii With Reference To Its Antibacterial Spectrum Against Food-Borne Bacteria

The food-borne antibacterial activity of Murraya koenigii, acetone leaves extract (ALE) was investigated against standard strains of Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus causing various food-borne diseases in human. The ALE showed a signifi cant inhibition of the L.monocytogenes, S. auresus but the low inhibition of E.coli. The bioactive metabolites analysis of ALE by TLC, HPLC, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR and NMR exhibited the presence of diverse types of bioactive phyto-constituentssuch as fl avonoids, saponins, phenolic bioactive compounds etc. which might be responsible for bacterial inhibition in-vitro. FTIR studies of ALE, revealed the presence of functional groups peaks such as phenol, alkanes, alkenes, aromatic, aliphatic and amine plant bioactive compounds. NMR showed the presence of aliphatic groups and –OH groups compounds which were structurally and functionally similar due to the chemical arrangement of functional groups. Thus, M. koenigii provided a natural remedy for the control of food-borne pathogens.
Estimating kangaroo density by aerial survey: a comparison of thermal cameras with human observers

Abstract Context. Aerial surveys provide valuable information about the population status and distribution of many native and pest vertebrate species. They are vital for evidence-based monitoring, budget planning and setting management targets. Despite aircraft running costs, they remain one of the most cost-effective ways to capture distribution and abundance data over a broad area. In Australia, annual surveys of large macropods are undertaken in several states to inform management, and in some jurisdictions, to help set commercial kangaroo harvest quotas. Improvements in the cost efficiencies of these surveys are continually sought. Aerial thermal imaging techniques are increasingly being tested for wildlife surveys, but to date no studies have directly compared population data derived from thermal imaging with data collected by human observers during the same flight. Aims. During an aerial survey of western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus), eastern grey kangaroos (M. giganteus) and red kangaroos (Osphranter rufus) across the state of Victoria, Australia, the objective was to conduct a direct comparison of the effectiveness of thermal camera technology and human observers for estimating kangaroo populations from aerial surveys. Methods. A thermal camera was mounted alongside an aerial observer on one side of the aircraft for a total of 1360 km of transect lines. All thermal footage was reviewed manually. Population density estimates and distance sampling models were compared with human observer counts. Key results. Overall, the kangaroo density estimates obtained from the thermal camera data were around 30% higher than estimates derived from aerial observer counts. This difference was greater in wooded habitats. Conversely, human-derived counts were greater in open habitats, possibly due to interference from sunlight and flushing. It was not possible to distinguish between species of macropod in the thermal imagery. Conclusions. Thermal survey techniques require refining, but the results of the present study suggest that with careful selection of time of day for surveys, more accurate population estimates may be possible than with conventional aerial surveys. Implications. Conventional aerial surveys may be underestimating animal populations in some habitats. Further studies that directly compare the performance of aerial observers and thermal imaging are required across a range of species and habitats.
Attitudes and Knowledge about Aging Adults in Exercise Science and ExercisePhysiology Students

Attitudes and Knowledge about Aging Adults in Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology Students Objectives: This descriptive study examined attitudes and knowledge of exercise science/physiology students in the United States towards aging adults. Although related allied health professions, such as nursing, have been examined, there is a gap in the literature regarding the attitudes of exercise science/physiology students towards aging adults. Filling this gap is particularly important given the front-line, preventative role that this profession will play in helping to maintain the active lifestyle expected by the Baby Boomer generation in their later years. Materials and methods: Eighty-three undergraduate students completed the Refined-Aging Semantic Differential, the Facts on Aging Quiz, and five adjective pairs related to components of fitness. Results: For the Refined-Aging Semantic Differential, the mean attitudinal score for this study’s sample was 62.61, indicating a positive attitude towards the aging adult. For the Facts on Aging Quiz, the mean percent of correct responses for this study’s sample was 0.67, suggesting little knowledge about the aging adult. For the additional adjective pairs, the mean attitudinal score for this study’s sample was 18.71, indicating a positive attitude towards the aging adult. Overall, participants demonstrated low knowledge but positive attitudes about aging adults. Conclusion: Possible reasons for these findings are discussed, including the belief of most participants that “old” age begins between 40 and 65 years of age. Recommendations for changes to exercise science/physiology curricula are offered.
Predicting 3D genome folding from DNA sequence

In interphase, the human genome sequence folds in three dimensions into a rich variety of locus-specific contact patterns. Here we present a deep convolutional neural network, Akita, that accurately predicts genome folding from DNA sequence alone. Representations learned by Akita underscore the importance of CTCF and reveal a complex grammar underlying genome folding. Akita enables rapid in silico predictions for sequence mutagenesis, genome folding across species, and genetic variants.
Study of the pair Netrin-1/DCC in Parkinson's diseas

The secreted protein netrin-1 has diverse functions among which guidance and survival of neurons when bound to its dependence receptor DCC. In the absence of netrin-1, DCC is cleaved and actively triggers cell death in various contexts. DCC is highly present in a subset of mature neurons that typically degenerates in Parkinson’s disease, dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. Besides, polymorphisms of DCC gene are associated with the disease. Thus, netrin-1 signalling might be implicated in Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis. Here we show, in various Parkinson’s disease models and samples from Parkinson’s disease patient brains, a reduction of netrin-1 levels associated with an increase of DCC cleavage and caspase activity. Specific deletion of netrin-1 in the substantia nigra induces DCC cleavage and leads to the loss of dopamine neurons and motor deficits in mice while intrastriatal injection of netrin-1 restores dopamine neurons and improves motor behaviour in rodent models of the disease. These results highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting netrin-1 signalling in Parkinson’s disease