Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First Speleomycological Study on the Occurrence of Psychrophilic and Psychrotolerant Aeromycota in the Brestovská Cave (Western Tatras Mts., Slovakia) and First Reports for Some Species at Underground Sites

Simple Summary Fungi in underground environments usually occur as spores suspended in the air, because these ecosystems are characterized by harsh living conditions, e.g., constant low temperature, and a limited or complete lack of organic matter and light. Fungi may be potentially hazardous to mammals. Therefore, the goal of our research was the first report of aeromycota in the Brestovská Cave. The mycological quality of the air in the cave does not pose a risk to healthy tourists, but some fungal species may be potentially dangerous to people with a weakened immune system. A total of 18 cold-adapted fungal species were isolated during the study, and all of them were present inside the cave, but only seven were found outdoors. The cosmopolitan species dominated in the external air samples. Our research has allowed for the first detection of fungal species in the air inside the underground sites as well as species that have never been detected in any component of the underground ecosystems. There are many possible reasons explaining the detection of those species, but global warming is the most likely. Abstract Most underground ecosystems are heterotrophic, fungi in these objects are dispersed in the air in the form of spores, and they may be potentially hazardous to mammals. Research in underground sites has focused on mesophilic airborne fungi and only a few concerned cold-adapted species. Therefore, the goal of our research was the first report of psychrophilic and psychrotolerant aeromycota in the Brestovská Cave using culture-based techniques with genetic and phenotypic identification. Plates with PDA medium containing sampled biological material were incubated at 8 ± 0.5 °C. The density of mycobiota inside the cave ranged from 37.4 to 71 CFU 1 m−3 of air and 63.3 CFU 1 m−3 of air outside the cave. Thus, the level of fungal spores did not exceed the standards for the mycological quality of the air. A total of 18 species were isolated during the study, and some species may be potentially dangerous to people with weakened immune system. All fungal species were present inside the cave and only seven of them were outside. Cladosporium cladosporioides dominated in the external air samples and Mortierella parvispora was cultured most frequently from internal air samples. To our knowledge, this is the first discovery of the fungal species such as Coniothyrium pyrinum, Cystobasidium laryngis, Filobasidium wieringae, Leucosporidium drummii, M. parvispora, Mrakia blollopis, Nakazawaea holstii, and Vishniacozyma victoriae in the air inside the underground sites. Moreover, C. pyrinum, C. laryngis, L. drummii, M. blollopis, and N. holstii have never been detected in any component of the underground ecosystems. There are possible reasons explaining the detection of those species, but global warming is the most likely.
Effect of Endometrial Sampling Procedures on Subsequent Pregnancy Rate of Cattle

Simple Summary An important concern about conducting endometrial sampling procedures prior to breeding is the potential adverse effect on subsequent fertility of sampled cattle. Traumatic injury to the cervix and uterus and risk of introduction of infection caused by these sampling procedures may adversely affect the fertility of cattle sampled prior to breeding. To investigate this, a systematic review of publications assessing the impact of endometrial sampling on subsequent pregnancy rates was conducted. Analysis within the studies selected demonstrated that pregnancy rates were similar between sampled and non-sampled animals when procedures were performed before or around the time of breeding. Unfortunately, it was not possible to compare each sampling procedure between studies due to variation in sampling conditions (i.e., type of breed, age, reproductive status, and the sampling to breeding interval). We concluded that conducting these endometrial sampling procedures does not adversely affect subsequent fertility; therefore they could be used to more accurately identify cattle with a normal endometrium prior to conducting procedures such as embryo transfer. However, further studies with a much larger number of cattle are needed to verify the effects of endometrial sampling on pregnancy rates. Abstract Endometrial infections are a common cause of reproductive loss in cattle. Accurate diagnosis is important to reduce the economic losses caused by endometritis. A range of sampling procedures have been developed which enable collection of endometrial tissue or luminal cells or uterine fluid. However, as these are all invasive procedures, there is a risk that sampling around the time of breeding may adversely affect subsequent pregnancy rate. This systematic review compared the pregnancy rates (PR) of cattle which underwent uterine lavage (UL), cotton swab (CS), cytobrush (CB), cytotape (CT), or endometrial biopsy (EB) sampling procedures with those that were not sampled. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol, relevant databases, including Pubmed, Web of Science, CAB Abstracts, VetMed Resource–Ruminants, and Scopus, were searched. The outcome measured was the pregnancy rate after the collection of endometrial sample(s). Seven studies, involving a total of 3693 cows, fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the systematic review and allowed the comparison of PR between sampled (n = 1254) and non-sampled cows (n = 2409). The results of the systematic review showed that endometrial sampling procedures can be performed before breeding or shortly after insemination without adversely affecting pregnancy rates in cattle. However, further studies are needed to validate this information.
Frequency and Clinical Aspects of Neurological and Psychiatric Symptoms in Patients with Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity

Background: Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity (NCWS) is characterized by both intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms. The study aims to investigate the frequency of neuropsychiatric manifestations in NCWS patients and identify their clinical and demographic characteristics. Methods: 278 clinical records of NCWS patients, diagnosed by a double-blind placebo-controlled wheat challenge between 2006 and 2020, were retrospectively revised. Fifty-two patients with Celiac Disease (CD) and 54 patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) served as controls. Results: 87% of the NCWS patients had an IBS-like clinical presentation. The NCWS group showed a longer duration of symptoms, a higher frequency of positive serum anti-nuclear antibodies than CD and IBS patients, and a higher frequency of DQ2/DQ8 haplotypes and duodenal mucosa lymphocytosis than IBS controls. In addition, 50% of NCWS patients showed neuropsychiatric manifestations, while lower percentages were observed in CD (25%) and IBS (28%) controls. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in NCWS were more frequently associated with the male sex, longer duration of symptoms, and IBS-diarrhea-like clinical presentation. Conclusions: Our data suggest that in patients with IBS-like symptoms and neuropsychiatric manifestations of unknown cause, it could be useful to investigate a correlation of these symptoms with wheat ingestion to identify NCWS patients with this ‘atypical’ manifestation.
The Food Environment of Primary School Learners in a Low-to-Middle-Income Area in Cape Town, South Africa

Rapid changes in food environments, where less nutritious foods have become cheaper and more accessible, have led to the double burden of malnutrition (DBM). The role food environments have played in shaping the DBM has attained global interest. There is a paucity of food environment research in low-to-middle-income countries. We conducted a case study of the food environments of school aged learners. A primary school in Cape Town was recruited. A multi-method design was used: a home food and eating behaviours questionnaire completed by 102 household respondents and four questions completed by 152 learners; learner participatory photography; a semi-structured school principal interview; a tuckshop inventory; observation of three-day tuckshop purchases. Foods that were commonly present in households: refined carbohydrates, fats/oils, chicken, processed meats, vegetables, fruit, legumes, snacks/drinks. Two thirds of households had rules about unhealthy drinks/snacks, ate supper together and in front of the TV, ate a home cooked meal five–seven times/week and ate breakfast together under two times/week. Vegetables were eaten under two times/week in 45% of households. A majority of learners (84%) took a lunchbox to school. Twenty-five learners photographed their food environment and 15 participated in semi-structured interviews. Six themes emerged: where to buy; what is available in the home; meal composition; family dynamics; peer engagement; food preparation. Items bought at informal food outlets included snacks, drinks and grocery staples. The principal interview revealed the establishment of a healthy school food environment, including a vegetable garden, although unhealthy snacks were sold at the tuckshop. Key dimensions of the food environment that require further investigation in disadvantaged urban and informal settlement areas include the home availability of unhealthy foods, eating behaviours in households and healthfulness of foods sold by informal food outlets.
Glucose Oligosaccharide and Long-Chain Glucomannan Feed Additives Induce Enhanced Activation of Intraepithelial NK Cells and Relative Abundance of Commensal Lactic Acid Bacteria in Broiler Chickens

Restrictions on the use of antibiotics in the poultry industry stimulate the development of alternative nutritional solutions to maintain or improve poultry health. This requires more insight in the modulatory effects of feed additives on the immune system and microbiota composition. Compounds known to influence the innate immune system and microbiota composition were selected and screened in vitro, in ovo, and in vivo. Among all compounds, 57 enhanced NK cell activation, 56 increased phagocytosis, and 22 increased NO production of the macrophage cell line HD11 in vitro. Based on these results, availability and regulatory status, six compounds were selected for further analysis. None of these compounds showed negative effects on growth, hatchability, and feed conversion in in ovo and in vivo studies. Based on the most interesting numerical results and highest future potential feasibility, two compounds were analyzed further. Administration of glucose oligosaccharide and long-chain glucomannan in vivo both enhanced activation of intraepithelial NK cells and led to increased relative abundance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) amongst ileum and ceca microbiota after seven days of supplementation. Positive correlations between NK cell subsets and activation, and relative abundance of LAB suggest the involvement of microbiota in the modulation of the function of intraepithelial NK cells. This study identifies glucose oligosaccharide and long-chain glucomannan supplementation as effective nutritional strategies to modulate the intestinal microbiota composition and strengthen the intraepithelial innate immune system.
Contrasting Genetic Footprints among Saharan Olive Populations: Potential Causes and Conservation Implications

The Laperrine’s olive is endemic to the Saharan Mountains. Adapted to arid environments, it may constitute a valuable genetic resource to improve water-stress tolerance in the cultivated olive. However, limited natural regeneration coupled with human pressures make it locally endangered in Central Sahara. Understanding past population dynamics is thus crucial to define management strategies. Nucleotide sequence diversity was first investigated on five nuclear genes and compared to the Mediterranean and African olives. These data confirm that the Laperrine’s olive has a strong affinity with the Mediterranean olive, but it shows lower nucleotide diversity than other continental taxa. To investigate gene flows mediated by seeds and pollen, polymorphisms from nuclear and plastid microsatellites from 383 individuals from four Saharan massifs were analyzed. A higher genetic diversity in Ahaggar (Hoggar, Algeria) suggests that this population has maintained over the long term a larger number of individuals than other massifs. High-to-moderate genetic differentiation between massifs confirms the role of desert barriers in limiting gene flow. Yet contrasting patterns of isolation by distance were observed within massifs, and also between plastid and nuclear markers, stressing the role of local factors (e.g., habitat fragmentation, historical range shift) in seed and pollen dispersal. Implications of these results in the management of the Laperrine’s olive genetic resources are discussed.
The Perils of Being Populous: Control and Conservation of Abundant Kangaroo Species

Simple Summary Kangaroos likely prospered for most of the last 65,000 years under the landscape management of Australia’s first people. From the arrival of British colonists in 1788, European agricultural practices, crops and livestock transformed the landscape to one less favourable to indigenous flora and fauna. However, the six species of large kangaroos persisted and came into conflict with cropping and pastoral enterprises, leading to controls on their abundance. After mass killing for bounties, a commercial industry emerged in the 1970s to sell meat and hides into domestic and international markets. The further intention was to constrain kangaroo abundance while sustaining kangaroos in the landscape. Human–human conflict has emerged about the necessity and means of this lethal control. Further control of the abundance of four of the six species is promoted. Their abundance is considered by some as a threat to biodiversity in conservation reserves, removing these as a haven. We therefore propose returning the kangaroos’ stewardship to the current and future generations of Aboriginal Australians. We envisage that a marriage of localised consumptive (bush tucker) and non-consumptive (wildlife tourism) uses in the indigenous-protected-area estate can better sustain abundant kangaroo populations into the future. Abstract Australia’s first people managed landscapes for kangaroo species as important elements of their diet, accoutrements and ceremony. This developed and persisted for about 65,000 years. The second wave of colonists from the United Kingdom, Ireland and many subsequent countries introduced familiar domesticated livestock and they have imposed their agricultural practices on the same landscapes since 1788. This heralded an ongoing era of management of kangaroos that are perceived as competitors to livestock and unwanted consumers of crops. Even so, a kangaroo image remains the iconic identifier of Australia. Kangaroo management is shrouded in dogma and propaganda and creates a tension along a loose rural–city divide. This divide is further dissected by the promotion of the consumption of kangaroo products as an ecological good marred by valid concerns about hygiene and animal welfare. In the last decade, the fervour to suppress and micro-manage populations of some kangaroo species has mounted. This includes suppression within protected areas that have generally been considered as safe havens. This review explores these tensions between the conservation of iconic and yet abundant wildlife, and conflict with people and the various interfaces at which they meet kangaroos.
Comparative Evaluation of Engineered Polypeptide Scaffolds in HER2-Targeting Magnetic Nanocarrier Delivery

Targeted drug delivery is one of the most intriguing and challenging issues in modern biomedicine. For active targeting, full-size IgG molecules (150 kDa) are usually used. Recent studies have revealed that small artificial polypeptide scaffolds such as DARPins (14 kDa) and affibodies (8 kDa) are much more promising tools for drug delivery due to their small size, artificial nature, low immunogenicity, and many other properties. However, there is no comparative information on the targeting abilities of scaffold polypeptides, which should be taken into account when developing drug delivery systems (DDSs). The present work is the first comprehensive study on the comparison of the effectiveness of different HER2-targeting proteins within the architecture of nanoparticles. Namely, we synthesized trimodal nanoparticles: magnetic, fluorescent, and directed toward HER2 oncomarker on cancer cells. The magnetic particles (MPs) were covalently modified with (i) full-size IgG, 150 kDa, (ii) DARPin_G3, 14 kDa, and (iii) affibody ZHER2:342, 8 kDa. We showed that the number of DARPin_G3 and affibody ZHER2:342 molecules conjugated to the nanoparticle surface are 10 and 40 times higher, respectively, than the corresponding value for trastuzumab. Using the methods of magnetic particle quantification (MPQ)-cytometry and confocal microscopy, we showed that all types of the obtained magnetic conjugates specifically labeled HER2-overexpressing cells. Namely, we demonstrated that particle binding to HER2-positive cells is 1113 ± 39 fg/cell for MP*trastuzumab, 1431 ± 186 fg/cell for MP*ZHER2:342, and 625±21 fg/cell for MP*DARPin_G3, which are 2.77, 2.75, and 2.30 times higher than the corresponding values for control HER2-negative cells. Thus, we showed that the smallest HER2-recognizing polypeptide affibody ZHER2:342 is more effective in terms of specificity and selectivity in nanoparticle-mediated cell labeling.
Continuous Microfluidic Production of Citrem-Phosphatidylcholine Nano-Self-Assemblies for Thymoquinone Delivery

Lamellar and non-lamellar liquid crystalline nanodispersions, including liposomes, cubosomes, and hexosomes are attractive platforms for drug delivery, bio-imaging, and related pharmaceutical applications. As compared to liposomes, there is a modest number of reports on the continuous production of cubosomes and hexosomes. Using a binary lipid mixture of citrem and soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC), we describe the continuous production of nanocarriers for delivering thymoquinone (TQ, a substance with various therapeutic potentials) by employing a commercial microfluidic hydrodynamic flow-focusing chip. In this study, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) were employed to characterize TQ-free and TQ-loaded citrem/SPC nanodispersions. Microfluidic synthesis led to formation of TQ-free and TQ-loaded nanoparticles with mean sizes around 115 and 124 nm, and NTA findings indicated comparable nanoparticle size distributions in these nanodispersions. Despite the attractiveness of the microfluidic chip for continuous production of citrem/SPC nano-self-assemblies, it was not efficient as comparable mean nanoparticle sizes were obtained on employing a batch (discontinuous) method based on low-energy emulsification method. SAXS results indicated the formation of a biphasic feature of swollen lamellar (Lα) phase in coexistence with an inverse bicontinuous cubic Pn3m phase in all continuously produced TQ-free and TQ-loaded nanodispersions. Further, a set of SAXS experiments were conducted on samples prepared using the batch method for gaining further insight into the effects of ethanol and TQ concentration on the structural features of citrem/SPC nano-self-assemblies. We discuss these effects and comment on the need to introduce efficient microfluidic platforms for producing nanocarriers for delivering TQ and other therapeutic agents.
Impact of Prophylactic Hydroxychloroquine on People at High Risk of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

There are no proven prophylactic interventions for COVID-19. We systematically reviewed the efficacy of prophylactic hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19. Studies evaluating hydroxychloroquine for prophylaxis of COVID-19 were searched in several engines until 8 December 2020. Primary outcomes included RT-PCR positivity, COVID-19 infections (positive RT-PCR or compatible COVID-19 symptoms), and all-cause mortality. Random effects meta-analyses were performed for all outcomes. Five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 5579) and one cohort (n = 106) were included. Placebo was the comparator in four RCTs, and usual care in one RCT. Compared to the controls, five RCTs showed that hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis did not reduce RT-PCR positivity (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.88–1.16), COVID-19 infection (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.78–1.22), or all-cause mortality (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.27–1.99). There were no differences of effects by pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis. Prophylaxis with hydroxychloroquine increased the risk of diarrhea, abdominal pain, or vomiting (RR 4.56, 95% CI 1.58–13.19). There were no effects of hydroxychloroquine on other secondary outcomes. Quality of evidence was low to very low for all outcomes. Hydroxychloroquine was not efficacious as a prophylaxis for COVID-19 infections, defined either as RT-PCR positivity or as a composite of RT-PCR positivity or compatible symptoms. Hydroxychloroquine did not reduce all-cause mortality, clinical worsening, or adverse events.
Mitochondrial O-GlcNAc Transferase Interacts with and Modifies Many Proteins and Its Up-Regulation Affects Mitochondrial Function and Cellular Energy Homeostasis

Simple Summary O-GlcNAcylation is a dynamic post-translational modification of proteins involved in the control of intracellular signaling pathways in response to changes in nutrient availability, especially glucose concentration. To date, most research has focused on O-GlcNAcylation of proteins by the nuclear-cytoplasmic isoform of O-GlcNAc transferase (ncOGT), while the role of mitochondrial OGT (mOGT) and its effect on O-GlcNAcylation of mitochondrial proteins are poorly understood. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of mOGT on O-GlcNAcylation of mitochondrial proteins, mitochondrial function, and energy metabolism of breast cancer cells. Herein, we used two independent proteomics-based approaches to identify mOGT-interacting partners and proteins modified by mOGT. Based on our findings, we propose that O-GlcNAcylation of proteins by mOGT is a part of the mechanism by which glucose affects mitochondrial function and cellular bioenergetics. Abstract O-GlcNAcylation is a cell glucose sensor. The addition of O-GlcNAc moieties to target protein is catalyzed by the O-Linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT). OGT is encoded by a single gene that yields differentially spliced OGT isoforms. One of them is targeted to mitochondria (mOGT). Although the impact of O-GlcNAcylation on cancer cells biology is well documented, mOGT’s role remains poorly investigated. We performed studies using breast cancer cells with up-regulated mOGT or its catalytic inactive mutant to identify proteins specifically modified by mOGT. Proteomic approaches included isolation of mOGT protein partners and O-GlcNAcylated proteins from mitochondria-enriched fraction followed by their analysis by mass spectrometry. Moreover, we analyzed the impact of mOGT dysregulation on mitochondrial activity and cellular metabolism using a variety of biochemical assays. We found that mitochondrial OGT expression is glucose-dependent. Elevated mOGT expression affected the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and increased intramitochondrial ROS generation. Moreover, mOGT up-regulation caused a decrease in cellular ATP level. We identified many mitochondrial proteins as mOGT substrates. Most of these proteins are localized in the mitochondrial matrix and the inner mitochondrial membrane and participate in mitochondrial respiration, fatty acid metabolism, transport, translation, apoptosis, and mtDNA processes. Our findings suggest that mOGT interacts with and modifies many mitochondrial proteins, and its dysregulation affects cellular bioenergetics and mitochondria function.