Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contribution of Hydrogen Cyanide to the Antagonistic Activity of Pseudomonas Strains Against Phytophthora infestans

Plants face many biotic and abiotic challenges in nature; one of them is attack by disease-causing microbes. Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight is one of the most prominent pathogens of the potato responsible for multi-billion-dollar losses every year. We have previously reported that potato-associated Pseudomonas strains inhibited P. infestans at various developmental stages. A comparative genomics approach identified several factors putatively involved in this anti-oomycete activity, among which was the production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Here, we report the relative contribution of HCN emission to the overall anti-Phytophthora activity of two cyanogenic Pseudomonas strains, P. putida R32 and P. chlororaphis R47. To quantify this contribution, we generated HCN-negative mutants (Δhcn) and compared their activities to those of their respective wild types in different experiments assessing P. infestans mycelial growth, zoospore germination, and infection of potato leaf disks. Using in vitro experiments allowing only volatile-mediated interactions, we observed that HCN accounted for most of the mycelial growth inhibition (57% in R47 and 80% in R32). However, when allowing both volatile and diffusible compound-mediated interactions, HCN only accounted for 1% (R47) and 18% (R32) of mycelial growth inhibition. Likewise, both mutants inhibited zoospore germination in a similar way as their respective wild types. More importantly, leaf disk experiments showed that both wild-type and Δhcn strains of R47 and R32 were able to limit P. infestans infection to a similar extent. Our results suggest that while HCN is a major contributor to the in vitro volatile-mediated restriction of P. infestans mycelial growth, it does not play a major role in the inhibition of other disease-related features such as zoospore germination or infection of plant tissues.
Grassland Response to Herbicides and Seeding of Native Grasses 6 Years Posttreatment

Abstract Herbicides are the primary method used to control exotic, invasive plants. This study evaluated restoration efforts applied to grasslands dominated by an invasive plant, sulfur cinquefoil, 6 yr after treatments. Of the five herbicides we evaluated, picloram continued to provide the best control of sulfur cinquefoil over 6 yr. We found the timing of picloram applications to be important to the native forb community. Plots with picloram applied in the fall had greater native forb cover. However, without the addition of native perennial grass seeds, the sites became dominated by exotic grasses. Seeding resulted in a 20% decrease in exotic grass cover. Successful establishment of native perennial grasses was not apparent until 6 yr after seeding. Our study found integrating herbicide application and the addition of native grass seed to be an effective grassland restoration strategy, at least in the case where livestock are excluded. Nomenclature: Picloram, sulfur cinquefoil, Potentilla recta L. Management Implications: If the objective is simply to reduce abundance of an invasive plant for temporary control, one application of the proper herbicide may suffice. This study found that a one-time application of picloram effectively reduced sulfur cinquefoil for 6 yr. Although herbicide applications were successful at reducing sulfur cinquefoil abundance, they were was not successful at reducing overall exotic plant cover, as other exotics species, primarily annual grasses generally replaced sulfur cinquefoil. Simply seeding native perennial grasses into plots was effective at reducing sulfur cinquefoil abundance, and herbicide application combined with native grasses seeding provided best control of sulfur cinquefoil while at the same time increasing native species abundance. Seeding success appeared poor in the first 1 to 3 yr because of the slow growth and small size of native perennial grass species in the years immediately following seeding. Therefore, longer-term monitoring is needed to evaluate success of seeding efforts.
Immunoglobulin G4-related Disease: What an Allergist Should Know.

Immunoglobulin G4 related disease (IgG4 RD) is a fibroinflammatory disorder that begins in one or more organs as inflammatory tumours that evolve toward fibrosis and is often accompanied by elevated serum IgG4. It was first described in 2003 as a new concept that encompasses a number of diseases, immune allergic in nature, previously considered unrelated. IgG4 RD mainly affects middle aged and older men. It consists of an up regulated and expansion of CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes , oligoclonalplasmablasts and other inflammatory cells that infiltrate affected tissues and induce inflammation, organ dysfunction, and fibrosis. Symptoms depend on the location, severity and extent of the disease. Any organ can virtually be affected: pancreas, salivary and lacrimal glands, thyroid gland, retrorbital tissue, lymph nodes, retroperitoneum, mediastinum, lung, kidney, aorta, serosal surfaces, and meninges. Patients with widespread disease may present general symptoms. At least 30-40% patients are atopic or display atopy traits such as eosinophilia or elevated serum IgE levels . Additional laboratory features can include increased serum IgG4 concentrations, increased blood IgG4 plasmablasts, hypergammaglobulinemia, and hypocomplementemia. Diagnosis of IgG4 RD is based on a clinical pathological correlation. Lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate with abundant IgG4 positive plasma cells, storiform type fibrosis, obliterative phlebitis, and tissue eosinophilia are the pathological hallmarks.Therapy for IgG4 RD is primarily based on corticosteroids but may include additional immunomodulatory drugs and monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab In individuals with allergy features, IgG4 RD should be suspected when a history of unexplained swelling in one or more organ is present particularly if they respond to corticosteroids and are males over the 6th decade of life.
Pharmacological Management of Osteoarthritis With a Focus on Symptomatic Slow-Acting Drugs: Recommendations From Leading Russian Experts.

BACKGROUND This article describes an updated stepwise algorithm for the pharmacological management of osteoarthritis (OA) to establish a treatment method for patients with OA. SUMMARY In step 1, background maintenance therapy includes symptomatic slow-acting drugs for OA, especially prescription crystalline glucosamine sulfate product, for which the high-quality evidence base of efficacy is unequivocal, or prescription chondroitin sulfate. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or paracetamol only as rescue analgesia is given on top of the background therapy. Step 2: For patients with persistent OA symptoms, the use of oral NSAIDs is mandatory for maintaining supportive therapy with symptomatic slow-acting drugs for OA. It is recommended to properly stratify patients and carefully select oral NSAID therapy to maximize the benefit-to-risk ratio. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid and intra-articular corticosteroids are recommended as well in step 2 of the algorithm, especially for patients who do not respond to the previous therapies. Step 3: Duloxetine is considered along with the previous procedures, especially in patients with pain from central sensitization. Step 4: Total joint replacement is recommended for patients with severe symptoms and poor quality of life. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The current guidelines and literature review provide evidence-based recommendations supported by clinical experience on how to organize the treatment process in patients with knee OA applicable in the Russian clinical practice. FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS International evidence-based guidelines lack consensus on different treatments, including the use of prescription crystalline glucosamine sulfate, NSAIDs, and intra-articular hyaluronic acid. The content of this article needs a further discussion about the clinical evidence and harmonization of recommendations for knee OA management.
COVID-19 in patients with heart failure: the new and the old epidemic

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread in nearly 200 countries in less than 4 months since its first identification; accordingly, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 2019) has affirmed itself as a clinical challenge. The prevalence of pre-existing cardiovascular diseases in patients with COVID19 is high and this dreadful combination dictates poor prognosis along with the higher risk of intensive care mortality. In the setting of chronic heart failure, SARS-CoV-2 can be responsible for myocardial injury and acute decompensation through various mechanisms. Given the clinical and epidemiological complexity of COVID-19, patiens with heart failure may require particular care since the viral infection has been identified, considering an adequate re-evaluation of medical therapy and a careful monitoring during ventilation.
Association of vascular brain injury, neurodegeneration, amyloid, and cognitive trajectory

Objective To determine whether vascular and neurodegenerative factors influence cognition before clinically relevant Alzheimer disease pathology, we analyzed MRI measures and amyloid imaging in an ethnoracially diverse cohort of cognitively normal individuals older than 60 years. Methods Participants (n = 154; mean age 74.15 ± 6.94; 50% female; 54% Caucasian, 22.1% Hispanic, 14.9% African American) were recruited from the University of California, Davis Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, who were cognitively normal at baseline, time of PET, and MRI, and received yearly cognitive assessment for 6.23 ± 4.16 years. Mixed model regression with random slope and intercept was calculated for episodic memory and executive function, adjusting for age, sex, education, and ethnicity. Results Vascular burden score was associated with total white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume (β, 0.171; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.024–0.318). WMH volume was associated with low baseline executive function (−0.115; −0.226 to −0.003) and rate of change in memory (−0.029; −0.045 to −0.012). Hippocampal volume was associated with the rate of change in memory (0.040; 0.021–0.059) and executive function (0.024; 0.008–0.039). Continuous measures of amyloid status influenced change in memory (−0.026; −0.044 to −0.008) and executive function (−0.033; −0.046 to −0.021) independently of MRI measures. Conclusion Vascular brain injury and neurodegeneration are associated with baseline cognitive performance and the rate of longitudinal change independent of amyloid status among community-dwelling, ethnicity diverse cognitively normal individuals, supporting the role of vascular diseases as risk factors for later-life dementia.
Healthy Promotion for Fighting Metabolic Syndrome: Insights from Multi-Center HeRO-FiT Cohort

We know that metabolic syndrome (MS) is a modern cardiovascular (CV) “epidemic”, especially in western populations. MS is indeed strictly related to the risk of developing CV diseases (CVD) and/or diabetes. Therefore, the aim of our multi-center study was to promote a “healthy style” for fighting MS. Each participating center analyzed its own database of outpatients and globally we have pulled out 100 volunteers to participate in the study. Before starting, we collected their written consent. Enrolled subjects have not any history of overt CVD and/or diabetes, but they matched National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP/ATP) criteria for MS. After enrolment (t0), subjects were randomly divided into two homogeneous groups: a) only diet suggestions; b) both diet and exercise prescription. Later, we measured for each subject: blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio (WHR), six-minute walking test (WT6M), distance and common blood tests such as fasting plasma glucose, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and triglycerides (T1 assessments). At six months (T2), the same parameters were measured and then statistical comparisons were performed. Attention to diet caused significant changes only in WC and WHR, whilst a coupling of exercise and diet revealed a statistically significant improvement in HR, BP, BMI, blood samplings and WT6M too. In conclusion, a healthy lifestyle should be more encouraged by physicians and/or collaborators (such as dieticians) operating in preventive settings. Diet and physical activity may be early useful strategies in the “battle” against MS even before any medication choices. Further studies will be necessary in order to better address the topic.
Multidirectional Walking in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients

ABSTRACT Background The effect of a peritransplant multidirectional walking intervention to target losses in physical function and quality of life (QOL) has not been investigated. Purpose This study examined the effects of a novel multidirectional walking program on physical function and QOL in adults receiving a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Methods Thirty-five adults receiving an autologous or allogeneic HSCT were randomized to a multidirectional walking (WALK) or usual care (CONT) group. The WALK group received supervised training during hospitalization; the CONT group received usual care. Patients were assessed at admission (t0), 3 to 5 d post-HSCT (t1), and 30 d post-HSCT (t2). Physical function measures included the 6-min walk test (6MWT), the Physical Performance Test, and the Timed Up and Go test. Health-related QOL was collected using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Bone Marrow Transplant (FACT-BMT) questionnaire. Results There were no significant between-group changes for physical function or QOL. However, after the intervention (t1 to t2), the WALK group showed significant improvement in aerobic capacity (6MWT, P = 0.01), physical (P < 0.01) and functional well-being (P = 0.04), and overall QOL scores (P < 0.01). The CONT group saw no significant changes in physical function or QOL. Effect sizes showed the WALK group had a larger positive effect on physical function and QOL. Minimal clinically important differences in the 6MWT and FACT-BMT were exceeded in the WALK group. Conclusion A multidirectional walking program during the transplant period may be effective at increasing aerobic capacity and QOL for patients receiving HSCT compared with no structured exercise.
Disproportionate loss of excitatory inputs to smaller phrenic motor neurons following cervical spinal hemisection

Motor units, comprising a motor neuron and the muscle fibre it innervates, are activated in an orderly fashion to provide varying amounts of force. A unilateral C2 spinal hemisection (C2SH) disrupts predominant excitatory input from medulla, causing cessation of inspiratory‐related diaphragm muscle activity, whereas higher force, non‐ventilatory diaphragm activity persists. In this study, we show a disproportionately larger loss of excitatory glutamatergic innervation to small phrenic motor neurons (PhMNs) following C2SH, as compared with large PhMNs ipsilateral to injury. Our data suggest that there is a dichotomy in the distribution of inspiratory‐related descending excitatory glutamatergic input to small vs. large PhMNs that reflects their differential recruitment.
Reaction of melon accessions to crater rot and resistance inheritance

The aims of the present study were to assess the reaction of melon accessions to crater rot, caused by Myrothecium roridum, and study the inheritance of resistance. In the first experiment, 30 melon accessions from northeastern Brazil were assessed in a randomized block design with two replicates. Each plot was formed by a row of 12 plants, from which three fruits were sampled and used for inoculation. Each fruit was inoculated at four equidistant sites on the surface. Ten wounds were made at each site to an approximate depth of 3.0 mm, to which 0.05 mL of conidial suspension was placed at a concentration of 106 spores mL-1 of sterilized distilled water with the aid of a pipette. The fruits were placed on Petri dishes and enveloped in polyethylene bags containing hydrophilic cotton, both of which were moistened with sterilized distilled water. Five days after inoculation, the injured area (in mm2) was assessed. Accessions A-9, A-14 and A-30 were resistant to the CMM-609 isolate of M. roridum. In the second experiment, the parents AF-682 and UFERSA-05 were used as standards of susceptibility and resistance, respectively. From these plants, generations F1, F2, RC11 and RC12 were obtained. The six populations were grown under field conditions in a randomized block design. Resistance to crater rot on the melon fruits exhibited complex inheritance, with six loci and the involvement of additive and dominance effects.
Distribution and ecophysiology of the nitrifying bacteria emphasizing cultured species

Nitrification is an important factor in the global nitrogen cycle. Therefore, an increasing number of publications deal with in situ studies of natural bacterial populations participating in this process. However, some crucial points complicate suchlike investigations. At the time being, a total of 25 species of ammonia-oxidizers and eight species of nitrite-oxidizers are cultured but the existence of many more species has been indicated by molecular in situ investigations. With that, only a part of the existing nitrifiers has been defined via isolation and subsequent physiological and molecular characterization. Furthermore, the distribution patterns of the distinct species of nitrifiers depend on various environmental parameters. Hence the composition of nitrifying bacterial communities is complex and divers in heterogeneous habitats. In consequence of the above-mentioned problems, the representation of nitrifying community structures obtained from in situ investigations often has been incomplete and unbalanced in many respects. Polyphasic approaches, applying a combination of classical as well as molecular methods in parallel, could help to find the way for overcoming these problems in the future. Isolation and characterization of as many as possible new species seems to be one of the most important missing steps to advance at this way.
Numerical Investigation of Auxetic Textured Soft Strain Gauge for Monitoring Animal Skin

Recent advances in hyperelastic materials and self-sensing sensor designs have enabled the creation of dense compliant sensor networks for the cost-effective monitoring of structures. The authors have proposed a sensing skin based on soft polymer composites by developing soft elastomeric capacitor (SEC) technology that transduces geometric variations into a measurable change in capacitance. A limitation of the technology is in its low gauge factor and lack of sensing directionality. In this paper, we propose a corrugated SEC through surface texture, which provides improvements in its performance by significantly decreasing its transverse Poisson’s ratio, and thus improving its sensing directionality and gauge factor. We investigate patterns inspired by auxetic structures for enhanced unidirectional strain monitoring. Numerical models are constructed and validated to evaluate the performance of textured SECs, and to study their performance at monitoring strain on animal skin. Results show that the auxetic patterns can yield a significant increase in the overall gauge factor and decrease the stress experienced by the animal skin, with the re-entrant hexagonal honeycomb pattern outperforming all of the other patterns.
Strategic size changes of internal organs and muscle tissue in the Bar-tailed Godwit during fat storage on a spring stopover site

Summary 1. In several migrant bird species it has now been established that refuelling is typified not only by fat deposition, but also by changes in lean body protein. The body composition of a long-distance migratory shorebird, the Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica taymyrensis , was examined on a stopover site in spring to evaluate changes in lean dry mass of organ and muscle tissue over the period of refuelling. 2. It was hypothesized that tissues which support long-distance flight would hypertrophy and reach peak size towards the end of refuelling, i.e. immediately before the 4500-km bout of flight to Arctic breeding grounds. In contrast, it was hypothesized that tissues involved in digestion would initially hypertrophy, but then atrophy during the final stages of stopover, so that wing loading during long-distance flight would be minimized. 3. Flight muscles of godwits steadily increased in lean dry mass during refuelling and reached peak size in birds preparing to depart the stopover site ‐ possibly in an effort to maximize power output. 4. In contrast, the lean dry mass of stomach, liver, kidneys and intestines of godwits increased only during the early stages of refuelling, indicating a quick initial growth of organs involved in the support of refuelling activities. Additionally, in birds readying for departure, the intestines no longer differed in size from those of recent arrivals, suggesting a reduction in size of digestive tissues prior to flight. 5. Such changes in body composition appear consistent with those found in another shorebird and in a grebe preparing for a bout of migratory flight, suggesting a common pattern in allocation of lean body mass in at least some migratory species during fuelling.
Right ventricular dysfunction identified by abnormal strain values precedes evident growth restriction in small for gestational age fetuses

Small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses have an increased risk for adverse outcome. Placental insufficiency leads to changes in the circulation, with secondary adaptation of the fetal heart resulting in changed cardiac deformation. This deformation can be measured with 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE). SGA is antenatally often undiagnosed. The measurement of deformation changes in the fetal heart might help in the prediction of SGA and identify fetuses in need of more intensive surveillance.