Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel peptides for the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) arises from T cell-mediated destruction of the myelin sheath. In MS patients who express the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR2 haplotype (about two-thirds of MS patients), the major T cell response is directed to a region between residues 85 and 99 of myelin basic protein (MBP85 – 99) presented on HLA-DR2. One approved medication for MS, amino acid copolymer-1 (Cop-1, CopaxoneTM, Teva) is thought to alter this anti-MBP85 – 99 response by interacting with HLA-DR2, but is only partially effective. Here, synthetic peptides were designed according to the binding motif of MBP85 – 99 and the binding pockets of HLA-DR2. It is claimed that some of these peptides, which bind to HLA-DR2 and inhibit activation of MBP-specific T cell lines better than Cop-1, might be more effective than the latter for MS therapy.
DISPERSAL OF POST‐FEEDING LARVAE OF LUCILIA CUPRINA (WIEDEMANN) (DIPTERA: CALLIPHORIDAE)

Both carrion and live sheep were used as hosts for Lucilia cuprina and the post‐feeding larvae permitted to disperse freely. The majority of the larvae entered the soil in the immediate vicinity of the host; median dispersal distances ranged from 0.8 m to 1.6 m. The type of host that the larvae fed upon appeared to have no bearing on subsequent dispersal of the post‐feeding larvae.
Oxytetracycline-resistance in the honey bee pathogen Paenibacillus larvae is encoded on novel plasmid pMA67

Summary The gram-positive bacterium, Paenibacillus larvae, causes a serious honey bee disease, American Foulbrood. For several decades, commercial and hobbyist beekeepers have controlled this disease with the antibiotic oxytetracycline. However, in recent years there have been reports of oxytetracycline-resistant P. larvae. In this study, we report that the reason for the oxytetracycline resistance in P. larvae is the presence of a novel plasmid carrying a tetracycline resistance gene–tetL. We tested 36 strains of P. larvae from the USA and Canada and found this plasmid in all 21 oxytetracycline-resistant strains and in none of the 15 oxytetracycline-sensitive strains. We cloned and expressed the P. larvae tetL gene in Escherichia coli and showed it was functional. Sequencing of the entire plasmid, which we named pMA67, revealed that it is likely a mobilizable rolling-circle replication plasmid. This work provides the first sequence information for any P. larvae plasmid, a new tetL ortholog with significant sequence divergence from tetL genes found in other species, and the first tetracycline-resistance gene found in the entire Paenibacillus genus.
Antagonists of integrin αv in brain cancer

Angiogenesis is required for full growth and development of primary neoplasms and enhances the establishment and growth of secondary metastases. The observation that angiogenesis is dependent on the interaction of endothelial cell surface integrin adhesion molecules with the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) environment has encouraged many pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to develop αv integrin antagonists. This article reviews a recent patent application which claims methods for inhibiting tumour growth in the brain using antagonists of αv integrins including αvβ3 and αvβ5.
Coping and stress in Canadian family caregivers of persons with traumatic brain injuries

The purpose of this study was to document the stresses reported by Canadian caregivers of persons with brain injuries and to consider the factors which serve to mediate or moderate such stress. Highest stress scores on the Holroyd Questionnaire on Resources and Stress-Short Form (QRS) were associated with Lifespan Care and Personal Burden. Although overall burden as reported on the QRS by parents and spouses did not differ from other studies, it did differ somewhat for specific types of burden. Social Support and Spiritual Support, as measured by the F-COPES, fell within the medium use category, and scores for Reframing, Mobilizing and Passive Appraisal fell within the high use category. In multiple regression analyses, client competency as measured by the Patient Competency Rating Scale emerged as a major predictor of stress associated with Cognitive Impairment, Physical Limitations, Lifespan Care, Terminal Illness Stress, Limits on Family Opportunities, and Personal Burden. In contrast, other client characteristics (e.g. Time Since Injury) accounted for relatively little variance. The results also indicate that both Reframing and Seeking Spiritual Support as coping strategies can make an important contribution to stress reduction.
Current and emerging therapy of dry eye disease. Part B: non-pharmacological modalities

ABSTRACT Introduction: Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial condition of the tears and ocular surface. New insight on the pathogenesis of dry eye has resulted in development of novel treatments. Current management paradigms vary from self-administered (e.g. artificial tears) to practitioner-administered (e.g. punctal occlusion) modalities. Areas covered: In part A of this series, the spectrum of pharmacological agents for treatment of DED was reviewed. Part B discusses the current and emerging non-pharmacological therapeutic modalities, which include punctal occlusion, contact lenses, inserts, eyelid warming devices, thermal pulsation system, intense pulsed light, acupuncture, meibomian gland probing, moisture chamber spectacles, tarsorrhaphy, meibomian gland expression, autologous submandibular gland transplantation, and amniotic membrane placement. In preparing this review, a Medline, PubMed and Cochrane Database search of the medical literature for the period between January 1978 and July 2016 using a wide range of keywords was conducted. Only treatment modalities that had their efficacy and safety investigated in clinical studies are included. Expert commentary: Many patients have multiple mechanisms contributing to DED and appropriateness of each available treatment should be considered on a case-by-case bases. There are multiple devices under investigation in the pre-clinical stage, which have promising data in treating DED.
Interação de glyphosate com carfentrazone-ethyl

Under evironmental controlled conditions experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy of carfentrazone-ethyl in tank mixture with glyphosate to control six weed species. Glyphosate alone at 720 g ha-1 was effective in controlling Amaranthus hybridus (100%), Desmodium tortuosum (100%), Bidens pilosa (99%), Eleusine indica (96%), Digitaria horizontalis (100%) and Commelina benghalensis (93%) at 21 DAA. Carfentrazone-ethyl alone controlled only C. benghalensis. efficiently. Glyphosate mixtures (252 and 720 g ha-1) with carfentrazone-ethyl at 15 and 30 g ha1 showed an additive effect in controlling A. hybridus, D. tortuosum and Bidens pilosa, except for glyphosate mixture at 252 g ha-1 with carfentrazone-ethyl at 15 and 30 g ha-1, which showed synergism in controlling D. tortuosum. The addition of the two carfentrazone-ethyl doses antagonized the effect of the smallest dose (252 g ha-1) of glyphosate on E. indica control. However, the largest glyphosate dose (720 g ha-1) provided additive effect when mixed with both carfentrazone-ethyl doses. For D. horizontalis, carfentrazone-ethyl mixtures with glyphosate in the smallest dose (252 g ha-1) had a synergistic effect in the control of this species, also showing and additive effect in the mixture with glyphosate at 720 g ha-1. Carfentrazone-ethyl mixture with glyphosate provided an additive effect in C. benghalensis control, regardless of dose combinations. The results of this experiment indicate that carfentrazone-ethyl presents a differentiated behavior when interacting with glyphosate, depending on the weed species and the herbicide dose used in the tank mixtures, being complementary in tank-mix combinations with glyphosate, since it showed an antagonistic effect in few combinations, with its additive effect prevailing in the mixture with glyphosate for the control of the evaluated species.
Evaluation of the extracts of some tropical plants in the management of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) infestation in maize (Zea mays L.)

The efficacy of extracts from seven tropical plants, namely Azadirachta indica, Nicotiana tabacum, Ocimum gratissimum, Cola millenni, Tetracarpidium conophorum, Delonix regia, and Vernonia amygdalina at reducing post-harvest loss caused by the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus to maize grains was studied in the laboratory and in a crib. The experiments were laid down using complete randomised design with four replicates. A synthetic insecticide, Actellic25EC, was included in the trials as a check, while maize grains treated with n-hexane were used as control. Extracts from A. indica and N. tabacum were further tested in maize stored in cribs. The results of the study showed that all the plant extracts used were significantly better (P < 0.05) than the control. Measured parameters such as % mean weight loss, % mean grain damage, mean weight of grain dust, mean number of adult P. truncatus and mean number of adult mortality showed that the effects of A. indica and N. tabacum extracts were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the effects of other extracts. The percentage germination of grains treated with the extracts of N. tabacum and A. indica was 85.0 and 89.0%, respectively, and they were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than 58.0% germination in the control. Extracts of A. indica and N. tabacum have great potential for post-harvest preservation of stored maize against infestation by P. truncatus.
Identification of the GABAA Receptor α3 Subunit in the IMR‐32 Neuroblastoma Cell Line

Abstract: A previous report has described the presence of f‐[35S]‐ butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding sites and GABA‐gated CI flux in the human neuroblastoma IMR‐32 cell line. We now report the further characterisation of this binding site and, even more important, the identification of the GABAA receptor α3 subunit expressed in these cells. Cell membranes prepared from IMR‐32 cells were screened by immunoblotting for reactivity with various GABAA receptor a subunit‐specific antibodies. Of these, only anti‐Cys α3 454‐467 antibodies recognised specifically and in a dose‐dependent manner an immunoreactive band. This Mr58,000 immunoreactive species and the N‐deglycosylated derivatives were both coincident with the respective homologues found in both calf cerebral cortex membranes and purified receptor preparations. This is the first report of the identification of a specific GABAA receptor subunit expressed in a human cell line, and it therefore provides a convenient model for the study of receptor structure and regulation.
How Can We Improve Teaching in Higher Education? Learning From CUNY Start

Despite the growing evidence on promising approaches to postsecondary instruction—and particularly on the benefits of student-centered, conceptually oriented instruction for underprepared students—there has been limited investment in supporting these approaches’ widespread implementation. Most postsecondary instructors have limited training in pedagogy, and broad-access colleges have relatively few resources to invest in improving instruction and building high-quality curriculum. Moreover, the field has few documented models of scalable professional development that results in demonstrated improvements in teaching and student learning. To help address this gap in the literature, this paper describes the professional development model used in CUNY Start, a program developed at the City University of New York to support entering students identified as academically underprepared in literacy and mathematics. Using interview and survey data collected as part of a larger random assignment evaluation of CUNY Start, the paper explores how CUNY Start’s multifaceted, coordinated system of professional development supports postsecondary instructors in enacting a student-centered, conceptually oriented instructional approach. CUNY Start’s professional development model has several notable features: a staffing approach that values instructional expertise, an apprenticeship for new hires, coaching through classroom observations, and cross-college meetings. While this model is distinct from traditional approaches to professional development in higher education, elements of it can be applied in other higher education settings. The paper concludes by discussing how colleges and departments might structure professional development around a set of student learning goals, offer a system of ongoing supports, and create a staffing model that supports the development of instructional expertise.
EFFECTS OF LIGHT AND WAVE DISTURBANCE ON VERTICAL ZONATION OF ATTACHED MICROALGAGE IN A LARGE RESERVOIR 1

Experimental field manipulations of artificial substrata were used to examine the mechanisms controlling attached algal zonation down the face of the dam in Lake McConaughy, a large reservoir in western Nabraska. Sets of clay tiles were incubated in the upper (2.5 m depth) and lower (8 m depth) growth zones for two weeks. Five sets tiles were then switched from the upper to the lower growth zone and vice versa. Five additional sets of tiles were switched to the lower zone and artificially disturbed. Diatom cell densities increased rapidly in both the zones; however, wind‐induced turbulence caused dramatic declines (up to 61%) in densities in the upper zone. Consequently, cell densities in the upper and lower growth zones were not significantly different after four weeks, despite the 17–30% higher light levels in the upper zone. Based on cell densities and relative abundances on clay tiles and naturally occurring rocks, 26 of the 32 most common diatom taxa had a significant upper (10) or lower (16) zone preference. Of these, 15 taxa exhibited a consistent response to one or both switching manipulations, confirming a growth zone preference, and two showed a clear preference for disturbed substrata. Diatom growth form appeared to play a major role in determining the vertical zonation of attached communities, since actively motile taxa exhibited a lower zone preference and stalked forms occurred primarily in the upper zone. The present study indicates that light attenuation and wave disturbance are primary mechanisms that control the vertical zonation of freshwater epilithic algae.
Psychological consequences of vertigo and the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation for brain injury patients

This research evaluated the effectiveness of a multidimensional psychological approach towards vestibular rehabilitation. The sample included 18 patients with vertigo due to acquired brain injury. Patients were assessed for vestibular disorder and referred to the therapy programme. They acted as their own controls. The therapy consisted of a behavioural exposure programme to movements and activities which provoked vertigo and anxiety in order to facilitate compensation of vestibular dysfunction and habituation to physical anxiety symptoms. Outcome measures included self-rating questionnaires and sway-monitor to assess vertigo and balance, emotional distress, vertigo handicap and coping strategies. This vestibular rehabilitation programme proved very effective and beneficial for the 18 patients, as their scores on measures of vertigo symptoms, handicap, emotional distress, physical flexibility and postural stability improved significantly post-therapy in comparison to no improvement during a waiting list period.
Growth and nutrition of restored Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey. versus native Celtis australis L. tree species: conservation perspectives of Hyrcanian forest (Iran).

For native species, mixed plantation systems seem to be the most appropriate for providing a broader range of options such as production, protection, biodiversity conservation and restoration. After 11 years, growth and nutrition and soil properties were examined in young plantation of two indigenous tree species in Hyrcanian forests of Iran. Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey. (as target species) and Celtis australis L. (as native component species) were planted in five proportions (100Q, 70Q:30C, 60Q:40C, 50Q:50C, 40Q:60C) in Noor, Iran. Diameter at breast height of individual Quercus trees and total basal area were affected by the presence of Celtis. Percent retranslocation of nutrients in Quercus followed in order: K> P> N. Leaf-litter fall production ranged from 4.10 to 6.14 t ha–1 year–1. Ca and Mg concentrations in fully expanded leaves of Quercus, N and K retranslocation of Quercus, concentration of available P in soil were higher in some of the mixed plantations than in monoculture of Quercus. On the other hand, N concentration in fully expanded leaves of Quercus, N fluxes and soil C/N ratio were higher in monoculture of Quercus. Within the framework of this experiment, it appeared that production was maximized when these two species were grown together in the proportion of 60% Quercus and 40% Celtis.
Behavioural differences between psychiatric patients with confirmed versus non-confirmed traumatic brain injuries

The relationship between history of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and BDI-2 depression scores at admission and discharge from the hospital was assessed in acutely hospitalized psychiatric patients. The participants were assigned to three groups: (1) no reported history of TBI (n = 18), (2) reported but not confirmed TBI history (n = 13), and (3) reported and confirmed TBI history (n = 15). It was found that confirmed history of TBI was associated with elevated BDI-2 depression scores. In contrast, the non-confirmed TBI group was characterized by over-reporting of psychological distress, as measured by MMPI-2 validity indices, 100% prevalence of alcohol use history, and depression scores that were intermediate between the control and confirmed TBI groups.
Escala diagramática para avaliação de severidade da helmintosporiose comum em milho

The Helminthosporium leaf blight, caused by Exserohilum turcicum, is one of the main spots that attacks corn crop in Southern Brazil. This disease causes considerable economic losses on this crop, especially when the attack begins before the flowering period. The aim of this research was to elaborate and validate a diagrammatic scale to evaluate the severity of the Helminthosporium leaf blight in corn. Corn leaves with symptoms of the disease were collected for measuring the real severity and defining the maximum and minimum limits, as well as the intermediate levels and the logarithmic increments, according to Weber-Fechner's stimulus-response law. The elaborated scale suggested seven severity levels: 0,5; 1,0; 2,5; 6,5; 15,5; 30,0 and 54,0%. The validation was performed by six persons without previous experience to quantify this disease. The severity of 30 leaves with different levels of symptoms was estimated, with and without the help of the scale. The use of the diagrammatic scale resulted in better accuracy and precision in the estimates, being a tool for quick and easy use, which can be adopted to assist in the severity evaluation of the Helminthosporium leaf blight in corn.
Implications for different diversity levels of Symbiodinium spp. (Dinophyceae, Suessiales) within closely related hosts: zoanthids (Cnidaria: Hexacorallia: Anthozoa) as a case study

In recent years, the diversity of symbiotic dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium has become intensively investigated. Found in a variety of marine invertebrate hosts, Symbiodinium are a key element in the observed high diversity within many sub-tropical and tropical shallow marine ecosystems. One group of marine invertebrates for which Symbiodinium diversity has been examined is zooxanthellate zoanthids (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Zoantharia) of three genera; Zoanthus, Isaurus and Palythoa. Focusing on specimens in southern Japan, zoanthid species from Zoanthus and Palythoa show varying patterns of both levels of Symbiodinium variation within individual colonies, and levels of Symbiodinium variation (=“flexibility”) over geographic ranges (i.e., latitudinal/longitudinal variation, etc.). Here I examine and compare the results of previous studies based primarily on sequences of internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS-rDNA), and focus on two zoanthid species with apparently very different Symbiodinium symbiotic system characters; Zoanthus sansibaricus and Palythoa tuberculosa. Symbiodinium (subclade C1z) within Z. sansibaricus are characterized by extremely high levels of ITS-rDNA sequence microvariation, while Symbiodinium within P. tuberculosa (subclade C1/C3) do not have such microvariation. I suggest that three factors may potentially contribute to apparently higher flexibility and diversity of Symbiodinium in Z. sansibaricus; 1) multiple copies of ITS-rDNA sequences, 2) strong reliance on sexual reproduction in Z. sansibaricus vs. asexual reproduction in P. tuberculosa, and 3) niche specialization by Z. sansibaricus vs. “generalist” P. tuberculosa,. Through an examination of past literature and results, it appears that both multiple intragenomic copies of ITS-rDNA and multiple types of Symbiodinium within Z. sansibaricus due to niche specialization are the most likely reasons behind such unusually high microvariation. It is hoped that in the near future more intensive investigations of Symbiodinium in a variety of host species will help researchers more fully understand the mechanisms driving varying symbiont flexibility and diversity.
Science on the edge of spatial scales: a reply to the comments of Williams (2001)

Guay et al. (2000) evaluated the ability of a numerical habitat model (NHM) to predict the spatial distribution of juveniles of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in a river. The NHM that we used consisted of a hydrodynamic model predicting the physical characteristics (current velocity, water depth, substrate composition) of habitats under any given flow and a biological model assigning an ecological value ranging from 0 (poor habitat) to 1 (excellent habitat) to habitats using their expected physical attributes as independent variables. The main objective of Guay et al. (2000) was to compare the predictions of NHM based on two biological models to the spatial distribution of fish in a river. The new biological model that we developed, the habitat probabilistic index (HPI), predicted a significantly larger fraction of the local variations of fish density (r2 = 0.86) than the traditional habitat suitability index (HSI; r2 = 0.39). Williams (2001) questioned several methodological and fundamental aspects of the work of Guay et al. (2000). The points raised by Williams (2001) about Guay et al. (2000) can be grouped into problems of wording, problems of sampling sufficiency, and problems of spatial scales.
Ecological integrity assessment of the fish assemblages of the Matigulu/Nyoni and Umvoti estuaries, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The estuarine fish community index (EFCI) and an estuarine fish guild assessment (EFGA) were used in 2004 and 2008 to determine the ecological state and effects of selected ecosystem variables on the Umvoti and Matigulu/Nyoni estuaries. The EFCI indicated that the Matigulu/Nyoni Estuary was in a moderate state and that the Umvoti Estuary was in a poor to very poor state. The EFGA revealed a clear spatial differentiation, based on the estuaries’ fish community structures, that was being driven primarily by the freshwater-dominated state of the Umvoti Estuary and the poor water quality of the Umvoti Estuary. The analysis of estuarine fish assemblage characteristics was shown to contribute towards the management and conservation of these systems.