Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of intact oxaliplatin in plasma on a cold allodynia after multiple administrations in colorectal cancer model rats.

BACKGROUND Oxaliplatin (L-OHP)-induced acute neuropathy is a major factor for influencing treatment compliance in patients receiving chemotherapy for colorectal cancer (CRC). Acute neuropathy is caused by the intact L-OHP affecting the function of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel. In this study, the effectiveness of the detection of the intact L-OHP and the association with the severity of L-OHP-induced acute neuropathy were investigated using a rat model of CRC. METHODS Wistar male rats were prepared as models of CRC by using 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and dextran sulfate. Intravenous L-OHP was administered (weekly) to CRC rats for 4 weeks, at doses of 3, 5, or 8 mg/kg, respectively. Pharmacokinetic and tumor distribution profiles of animals with intact L-OHP were observed on days 1 and 22. Cold allodynia was determined as a read-out of acute neuropathy using the acetone test over the 4 weeks. RESULTS The mean AUC0-∞ values for the intact L-OHP were increased dose-dependently at the three doses. The accumulation of intact L-OHP was confirmed following an increase in L-OHP concentration on day 22. Acute neuropathy was observed from day 2 at all doses and the withdrawal response correlated with AUC (R2 =0.9816). CONCLUSIONS To prevent the onset of L-OHP-induced acute neuropathy, the timely detection of the intact L-OHP is important. These findings could be a basis of the establishment a pharmacokinetic and toxicodynamic model to aid the planning of therapy cycle completion for CRC.
Analysis of multiple classes of abscisic acid-responsive genes during embryogenesis in zea mays

We have examined the effects of the plant growth regulator abscisic acid (ABA), on the accumulation of three transcripts during maize embryogenesis. The Emb5 and Rab -17 transcripts were first detected during mid embryogenesis and accumulated to high levels during late embryogenesis. In an ABA-deficient mutant, both transcripts were accumulated at very low levels. Treatment with μM ABA during early and mid embryogenesis, but not during late embryogenesis, in the wild type and the ABA-deficient mutant enhanced the accumulation of the Emb5 and Rab-17 transcripts. The oleosin KD18 transcript was detected at moderate levels during early embryogenesis, reached a peak during mid embryogenesis and then declined gradually. Embryos incubated in the absence of ABA exhibited a rapid loss of the oleosin KD18 transcript whereas a high level of accumulation of this transcript was maintained by incubation with nM ABA. Interestingly, the oleosin KD18 transcript was accumulated at high levels in the ABA-deficient mutant and was also detected, albeit at low levels, in an ABA-insensitive mutant. In addition, the Rab-17 transcript could be stimulated to accumulate in vegetative tissue by either ABA or water stress. Similar treatment of vegetative tissue did not induce the accumulation of Emb5 or oleosin KD18 transcripts. These results suggest that ABA-responsive genes expressed during maize embryo-genesis are regulated by multiple mechanisms. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Elevated dust depositions in West Asia linked to ocean–atmosphere shifts during North Atlantic cold events

Significance North Atlantic cold events in the past have been shown to cause large-scale atmospheric reorganizations. Results of our dust record from southeastern Iran, which is highly susceptible to capture dust storms from North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula—the largest dust source on Earth—show a direct link between North Atlantic cooling and enhanced eastward dust transport from the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa. This finding suggests that climate conditions over western Asia during these cold events were controlled by a southward shift in the winter position of the Northern Hemisphere westerlies and more susceptible to variations in the North American winter ice cover. Rapid North Atlantic cooling events during the last deglaciation caused atmospheric reorganizations on global and regional scales. Their impact on Asian climate has been investigated for monsoonal domains, but remains largely unknown in westerly wind-dominated semiarid regions. Here we generate a dust record from southeastern Iran spanning the period 19 to 7 cal. ka B.P. We find a direct link between frequent occurrences of dust plumes originating from the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa and rapid southward shifts of the westerlies associated with changes of the winter stationary waves during Heinrich Stadial 1, the Younger Dryas, the Preboreal Oscillation, and the 8.2-ka event. Dust input rises and falls abruptly at the transitions into and out of these cooling events, which we attribute to changes in the ocean circulation strength that are modulated by the North Atlantic winter sea-ice cover. Our findings reveal that waxing and waning of North American ice sheets have a stronger influence than those of European ice sheets on the winter climate over West Asia.
Cross-talk between the two-component regulatory systems NodVW and NwsAB of Bradyrhizobium japonicum

The protein products of the Bradyrhizobium japonicum gene pairs nodVW and nwsVW are members of the bacterial two-component regulatory systems. While NodW and NwsB exhibit all of the characteristics of the response-regulator class, NodV and NwsA contain the conserved domain of the sensor-kinase family. Overexpression of the nwsB gene results in complementation of the nodulation defect of a nodW mutant. We report here that the NwsB protein, unlike the overproduced NodW protein, requires NodV or NwsA for its function. This shows that cross-talk occurs between NwsAB and NodVW, in that NodV appears to activate NwsB.
Diet‐induced rodent models of obesity‐related metabolic disorders—A guide to a translational perspective

Diet is a critical element determining human health and diseases, and unbalanced food habits are major risk factors for the development of obesity and related metabolic disorders. Despite technological and pharmacological advances, as well as intensification of awareness campaigns, the prevalence of metabolic disorders worldwide is still increasing. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches with increased efficacy are urgently required, which often depends on cellular and molecular investigations using robust animal models. In the absence of perfect rodent models, those induced by excessive consumption of fat and sugars better replicate the key aspects that are the root causes of human metabolic diseases. However, the results obtained using these models cannot be directly compared, particularly because of the use of different dietary protocols, and animal species and strains, among other confounding factors. This review article revisits diet‐induced models of obesity and related metabolic disorders, namely, metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. A critical analysis focused on the main pathophysiological features of rodent models, as opposed to the criteria defined for humans, is provided as a practical guide with a translational perspective for the establishment of animal models of obesity‐related metabolic diseases.
The Pit and Antipit in the Genus Glycine

The shape of the pit and antipit varied within a species and were either elliptical or triangular. The area, height, and depth occupied by the pit and antipit, respectively, also varied among species. In most accessions, the pit was deeply concave, although, in a few accessions the cotyledon surface was nearly flat. Glycine max, G. soja, and G. tomentella had similar pit cells that were at least twice as long as they were wide. Glycine latifolia had the smallest antipit cells and G. max had the largest
PRODUÇÃO LACRIMAL E DENSIDADE DE CÉLULAS CALICIFORMES CONJUNTIVAIS EM CÃES DA RAÇA SHIH-TZU

This study aimed to evaluate the Shih Tzu tear production quantity and quality, in order to compare it with tear production of different breeds previously described. The tear production quantitative evaluation was performed in 35 animals, by Schirmer tear tests 1 and 2 (STT-1 and STT-2), in absence or presence the local anesthetic , respectively. Regarding the mucin tear layer, a qualitative tear production evaluation was performed in 15 animals through conjunctival goblet cell density (CGCD) analysis. The mean values obtained to STT-1 were 19.66 ± 7.30 and 21.97 ± 5.69 for left eye (LE) and right eye (RE), respectively. The mean values obtained to STT-2 were 10.71 ± 6.10 and 9.14 ± 4.78 for LE and RE, respectively. Both STT-1 and STT-2 values found to the Shih Tzu dogs are within tear production standards of other breeds previously described. The mean CGCD found to LE was 13.64 ± 3.44, and to RE it was 13.64 ± 4.07. These values are lower than those described for other breeds. KEYWORDS: brachycephalic; dog; mucin; Schirmer; tear.
Lung Protection by Cathepsin C Inhibition: A New Hope for COVID-19 and ARDS?

Cathepsin C (CatC) is a cysteine dipeptidyl aminopeptidase that activates most of tissue-degrading elastase-related serine proteases. Thus, CatC appears as a potential therapeutic target to impair protease-driven tissue degradation in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. A depletion of proinflammatory elastase-related proteases in neutrophils is observed in patients with CatC deficiency (Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome). To address and counterbalance unwanted effects of elastase-related proteases, chemical inhibitors of CatC are being evaluated in preclinical and clinical trials. Neutrophils may contribute to the diffuse alveolar inflammation seen in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which is currently a growing challenge for intensive care units due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elimination of elastase-related neutrophil proteases may reduce the progression of lung injury in these patients. Pharmacological CatC inhibition could be a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent the irreversible pulmonary failure threatening the life of COVID-19 patients.
Response assessment of somatostatin receptor targeted radioligand therapies for progressive intracranial meningioma

Abstract Background In somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expressing progressive meningioma, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has shown effect in small clinical series. However, standardized treatment and response assessment protocols are lacking. We present our experience on PPRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE in progressive meningioma with a special emphasis on state-of-the-art response assessment. Methods Retrospective analysis on PRRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE from 2015 to 2019. Pre- and post-therapy imaging was performed using MRI and 68Ga-DOTATATE-PET for standard bidimensional and volumetric analyses, respectively, following novel RANO guidelines. Results Seven patients with progressive intracranial meningioma (median age 73 years, interquartile range 60–76; 5 WHO II, 2 WHO I; 5 multifocal) received a median of 4 cycles 2 3 4 of PRRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE in eight-week intervals. Three patients did not undergo post-therapy 68Ga-DOTATATE-PET due to early symptomatic progression and subsequent cessation of PRRT. After completion of 4 PRRT cycles volumetric PET imaging showed stable disease in two of four patients. According to bidimensional MRI response assessment, only one patient was stable. Progression free survival at six months was 42.9 %. Conclusion In this heterogeneous collective of seven patients with progressive meningioma, 177Lu-DOTATATE therapies showed heterogeneous effectiveness. PET-based volumetric assessment should be used for response assessment in PRRT additionally to bidimensional imaging.
Alcohol: a probable risk factor of COVID‐19 severity

1. Grundmann O. , Babin J. K. , Henningfield J. E. , Garcia-Romeu A. , Kruegel A. C. , Prozialeck W. C. , et al. Kratom use in the United States: a diverse and complex profile. Addiction 2021; 116: 202–3. 2. Schimmel J., Amioka E. , Rockhill K. , Haynes C. M. , Black J. C. , Dart R. C. et al. Prevalence and description of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) use in the United States: a cross-sectional study. Addiction 2021; 116: 176–81. 3. Garcia-Romeu A. , Cox D. J., Smith K. E. , Dunn K. E. , Griffiths R. R. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): user demographics, use patterns, and implications for the opioid epidemic. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 208: 107849. 4. Black J. C. , Rockhill K. , Forber A. , Amioka E. , May K. P., Haynes C. M. , et al. An online survey for pharmacoepidemiological investigation (Survey of Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs Program): validation study. J Med Internet Res 2019; 21: e15830.
Correlations of Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition in High Oleic Lines and Hybrids of Sunflower (H. Annuus L.)

ABSTRACTThirty two high oleic sunflower lines and twenty hybrids were studied in the course of two years. It was found that the high oil content was in a negative correlation with the palmitic acid content in the lines-mentainers, and with the stearic acid content in the restorer lines. For the hybrids, proved correlations between the oil content and fatty acids were absent. In all high oleic materials there were found negative correlations between the oleic acid content and another fatty acids.
Using patterns in prey DNA digestion rates to quantify predator diets

Dietary metabarcoding—the process of taxonomic identification of food species from DNA in consumer guts or faeces—has been rapidly adopted by ecologists to gain insights into biocontrol, invasive species and the structure of food webs. However, an outstanding issue with metabarcoding is the semi‐quantitative nature of the data it provides: because metabarcoding is likely to produce false negatives for some prey more often than for other prey, we cannot infer relative frequencies of prey in the diet. To correct for this, we can adjust detected prey frequencies using DNA detectability half‐lives unique to each predator–prey combination. Because the feeding experiments required to deduce these half‐lives are time‐ and resource‐intensive, our ability to weight the frequency of observations using their detectability has thus far been limited to systems with just a few prey. Here, we present a meta‐analysis of 24 spider prey DNA half‐lives and show that these half‐lives are predictable given predator and prey mass, predator family, digestion temperature and DNA amplicon length. We further provide a new technique for weighting observations with half‐lives, which allows not just for the ranking of prey in the diet, but reveals the proportion of the diet each prey comprises. Lastly, we apply this method to published dietary metabarcoding data to calculate half‐lives and proportion of the predator's diet for 35 prey families, demonstrating that this technique can generate improved understanding of diets in real, diverse systems.
Elevated paleomagnetic dispersion at Saint Helena suggests long-lived anomalous behavior in the South Atlantic

Significance Earth’s magnetic field is generated in the outer core by convecting liquid iron and protects the atmosphere from solar wind erosion. The most substantial anomaly in the magnetic field is in the South Atlantic (SA). An important conjecture is that this region could be a site of recurring anomalies because of unusual core−mantle conditions, but this has not previously been tested on geological timescales. With paleodirectional data from rocks from Saint Helena, an island in the SA, we show that the directional behavior of the magnetic field in the SA did indeed vary anomalously between ∼8 million and 11 million years ago. This supports the hypothesis of core−mantle interaction being manifest in the long-term geomagnetic field behavior of this region. Earth’s magnetic field is presently characterized by a large and growing anomaly in the South Atlantic Ocean. The question of whether this region of Earth’s surface is preferentially subject to enhanced geomagnetic variability on geological timescales has major implications for core dynamics, core−mantle interaction, and the possibility of an imminent magnetic polarity reversal. Here we present paleomagnetic data from Saint Helena, a volcanic island ideally suited for testing the hypothesis that geomagnetic field behavior is anomalous in the South Atlantic on timescales of millions of years. Our results, supported by positive baked contact and reversal tests, produce a mean direction approximating that expected from a geocentric axial dipole for the interval 8 to 11 million years ago, but with very large associated directional dispersion. These findings indicate that, on geological timescales, geomagnetic secular variation is persistently enhanced in the vicinity of Saint Helena. This, in turn, supports the South Atlantic as a locus of unusual geomagnetic behavior arising from core−mantle interaction, while also appearing to reduce the likelihood that the present-day regional anomaly is a precursor to a global polarity reversal.
Last step in the path of LDL cholesterol from lysosome to plasma membrane to ER is governed by phosphatidylserine

Significance Feedback control of cholesterol metabolism is essential for cell viability and prevention of heart attacks. Cells acquire cholesterol from receptor-mediated uptake of low-density lipoprotein, which delivers cholesterol to lysosomes. To exert feedback control, cholesterol must reach the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here we use a CRISPR screen to show that lysosome-derived cholesterol moves first to the plasma membrane and then to the ER. The last movement requires an enzyme that produces phosphatidylserine. This demonstrates that transmembrane movement of one lipid (cholesterol) requires another lipid (phosphatidylserine). Our results explain how one organelle (ER) monitors the cholesterol content of another organelle (plasma membrane), thereby maintaining membrane integrity and ensuring cell survival. Animal cells acquire cholesterol from receptor-mediated uptake of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which releases cholesterol in lysosomes. The cholesterol moves to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it inhibits production of LDL receptors, completing a feedback loop. Here we performed a CRISPR-Cas9 screen in human SV589 cells for genes required for LDL-derived cholesterol to reach the ER. We identified the gene encoding PTDSS1, an enzyme that synthesizes phosphatidylserine (PS), a phospholipid constituent of the inner layer of the plasma membrane (PM). In PTDSS1-deficient cells where PS is low, LDL cholesterol leaves lysosomes but fails to reach the ER, instead accumulating in the PM. The addition of PS restores cholesterol transport to the ER. We conclude that LDL cholesterol normally moves from lysosomes to the PM. When the PM cholesterol exceeds a threshold, excess cholesterol moves to the ER in a process requiring PS. In the ER, excess cholesterol acts to reduce cholesterol uptake, preventing toxic cholesterol accumulation. These studies reveal that one lipid—PS—controls the movement of another lipid—cholesterol—between cell membranes. We relate these findings to recent evidence indicating that PM-to-ER cholesterol transport is mediated by GRAMD1/Aster proteins that bind PS and cholesterol.
In vitro culture of pointed gourd ( Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.)

An experiment was conducted to study the in vitro culture of pointed gourd. Cotyledon rescued from physiologically matured seeds (PMS) and immatured seeds (IMS) of pointed gourd were used as explants. Cotyledon excised from PMS responded very well in all culture conditions. Plant regenerated from cotyledon of PMS ranged from 38 to 96% in different hormonal formulations of culture media. Highest percentage of shoot regeneration was observed in MS + 1.0 mg/l BAP and lowest in MS + 2.5 mg/l BAP. No plant regeneration was observed in cotyledon from immatured seeds. The highest percentage of root induction (99%) was achieved in half MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l NAA. The regenerated plantlets were successfully established in earthen pot. Keywords: Cotyledon; in vitro ; pointed gourd. DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v35i1. 5874 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 35(1) : 135-142, March 2010
Tracking cells in epithelial acini by light sheet microscopy reveals proximity effects in breast cancer initiation

Cancer clone evolution takes place within tissue ecosystem habitats. But, how exactly tumors arise from a few malignant cells within an intact epithelium is a central, yet unanswered question. This is mainly due to the inaccessibility of this process to longitudinal imaging together with a lack of systems that model the progression of a fraction of transformed cells within a tissue. Here, we developed a new methodology based on primary mouse mammary epithelial acini, where oncogenes can be switched on in single cells within an otherwise normal epithelial cell layer. We combine this stochastic breast tumor induction model with inverted light-sheet imaging to study single-cell behavior for up to four days and analyze cell fates utilizing a newly developed image-data analysis workflow. The power of this integrated approach is illustrated by us finding that small local clusters of transformed cells form tumors while isolated transformed cells do not.
Efficacy of anti-gonococcal CMP-nonulosonate therapeutics require cathelicidins.

Novel therapies to counteract multidrug-resistant gonorrhea are urgently needed. A unique gonococcal immune evasion strategy involves capping of lipooligosaccharide (LOS) with sialic acid by gonococcal sialyltransferase (Lst), utilizing host-derived CMP-sialic acid (CMP-Neu5Ac in humans). LOS sialylation renders gonococci resistant to complement and cationic peptides, and down-regulates the inflammatory response by engaging siglecs. CMP-sialic acid analogs (CMP-nonulosonates [CMP-NulOs]) such as CMP-Leg5,7Ac2 and CMP-Kdn are also utilized by Lst. Incorporation of these NulO analogs into LOS maintains gonococci susceptible to complement. Intravaginal administration of CMP-Kdn or CMP-Leg5,7Ac2 attenuates gonococcal colonization of mouse vaginas. Here, we identify a key mechanism of action for the efficacy of CMP-NulOs. Surprisingly, CMP-NulOs remained effective in complement C1q-/- and C3-/- mice. LOS Neu5Ac, but not Leg5,7Ac2 or Kdn conferred resistance to the cathelicidins LL-37 (human) and mCRAMP (mouse) in vitro. CMP-NulOs were ineffective in Camp-/- mice, revealing that cathelicidins largely mediate the efficacy of therapeutic CMP-NulOs.
Exercise after Heart Transplantation: Typical Alterations, Diagnostics and Interventions

Abstract For the treatment of terminal heart failure, heart transplantation is considered to be the gold standard, leading to significantly improved quality of life and long-time survival. For heart transplant recipients, the development and maintenance of good functional performance and adequate exercise capacity is crucial for renewed participation and integration in self-determined live. In this respect, typical transplant-related alterations must be noted that play a significant role, leading to restrictions both centrally and peripherally. Before patients begin intensive and structured exercise training, a comprehensive diagnosis of their exercise capacity should take place in order to stratify the risks involved and to plan the training units accordingly. Particularly endurance sports and resistance exercises are recommended to counter the effects of the underlying disease and the immunosuppressive medication. The performance level achieved can vary considerably depending on their individual condition, from gentle activity through a non-competitive-level to intensive competitive sports. This paper includes an overview of the current literature on heart transplant recipients, their specific characteristics, as well as typical cardiovascular and musculoskeletal alterations. It also discusses suitable tools for measuring exercise capacity, recommendations for exercise training, required precautions and the performance level usually achieved.