Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Dietary Flaxseed Meal on Liver and Egg Yolk Fatty Acid Profiles, Immune Response and Antioxidant Status of Laying Hens

The effects of supplementing laying hen diets with 0, 50, or 100 g flaxseed meal (FSM)/kg over a 12-week period on liver and egg yolk fatty acids (FA) composition, liver and serum lipid peroxidation [thiobarbituric acid reactant substances (TBARS), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], serum lipids (triglyerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol), proteins (total protein, globulin and albumin), and immune response [serum antibody titres to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and white blood cell count (WBC) and differential (heterophils (H), lymphocytes (L), monocytes (M), eosinophils (E) and basophils (B)] of laying hens were studied. The FSM diets increased total polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) and omega-3 FA of α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), docosapentanoic (C22:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6n-3), and they reduced total monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and total omega-3/total omega-6 FA (Ση-6:Ση-3) ratio in the liver and egg yolk. Hens fed the FSM diets had a higher serum anti-SRBC and a lower blood H:L ratio. The 100 g FSM/kg diet increased liver TBARS level when compared with the control diet. Dietary FSM did not influence levels of TBARS, SOD, lipids and proteins in the serum, SOD and GPx in the liver, and blood count of M, E, B and total WBC. It was concluded that the addition of FSM to the diet of laying hens enhanced immune response of birds, increased omeg-3 FA and PUFA, and reduced MUFA and Ση-6:Ση-3 ratio in the liver and egg yolk, and that of 100 g FSM/kg diet increased hepatic lipid peroxidation.
Targeting Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors In The Treatment Of Epilepsy.

BACKGROUND A dysfunction in glutamate neurotransmission is critical for seizure. Glutamate is the major excitatory drive in the cerebral cortex, where seizures occur. Glutamate acts via (i) ionotropic (iGlu) receptors, which are ligand-gated ion channels mediating fast excitatory synaptic transmission; and (ii) G proteins coupled metabotropic (mGlu) receptors. Objective: To overview the evidence on the role of iGlu receptors in the onset, duration, and severity of convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures to lay the groundwork for novel strategies for drug-resistant epilepsy. Methods: We used PubMed crossed-search for "glutamate receptor and epilepsy" (sorting 3,170 reports), searched for "ionotropic glutamate receptors", "AMPA receptors", "NMDA receptors", "kainate receptors", "convulsive seizures", "absence epilepsy", and selected those papers focusing this Review's scope. Results: iGlu receptors antagonists inhibit, whereas agonists worsen experimental seizures in various animal species. Clinical development of iGlu receptor antagonists has been limited by the occurrence of adverse effects caused by inhibition of fast excitatory synaptic transmission. To date, only one drug (perampanel) selectively targeting iGlu receptors is marketed for the treatment of focal epilepsy. However, other drugs, such as topiramate and felbamate, inhibit iGlu receptors in addition to other mechanisms. Conclusion: This review is expected to help dissecting those steps induced by iGlu receptors activation, which may be altered to provide antiepileptic efficacy without altering key physiological brain functions, thus improving safety and tolerability of iGlu-receptor directed antiepileptic agents. This effort mostly applies to drug resistant seizures, which impact the quality of life and often lead to status epilepticus, which is a medical urgency.
The Glycan Structure of T. cruzi mucins Depends on the Host. Insights on the Chameleonic Galactose

Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoa that causes Chagas disease in humans, is transmitted by insects from the Reduviidae family. The parasite has developed the ability to change the structure of the surface molecules, depending on the host. Among them, the mucins are the most abundant glycoproteins. Structural studies have focused on the epimastigotes and metacyclic trypomastigotes that colonize the insect, and on the mammal trypomastigotes. The carbohydrate in the mucins fulfills crucial functions, the most important of which being the accepting of sialic acid from the host, a process catalyzed by the unique parasite trans-sialidase. The sialylation of the parasite influences the immune response on infection. The O-linked sugars have characteristics that differentiate them from human mucins. One of them is the linkage to the polypeptide chain by the hexosamine, GlcNAc, instead of GalNAc. The main monosaccharide in the mucins oligosaccharides is galactose, and this may be present in three configurations. Whereas β-d-galactopyranose (β-Galp) was found in the insect and the human stages of Trypanosoma cruzi, β-d-galactofuranose (β-Galf) is present only in the mucins of some strains of epimastigotes and α-d-galactopyranose (α-Galp) characterizes the mucins of the bloodstream trypomastigotes. The two last configurations confer high antigenic properties. In this review we discuss the different structures found and we pose the questions that still need investigation on the exchange of the configurations of galactose.
Peripheral Mechanobiology of Touch—Studies on Vertebrate Cutaneous Sensory Corpuscles

The vertebrate skin contains sensory corpuscles that are receptors for different qualities of mechanosensitivity like light brush, touch, pressure, stretch or vibration. These specialized sensory organs are linked anatomically and functionally to mechanosensory neurons, which function as low-threshold mechanoreceptors connected to peripheral skin through Aβ nerve fibers. Furthermore, low-threshold mechanoreceptors associated with Aδ and C nerve fibers have been identified in hairy skin. The process of mechanotransduction requires the conversion of a mechanical stimulus into electrical signals (action potentials) through the activation of mechanosensible ion channels present both in the axon and the periaxonal cells of sensory corpuscles (i.e., Schwann-, endoneurial- and perineurial-related cells). Most of those putative ion channels belong to the degenerin/epithelial sodium channel (especially the family of acid-sensing ion channels), the transient receptor potential channel superfamilies, and the Piezo family. This review updates the current data about the occurrence and distribution of putative mechanosensitive ion channels in cutaneous mechanoreceptors including primary sensory neurons and sensory corpuscles.
Distribution of Bacillus thuringiensis in the Soils of Nepal and Their Bioassay

A study was carried out to isolate indigenous lepidopteran-toxic Bacillus thuringiensis strains from the soils collected from different regions of Nepa1.A total of 350 soil samples were collected from far western, mid western, western, central and eastern regions covering 33 districts in Nepal.Three thousand eight hundred colonies recovered after acetate selection, were screened for bipyramidal crystal morphology Eight strains of B. thuringiensis were isolated and bioassayed for their effectiveness against the cabbage butterfly, Pieris brassicae nepalensis Doubleday and the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hubner . Results showed the prevalence of B. thuringiensis from an altitude ranging from 72 to 5050 m. above sea level (masl) in the soils. Among the eight B, thuringiensis strains isolated, Chit-5 isolated from uncultivated land in Chitwan (400 masl) proved to be the most efective against the third instar larvae of both the above insects. The other isolates showed varying degrees of toxicity to both or one of the pest species. Preliminary qualitative bioassay demonstrated that the local strain Chit-5 was more toxic than the commercial strain of B. thuringiensis used in the study. Further investigation is needed in this area.
Identification and Antimicrobial Activity of Medium-Sized and Short Peptides from Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion

Due to the rapidly increasing resistance to conventional antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides are emerging as promising novel drug candidates. In this study, peptide fragments were obtained from yellowfin tuna muscle by simulated gastrointestinal digestion, and their antimicrobial activity towards Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was investigated. In particular, the antimicrobial activity of both medium- and short-sized peptides was investigated by using two dedicated approaches. Medium-sized peptides were purified by solid phase extraction on C18, while short peptides were purified thanks to a graphitized carbon black sorbent. For medium-sized peptide characterization, a peptidomic strategy based on shotgun proteomics analysis was employed, and identification was achieved by matching protein sequence database by homology, as yellowfin tuna is a non-model organism, leading to the identification of 403 peptides. As for short peptide sequences, an untargeted suspect screening approach was carried out by means of an inclusion list presenting the exact mass to charge ratios (m/z) values for all di-, tri- and tetrapeptides. In total, 572 short sequences were identified thanks to a customized workflow dedicated to short peptide analysis implemented on Compound Discoverer software.
Contribution of systemic blood flow to untreated or inadequately controlled systolic--diastolic or isolated systolic hypertension in a community sample of African ancestry

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Aims: Age-related increases in systemic blood flow [stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and aortic flow (Q)] contribute substantially to untreated or inadequately controlled (uncontrolled) blood pressure (BP) in Africa. We aimed to identify the haemodynamic determinants of uncontrolled systolic--diastolic (Syst--diast HT) versus uncontrolled isolated systolic (ISH) or diastolic (IDH) hypertension. Methods: Using central arterial pressure and aortic outflow tract velocity and diameter measurements (echocardiography), the haemodynamic correlates of BP were determined in 725 community participants of African ancestry (19.6% uncontrolled Syst--diast HT, 9.2% uncontrolled ISH, 11.3% uncontrolled IDH). Results: Independent of confounders, compared with those with a normotensive BP, those with uncontrolled Syst--diast HT had increases in SV, CO, Q, systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and aortic characteristic impedance (Zc) and decreases in total arterial compliance (TAC) (P < 0.05--P < 0.0001). In multivariate regression models, uncontrolled Syst--diast HT was as strongly associated with Q, SV or CO as with SVR (P = 0.04--P = 0.20), Zc (P = 0.74--P < 0.0005) and TAC (P = 0.43--P < 0.005). Independent of confounders, compared with normotensive individuals those with uncontrolled ISH had increases in SV, CO, Q and Zc but not SVR, and decreases in TAC (P < 0.05-P < 0.0001), and those with IDH only had increases in SVR (P < 0.0001). Uncontrolled ISH was more strongly associated with Q, SV and CO than with SVR (P < 0.0005), but less than with TAC (P < 0.05--P < 0.0005). Conclusion: In groups of African ancestry living in Africa, hypertension because of increases in either SBP or DBP is as strongly associated with increases in systemic flow (SV, Q) as with arterial and arteriolar effects (Zc, TAC, SVR).
Ingestion de l'herbe par les ruminants au pâturage

Le pâturage est un systeme alimentaire instable : les variations a court, moyen et long terme de l'offre quantitative et qualitative de fourrage sont frequentes, et determinent la quantite ingeree et les performances animales. D'ou l'interet de quantifier les effets des principaux facteurs de variation de l'ingestion des bovins et des ovins au pâturage Chez les ruminants au pâturage, la quantite d'herbe ingeree s'accroit avec le format et le potentiel de production des animaux, et apres une restriction alimentaire. Un couvert feuillu de bonne digestibilite est une condition essentielle pour assurer des quantites ingerees et des performances individuelles elevees. En pâturage intensif l'ingestion aussi regulee par des facteurs non-nutritionnels comme la disponibilite de l'herbe (quantite offerte et prehensibilite). Les lois de reponse de l'ingestion aux differents facteurs, etablies a court terme, sont coherentes avec les performances animales sur la saison entiere de pâturage. L'integration de ces lois doit permettre de mieux predire les consequences des pratiques et de divers choix sur les performances animales.
Relationship between Corneal Morphogeometrical Properties and Biomechanical Parameters Derived from Dynamic Bidirectional Air Applanation Measurement Procedure in Keratoconus

The morphogeometric analysis of the corneal structure has become a clinically relevant diagnostic procedure in keratoconus (KC) as well as the in vivo evaluation of the corneal biomechanical properties. However, the relationship between these two types of metrics is still not well understood. The current study investigated the relationship of corneal morphogeometry and volume with two biomechanical parameters: corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF), both provided by an Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert). It included 109 eyes from 109 patients (aged between 18 and 69 years) with a diagnosis of keratoconus (KC) who underwent a complete eye examination including a comprehensive corneal topographic analysis with the Sirius system (CSO). With the topographic information obtained, a morphogeometric and volumetric analysis was performed, defining different variables of clinical use. CH and CRF were found to be correlated with these variables, but this correlation was highly influenced by corneal thickness. This suggests that the mechanical properties of KC cornea contribute only in a partial and limited manner to these biomechanical parameters, being mostly influenced by morphogeometry under normal intraocular pressure levels. This would explain the limitation of CH and CRF as diagnostic tools for the detection of incipient cases of KC.
Transcriptomic signature of fasting in human adipose tissue.

Little is known about the impact of fasting on gene regulation in human adipose tissue. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of fasting on adipose tissue gene expression in humans. To that end, subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were collected from twenty-three volunteers 2h and 26h after consumption of a standardized meal. For comparison, epididymal adipose tissue was collected from C57Bl/6J mice after a 16h fast and in the ab-libitum fed state. Transcriptome analysis was carried out using Affymetrix microarrays. We found that, 1) fasting downregulated numerous metabolic pathways in human adipose tissue, including triglyceride and fatty acid synthesis, glycolysis and glycogen synthesis, TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial translation, and insulin signaling; 2) fasting downregulated genes involved in proteasomal degradation in human adipose tissue; 3) fasting had much less pronounced effects on the adipose tissue transcriptome in humans than mice; 4) although major overlap in fasting-induced gene regulation was observed between human and mouse adipose tissue, many genes were differentially regulated in the two species, including genes involved in insulin signaling (PRKAG2, PFKFB3), PPAR signaling (PPARG, ACSL1, HMGCS2, SLC22A5, ACOT1), glycogen metabolism (PCK1, PYGB), and lipid droplets (PLIN1, PNPLA2, CIDEA, CIDEC). In conclusion, although numerous genes and pathways are regulated similarly by fasting in human and mouse adipose tissue, many genes show very distinct responses to fasting in humans and mice. Our data provide a useful resource to study adipose tissue function during fasting.
Possible routes of SARS‐CoV‐2 invasion in brain: In context of neurological symptoms in COVID‐19 patients

Manifestation of neurological symptoms in certain patients of coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) has warranted for their virus‐induced etiogenesis. SARS‐CoV‐2, the causative agent of COVID‐19, belongs to the genus of betacoronaviruses which also includes SARS‐CoV‐1 and MERS‐CoV; causative agents for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002 and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012, respectively. Studies demonstrating the neural invasion of SARS‐CoV‐2 in vivo are still scarce, although such characteristics of certain other betacoronaviruses are well demonstrated in the literature. Based on the recent evidence for the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 host cell entry receptors in specific components of the human nervous and vascular tissue, a neural (olfactory and/or vagal), and a hematogenous—crossing the blood–brain barrier, routes have been proposed. The neurological symptoms in COVID‐19 may also arise as a consequence of the “cytokine storm” (characteristically present in severe disease) induced neuroinflammation, or co‐morbidities. There is also a possibility that, there may be multiple routes of SARS‐CoV‐2 entry into the brain, or multiple mechanisms can be involved in the pathogenesis of the neurological symptoms. In this review article, we have discussed the possible routes of SARS‐CoV‐2 brain entry based on the emerging evidence for this virus, and that available for other betacoronaviruses in literature.
Toward the Use of Pupillary Responses for Pilot Selection

Objective For selection practitioners, it seems important to assess the level of mental resources invested in order to perform a demanding task. In this study, we investigated the potential of pupil size measurement to discriminate the most proficient pilot students from the less proficient. Background Cognitive workload is known to influence learning outcome. More specifically, cognitive difficulties observed during pilot training are often related to a lack of efficient mental workload management. Method Twenty pilot students performed a laboratory multitasking scenario, composed of several stages with increasing workload, while their pupil size was recorded. Two levels of pilot students were compared according to the outcome after 2 years of training: high success and medium success. Results Our findings suggested that task-evoked pupil size measurements could be a promising predictor of flight training difficulties during the 2-year training. Indeed, high-level pilot students showed greater pupil size changes from low-load to high-load stages of the multitasking scenario than medium-level pilot students. Moreover, average pupil diameters at the low-load stage were smallest for the high-level pilot students. Conclusion Following the neural efficiency hypothesis framework, the most proficient pilot students supposedly used their mental resources more efficiently than the least proficient while performing the multitasking scenario. Application These findings might introduce a new way of managing selection processes complemented with ocular measurements. More specifically, pupil size measurement could enable identification of applicants with greater chances of success during pilot training.
Positional Body Composition of Female Division I Collegiate Volleyball Players.

Bisch, KL, Bosch, TA, Carbuhn, A, Stanforth, PR, Oliver, JM, Bach, CW, and Dengel, DR. Positional body composition of female division I collegiate volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-The primary study objective was to measure positional differences in total and regional body composition among female NCAA Division I collegiate volleyball players using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The secondary objective was to examine normative age curves for fat and lean mass (LM) variables. Ninety female volleyball players from 5 universities received a DXA scan. Athletes were categorized by position: middle blocker (MB = 31), outside hitter (OH = 32), setter (ST = 9), and Libero (LB = 18). Height, body mass, total and regional fat mass (FM), LM, bone mineral density (BMD), and abdominal visceral adipose tissue were measured by DXA. Body mass distribution ratios were calculated. The secondary age analysis included a subset of 153 DXA scans (n = 83, ages 18-21 years). Front row players (i.e., MB and OH) had significantly greater total and regional LM and BMD measures (p < 0.05, all), compared with non-front row players (i.e., LB and ST). Differences in total LM (p < 0.001) were significantly influenced by height. Front row players had consistently lower mass distribution ratios compared with non-front row players (p < 0.05, all). Lean mass index (LMI, p = 0.752) and FM index (FMI, p = 0.392) were not significantly different across ages. Back row players have greater relative upper body mass, whereas mass in front row players is more evenly distributed between the upper and lower body. Bone mineral density differences may be influenced by repeated impact of jumping during the attacking and blocking actions of front row players. Minimal changes in LMI and fluctuations in FMI can be expected across an athlete's career.
Characterization of putative circular plasmids in sponge‐associated bacterial communities using a selective multiply‐primed rolling circle amplification

Plasmid transfers among bacterial populations can directly influence the ecological adaptation of these populations and their interactions with host species and environment. In this study, we developed a selective multiply‐primed rolling circle amplification (smRCA) approach to enrich and characterize circular plasmid DNA from sponge microbial symbionts via high‐throughput sequencing (HTS). DNA (plasmid and total community DNA) obtained from sponge (Cinachyrella sp.) samples and a bacterial symbiont (Vibrio sp. CyArs1) isolated from the same sponge species (carrying unknown plasmids) were used to develop and validate our methodology. The smRCA was performed during 16 hr with 141 plasmid‐specific primers covering all known circular plasmid groups. The amplified products were purified and subjected to a reamplification with random hexamer primers (2 hr) and then sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. The developed method resulted in the successful amplification and characterization of the sponge plasmidome and allowed us to detect plasmids associated with the bacterial symbiont Vibrio sp. CyArs1 in the sponge host. In addition to this, a large number of small (<2 kbp) and cryptic plasmids were also amplified in sponge samples. Functional analysis identified proteins involved in the control of plasmid partitioning, maintenance and replication. However, most plasmids contained unknown genes, which could potentially serve as a resource of unknown genetic information and novel replication systems. Overall, our results indicate that the smRCA‐HTS approach developed here was able to selectively enrich and characterize plasmids from bacterial isolates and sponge host microbial communities, including plasmids larger than 20 kbp.