Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Protein Phosphatase 2cα-Ca2+ Channel Complex for Dephosphorylation of Neuronal Ca2+ Channels Phosphorylated by Protein Kinase C

Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are primary means for rapid regulation of a variety of neuronal functions, such as membrane excitability, neurotransmitter release, and gene expression. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are targets for phosphorylation by a variety of second messengers through activation of different types of protein kinases (PKs). Protein phosphatases (PPs), like PKs, are equally important in regulating Ca2+ channels in neurons. However, much less is understood about whether and how a particular type of PP contributes to regulating neuronal Ca2+ channel activities. This is primarily because of the lack of specific inhibitors/activators for different types of PPs, particularly the PP2c family. The functional roles of PP2c and its substrates in the brain remain virtually unknown. During our yeast two-hybrid screening, PP2cα was pulled out by both N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channel C termini. This raised the possibility that PP2cα might be associated with voltage-gated Ca2+ channels for regulation of the Ca2+ channel activity. Biochemical studies show that PP2cα binds directly to neuronal Ca2+ channels forming a functional protein complex in vivo. PP2cα, unlike PP1, PP2a and PP2b, is more effective in dephosphorylation of neuronal Ca2+ channels after their phosphorylation by PKC. In hippocampal neurons, disruption of the PP2cα-Ca2+ channel interaction significantly enhances the response of Ca2+ channels to modulation by PKC. Thus, the PP2cα-Ca2+ channel complex is responsible for rapid dephosphorylation of Ca2+ channels and may contribute to regulation of synaptic transmission in neurons.
Lung Ultrasonography as an Accurate Diagnostic Method for the Diagnosis of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly Population

Abstract Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common causes of both hospitalization and death in elderly patients. The chest x-ray (CXR) is nowadays still the imaging method of choice for patients suspected of having pneumonia. However, the sensitivity of CXR, particularly bedside chest radiography, is relatively low. Chest computed tomography, the procedure of higher precision, cannot be conducted routinely for safety, organizational, and economic reasons. Thus, lung ultrasonography (LUS) could be the most accurate diagnostic tool for CAP in the geriatric population. This prospective observational study involving 191 elderly patients (older than 65 years), hospitalized because of suspicion of pneumonia, aimed at comparing the diagnostic accuracy of LUS and CXR to final clinical diagnosis. During the first hours of hospitalization, both CXR and LUS were conducted. At discharge, pneumonia diagnosis was confirmed in 115 patients (60.2% of the study group). Chest x-ray revealed inflammatory lesions in only 65 patients (34% of the study group, 56.5% of the patients with final pneumonia diagnosis), whereas LUS was positive in 114 patients (59.7% of the study group, 99% of the patients with final pneumonia diagnosis). Sensitivity and specificity of LUS in pneumonia diagnosis were, respectively, 99% and 98.7%, whereas CXR sensitivity and specificity were 56.5% and 100%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of LUS were 99% and 98.7%, whereas, for CXR, they were 100% and 60.3%, respectively. Lung ultrasonography proved to be more effective at revealing pulmonary inflammatory lesions as compared with CXR in elderly patients suspected of pneumonia.
Endometrial Cytology at Luteal and Follicular Phases of the Ovarian Cycle in Cows

Abstract The aim of the study was to examine cytological changes in the uterus in cows during the follicular and luteal phases of the ovarian cycle, as well as to compare two different methods (brush and flushing) used for cytological material collection and to evaluate their usefulness for monitoring of the endometrium. Ovarian cycle phases were confirmed by ultrasound and by the level of sex hormones (17-β-estradiol and progesterone). The following types of cells were identified in the cytological smears: type I - surface cells; type II - intermediate cells; type III - basal cells; polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs); L - lymphocytes. The number of type I and III cells was statistically significantly higher in the follicular phase than in the luteal phase, both in smears prepared using a brush (P<0.001) and by uterine flush (P=0.003). The number of type II cells was statistically significantly higher in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase in both methods (P<0.001). The results of the study show that phases of the ovarian cycle in cows can be identified based on changes in the quality and percentage of different types of endometrial cells in a cytological examination.
Oil and the ‘new wars’: another look at the resource curse using alternative data

The thesis that natural resources cause conflict is criticized on the basis that resource dependence and conflict are caused by other underlying factors and that the relationship is endogenous. Using disaggregated resource rents on per capita basis, a measure likely to be less influenced by endogeneity, this study finds that oil, rather than other resources, influenced the onset of civil war between 1970 and 2013. Granger causality shows no relationship between resource dependence, measured as resource rents per gross domestic product, and measures of resource rents per capita. Moreover, in multivariate models of societal violence measured by the Global Peace Index (GPI), which capture aspects of ‘new wars’ witnessed during the post-Cold War era, oil rather than minerals is what matters for predicting societal insecurity defined more broadly than just the absence of war. These results are upheld across subcomponents of the GPI, such as measures of crime, the ease of access of small arms and light weapons, political instability, and the repression of human rights. If oil wealth is associated with these maladies, even if it might not always correlate with war, can it still be asserted that oil is not a curse?
Influence of post-etch cleaning and silane heat treatment on resin bond strength to silica-based leucite: an in vitro study

Abstract Adhesive cementation of bonded all-ceramic restorations is critical for their long-term clinical performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of post-etch cleaning (PEC) and silane heat treatment on the micro-tensile bond strength of silica-based leucite (SBLE) ceramic when bonded to composite resin. Twenty-four blocks of SBLE ceramic (HeraCeram Press®, Heraeus Kulzer GmbH Grüner Weg 11 63450 Hanau) were fabricated and bonding surfaces were etched using 9.5% hydrofluoric acid. Six experimental groups were made from the various surface treatment combinations including: PEC (37.5% phosphoric acid for 1 min, rinsed with water for 20 s and ultrasonic bath immersion), silane application and silane heat treatment (100 °C for 5 min). An adhesive resin and a light-cured restorative composite were used to bond the ceramic and composite resin blocks under standard conditions. Three hundred and sixty specimen sticks (8 × 1 mm²) were subjected to micro-tensile testing. The means of the micro-tensile bond strength (μ-TBS) were analysed with ANOVA and Tukey–Kramer multiple comparison test. The specimens tested were assessed for mode of failure using scanning electron microscopy. The highest μ-TBS value (38.25 ± 3.40 MPa) of the specimen was achieved by PEC and heated silane. PEC and silane application showed statistically significant improvements in the μ-TBS (p < 0.01). The mean maximum difference was due to PEC (18.91 ± 3.70 MPa). In the surface treatment of SBLE ceramics, PEC had the most significant factor which affected the μ-TBS of resin composite.
Pathogenicity of branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) populations on tobacco cultivars

Parasitic weed species of the genus Orobanche are a serious threat for the production of several crops in Europe, Africa and Asia. In contrast to other broomrape species of agronomic importance, O. ramosa (branched broomrape) has a broad host range and in Europe particularly affects hemp, tobacco, tomato and, in recent times, oilseed rape. Two separate sets of experiments investigated the effect of two populations of O. ramosa on nine tobacco cultivars grown in Europe and belonging to the three major tobacco types: Virgin (flue-cured), Burley (light air-cured) and dark air-cured under standardized glasshouse conditions. The two broomrape populations were discriminated by means of polymorphic DNA fragments obtained by PCR of the intersimple sequence repeat regions (ISSRs). The Orobanche populations exhibited different levels of pathogenicity but all various tobacco cultivars were susceptible. Dark air-cured tobacco cultivars were the least susceptible to both broomrape populations. Virgin and Burley tobacco cultivars were more susceptible to one population of O. ramosa.
Soft tissue tumors characterized by a wide spectrum of kinase fusions share a lipofibromatosis‐like neural tumor pattern

Gene fusions resulting in oncogenic activation of various receptor tyrosine kinases, including NTRK1‐3, ALK, and RET, have been increasingly recognized in soft tissue tumors (STTs), displaying a wide morphologic spectrum and therefore diagnostically challenging. A subset of STT with NTRK1 rearrangements were recently defined as lipofibromatosis‐like neural tumors (LPFNTs), being characterized by mildly atypical spindle cells with a highly infiltrative growth in the subcutis and expression of S100 and CD34 immunostains. Other emerging morphologic phenotypes associated with kinase fusions include infantile/adult fibrosarcoma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor‐like patterns. In this study, a large cohort of 73 STT positive for various kinase fusions, including 44 previously published cases, was investigated for the presence of an LPFNT phenotype, to better define the incidence of this distinctive morphologic pattern and its relationship with various gene fusions. Surprisingly, half (36/73) of STT with kinase fusions showed at least a focal LPFNT component defined as >10%. Most of the tumors occurred in the subcutaneous tissues of the extremities (n = 25) and trunk (n = 9) of children or young adults (<30 years old) of both genders. Two‐thirds (24/36) of these cases showed hybrid morphologies with alternating LPFNT and solid areas of monomorphic spindle to ovoid tumor cells with fascicular or haphazard arrangement, while one‐third (12/36) had pure LPFNT morphology. Other common histologic findings included lymphocytic infiltrates, staghorn‐like vessels, and perivascular or stromal hyalinization, especially in hybrid cases. Mitotic activity was generally low (<4/10 high power fields in 81% cases), being increased only in a minority of cases. Immunoreactivity for CD34 (92% in hybrid cases, 89% in pure cases) and S100 (89% in hybrid cases, 64% in pure cases) were commonly present. The gene rearrangements most commonly involved NTRK1 (75%), followed by RET (8%) and less commonly NTRK2, NTRK3, ROS1, ALK, and MET.
Management of Post-Transplant Anastomotic Stricture Using Self-Expandable Metal Stent

Anastomotic stricture (AS) is one of the complications of liver transplantation (LT) and can occur in up to 40% of living-donor LTs. Endoscopic management has become the first-line treatment of AS, and multiple plastic stents insertion has been mainly used in the past. Recently, many treatments utilizing fully covered self-expandable metal stents (cSEMSs) have been attempted, and results showing adequate treatment outcome have been reported. In this review, we look into the treatment performance and cautionary steps needed when using cSEMS as a treatment for AS.
Phylogenetic relationships of freshwater sponges (Porifera, Spongillina) inferred from analyses of 18S rDNA, COI mtDNA, and ITS2 rDNA sequences

The phylogenetic relationships of nine species of freshwater sponges, representing the families Spongillidae, Lubomirskiidae, and Metaniidae, were inferred from analyses of 18S rDNA, cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA, and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) rDNA sequences. These species form a strongly supported monophyletic group within the Demospongiae, with the lithistid Vetulina stalactites as the sister taxon. Within the freshwater sponge clade, the basal taxon is not resolved. Depending upon the method of analysis and sequence, the metaniid species, Corvomeyenia sp. , or the spongillid species, Trochospongilla pennsylvanica, emerges as the basal species. Among the remaining freshwater sponge species, the spongillids, Spongilla lacustris and Eunapius fragilis, form a sister group to a clade comprised of the spongillid species, Clypeatula cooperensis, Ephydatia fluviatilis, and Ephydatia muelleri, and the lubomirskiid species, Baikalospongia bacillifera and Lubomisrkia baicalensis. C. cooperensis is the sister taxon of E. fluvialitis, and E. muelleri is the sister taxon of (B. bacillifera+L. baicalensis). The family Spongillidae and the genus Ephydatia are thus paraphyletic with respect to the lubomirskiid species; Ephydatia is also paraphyletic to C. cooperensis. We suggest that C. cooperensis be transferred to the genus Ephydatia and that the family Lubomirskiidae be subsumed into the Spongillidae.
Baseline visual acuity and interdigitation zone as predictors in idiopathic epiretinal membranes: A retrospective cohort study

Objective: Determine which functional and anatomical characteristics may be predictors of final visual acuity in patients with idiopathic ERM (iERM) submitted to pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with ERM and internal and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Subjects: Patients with iERM submitted to PPV between 2016 and 2017. Methods: Data regarding the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the characteristics of the retinal layers observed in SD-OCT were collected preoperatively and until 12 months postoperatively. Central macular thickness (CMT), disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL), outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness, integrity of subfoveal external limiting membrane (ELM), ellipsoid zone (EZ), and interdigitation zone (IZ) were evaluated. Results: A total of 128 eyes with iERM from 121 patients were included. BCVA improved significantly (p < 0.001). Significant improvement of BCVA, CMT, DRIL, ONL, ELM, and EZ were obtained. The final IZ was not different from baseline until the end of the study. A significant correlation was observed between the baseline BCVA, EZ, IZ, and the postoperative BCVA (p < 0.001). However, only the baseline BCVA and the integrity of the subfoveal baseline IZ were predictive factors for final BCVA (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: PPV provides a significant improvement of BCVA and retinal anatomy recovery in iERM eyes. Baseline IZ didn’t change during the 12 months following surgery. Baseline BCVA and subfoveal IZ at baseline were prognostic factors for the final BCVA.
Inhibitory potential of ethanol extract of Detam 1 soybean (Glycine max) seed and Jati Belanda (Guazuma ulmifolia) leaves on adipogenesis and obesity models in 3T3-L1 cell line.

Background: Obesity is considered an emergency health problem through out the world and is characterized by an increase in the number and size of adipocytes in adipose tissue. Some phytochemical bioactive have been shown to inhibit adipocyte differentiation and induce adipocyte apoptosis. The Objective: In this ex vivo study, we evaluated the cytotoxic effects, antiobesity and antidiapogenesis potential of ethanol extract of Detam 1 soybean seed (EEDS), Jati Belanda leaves (EEJB) and their combinations on 3T3-L1 cells. Experimental Approach: The cytotoxic effect of EEDS and EEJB were assayed using MTS assay. Triglyceride (TG) level and inhibitory activity were assayed using a TG assay kit. Glucose 6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity and inhibitory activity were determined by using G6PDH assay kit. The cholesterol level was measured according to the Chol Kit Randox protocol. Results: The lowest cytotoxic activity and safe substances on 3T3-L1 cell were EEDS and EEJB in 50 and 10 μg/ml of concentration. EEJB in the concentration of 50 μg/ml was the most active to inhibit G6PD, TG, and cholesterol activity with inhibition activities 47.30%, 37.93% and 73.91% respectively compared to the control (differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocyte). Conclusion: Ethanol extract of Detam 1 soybean seed and Jati Belanda leaves posses the inhibitory potential on G6PD, triglyceride and cholesterol activities in 3T3-L1 cell line and the most active compound showed by ethanol extract of Jati Belanda leaves.
Breeding for High Biomass Yield in Spring Barley

(.) Barley genotypes from seven breeding programs, and a set of 10 barley cultivars representing different eras, were evaluated at St. Paul and Crookston, MN in 1984 and 1985. The 42 barley genotypes differed significantly for 12 traits including grain yield, biomass, and vegetative biomass. Biomass ranged from 6.6 to 10.0 Mg ha −1 and vegetative biomass from 3.4 to 6.0 Mg ha −1 . (.)
Estimation of genetic parameters for live weights characteristics using REML procedures in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Bu calisma, Japon bildircinlarinin canli agirliga ait ozelliklerin genetik parametrelerinin REML metodu ile belirlenmesi amaciyla yapildi. Bunun icin 616 erkek ve 628 disi toplam 1244 bildircin kullanildi. Hesaplamada bireysel hayvan modeli kullanildi. Arastirmada; cikim, 1, 2, 3, 4 ve 5 haftalik yaslardaki canli agirliklara ait kalitim derecesi ve standart hatalari sirasi ile 0.74±0.07, 0.38±0.06, 0.34±0.06, 0.40±0.06, 0.47±0.07 ve 0.45±0.07 olarak belirlendi. Haftalik canli agirliklar arasindaki en yuksek genetik korelasyonlar 1 ve 2, 2 ve 3, 3 ve 4. ile 4 ve 5. haftalar (0.91-0.93) arasinda goruldu. Genel olarak bu haftalar arasindaki genetik korelasyonlar fenotipik korelasyonlara gore daha yuksektir. Haftalik canli agirliklar arasindaki kuvvetli genetik korelasyonlar, 5. hafta agirligi icin yapilacak seleksiyonun daha onceki haftalarda rahatlikla yapilabilecegini ortaya koymustur.
Thermophilic campylobacters in two sewage treatment plants in Libya

Monitoring of thermophilic campylobacters in two Libyan seawage treatment plants has shown that the communities of Tripoli and Sabratha almost certainly harbour campylobacters capable of producing enteritis. The plant in Tripoli eradicated the campylobacters from effuent by secondary treatment with trikling filtration followed by chlorination. The plant ant Sabratha, which was not working well at the time of sampling, reduced campylobacter numbers by only 53% and 74% during secondary teatment in a stabilization pond, and a reservoir in Sabratha, which received effluent from the stabilization pond and which supplies water for irrigation, also contained thermophilic campylobacters. In both treatment plants campylobacters were eradicated from sewage sludge by digestion and drying.
Shedding Light on Social Reward Circuitry: (Un)common Blueprints in Humans and Rodents

Human behavior is strongly influenced by our motivation to establish social relationships and maintain them throughout life. Despite the importance of social behavior across species, it is still unclear how neural mechanisms drive social actions. Rodent models have been used for decades to unravel the neural pathways and substrates of social interactions. With the advent of novel approaches to selectively modulate brain circuits in animal models, unprecedented testing of brain regions and neuromodulators that encode social information can be achieved. However, it is unclear which classes of social behavior and related neural circuits can be generalized across species and which are unique to humans. There is a growing need to define a unified blueprint of social brain systems. Here, we review human and rodent literature on the brain’s social actuators, specifically focusing on social motivation. We discuss the potential of implementing multimodal neuroimaging to guide us toward a consensus of brain areas and circuits for social behavior regulation. Understanding the circuital similarity and diversity is the critical step to improve the translation of research findings from rodents to humans.
Large-scale changes in the spatial distribution of South African West Coast rock lobsters: an overview

A major shift in resource availability in the West Coast rock lobster Jasus lalandii from the traditional fishing grounds on the West Coast to the more southern fishing grounds was observed between the late 1980s/early 1990s and the turn of the century. The contribution of the West Coast region to total lobster landings declined from about 60% to <10%, whereas in the southern region it increased from around 18% to 60% during that period. The early 1990s was also the start of a major influx of lobsters into the area east of Cape Hangklip, an area not previously associated with high lobster abundance. Whereas the 1990s was a period of change, the period 2000 to present has been one of relative stability in lobster catches. The ecological, fisheries and resource management implications of these shifts have been severe and are likely to cause challenges in the future management of both the rock lobster and abalone Haliotes midae resources. The temporal coincidence of the shifts in lobster distribution with events such as the onset of reduced somatic growth and increased lobster walkouts suggests environmental forcing factors, as do congruent changes in other components of South Africa's Western Cape marine ecosystems. However, despite a number of studies on the variability of the physical environment, the causes of these events remain poorly understood.
High-level expression of a single-chain Fv fragment (scFv) antibody in transgenic pea seeds

Summary The field pea(Pisum sativumL.)is a protein-rich crop and pea seeds are well suited for the production of recombinant proteins. Here we show, that recombinant antibodies can be accumulated in transgenic pea seeds in a homozygous transgenic line up to 2 percnt; of total soluble seed protein. The expression was controlled by the seed-specific USP promoter and the transgenic single-chain Fv antibody protein was retended in the endoplasmic reticulum. The stable inheritance, shown by investigation of the high-level accumulation in the R3 offspring is another important feature of this new antibody production system. The suitability of transgenic pea seeds as an economically potent production system for recombinant antibodies is clearly demonstrated by our results.