Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CCKergic Tufted Cells Differentially Drive Two Anatomically Segregated Inhibitory Circuits in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb

Delineation of functional synaptic connections is fundamental to understanding sensory processing. Olfactory signals are synaptically processed initially in the olfactory bulb (OB) where neural circuits are formed among inhibitory interneurons and the output neurons mitral cells (MCs) and tufted cells (TCs). TCs function in parallel with but differently from MCs and are further classified into multiple subpopulations based on their anatomic and functional heterogeneities. Here, we combined optogenetics with electrophysiology to characterize the synaptic transmission from a subpopulation of TCs, which exclusively express the neuropeptide cholecystokinin (CCK), to two groups of spatially segregated GABAergic interneurons, granule cells (GCs) and glomerular interneurons in mice of both sexes with four major findings. First, CCKergic TCs receive direct input from the olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). This monosynaptic transmission exhibits high fidelity in response to repetitive OSN input. Second, CCKergic TCs drive GCs through two functionally distinct types of monosynaptic connections: (1) dendrodendritic synapses onto GC distal dendrites via their lateral dendrites in the superficial external plexiform layer (EPL); (2) axodendritic synapses onto GC proximal dendrites via their axon collaterals or terminals in the internal plexiform layer (IPL) on both sides of each bulb. Third, CCKergic TCs monosynaptically excite two subpopulations of inhibitory glomerular interneurons via dendrodendritic synapses. Finally, sniff-like patterned activation of CCKergic TCs induces robust frequency-dependent depression of the dendrodendritic synapses but facilitation of the axodendritic synapses. These results demonstrated important roles of the CCKergic TCs in olfactory processing by orchestrating OB inhibitory activities. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neuronal morphology and organization in the olfactory bulb (OB) have been extensively studied, however, the functional operation of neuronal interactions is not fully understood. We combined optogenetic and electrophysiological approaches to investigate the functional operation of synaptic connections between a specific population of excitatory output neuron and inhibitory interneurons in the OB. We found that these output neurons formed distinct types of synapses with two populations of spatially segregated interneurons. The functional characteristics of these synapses vary significantly depending on the presynaptic compartments so that these output neurons can dynamically rebalance inhibitory feedback or feedforward to other neurons types in the OB in response to dynamic rhythmic inputs.
A REVIEW ON ACID BASE STATUS IN DAIRY COWS: IMPLICATIONS OF DIETARY CATION-ANION BALANCE

The acid base status of a dairy cow is maintained within a narrow range. The key mechanisms involving blood, cells and lungs, perform this function. Although other minerals have an impact on acid base metabolism, the minerals used in dietary cation-anion balance (DCAB) namely sodium (Na), potassium (K) and chloride (Cl) have the greatest effect. Hence, acid base status implicates other biological functions of dairy cows. Low DCAB prepartum reduces the incidence of milk fever and increases the productivity by simmering down the severity of hypocalcaemia. High DCAB diets have proved to increase dry mater and water intake and production and to mitigate the effects of heat stress.
Genetics of yield and yield contributing traits in tomato under low temperature grown climatic regime

The generation mean analysis studied in six generations of tomato involving four parents, viz., Pusa Sheetal, Pusa Sadabahar, Booster and Pusa Rohini showed importance of dominance x dominance followed by additive gene effect, additive x dominance and dominance with a small proportion of additive x additive gene effect. Breeding methods, i.e., pedigree followed by selection can simultaneously be exploited both for additive and non-additive gene effects. Appreciable heterosis was observed for all the characters studied over their respective better parents. The range of heterosis for yield/plant varied from 16.01 to 29.04 per cent over the respective better parents. Hybrid Pusa Sadabahar x Pusa Rohini was found to be best performing for yield which exhibited superior performance for the characters like number of flowers per truss, number of primary branches per plant, internodal length, fruit diameter, days to first harvest and yield per plant. The next best cross was Pusa Sheetal x Booster as it showed superior performance for characters like days to 50% flowering, number of fruit-set per truss and number of fruits per plant. These hybrids can be commercialized to get an early yield in tomato.
Letter to the Editor: How Accurate Are the Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System (SURPAS) Universal Calculators in Total Joint Arthroplasty?

To the Editor, We read with interest the article by Trickey et al. [3], which assessed the accuracy of the Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System (SURPAS) universal calculators in total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The authors applied the original SURPAS models [1] to a sample of patients who underwent TJA and assessed the models’ accuracy in terms of assessing mortality, overall morbidity, and six complication clusters. The article concluded that “the universal SURPAS risk models have lower accuracy for TJA procedures than they do for the wider range of procedures in which the SURPAS models were originally developed” and that “surgeons and healthcare administrators should use risk calculators developed and validated for specific procedures most relevant to each decision. ” This was a well-done study by thoughtful investigators. However, we would like to make several observations about it. The authors noted that “all C-index estimates for the TJA sample, including the confidence intervals, were lower than those reported in the original SURPAS development sample” [3]. The C-index is a function of the ability of the selected predictor variables to predict the endpoints of interest, but it is also a function of the heterogeneity or homogeneity of the population [2]; that is, the more homogeneous the population is, the lower the C-index. Thus, the C-index is expected to be lower in the morehomogeneous TJA population than in the broad surgical population used to develop the SURPAS models. The authors also noted that “decile plots and Hosmer-Lemeshow tests indicated poor calibration. ” The authors concluded that “surgeons and healthcare administrators should use risk calculators developed and validated for specific procedures. ” [3]. However, it cannot be assumed that a procedure-specific model developed for TJA would perform better than the universal SURPAS models applied to the TJA population. This would have to be shown, for example, by testing some diseaseor operation-specific variables thatmay better predict outcomes than the more “generic” predictor variables used (RE: Trickey AW, Ding Q, Harris AHS. How accurate are the surgical risk preoperative assessment system (SURPAS) universal calculators in total joint arthroplasty? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2020;478:241-251). The authors certify that neither they, nor any members of their immediate family, have any commercial associations that might pose conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, and do not reflect the opinion or policy of CORR or The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons. R. A. Meguid (✉), University of Colorado Denver AnschutzMedical Campus, Surgery, 12631 E. 17th Ave., C310, Aurora, CO 80045 USA, Email: Robert.meguid@cuanschutz. edu
Observed trends in winegrape maturity in Australia

An extensive assessment of historical trends in winegrape maturity dates from vineyards located in geographically diverse winegrape growing regions in Australia has been undertaken. Records from 44 vineyard blocks, representing a range of varieties of Vitis vinifera L. , were accessed. These comprise 33 short‐term datasets (average 17 years in length) and 11 long‐term datasets, ranging from 25 to 115 years in length (average 50 years). Time series of the day of the year grapes attain maturity were assessed. A trend to earlier maturity of winegrapes was observed in 43 of the 44 vineyard blocks. This trend was significant for six out of the 11 long‐term blocks for the complete time period for which records were available. For the period 1993–2009, 35 of the 44 vineyard blocks assessed displayed a statistically significant trend to earlier maturity. The average advance in the phenology was dependent on the time period of observation, with a more rapid advance over more recent decades. Over the more recent 1993–2009 period, the average advance was 1.7 days year, whereas for the period 1985–2009 the rate of advance was 0.8 days yr−1 on average in the 10 long‐term vineyard blocks assessed for cross‐regional comparison. The trend to earlier maturity was associated with warming temperature trends for all of the blocks assessed in the study.
Germination response of prairie dropseed and hairy goldaster to stratification and temperature

The unique vegetation assemblage of the Black Hills in conjunction with the frequent occurrence of natural and anthropogenic disturbances emphasizes the need to use locally adapted native species in a wide variety of restoration efforts. However, a general lack of information regarding germination and propagation requirements for most native plant species has restricted their usage. A better understanding of dormancy and germination patterns for native species will increase their availability and affordability. We selected two common native species, hairy goldaster (Heterotheca villosa) and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), to determine their optimum germination conditions. We hand harvested seeds during 2007-2009 for use in germination trials following two pre-treatment conditions (2-week stratification at 5° C and no stratification), under seven temperature treatments in 2009. We used tetrazolium (2, 3, 5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride) to determine germination potential of ungerminated seeds. Recognizing significant treatment interactions for both species, percent germination of hairy goldaster seeds was greatest under cooler constant temperatures (15° C or 20° C) with no stratification. Germination of prairie dropseed seeds was significantly influenced by the year in which seeds were collected, which also determined how the seeds responded to stratification. For both species, stratification significantly increased germination of at least one extreme of the temperature gradient (15° C or 30° C). Patterns of germination observed for both are consistent for species inhabiting grasslands and meadows with a fluctuating environment and subjected to moderate seasonal disturbances.
Peritoneal Catheters and Exit Site Practices

the catheter. Blow drying and thrice-daily exposure of the exit site to incandescent light has also been a useful adjuvant to antibiotic therapy in the treatment of established exit site infection. Finally, while we employ a single perioperative prophylactic dose of antibiotics, we find your recommendation to soak catheters in antibiotic solution curious and contrary to current concepts of infection control. In conclusion, we have found that "medical" implantation of Tenckhoff catheters under peritoneoscopic visualization yields results that are not only equal to but superior to surgical implantation. Patients are able to begin dialysis immediately when required, thus averting the need for temporary hemodialysis. The incidence of leakage or outflow obstruc tion is negligible, and exit site infections rarely develop. We have yet to see our first tunnel infection. In addition, this procedure is less invasive, resulting in minimal morbidity and lower costs, as patients only rarely require more than an overnight hospitalization. The success of this method can be guaged by the fact that our surgeons now refer their patients to us for Tenckhoff catheter placement.
Case Forum

Dr. Mrinal Dasgupta: A 31-year-old housewife came to the hospital in March 1993, when she became quite ill following a recent flu-Iike illness. We found that she had synovitis, hepatomegaly, anemia, and low platelets. She had skin rashes including malar rash. The urine sediment was active with red cells and red cell casts. Her hemoglobin was 9.3 g/L, sodium 139 mEq/L, potassium 5.5 mEq/L, chloride 116 mEq/L, and HCO312.0 mEq/L. She was already in renal failure with urea 33 mmol/L and creatinine 627 &mu;mol/L; her serology showed she had low C3 and low C4 levels. The anti-DNA level was elevated (32.4% binding, normal 2% -15%). At this point we did a renal biopsy, which confirmed a crescentic immune complex glomerulonephritis (GN) with a full house pattern of immunoglobulin deposits with IgG, IgM, IgA, and deposits of C3, C4, and Clq. Electron microscopy showed numerous subendothelial and mesangial deposits. Tubular reticular structures, suggestive of viral particles, were also seen in glomerular capillary endothelial cells. There was also atrophy and a loss of tubular structures. So, the diagnosis was systemic lupus erythematosus with crescentic GN. She was started on therapy with intravenous bolus dose of cyclophosphamide and
In Reply.

also found that significantly more women in the E2 arm reported ‘‘significant benefit’’ from therapy. Although firm conclusions cannot be drawn from these secondary outcomes and analyses, these findings suggest there is a great deal more to be learned in this field: maybe none of the current measures such as MBS, pH, or VMI are the proper outcomes, and the FDA requirement for their use has limited our ability to better determine what is most important for patients. Women’s health care across the life course should be characterized by a focus on our patients, their experience, and their needs. We should strive to offer choices to women, as no therapy or intervention is best for all people. We encourage our research community to continue to assiduously tease apart the etiology of GSM and develop a range of therapies that are highly effective for all women, demonstrating a clinically meaningful benefit and not just a statistically significant difference from placebo. The future of women’s health care should be driven by outcomes of importance to women, and not measures dictated by the medical and pharmaceutical establishments.
Agronomic characteristics of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) near-isogenic lines differing at the Waxy (Wx) locus

Hucl, P. and Ramachandran, A. 2015. Agronomic characteristics of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) near-isogenic lines differing at the Waxy (Wx) locus. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 201–204. Null mutations of the Waxy gene in all three genomes of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) produce a waxy starch phenotype. The agronomic performance of 32 waxy, partially waxy and wild-type near-isogenic spring wheat lines and four check cultivars was assessed at two locations over three cropping seasons. Differences in grain yield, kernel weight and test weight among allelic groups were generally small. The results of our study suggest that no significantly negative effects are likely to occur in the commercial cultivation of partially waxy wheat lines derived from a CWRS cultivar.
Cetuximab and IL-15 Promote NK and Dendritic Cell Activation In Vitro in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) treatment is still challenging, and immunotherapy is a potential approach in this tumor subtype. Cetuximab is an IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against Epidermic Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), a protein overexpressed in a subgroup of TNBC patients and associated with poor prognosis. Previously, we demonstrated in vitro that Cetuximab triggers Ab-dependent cell cytotoxicity against TNBC cells. In this study, using co-cultures including TNBC cells, and NK and Dendritic Cells (DCs) from healthy donors, we studied the effect of Cetuximab-activated NK cells on DC function. Given that we already demonstrated that TNBC has an immunosuppressive effect on NK cells, we also tested Cetuximab combination with IL-15. We determined that Cetuximab opsonization of TNBC cells increased IFN-γ and TNF-α production by NK cells co-cultured with DCs. Moreover, we showed that NK cells activated by TNBC cells opsonized with Cetuximab promoted tumor material uptake and maturation of DCs, as well as their ability to produce IL-12. Furthermore, the stimulation with IL-15 increased the activation of NK cells and the maturation of DCs. These results suggest that IL-15 may enhance the efficacy of Cetuximab in the treatment of TNBC by promoting activation of both NK cells and DCs.
Long‐term outcomes of forest restoration in an urban park

Creating, restoring, and sustaining forests in urban areas are complicated by habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and degraded soils. Although there is some research on the outcomes of urban reforestation plantings during the first 5 years, there is little research on longer term outcomes. Here, we compare the successional trajectories of restored and unrestored forest sites 20 years after initiating restoration. The sites are located within the Rodman's Neck area of Pelham Bay Park, in the northeast corner of the Bronx in New York City (NYC), U.S.A. Compared with unrestored sites, we saw improvements in species diversity, greater forest structure complexity, and evidence of the regeneration and retention of native tree species in restored sites. In addition, we found differences in restoration outcomes depending on the level of intervention: clearing exotic shrubs and vines and planting native trees and shrubs improved tree diversity and canopy closure to a greater extent than clearing exotics alone, and the mechanical removal of invasive plants after the native plantings further improved some measures of restoration, such as tree species diversity and native tree regeneration. The results of this study suggest that the goal of a sustainable forest ecosystem dominated by native trees and other plant species may not be achievable without continued human intervention on site. In addition, these results indicate that the restoration approach adopted by NYC's reforestation practitioners is moving the site toward a more desirable vegetative community dominated by native species.
Prediction, validation and functional analysis of miRNA targets in Arabidopsis thaliana

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs whose function as modulators of gene expression is crucial for many aspects of plant and animal development. A major challenge in understanding the regulatory role of miRNAs is to accurately predict regulated targets. In this work, 281 novel miRNA targets in Arabidopsis were predicted employing the program RNAhybrid with additional assumptions based on already validated miRNA:target interactions. Comparing gene ontology (GO) annotation of both previously predicted/validated targets and novel predicted targets found in this work with the GO categorization for the whole genome revealed that, contrary to previously predicted/validated miRNA targets, there is no over-represented protein class among the novel predicted targets. Some GO annotation classes that were over-represented (e.g. transcription factors) or under-represented, now show distributions close to their representation in the whole genome. Nine putative miRNA targets were subjected to experimental validation, five of them were validated, including MYB101, MYB125, MRG1 and ACS8, which are targets of miR159, and GAE1, which is a target of miR161. The validation of four candidate targets failed. Among the novel validated miRNA targets, two were further analyzed: MYB101 and MRG1. Overexpression of MYB101 containing silent mutations in the miR159 binding site (MYB101mutBS) resulted in accumulation of MYB101 in tissues where the transcript is normally absent. The overexpression of wild-type MYB101 did not show this effect. Adult plants overexpressing MYB101mutBS were smaller than wild-type, whereas MYB101 overexpressors showed no difference to wild-type plants. Contrasting with the MYB101 transcript levels that are highest in pollen, the expression pattern of MYB101 analyzed by promoter-GUS lines revealed that the MYB101 promoter is active in seedlings (cotyledons, leaves and roots) and flowers, again showing a strong signal in pollen. These findings confirm the regulatory role of miR159 for proper MYB101 expression. MRG1 is found only in Arabidopsis and contains no conserved protein motif. The expression pattern of MRG1 analyzed by promoter-GUS lines revealed that the MRG1 promoter is active in many different tissues whereas the MRG1 transcript can be detected at very low levels only. The overexpression of MRG1 was only effective when silent mutations in the miR159 binding site had been introduced. In MRG1mutBS overexpressing plants several defects in leaf morphology were observed and the number of leaves was altered drastically. Nevertheless, plants overexpressing wild-type MYB101 showed similar, but weaker phenotypes. MRG1 protein, expressed as fusion protein with GFP, was localized in the nucleus of BY-2 protoplasts. Therefore, MRG1 may represent a novel regulator that affects leaf development, and miR159 controls the precise expression of MRG1. The expression patterns of MIR159A, MIR159B and MIR161 were analyzed by promoter-GUS lines. Although the promoters of both MIR159 genes show an overlapping expression…
Pollen Morphology of Pinus mugo Turra × Pinus sylvestris L. Hybrids and Parental Species in an Experimental Culture

Pollen grains of Pinus mugo, P. sylvestris and P. ×rhaetica (= P. mugo × P. sylvestris) were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains were bisaccate and monosulcate. The corpus-saccus attachment was distinct. The pollen corpus exine sculpture was verrucate-rugulate and deeply sculptured. The surface of the tectum was covered with small grana and it was perforate. The saccus sexine ornamentation was reticulate and irregularly perforate. The tectum surface characters in the proximal and distal view of the corpus and saccus were less variable and they did not provide good criteria to identify the species under study. However, some differences were observed in the size of elevation on the corpus between pollen grains of the same species and between the parental species. This study of the pollen grain morphology of the corpus and saccus provided some important new data.
A Review of Sediment Toxicity Bioassays Using the Amphipods and Polychaetes

Several bioassay methods have been developed since the US EPA/COE (United States Environmental Protection Agency/ Army Corps of Engineers) testing protocol was devised, involving a great variety of test species. The amphipods and the polychates are now beginning to be used routinely as standard bioassay organisms for assessing the toxicity of marine sediments for regulatory purposes. The present review has confirmed the potential of both the amphipods and the polychaetes for sediments toxicity bioassays.
Polymorphisms in genes CTSB, CTSD, CAPN2, KLK1 and TGFB1 not associated with susceptibility to atypical or classical ovine scrapie

Abstract. In the present study polymorphisms in the genes cathepsin B (CTSB), cathepsin D (CTSD), calpain, large polypeptide L2 (CAPN2), kallikrein 1 (KLK1) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFB1) were investigated for association with scrapie susceptibility in sheep. Therefore single nucleotide polymorphisms in the respective genes were identified and examined for a potential impact on the gene function with different computer programs. Samples of 72 atypical and 104 classical scrapie cases as well as of 443 clinically healthy flock mates were genotyped by PCR-based screening methods. Neither allele frequencies nor genotype frequencies showed significant differences between scrapie positive sheep and control animals in any of the investigated genes.