Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1 and clade 2.3.4 viruses do not induce a clade-specific phenotype in mallard ducks.

Among the diverse clades of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses of the goose/Guangdong lineage, only a few have been able to spread across continents: clade 2.2 viruses spread from China to Europe and into Africa in 2005-2006, clade 2.3. 2.1 viruses spread from China to Eastern Europe in 2009-2010 and clade 2.3. 4.4 viruses of the H5Nx subtype spread from China to Europe and North America in 2014/2015. While the poultry trade and wild-bird migration have been implicated in the spread of HPAI H5N1 viruses, it has been proposed that robust virus-shedding by wild ducks in the absence of overt clinical signs may have contributed to the wider dissemination of the clade 2.2, 2.3. 2.1 and 2.3. 4.4 viruses. Here we determined the phenotype of two divergent viruses from clade 2.3. 2.1, a clade that spread widely, and two divergent viruses from clade 2.3. 4, a clade that was constrained to Southeast Asia, in young (ducklings) and adult (juvenile) mallard ducks. We found that the virus-shedding magnitude and duration, transmission pattern and pathogenicity of the viruses in young and adult mallard ducks were largely independent of the virus clade. A clade-specific pattern could only be detected in terms of cumulative virus shedding, which was higher with clade 2.3. 2.1 than with clade 2.3. 4 viruses in juvenile mallards, but not in ducklings. The ability of clade 2.3. 2.1c A/common buzzard/Bulgaria/38 WB/2010-like viruses to spread cross-continentally may, therefore, have been strain-specific or independent of phenotype in wild ducks.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Small RNA and Novel MicroRNA Discovery during Fiber and Seed Initial Development in Gossypium hirsutum. L

Cotton is the source of the most important, renewable natural textile fiber and oil in the world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding, approximately 18–24 nucleotides long RNAs and function in the negative regulation of their target genes. Two mostly overlapping libraries of small RNA molecules were constructed and sequenced, and served as repetition sets of data to identify miRNAs involved in fiber initiation and seed development. The D genome sequence of Gossypium raimondii was used in conjunction with EST sequences to predict miRNA precursors. Overall, 93 new miRNA precursors were identified, of which 28 belonged to 10 known families and the other 65 were considered to be novel miRNAs. Seven hundred EST sequences were proposed to be candidate target genes which involved in the regulation of a diverse group of genes with diverse functions and transcription factors. Some of the novel miRNAs and candidate target genes were validated by the Northern blot and rapid amplification of 5′ cDNA ends (5′ RACE).
Ein neues Verfahren für schnelle, präzise und reproduzierbare Messungen von Füllstoffdispersionen in Gummi

The dispersion of fillers in a rubber matrix not only determines the mechanic-dynamic properties of the material but also often serves as a indicator for quality control of mixing and processing steps in the production of rubber articles like tires or technical rubber goods. Several methods for direct or Indirect measurements of filler dispersions are described in the recent literature. Often these test are rather subjective and/or time consuming and seldom automized. Some methods have problems to asses Silica filler dipersions. As new method for quantitative measurements of filler dispersions in rubber the Confocal Spectral Measureing Technique (CSMT) was proven to be very suitable. The CSMT was recently mainly used for surface roughness measurement or the assessment and quality control of the micro-dimensions e.g. of wafers. The feasabilty of the CSMT for quantitative, objective and reproducable mesurements of the dispersion of various fillers (carbon black, silica, gels) in different rubber matrices will be discussed. The CSMT plus image processing software is ideally suited for the assesment of filler dispersions.
Hemispheric Differences in Corticospinal Excitability and in Transcallosal Inhibition in Relation to Degree of Handedness

In this study, we examined hemispheric differences in corticospinal excitability and in transcallosal inhibition in a selected group of young adults (n = 34) grouped into three handedness categories (RH: strongly right-handed, n = 17; LH: strongly left-handed, n = 10; MH: mixed-handed, n = 7) based on laterality quotients (LQ) derived from the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Performance measures were also used to derive a laterality index reflecting right-left asymmetries in manual dexterity (Dextli) and in finger tapping speed (Speedli). Corticospinal excitability was assessed in each hemisphere by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) using the first dorsal interosseus as the target muscle. TMS measures consisted of resting motor threshold (rMT), motor evoked potential (MEP) recruitment curve (RC) and the contralateral silent period (cSP) with the accompanying MEP facilitation. Hemispheric interactions were assessed by means of the ipsilateral silent period (iSP) to determine the onset latency and the duration of transcallosal inhibition (i.e., LTI and DTI). Analysis of hemispheric variations in measures of corticospinal excitability revealed no major asymmetries in relation to degrees of laterality or handedness, with the exception of a rightward increase in rMTs in the LH group. Similarly, no clear asymmetries were found when looking at hemispheric variations in measures of transcallosal inhibition. However, a large group effect was detected for LTI measures, which were found to be significantly shorter in the MH group than in either the LH or RH group. MH participants also tended to show longer DTI than the other participants. Further inspection of overall variations in LTI and DTI measures as a function of LQs revealed that both variables followed a non-linear relationship, which was best described by a 2nd order polynomial function. Overall, these findings provide converging evidence for a link between mixed-handedness and more efficient interhemispheric communication when compared to either right- or left-handedness.
Lunar-Rhythmic Molting in Laboratory Populations of the Noble Crayfish Astacus astacus (Crustacea, Astacidea): An Experimental Analysis

Juvenile noble crayfish, Astacusastacus (Crustacea, Astacidea) in the second year of age were kept in the laboratory for a twelve-month period under continuing “summer conditions” (LD 16:8, 19°C). Molting processes in this population could be synchronized by artificial moonlight cycles. Peaks of exuviations occurred at “new moons”. Males showed a slightly higher degree of synchronization than females. A phase-shift of the artificial lunar cycle in relation to the natural cycle resulted in a corresponding shift of the molting cycle. This clearly demonstrates that changes in the nocturnal light regime provide the primary external information for the lunar-monthly molting rhythm. There is a first indication that lunar photic stimuli do not act directly but as a zeitgeber which entrains an endogenous molting rhythm to the lunar cycle. Moreover, the results of the long-term experiments suggest that the hibernal resting period of A . astacus in the field (no molts between October and April) may also involve some endogenous programming. Continuing artificial summer conditions can delay but not completely suppress this resting period. The adaptive significance of the phenomena and how the findings may be applied to improve the management of crowded crayfish stocks are discussed.
Intelligent System for Docking Ligands to Protein Active Sites

We presented computational packed for analysis of interaction of molecular ligand-protein complexes. Packed was invented as an open project allows modyfication in simply manner, composed as set of functional blocks of standardised i/o data. The final information from package can be chosen by user interactive from all signals between blocks. Is based on Matlab high-level language environment that enables to perform other various computational analysis based on Matlab toolboxes. The block diagram of package and an example of its use is presented.
Visualization and Quantification of APP Intracellular Domain-Mediated Nuclear Signaling by Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation

Background The amyloid precursor protein (APP) intracellular domain (AICD) is released from full-length APP upon sequential cleavage by either α- or β-secretase followed by γ-secretase. Together with the adaptor protein Fe65 and the histone acetyltransferase Tip60, AICD forms nuclear multiprotein complexes (AFT complexes) that function in transcriptional regulation. Objective To develop a medium-throughput machine-based assay for visualization and quantification of AFT complex formation in cultured cells. Methods We used cotransfection of bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) fusion constructs of APP and Tip60 for analysis of subcellular localization by confocal microscopy and quantification by flow cytometry (FC). Results Our novel BiFC-constructs show a nuclear localization of AFT complexes that is identical to conventional fluorescence-tagged constructs. Production of the BiFC signal is dependent on the adaptor protein Fe65 resulting in fluorescence complementation only after Fe65-mediated nuclear translocation of AICD and interaction with Tip60. We applied the AFT-BiFC system to show that the Swedish APP familial Alzheimer’s disease mutation increases AFT complex formation, consistent with the notion that AICD mediated nuclear signaling mainly occurs following APP processing through the amyloidogenic β-secretase pathway. Next, we studied the impact of posttranslational modifications of AICD on AFT complex formation. Mutation of tyrosine 682 in the YENPTY motif of AICD to phenylalanine prevents phosphorylation resulting in increased nuclear AFT-BiFC signals. This is consistent with the negative impact of tyrosine phosphorylation on Fe65 binding to AICD. Finally, we studied the effect of oxidative stress. Our data shows that oxidative stress, at a level that also causes cell death, leads to a reduction in AFT-BiFC signals. Conclusion We established a new method for visualization and FC quantification of the interaction between AICD, Fe65 and Tip60 in the nucleus based on BiFC. It enables flow cytometric analysis of AICD nuclear signaling and is characterized by scalability and low background fluorescence.
Mass Production of Cell‐Laden Calcium Alginate Particles with Centrifugal Force

This paper describes a centrifuge‐based device for oil‐free and mass production of calcium‐alginate (Ca‐alginate) particles. The device is composed of four components: a tank with a glass capillary for forming sodium alginate droplets, a collecting bath with calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution, a waste liquid box, and a bypass channel bridged between the collecting bath and the waste liquid box. When the device is centrifuged, extra CaCl2 solution in the collecting bath is delivered to the waste liquid box to maintain the appropriate liquid level of CaCl2 solution for the production of monodisperse Ca‐alginate particles. The proposed device enables oil‐free production of over 45 000 uniformly sized Ca‐alginate particles in a single 240 s process, whereas using the conventional method with only a glass capillary, ≈1000 particles are formed within the same processing time. Because of the high biocompatibility of the oil‐free process, the device is applicable to cell encapsulation in Ca‐alginate particles with high cell viability, as well as the formation of a macroscopic 3D cellular structure using Ca‐alginate particles covered with cells as assembly modules. These results suggest that the device can be a useful tool for preparing experimental platforms in biomedical and tissue engineering fields.
Prior starvation mitigates acute doxorubicin cardiotoxicity through restoration of autophagy in affected cardiomyocytes.

AIMS Active autophagy has recently been reported in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity; here we investigated its pathophysiological role. METHODS AND RESULTS Acute cardiotoxicity was induced in green fluorescent protein-microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (GFP-LC3) transgenic mice by administering two intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg/kg doxorubicin with a 3 day interval. A starvation group was deprived of food for 48 h before each injection to induce autophagy in advance. Doxorubicin treatment caused left ventricular dilatation and dysfunction within 6 days. Cardiomyocyte autophagy appeared to be activated in the doxorubicin group, based on LC3, p62, and cathepsin D expression, while it seemed somewhat diminished by starvation prior to doxorubicin treatment. Unexpectedly, however, myocardial ATP levels were reduced in the doxorubicin group, and this reduction was prevented by earlier starvation. Electron microscopy revealed that the autophagic process was indeed initiated in the doxorubicin group, as shown by the increased lysosomes, but was not completed, i.e. autophagolysosome formation was rare. Starvation prior to doxorubicin treatment partly restored autophagosome formation towards control levels. Autophagic flux assays in both in vivo and in vitro models confirmed that doxorubicin impairs completion of the autophagic process in cardiomyocytes. The activities of both AMP-activated protein kinase and the autophagy-initiating kinase unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) were found to be decreased by doxorubicin, and these were restored by prior starvation. CONCLUSION Prior starvation mitigates acute doxorubicin cardiotoxicity; the underlying mechanism may be, at least in part, restoration and further augmentation of myocardial autophagy, which is impaired by doxorubicin, probably through inactivation of AMP-activated protein kinase and ULK1.
Filament formation by metabolic enzymes is a specific adaptation to an advanced state of cellular starvation

One of the key questions in biology is how the metabolism of a cell responds to changes in the environment. In budding yeast, starvation causes a drop in intracellular pH, but the functional role of this pH change is not well understood. Here, we show that the enzyme glutamine synthetase (Gln1) forms filaments at low pH and that filament formation leads to enzyme inactivation. Filament formation by Gln1 is a highly cooperative process, strongly dependent on macromolecular crowding, and involves back-to-back stacking of cylindrical homo-decamers into filaments that associate laterally to form higher order fibrils. Other metabolic enzymes also assemble into filaments at low pH. Hence, we propose that filament formation is a general mechanism to inactivate and store key metabolic enzymes during a state of advanced cellular starvation. These findings have broad implications for understanding the interplay between nutritional stress, the metabolism and the physical organization of a cell.
Wings as impellers: honey bees co-opt flight system to induce nest ventilation and disperse pheromones

ABSTRACT Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are remarkable fliers that regularly carry heavy loads of nectar and pollen, supported by a flight system – the wings, thorax and flight muscles – that one might assume is optimized for aerial locomotion. However, honey bees also use this system to perform other crucial tasks that are unrelated to flight. When ventilating the nest, bees grip the surface of the comb or nest entrance and fan their wings to drive airflow through the nest, and a similar wing-fanning behavior is used to disperse volatile pheromones from the Nasonov gland. In order to understand how the physical demands of these impeller-like behaviors differ from those of flight, we quantified the flapping kinematics and compared the frequency, amplitude and stroke plane angle during these non-flight behaviors with values reported for hovering honey bees. We also used a particle-based flow visualization technique to determine the direction and speed of airflow generated by a bee performing Nasonov scenting behavior. We found that ventilatory fanning behavior is kinematically distinct from both flight and scenting behavior. Both impeller-like behaviors drive flow parallel to the surface to which the bees are clinging, at typical speeds of just under 1 m s−1. We observed that the wings of fanning and scenting bees frequently contact the ground during the ventral stroke reversal, which may lead to wing wear. Finally, we observed that bees performing Nasonov scenting behavior sometimes display ‘clap-and-fling’ motions, in which the wings contact each other during the dorsal stroke reversal and fling apart at the start of the downstroke. We conclude that the wings and flight motor of honey bees comprise a multifunctional system, which may be subject to competing selective pressures because of its frequent use as both a propeller and an impeller. Summary: Honey bees employ unique flapping kinematics to use their wings as impellers for ventilatory fanning and dispersing pheromone signals.
Factors affecting the efficiency of aerosolized salbutamol delivery via a metered dose inhaler and equine spacer device

Despite frequent use of metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and spacers in equine practice, limited information exists on the efficiency of aerosol delivery using such devices. We determined the particle size distribution within an MDI-generated salbutamol aerosol delivered via an equine spacer using 'best practice' delivery technique and assessed the effect of variations in MDI use technique (shaking prior to each actuation, rapid repetitive actuations, and MDI angulation) on aerosol delivery efficiency. Under optimal conditions, only 53(±18) μg salbutamol per 100 μg actuation was delivered beyond the spacer. Although this aerosol had a high [89.6% (±2.4)] fine particle (<5 μm) fraction, and a low mass median aerodynamic diameter [2.52 (±0.29) μm], and particle size variability [geometric SD - 1.66 (±0.16) μm], within all particle size fractions, there was a high coefficient of variance (31-79%) of the percentage salbutamol delivered between experimental runs, thus impeding any effort to predict drug delivery to the patient during equine inhalation therapy. Despite observable trends and with the exception of minor statistically significant changes in the least abundant particle sizes, none of the deviations from a 'best practice' delivery technique significantly altered the relative salbutamol delivery beyond the spacer, a finding which has potential relevance with regard to maintaining user compliance.
The Efficacy and Safety of Edoxaban for VTE Prophylaxis Post-Orthopedic Surgery: A Systematic Review

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication that manifests during and/or after hospitalization, as well as postsurgeries including orthopedic surgeries. Edoxaban is a new oral direct factor Xa inhibitor that has been recently approved for treating VTE in patients who have already been treated with a parenteral anticoagulant and for the prevention of stroke and non-central nervous system systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of edoxaban for VTE prophylaxis after lower limb orthopedic surgery. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect to identify potential records, then titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened using the inclusion criteria to filter out irrelevant studies. Moreover, the data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken using standardized tools, and the results were narratively synthesized and presented in tables. Results: Six studies were included in this systematic review after screening 2989 records. The majority of studies demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in VTE events in the edoxaban group(s) compared to the dalteparin, placebo, or enoxaparin groups (P < .05). The differences in VTE cases in some studies reached to approximately 50% favoring edoxaban 30 mg over the comparator (P < .05). However, other studies uncovered a statistically insignificant difference between edoxaban and the comparator “enoxaparin” when used for VTE prophylaxis (P > .05). On the other hand, although edoxaban found to cause more bleeding, the differences between edoxaban and the comparator are statistically insignificant (P > .05). Conclusion: This study helped to amalgamate evidence with regard to the use of edoxaban for VTE prophylaxis post-lower limb orthopedic surgery. In line with the results of the reviewed studies, edoxaban seems to be highly effective in reducing VTE post-lower limb orthopedic surgery.
Modeling equilibrium responses to climate-induced migration ∗

We construct a quantitative model to simulate the impacts of climate change on U.S. domestic migration patterns. The model combines a strategy for estimating household demand for climate amenities in the presence of migration frictions with a simple, equilibrium framework for modeling counterfactual migration responses and their implications for regional welfare, prices and populations. Our estimates suggest that migration frictions exert an important influence on equilibrium outcomes, limiting adaptation to climate through relocation and resulting in a regional pattern of winners and losers.
Analysis and Design of Bohai Sea Major Scientific Special Project

Scientific project management informatization is the current development trend, but there are few information systems about major scientific special project. The paper analyses the characteristics of Bohai Sea major scientific special project, designs and develops the system. It introduces the system design goal, design principles, function and structure, development environment, and further analyses the key technology of the system.
The regulatory role of Dipeptidyl peptidase I on the activation of immune granulocytes

Dipeptidyl peptidase I (DPPI), a lysosomal cysteine protease, required for activation of serine proteases of granulocytes including mast cells (MCs), neutrophils (NPs) and others, which were found in synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). But, the role of DPPI associated with those cells in RA development is unclear. In this study, the collagen‐induced‐arthritis (CIA) rat‐model was employed to investigate the expression and activity levels of DPPI and its association with RA progress. Primary granulocytes were freshly extracted from bone‐marrows of normal or CIA rats, human mast cell line LAD‐2 and primary neutrophils, human‐recombinant‐DPPI, DPPI‐inhibitor Gly‐Phe‐CHN2, LTB4, anti‐IgE antibody, calcium ionophore were used to study the regulatory role of DPPI in cell activations. The increased DPPI activities in synovial fluids, serum, and bone‐marrow homogenates of CIA rats associated with RA severities progress were observed after injections. MMP2/9 expressions in SFs and bone‐marrow were in different patterns. Regular‐Blood‐Tests have shown the high leveled DPPI activities associated with granulocytes differentiations in‐vivo in blood of CIA rats. In‐vitro cell models, DPPI up‐regulated the proliferation of primary bone‐marrow granulocytes of normal rats, but inhibited that of CIA rats. DPPI up‐regulated and Gly‐Phe‐CHN2 down‐regulated MCs intracellular DPPI and chymase activities. Gly‐Phe‐CHN2 also inhibited the LTB4‐activated‐NPs and NP‐elastase activities. Following stimulation of calcium ionophore, the net‐releases of DPPI and β‐hexosaminidase from MCs were increased over a time‐course, while Gly‐Phe‐CHN2 down‐regulated MCs and NPs activation. Our findings demonstrate the role of DPPI in regulating MCs and NPs activation, and modulating proteolysis in the process of RA.