Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Activity of a Wall-Bound Cellulase Is Required for and Is Coupled to Cell Cycle Progression in the Dinof lagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii m

Cellulose synthesis, but not its degradation, is generally thought to be required for plant cell growth. In this work, we cloned a dinoflagellate cellulase gene, dCel1, whose activities increased significantly in G2/M phase, in agreement with the significant drop of cellulose content reported previously. Cellulase inhibitors not only caused a delay in cell cycle progression at both the G1 and G2/M phases in the dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii, but also induced a higher level of dCel1p expression. Immunostaining results revealed that dCel1p was mainly localized at the cell wall. Accordingly, the possible role of cellulase activity in cell cycle progression was tested by treating synchronized cells with exogenous dCelp and purified antibody, in experiments analogous to overexpression and knockdown analyses, respectively. Cell cycle advancement was observed in cells treated with exogenous dCel1p, whereas the addition of purified antibody resulted in a cell cycle delay. Furthermore, delaying the G2/M phase independently with antimicrotubule inhibitors caused an abrupt and reversible drop in cellulase protein level. Our results provide a conceptual framework for the coordination of cell wall degradation and reconstruction with cell cycle progression in organisms with cell walls. Since cellulase activity has a direct bearing on the cell size, the coupling between cellulase expression and cell cycle progression can also be considered as a feedback mechanism that regulates cell size.
Characterization of Indian native isolates of Trichoderma spp. and assessment of their bio-control efficiency against plant pathogens

A study was intended to corroborate the positive relatedness of molecular and morphological characters with antagonistic ability of Trichoderma species. On the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics, the Trichoderma isolates were identified as T. virens (11 isolates), T. asperellum (15), T. harzianum (14) and T. longibrachiatum (32). This result was in concordance with the result obtained from the DNA sequence data analysis of internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 region (ITS1 and ITS2) and the elongation factor 1-alpha gene ( tef1 ). The phylogenetic analyses of the above two marker loci sequences were done. Trichoderma isolates were not fairly separated by ITS 1 and 2 regions analysis whereas these were clearly separated with tef1 sequences analysis into different clusters. Comparative sequence analyses suggest that tef1 is a better marker to distinguish Trichoderma species because of greater transition/transversion ratio (1.32) and evolutionary divergence (1.965). T. virens (Vn) and T. harzianum (Th) were assessed for their mycoparasitic effect on soil borne plant pathogens, Rhizoctonia solani , Pythium aphanidermatum , Fusarium udum , F. solani , Sclerotium rolfsii and Macrophomina phaseolina . The percent inhibitory effect among T. harzianum isolates was between 70 to 90% and T. virens isolates ranged from 50 to 80%. However, Vn09 and Th-12 were distinguishable in exhibiting higher degree of antagonism. Key words: Biocontrol, ITS, tef1 , Trichoderma .
Assumptions of the European FRAILTOOLS project and description of the recruitment process for this study in Poland.

A i m: The main purpose of this article is to present the main assumptions of the FRAILTOOLS project and the characteristics of the recruitment process in the Polish part of the study. MATERIAL AND METHODS The FRAILTOOLS project is a prospective observational study conducted in 5 European countries. The study included people aged 75 and older. Each participating center was required to recruit 388 patients, which corresponded to 97 subjects in each clinical setting by center. Recruitment took place in clinical settings (hospital geriatric acute care, geriatric outpatient clinic, primary health care) and in social conditions (nursing homes). The frailty syndrome was assessed among study participants using 7 different scales. The follow-up period was 18 months. RESULTS In Poland, 268 elderly subjects took part in the study, which constituted 69.1% of planned recruitment. The majority of participants were acute care patients (108 participants). A high percentage of people successfully recruited for the study was seen in nursing homes (83.5% of predicted number). The lowest recruitment came from primary healthcare (53 participants) and geriatric outpatient clinic (26). About a quarter of recruited participants were lost during follow-up period. The poorest results of control visits were observed among patients from geriatric wards and geriatric outpatient clinic. CONCLUSIONS The recruitment process for older people in Poland was satisfactory, mainly in hospitalized and institutionalized patients. The worst enrollment result was observed among outpatients. A detailed analysis of enrollment problems among the older Polish population is necessary to determine the optimal recruitment strategy and retain eligible study participants.
Modelling respiration of vegetation: evidence for a general temperature‐dependent Q10

Temperature responses of rates of respiratory CO2 efflux from plants, soils, and ecosystems are frequently modelled using exponential functions with a constant Q10 near 2.0 (fractional change in rate with a 10 °C increase in temperature). However, we present evidence that Q10 declines with short‐term increases in temperature in a predictable manner across diverse plant taxa. Thus, models using a constant Q10 are biased, and use of a temperature‐corrected Q10 may improve the accuracy of modelled respiratory CO2 efflux in plants and ecosystems in response to temperature and predicted global climate changes.
Outcome Assessment in Epidemiological Studies of Low-Dose Radiation Exposure and Cancer Risks: Sources, Level of Ascertainment, and Misclassification.

BACKGROUND Outcome assessment problems and errors that could lead to biased risk estimates in low-dose radiation epidemiological studies of cancer risks have not been systematically evaluated. METHODS Incidence or mortality risks for all cancers or all solid cancers combined and for leukemia were examined in 26 studies published in 2006-2017 involving low-dose (mean dose ≤100 mGy) radiation from environmental, medical, or occupational sources. We evaluated the impact of loss to follow-up, under- or overascertainment, outcome misclassification, and changing classifications occurring similarly or differentially across radiation dose levels. RESULTS Loss to follow-up was not reported in 62% of studies, but when reported it was generally small. Only one study critically evaluated the completeness of the sources of vital status. Underascertainment of cancers ("false negatives") was a potential shortcoming for cohorts that could not be linked with high-quality population-based registries, particularly during early years of exposure in five studies, in two lacking complete residential history, and in one with substantial emigration. False positives may have occurred as a result of cancer ascertainment from self- or next-of-kin report in three studies or from enhanced medical surveillance of exposed patients that could lead to detection bias (eg, reporting precancer lesions as physician-diagnosed cancer) in one study. Most pediatric but few adult leukemia studies used expert hematopathology review or current classifications. Only a few studies recoded solid cancers to the latest International Classification of Diseases or International Classification of Diseases for Oncology codes. These outcome assessment shortcomings were generally nondifferential in relation to radiation exposure level except possibly in four studies. CONCLUSION The majority of studies lacked information to enable comprehensive evaluation of all major sources of outcome assessment errors, although reported data suggested that the outcome assessment limitations generally had little effect on risk or biased estimates towards the null except possibly in four studies.
Patterns of Failure After Neoadjuvant Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy or Fractionated Chemoradiation in Resectable and Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

Objectives The goal of this study was to compare outcomes of patients with borderline and resectable pancreatic cancer treated with neoadjuvant stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) versus fractionated chemoradiation. Methods Patients with borderline or resectable pancreatic cancer treated with neoadjuvant intent between November 2011 and December 2017 were reviewed. The SBRT volume/dose was 33 Gy in 5 fractions to gross tumor plus abutting vessel with or without 25 Gy in 5 fractions to pancreatic head/body and celiac/superior mesenteric artery. Fractionated chemoradiation volume/dose was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions to gross tumor, superior mesenteric/celiac arteries, and enlarged lymph nodes with concurrent bolus 5-FU, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, irinotecan or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel. Failure patterns, local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival were assessed. Results Forty-three patients were reviewed (18 SBRTs and 25 fractionated). Among patients who underwent resection, patients treated with fractionated chemoradiation had improved LRFS (12-month LRFS, 86% vs 62%, P = 0.003) and PFS (median PFS, 23 months vs 11 months, P = 0.006) compared with SBRT. There was no difference in overall survival. Conclusions Stereotactic body radiation therapy may result in inferior LRFS and PFS compared with fractionated chemoradiation, likely because of under coverage of high-risk vascular targets.
A Roadmap for Practice-Based Evidence: Validation of the Hester Davis Fall Risk Scale.

BACKGROUND To ensure successful integration and implementation of evidence into practice, validation of measures and interventions should be performed in the population and setting in which they will be used. PURPOSE This article provides a method for evaluating the predictive performance of a risk tool using the Hester Davis fall risk tool as an example. METHODS A retrospective matched-pairs sample of fallers and nonfallers was created. Psychometric properties were calculated using 2 × 2 contingency tables and compared to data in the original report. RESULTS In this study sample, the risk tool showed minimal ability to distinguish patients at risk for falling from those not at risk. CONCLUSIONS Organizations are urged to assess the performance of risk tools in their own patient population. This article provides a practical approach for the validation of evidence into the practice setting.
Prior Beta-Blocker Therapy for Hypertension and Sex-Based Differences in Heart Failure Among Patients With Incident Coronary Heart Disease

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. The usefulness of β-blockers has been questioned for patients who have hypertension without a prior manifestation of coronary heart disease or heart failure. In addition, sex-based differences in the efficacy of β-blockers for prevention of heart failure during acute myocardial ischemia have never been evaluated. We explored whether the effect of β-blocker therapy varied according to the sex among patients with hypertension who have no prior history of cardiovascular disease. Data were drawn from the ISACS (International Survey of Acute Coronary Syndromes)-Archives. The study population consisted of 13 764 patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes. There were 2590 patients in whom hypertension was treated previously with β-blocker (954 women and 1636 men). Primary outcome measure was the incidence of heart failure according to Killip class classification. Subsidiary analyses were conducted to estimate the association between heart failure and all-cause mortality at 30 days. Outcome rates were assessed using the inverse probability of treatment weighting and logistic regression models. Estimates were compared by test of interaction on the log scale. Among patients taking β-blockers before admission, there was an absolute difference of 4.6% between women and men in the rate of heart failure (Killip ≥2) at hospital presentation (21.3% versus 16.7%; relative risk ratio, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.10–1.65]). On the opposite, the rate of heart failure was approximately similar among women and men who did not receive β-blockers (17.2% versus 16.1%; relative risk ratio, 1.09 [95% CI, 0.97–1.21]). The test of interaction identified a significant (P=0.034) association between sex and β-blocker therapy. Heart failure was predictive of mortality at 30-day either in women (odds ratio, 7.54 [95% CI, 5.78–9.83]) or men (odds ratio, 9.62 [95% CI, 7.67–12.07]). In conclusion, β-blockers use may be an acute precipitant of heart failure in new-onset coronary heart disease among women, but not men. Heart failure increases the risk of death. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT04008173.
The Need for Actions to Protect Our Geriatrics and Maintain Proper Care at U.S. Long-Term Care Facilities.

many in LTCFs included subpar standards in IPC provided by the sparse health care staff. This, combined with the elderly person’s vulnerability to infections, provided COVID 19 with opportunities. In King County in Washington State, within a matter of 3 weeks of the first confirmed case of COVID 19 in an LTCF, 167 more confirmed cases followed of which 101 were LTCF residents, 30 of whom died (McMichael et al., 2020). As a result, the CDC implemented temporary guidelines for LTCFs in order to take extra precautions (CDC, 2020b). Although these guidelines are somewhat similar to the original guidelines previously in place, it still does not solve the issue; who is going to carry out these guidelines? Currently, LTCFs, like much of our health care system, are weakened by staffing shortages (Haddad, 2020). The previous IPC guidelines often had limited adherence from many LTCFs due to staffing shortages and other barriers (Harrington & Edelman, 2018; Travers et al., 2015, p. 359). Without the resolution of this deficit, other solutions will be lessened in their effectiveness. Currently, LTCFs are being advised by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) to comply with the federal, state, and CDC recommendations (AGS, 2020). In addition, the AGS acknowledges the personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage and that without the proper PPE in LTCFs, more COVID-19 outbreaks will occur, with high mortality among the residents (AGS, 2020). Other precautions that LTCFs should undertake include temporary discontinuation of group activities and the barring of visitors (AGS, 2020; CDC, 2020b). Patient safety measures have been outlined for transportation to and from the hospital, patient–staff interactions, and patient–patient interactions. The present goal for LTCFs is focused on precautionary measures against COVID-19. Although these efforts are vital for the current state of affairs, long-term repairs are required to resolve the gaps in preparedness and care of our growing elderly population. This crisis highlights a considerable need to mend a broken system that, for too long, has been in a state of disarray. Upon reviewing the changes that must be made about caring for our elderly population, the first consideration must be the resolution of agism. Agism has a profound effect on our elderly population, from devaluating perceptions to discrediting working in LTCFs (Brooke & Author Affiliations: Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Kendall Regional Medical Center, Miami, Florida (Ms Ehrlich and Drs McKenney and Elkbuli); and University of South Florida, Tampa (Dr McKenney). The authors declare no competing interests. Correspondence: Adel Elkbuli, MD, MPH, Kendall Regional Medical Center, 11750 Bird Rd, Miami, FL 33175 (Adel.Elkbuli@hcahealthcare.com). DOI: 10.1097/JTN.0000000000000513 The Need for Actions to Protect Our Geriatrics and Maintain Proper Care at U.S. Long-Term Care Facilities
Alternative carbohydrate pathways – enzymes, functions and engineering

Abstract Metabolic engineering is crucial in the development of production strains for platform chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biomaterials from renewable resources. The central carbon metabolism (CCM) of heterotrophs plays an essential role in the conversion of biomass to the cellular building blocks required for growth. Yet, engineering the CCM ultimately aims toward a maximization of flux toward products of interest. The most abundant dissimilative carbohydrate pathways amongst prokaryotes (and eukaryotes) are the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) and the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathways, which build the basics for heterotrophic metabolic chassis strains. Although the EMP is regarded as the textbook example of a carbohydrate pathway owing to its central role in production strains like Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus subtilis, it is either modified, complemented or even replaced by alternative carbohydrate pathways in different organisms. The ED pathway also plays key roles in biotechnological relevant bacteria, like Zymomonas mobilis and Pseudomonas putida, and its importance was recently discovered in photoautotrophs and marine microorganisms. In contrast to the EMP, the ED pathway and its variations are not evolutionary optimized for high ATP production and it differs in key principles such as protein cost, energetics and thermodynamics, which can be exploited in the construction of unique metabolic designs. Single ED pathway enzymes and complete ED pathway modules have been used to rewire carbon metabolisms in production strains and for the construction of cell-free enzymatic pathways. This review focuses on the differences of the ED and EMP pathways including their variations and discusses the use of alternative pathway strategies for in vivo and cell-free metabolic engineering.
EFFECT OF TIME AFTER HORMONAL STIMULATION ON SEMEN QUALITY INDICATORS OF COMMON CARP, CYPRINUS CARPIO (ACTINOPTERYGII: CYPRINIFORMES: CYPRINIDAE)

2011. Effect of time after hormonal stimulation on semen quality indicators of common carp, 41 (2): 75–80. Background. Obtaining the appropriate quantity of milt and spermatozoa of biologically good quality depends on a number of environmental factors. Additional factors may be involved while using a hormonal stimulation. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of time, after stimulation with Ovopel [(D-Ala 6 , Pro 9 -NEt)--mGnRH+metoclopramide] (1 granule · kg –1 body weight) on semen quality indicators of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. , over the period of 72 h post injection. Materials and methods. The total volume of milt (TVM, mL), volume of milt per 1 kg of the male body weight (VOM, mL · kg –1 b.w.), total sperm production (TSP, ×10 9 ), and their concentration (×10 9 mL –1 ) in milt were determined. Additionally, the motility of spermatozoa (%) by means of the subjective method and the osmotic pressure of seminal plasma (mOsm · kg –1 ) were determined. The milt was collected 24 h (group I, n = 10), 48 h (group II, n = 10), and 72 h (group III, n = 10) after stimulation with Ovopel. Results. and concentration were found between the experimental groups of the fish. Higher TSP and VOM values were recorded 24 h after Ovopel injection compared to samples obtained after 72 h ( P <0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) and 48 h ( P > 0.05). TVM values were also higher at 24 h after the injection than those noted at 48 and 72 h ( P < 0.01). Conclusion. The lack of significant differences in the motility and concentration of spermatozoa in milt at 24, 48, and 72 h after injection indicate that time after Ovopel administration does not have an influence on the main indicators of common carp milt quality. However, we noted significant differences in TSP, TVM, and VOM between samples obtaining 24 h and 72 h after hormonal stimulation. The highest quantity indicators i.e., the number of spermatozoa in milt and volume of obtained milt noted for samples obtained after 24 h suggest that this time is better for milt sampling than time after 48 and 72 h.
Characterization of GFP-AtPEN1 as a marker protein for extracellular vesicles isolated from Nicotiana benthamiana leaves

ABSTRACT Plant extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-secreted membrane structures enclosing cytosolic components, including pathogenesis-related proteins, tiny RNAs, and microRNAs et al. Their roles are shown to be involved in plant-microbe interactions. Albeit several marker proteins were developed for EVs labeling for Arabidopsis thaliana and other plant species, we lack similar knowledge on EVs isolated from model plant Nicotiana benthamiana, which serves as an excellent host for plant pathogen studies. Here, we transiently expressed two arabidopsis EV markers AtPEN1 and AtTET8 and one ESCRT protein VPS4 in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and tested for their ability in EV labeling. We found that GFP tagged AtPEN1 expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves is more stable than other proteins tested, and GFP-AtPEN1 accumulated in Nicotiana benthamiana EVs. Furthermore, we showed that EVs isolated from Nicotiana benthamiana leaf apoplast have typical EV density and vesicle-like morphology. Our finding demonstrates that GFP-AtPEN1 can be used as an excellent marker protein to label Nicotiana benthamiana EVs.
Physicochemical properties alone do not predict the movement and compartmentation of fluorescent xenobiotics

Oat aleurone protoplasts, maintained in sterile liquid culture for 5 d, are able to take up a number of fluorescent probes of varying charge and of molecular weights in the range 457 to 637. In addition to Lucifer Yellow CH, these include PTS, HPTS, Lucifer Yellow AB, calcein, and sulphorhodamine-101, most of which have previously been described as membrane-impermeant due to their physicochemical properties. The transport of these probes across the plasma membrane and their subsequent sequestration within the vacuole, is inhibited by the drug probenecid, negating the possibility that movement is solely by simple diffusion. In contrast, Trypan blue (mol. wt. 961) is excluded by all live oat aleurone protoplasts
Zebrafish: An emerging model system to study liver diseases and related drug discovery

The zebrafish has emerged as a powerful vertebrate model for studying liver‐associated disorders. Liver damage is a crucial problem in the process of drug development and zebrafish have proven to be an important tool for the high‐throughput screening of drugs for hepatotoxicity. Although the structure of the zebrafish liver differs to that of mammals, the fundamental physiologic processes, genetic mutations and manifestations of pathogenic responses to environmental insults exhibit much similarity. The larval transparency of the zebrafish is a great advantage for real‐time imaging in hepatic studies. The zebrafish has a broad spectrum of cytochrome P450 enzymes, which enable the biotransformation of drugs via similar pathways as mammals, including oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis reactions. In the present review, we appraise the various drugs, chemicals and toxins used to study liver toxicity in zebrafish and their similarities to the rodent models for liver‐related studies. Interestingly, the zebrafish has also been effectively used to study the pathophysiology of nonalcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver disease. The genetic models of liver disorders and their easy manipulation provide great opportunity in the area of drug development. The zebrafish has proven to be an influential model for the hepatic system due to its invertebrate‐like advantages coupled with its vertebrate biology. The present review highlights the pivotal role of zebrafish in bridging the gap between cell‐based and mammalian models.