Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Immunohistochemistry for SDHB in the Screening of Hereditary Pheochromocytoma–Paraganglioma

Simple Summary The majority of hereditary pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) is caused by germline mutations in the SDHB, SDHC, or SDHD genes, which encode three (SDHB, SDHC, SDHD) of five subunits of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) enzyme (SDHA, SDHDB, SDHC, SDHD, SDHAF2). The inactivation of any of the SDHx genes leads to the proteolysis of SDH. This can be detected with negative immunohistochemistry (IHC) for SDHB. However, there is no consensus of the interpretation of “weakly positive” staining. Hence, we carried out a retrospective single centre study comprising 58 patients to evaluate the efficacy of using SDHB IHC for detecting SDHx mutation in PPGL cases. Our analyses revealed that SDHB-negative IHC is a cost-effective and reliable method to predict SDHx mutations in the Korean population. Nonetheless, in the case of weakly positive staining, an additional gene study should be considered. Abstract The most common genetic backgrounds of hereditary paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma (PPGL) are SDHx germline mutations. Given the fact that the immunohistochemistry (IHC) result for SDHB is always negative regardless of the type of SDHx mutation, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of using SDHB IHC for screening SDHx mutations in PPGL cases. In total, 52 patients who underwent surgery for PPGL treatment between 2006 and 2020 and underwent genetic analysis at diagnosis were included. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were constructed with PPGL tissues and IHC for SDHB was performed on TMA sections. All 10 patients with SDHB-negative IHC contained SDHB or SDHD mutations. The genetic test results of patients with SDHB-weakly positive IHC varied (one SDHB, two RET, one VHL, and three unknown gene mutations). There were no SDHx mutations in the SDHB-positive IHC group. Six patients with weakly positive SDHB IHC with primarily unknown genetic status were re-called and underwent next-generation sequencing. None of them had SDHx mutations. In conclusion, SDHB-negative IHC is a cost-effective and reliable method to predict SDHx mutations. However, in the case of weakly positive SDHB staining, an additional gene study should be considered.
Comparative Study on Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Different Malt Types

Malt is the main raw material for beer production, which determines not only its taste and aroma profile, but to a large extent its biological value, as well. The aim of the present research was to determine the antioxidant profile of different malt types as a basis for the development of new types of beer with increased antioxidant activity. In the present study the main brewing characteristics, the phenolic profile and the antioxidant potential of 20 malt types used in craft breweries in Bulgaria have been examined. The main brewing characteristics have been determined by the standardized methods of the European Brewing Convention. Malt phenolic content was determined by two methods, and antioxidant potential by five different methods. Based on a statistical factor analysis performed by the principal component analysis, it was confirmed that there was a relationship between malt color and phenolic compounds content. The principal component analysis confirmed that there was a link between the content of the Maillard reaction products and malt biological activity. Malts with the highest degree of heat treatment were characterized by the highest antioxidant activity, which was due to the content of Maillard reaction products with antioxidant capacity.
Responses of two dominant desert plant species to the changes in groundwater depth in hinterland natural oasis, Tarim Basin

Abstract Groundwater is increasingly becoming a permanent and steady water source for the growth and reproduction of desert plant species due to the frequent channel cutoff events in arid inland river basins. Although it is widely acknowledged that the accessibility of groundwater has a significant impact on plant species maintaining their ecological function, little is known about the water use strategies of desert plant species to the groundwater availability in Daryaboyi Oasis, Central Tarim Basin. This study initially determined the desirable and stressing groundwater depths based on ecological and morphological parameters including UAV‐based fractional vegetation cover (FVC) images and plant growth status. Then, leaf δ13C values of small‐ and big‐sized plants were analyzed to reveal the water use strategies of two dominant woody species (Populus euphratica and Tamarix ramosissima) in response to the groundwater depth gradient. The changes in FVC and growth status of plants suggested that the actual groundwater depth should be kept at an appropriate range of about 2.1–4.3 m, and the minimum groundwater depth should be less than 7 m. This will ensure the protection of riparian woody plants at a normal growth state and guarantee the coexistence of both plant types. Under a desirable groundwater condition, water alternation (i.e., flooding and rising groundwater depth) was the main factor influencing the variation of plant water use efficiency. The obtained results indicated that big‐sized plants are more salt‐tolerant than small ones, and T. ramosissima has strong salt palatability than P. euphratica. With increasing groundwater depth, P. euphratica continuously decreases its growth status to maintain hydraulic efficiency in drought condition, while T. ramosissima mainly increases its water use efficiency first and decreases its growth status after then. Besides, in a drought condition, T. ramosissima has strong adaptability than P. euphratica. This study will be informative for ecological restoration and sustainable management of Daryaboyi Oasis and provides reference materials for future research programs.
The Phagosome–Lysosome Fusion Is the Target of a Purified Quillaja saponin Extract (PQSE) in Reducing Infection of Fish Macrophages by the Bacterial Pathogen Piscirickettsia salmonis

Piscirickettsia salmonis, the etiological agent of Piscirickettsiosis, is a Gram-negative and facultative intracellular pathogen that has affected the Chilean salmon industry since 1989. The bacterium is highly aggressive and can survive and replicate within fish macrophages using the Dot/Icm secretion system to evade the host’s immune response and spread systemically. To date, no efficient control measures have been developed for this disease; therefore, the producers use large amounts of antibiotics to control this pathogen. In this frame, this work has focused on evaluating the use of saponins from Quillaja saponaria as a new alternative to control the Piscirickettsiosis. It has been previously reported that purified extract of Q. saponaria (PQSE) displays both antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and viruses and adjuvant properties. Our results show that PQSE does not present antimicrobial activity against P. salmonis, although it reduces P. salmonis infection in an in vitro model, promoting the phagosome–lysosome fusion. Additionally, we demonstrate that PQSE modulates the expression of IL-12 and IL-10 in infected cells, promoting the immune response against the pathogen and reducing the expression of pathogen virulence genes. These results together strongly argue for specific anti-invasion and anti-intracellular replication effects induced by the PQSE in macrophages.
Epidemiological Study Related to the First Outbreak of Ovine Anaplasmosis in Spain

Simple Summary Ovine anaplasmosis is an emerging disease in Europe, able to cause relevant economic losses. This disease has great significance in tropical and subtropical areas; however, climate change has facilitated the wider spread of ovine anaplasmosis throughout Europe during the last few decades. Related to the first ovine anaplasmosis outbreak that occurred in Spain in 2014, an epidemiological study was carried out in the affected area. The results show a high presence of Anaplasma ovis in the analysed flocks, indicating the high transmissibility of the bacteria. Abstract Ovine anaplasmosis is a vector-borne disease caused by Anaplasma ovis and mainly transmitted through tick bites. In Spain, the first outbreak of ovine anaplasmosis occurred in 2014. An epidemiological study in fifty-one farms was carried out associated with this outbreak in the affected geographical area. An epidemiological questionnaire was performed. In addition, whole blood samples were taken for molecular analysis in 47 of these farms to determine the prevalence of infection of Anaplasma ovis. A. ovis was present in 44 out of 47 PCR-analysed farms (93.6%). However, only 40.4% of the studied farms showed severe clinical signs. The clinical signs affected mainly young animals, which showed severe anaemia, weakness, anorexia, cachexia and epiphora. The early culling of young animals was more frequently reported by severely affected farms than the analysed farms without clinical signs (71.4% vs. 12.5%, p < 0.001). The geographical area where the farm is located seems to be relevant for the presence of clinical signs of the disease. Ovine anaplasmosis is an emerging disease in Europe that spreads rapidly through tick bites and is capable of causing significant economic losses when it spreads in a naive area and causes an epidemic.
Sperm length divergence as a potential prezygotic barrier in a passerine hybrid zone

Abstract The saltmarsh sparrow Ammospiza caudacuta and Nelson's sparrow A. nelsoni differ in ecological niche, mating behavior, and plumage, but they hybridize where their breeding distributions overlap. In this advanced hybrid zone, past interbreeding and current backcrossing result in substantial genomic introgression in both directions, although few hybrids are currently produced in most locations. However, because both species are nonterritorial and have only brief male–female interactions, it is difficult to determine to what extent assortative mating explains the low frequency of hybrid offspring. Since females often copulate with multiple males, a role of sperm as a postcopulatory prezygotic barrier appears plausible. Here, we show that sperm length differs between the two species in the hybrid zone, with low among‐male variation consistent with strong postcopulatory sexual selection on sperm cells. We hypothesize that divergence in sperm length may constitute a reproductive barrier between species, as sperm length co‐evolves with the size of specialized female sperm storage tubules. Sperm does not appear to act as a postzygotic barrier, as sperm from hybrids was unexceptional.
Assessment of ecological impairment of Arctic streams: Challenges and future directions

Abstract As increased growth and development put pressure on freshwater systems in Arctic environments, there is a need to maintain a meaningful and feasible framework for monitoring water quality. A useful tool for monitoring the ecological health of aquatic systems is by means of the analysis and inferences made from benthic invertebrates in a biomonitoring approach. Biomonitoring of rivers and streams within the Arctic has been under‐represented in research efforts. Here, we investigate an approach for monitoring biological impairment in Arctic streams from anthropogenic land use at two streams with different exposure to urban development in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Arctic Canada. Sites upstream of development, at midpoint locations, and at the mouth of each waterbody were sampled during 6 campaigns (2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019) to address spatial and temporal variability of the macroinvertebrate community. The influence of taxonomic resolution scaling was also examined in order to understand the sensitivity of macroinvertebrates as indicators in Arctic aquatic systems. We demonstrate that standard biological metrics were effective in indicating biological impairment downstream of sources of point‐source pollutants. A mixed‐design ANOVA for repeated measures also found strong interannual variability; however, we did not detect intra‐annual variation from seasonal factors. When examining metrics at the highest taxonomic resolution possible, the sensitivity of metrics increased. Likewise, when trait‐based metrics (α functional diversity) were applied to indicators identified at high taxonomic resolution, a significant difference was found between reference and impacted sites. Our results show that even though Arctic systems have lower diversity and constrained life‐history characteristics compared to temperate ecosystems, biomonitoring is not only possible, but also equally effective in detecting trends from anthropogenic activities. Thus, biomonitoring approaches in Arctic environments are likely a useful means for providing rapid and cost‐effective means of assessing future environmental impact.
Fitness comparison of Plutella xylostella on original and marginal hosts using age‐stage, two‐sex life tables

Abstract The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, is an important agricultural pest that severely damages cruciferous vegetables. Although previously considered a threat only to Brassica species, P. xylostella has been observed to feed on noncruciferous vegetables. Here, we established a population of P. xylostella on the pea Pisum sativum (PxP population). We compared this PxP population's performance on the pea host plant to a population (PxR) reared on the original host plant radish (Raphanus sativus) for several generations using an age‐stage, two‐sex life table and analyzed the correlations between different fitness parameters. In the 1st generation of the PxP population, survival rate of immature stage was 17%, while the survival rate of PxR was 68%; the duration of the 4th larval instar (5.30 d) and mortality (25%) of this generation were significantly longer (2.8 d) and higher (1%) than that of PxR, respectively (both p < .001). Upon long‐term acclimation, the PxP fitness improved significantly, especially that the survival rate of immature stages increased to approximately 60% in the 15th, 30th, and 45th generations. However, PxP feeding on pea exhibited poorer fitness with longer larval developmental time, shorter total life span, lighter pupa, and lower fecundity in different generations compared with PxP feeding on radish. PxP feeding on pea also showed a significantly lower intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproduction rate (R 0), finite increase rate (λ), and longer mean generation time (T) than PxP feeding on radish in all generations tested. Significant positive correlations were observed between pupal weight and female fecundity in pea‐fed populations, and between female longevity and female fecundity in pea‐fed and radish‐fed populations. Our findings suggest that P. xylostella adaptation to pea does not improve overall fitness compared with the original host radish, making pea a marginal host for P. xylostella.
Molecular Analysis of Streptomycin Resistance Genes in Clinical Strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Biocomputational Analysis of the MtGidB L101F Variant

Globally, tuberculosis (TB) remains a prevalent threat to public health. In 2019, TB affected 10 million people and caused 1.4 million deaths. The major challenge for controlling this infectious disease is the emergence and spread of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB. The antibiotic streptomycin is not a current first-line anti-TB drug. However, WHO recommends its use in patients infected with a streptomycin-sensitive strain. Several mutations in the M. tuberculosis rpsL, rrs and gidB genes have proved association with streptomycin resistance. In this study, we performed a molecular analysis of these genes in clinical isolates to determine the prevalence of known or novel mutations. Here, we describe the genetic analysis outcome. Furthermore, a biocomputational analysis of the MtGidB L101F variant, the product of a novel mutation detected in gidB during molecular analysis, is also reported as a theoretical approach to study the apparent genotype-phenotype association.
Limosilactobacillus reuteri Fermented Brown Rice: A Product with Enhanced Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Potential

Oxidative stress has been postulated to play a role in several diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and stress-related disorders (anxiety/depression). Presently, natural plant-derived phytochemicals are an important tool in reducing metabolomic disorders or for avoiding the side effects of current medicinal therapies. Brown Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important part of Asian diets reported as a rich source of bioactive phytonutrients. In our present study, we have analyzed the effect of different lactic acid bacteria (LABs) fermentation on antioxidant properties and in the enhancement of bioactive constituents in Korean brown rice. Therefore, the antioxidant activities and phytochemical analysis were investigated for raw brown rice (BR) and different fermented brown rice (FBR). BR fermented with Limosilactobacillus reuteri, showed the highest antioxidant activities among all samples: DPPH (121.19 ± 1.0), ABTS (145.80 ± 0.99), and FRAP (171.89 ± 0.71) mg Trolox equiv. /100 g, dry weight (DW). Total phenolic content (108.86 ± 0.63) mg GAE equiv. /100 g, DW and total flavonoids content (86.79 ± 0.83) mg catechin equiv. /100 g, DW was also observed highest in Limosilactobacillus reuteri FBR. Furthermore, phytochemical profiling using ultra-high-performance liquid tandem chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF/MS) and cell antioxidant assay (CAA) revealed L. reuteri FBR as a strong antioxidant with an abundance of bioactive compounds such as gamma-aminobutyric acid, coumarin, cinnamic acid, butanoic acid, ascorbic acid, nicotinic acid, and stearic acid. This study expanded current knowledge on the impact of fermentation leading to the enhancement of antioxidant capacity with an abundance of health-related bioactive compounds in BR. The results obtained may provide useful information on functional food production using fermented brown rice.
Codeposition of Platinum and Gold on Nickel Wire Electrodes via Galvanic Replacement Reactions for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Alcohols

Codeposition of Pt and Au on Ni wire was performed using a simple treatment of immersing Ni wire in aqueous solutions containing both K2PtCl4 and HAuCl4. For evaluating the electrochemical properties of the thus-prepared electrodes, cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of 1.0 M ethanol in 1.0 M NaOH aqueous solutions were recorded. Compared with Pt- or Au-deposited Ni wire electrodes prepared by treating Ni wire in aqueous solutions of a single component, e.g., 1.0 mM K2PtCl4 or 1.0 mM HAuCl4, a noteworthy increase in the electrocatalytic current was observed for the oxidation of ethanol with a PtAu-codeposited Ni (PtAu/Ni) wire electrode even when it was prepared in an aqueous solution containing both 0.10 mM K2PtCl4 and 0.10 mM HAuCl4. In addition, the shape and the peak potentials of CVs recorded using PtAu/Ni wire electrodes were found to be different from those recorded with the Pt- or Au-deposited Ni wire electrodes. Because the CV responses typical of the PtAu/Ni wire electrodes were observed even when a PtAu/Ni wire electrode was prepared in an aqueous solution containing both 0.010 mM K2PtCl4 and 1.0 mM HAuCl4, it is considered that a small amount of Pt was effectively modified or incorporated and affected the electrochemical properties significantly. The CV results for ethanol oxidation were compared with those for the electrocatalytic oxidations of methanol, 1-propanol, and 2-propanol. Besides, the CV results recorded with the present PtAu/Ni wire electrodes are discussed in comparison with some previous results obtained using other PtAu nanoelectrocatalysts.
PI3K as Mediator of Apoptosis and Contractile Dysfunction in TGFβ1-Stimulated Cardiomyocytes

Simple Summary TGFβ1 is a growth factor that plays a major role in the remodeling process of the heart by inducing cardiomyocytes dysfunction and apoptosis, as well as fibrosis, thereby restricting heart function. TGFβ1 mediates its effect via the TGFβ receptor I (ALK5) and the activation of SMAD transcription factors. But, TGFβ1 is also known as activator of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) via the non-SMAD signaling pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PI3K is also involved in TGFβ1–induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis and contractile dysfunction. Pharmacological inhibition of PI3K with Ly294002 reduced TGFβ-induced apoptosis and reduced cell shortening. Inhibition of the PI3Kγ isoform also abolished the TGFβ effect on apoptosis and cell shortening. These data support a role for a PI3K and ALK5/SMAD pathway in TGFβ1-induced apoptosis and impaired cell shortening, which in part appears to be PI3Kγ-dependent. Abstract Background: TGFβ1 is a growth factor that plays a major role in the remodeling process of the heart by inducing cardiomyocyte dysfunction and apoptosis, as well as fibrosis thereby restricting heart function. TGFβ1 mediates its effect via the TGFβ receptor I (ALK5) and the activation of SMAD transcription factors, but TGFβ1 is also known as activator of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) via the non-SMAD signaling pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PI3K is also involved in TGFβ1–induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis and contractile dysfunction. Methods and Results: Incubation of isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes with TGFβ1 resulted in impaired contractile function. Pre-incubation of cells with the PI3K inhibitor Ly294002 or the ALK5 inhibitor SB431542 attenuated the decreased cell shortening in TGFβ1–stimulated cells. Additionally, TGFβ-induced apoptosis was significantly reduced by the PI3K inhibitor Ly294002. Administration of a PI3Kγ-specific inhibitor AS605240 abolished the TGFβ effect on apoptosis and cell shortening. This was also confirmed in cardiomyocytes from PI3Kγ KO mice. Induction of SMAD binding activity and the TGFβ target gene collagen 1 could be blocked by the PI3K inhibitor Ly294002, but not by the specific PI3Kγ inhibitor AS605240. Conclusions: TGFβ1-induced SMAD activation, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and impaired cell shortening are mediated via both, the ALK5 receptor and PI3K, in adult cardiomyocytes. PI3Kγ specifically contributes to apoptosis induction and impairment of contractile function independent of SMAD signaling.