Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Pathopharmacological Interplay between Vanadium and Iron in Parkinson’s Disease Models

Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathology is characterised by distinct types of cellular defects, notably associated with oxidative damage and mitochondria dysfunction, leading to the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain’s substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Exposure to some environmental toxicants and heavy metals has been associated with PD pathogenesis. Raised iron levels have also been consistently observed in the nigrostriatal pathway of PD cases. This study explored, for the first time, the effects of an exogenous environmental heavy metal (vanadium) and its interaction with iron, focusing on the subtoxic effects of these metals on PD-like oxidative stress phenotypes in Catecholaminergic a-differentiated (CAD) cells and PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK−1)B9 Drosophila melanogaster models of PD. We found that undifferentiated CAD cells were more susceptible to vanadium exposure than differentiated cells, and this susceptibility was modulated by iron. In PINK−1 flies, the exposure to chronic low doses of vanadium exacerbated the existing motor deficits, reduced survival, and increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Both Aloysia citrodora Paláu, a natural iron chelator, and Deferoxamine Mesylate (DFO), a synthetic iron chelator, significantly protected against the PD-like phenotypes in both models. These results favour the case for iron-chelation therapy as a viable option for the symptomatic treatment of PD.
Genetic variability and correlation studies in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Monech)

The present investigation on genetic variability and correlation in Okra was conducted with thirty-three genotypes including four national check varieties with the objective of improving yield through selection. The results revealed that wide variability was found for different traits in Okra. Invariably, higher values were observed for phenotypic coefficient of variation with respect to corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation indicating the impact of environmental factors towards trait expression. The presence of moderate to high heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance for fruit weight, days to 50% flowering, fruits per plant as well as fruit yield per plant indicated their possibility of improvement with simple selection procedure in okra. Similarly, highly significant and positive correlation of fruit yield per plant with plant height, nodes per plant and fruits per plant was observed.
Lessons from the CONSCIOUS-1 Study

After years of research on treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), including randomized clinical trials, few treatments have been shown to be efficacious. Nevertheless, reductions in morbidity and mortality have occurred over the last decades. Reasons for the improved outcomes remain unclear. One randomized clinical trial that has been examined in detail with these questions in mind is Clazosentan to Overcome Neurological Ischemia and Infarction Occurring After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (CONSCIOUS-1). This was a phase-2 trial testing the effect of clazosentan on angiographic vasospasm (aVSP) in patients with aSAH. Clazosentan decreased moderate to severe aVSP. There was no statistically significant effect on the extended Glasgow outcome score (GOS), although the study was not powered for this endpoint. Data from the approximately 400 patients in the study were detailed, rigorously collected and documented and were generously made available to one investigator. Post-hoc analyses were conducted which have expanded our knowledge of the management of aSAH. We review those analyses here.
Assessment of a quality improvement intervention to decrease opioid prescribing in a regional health system

Background Opioids are prescribed in excess after surgery. We leveraged our continuous quality improvement infrastructure to implement opioid prescribing guidelines and subsequently evaluate changes in postoperative opioid prescribing, consumption and patient satisfaction/pain in a statewide regional health system. Methods We collected data regarding postoperative prescription size, opioid consumption and patient-reported outcomes from February 2017 to May 2019, from a 70-hospital surgical collaborative. Three iterations of prescribing guidelines were released. An interrupted time series analysis before and after each guideline release was performed. Linear regression was used to identify trends in consumption and patient-reported outcomes over time. Results We included 36 022 patients from 69 hospitals who underwent one of nine procedures in the guidelines, of which 15 174 (37.3%) had complete patient-reported outcomes data following surgery. Before the intervention, prescription size was decreasing over time (slope: −0.7 tablets of 5 mg oxycodone/month, 95% CI −1.0 to −0.5 tablets, p<0.001). After the first guideline release, prescription size declined by −1.4 tablets/month (95% CI −1.8 to −1.0 tablets, p<0.001). The difference between these slopes was significant (p=0.006). The second guideline release resulted in a relative increase in slope (−0.3 tablets/month, 95% CI −0.1 to −0.6, p<0.001). The third guideline release resulted in no change (p=0.563 for the intervention). Overall, mean (SD) prescription size decreased from 25 (17) tablets of 5 mg oxycodone to 12 (8) tablets. Opioid consumption also decreased from 11 (16) to 5 (7) tablets (p<0.001), while satisfaction and postoperative pain remained unchanged. Conclusions The use of procedure-specific prescribing guidelines reduced statewide postoperative opioid prescribing by 50% while providing satisfactory pain care. These results demonstrate meaningful impact on opioid prescribing using evidence-based best practices and serve as an example of successful utilisation of a regional health collaborative for quality improvement.
Population Dynamics and Activity Cycles of Chrysemys picta in Southeastern Pennsylvania

The daily and annual activity cycles, reproductive potential, population dynamics, and social relationships of the painted turtle, Chrysemys picta, in southeastern Pennsylvania are presented and comparisons with other population studies on this species and other turtles are made. Chrysemys picta was active only during the daylight hours, foraging for food during the late morning and late afternoon hours and basking at other times. The turtles were active as long as the water temperature remained above 10 C. Most were dormant from late October through March, but always some were active. Mating occurred from late April to mid-June, and nesting occurred during June and July. The mean number of eggs per clutch was 4.73 and the realized reproductive potential was 2.6 young per clutch. The density of turtles was estimated at 239 per acre. The adult sex ration was 1:1 and the juvenile to adult ratio 1:4. The rate of turnover in the population was estimated to be approximately 51 per cent with most mortality occurring in the smaller size-
Emergence of genotype C1 Enterovirus A71 and its link with antigenic variation of virus in Taiwan

An outbreak of the hand-foot-mouth disease with severe neurological cases, mainly caused by the genotype C1 enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), occurred in Taiwan between 2018 and early 2019. In the recent decade, the most dominant EV-A71 genotypes in Taiwan were B5 and C4 but changed to C1 in 2018. Antibody-mediated immunity plays a key role in limiting the EV-A71 illness in humans. However, the level of neutralizing activities against genotype C1 virus by human polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) remains largely unclear. In the study, we demonstrated that that 39% (9 in 23) of post-infection sera from the genotype B5- or C4-infected patients in 2014–2017 exhibit reduced titers with the 2018–2019 genotype C1 viruses than with the earlier B5 and C4 viruses tested. This finding with polyclonal sera is confirmed with human MAbs derived from genotype B5 virus-infected individuals. The 2018–2019 genotype C1 virus is resistant to the majority of canyon-targeting human MAbs, which may be associated with the residue change near or at the bottom of the canyon region on the viral capsid. The remaining three antibodies (16-2-11B, 16-3-4D, and 17-1-12A), which target VP1 S241 on the 5-fold vertex, VP3 E81 on the 3-fold plateau and VP2 D84 on the 2-fold plateau of genotype C1 viral capsid, respectively, retained neutralizing activities with variable potencies. These neutralizing antibodies were also found to be protective against a lethal challenge of the 2018–2019 genotype C1 virus in an hSCARB2-transgenic mice model. These results indicate that the EV-A71-specific antibody response may consist of a fraction of poorly neutralizing antibodies against 2018–2019 genotype C1 viruses among a subset of previously infected individuals. Epitope mapping of protective antibodies that recognize the emerging genotype C1 virus has implications for anti-EV-A71 MAbs and the vaccine field.
An Efficient Strategy for the Chemo‐Enzymatic Synthesis of Bufalin Glycosides with Improved Water Solubility and Inhibition against Na+, K+‐ATPase

In this study, bufalin was glycosylated by an efficient chemo‐enzymatic strategy. Firstly, 2‐chloro‐4‐nitrophenyl‐1‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside (sugar donors) was obtained by chemical synthesis. Then, the glycosylation of the bufalin was achieved with the synthesized sugar donor under the catalysis of two glycosyltransferases (Loki and ASP). Finally, two glycosides, i. e. , bufalin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside and bufalin‐3‐O‐[β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside)], were obtained by preparative HPLC. Compared to our previously reported sole chemical (total yield 10 % in four steps) or enzymatic methods (30 %), our combined chemo‐enzymatic strategy in this article greatly improves the yields of monoglycoside (68 %) and diglycoside (21 %) and decreased the experimental cost (90 %). Furthermore, we tested the water solubility of these glycosides and found that the water solubilities of the two glycosides were 13.1 and 53.7 times of bufalin, respectively. In addition, the inhibitory activity of these glycosides against Na+, K+‐ATPase were evaluated. The mono‐glycosylated compound showed more potent activity than bufalin, while the diglycosylated compound was less potent.
Validation of a pseudo-3D phantom for radiobiological treatment plan verifications

Performing realistic and reliable in vitro biological dose verification with good resolution for a complex treatment plan remains a challenge in particle beam therapy. Here, a new 3D bio-phantom consisting of 96-well plates containing cells embedded into Matrigel matrix was investigated as an alternative tool for biological dose verification. Feasibility tests include cell growth in the Matrigel as well as film dosimetric experiments that rule out the appearance of field inhomogeneities due to the presence of the well plate irregular structure. The response of CHO-K1 cells in Matrigel to radiation was studied by obtaining survival curves following x-ray and monoenergetic 12C ion irradiation, which showed increased radioresistance of 3D cell cultures in Matrigel as compared to a monolayer. Finally, as a proof of concept, a 12C treatment plan was optimized using in-house treatment planning system TRiP98 for uniform cell survival in a rectangular volume and employed to irradiate the 3D phantom. Cell survival distribution in the Matrigel-based phantom was analyzed and compared to cell survival in a reference setup using cell monolayers. Results of both methods were in good agreement and followed the TRiP98 calculation. Therefore, we conclude that this 3D bio-phantom can be a suitable, accurate alternative tool for verifying the biological effect calculated by treatment planning systems, which could be applied to test novel treatment planning approaches involving multiple fields, multiple ion modalities, complex geometries, or unconventional optimization strategies.
Integrating health consciousness, self-efficacy, and habituation into the attitude-intention-behavior relationship for physical activity in college students

ABSTRACT This study aimed to empirically test the relationship between attitude, behavioral intention, and behavior, which has been asserted by many human behavior theories including those of reasoned action, planned behavior, interpersonal behavior, and self-regulation. In the physical activity context, the study explored (a) how two cognitive constructs – health consciousness and self-efficacy – influence the attitude-intention-behavior relationship, and (b) how the relationship differs depending on habituation to physical activity. A survey of 525 undergraduate students was conducted at a South Korean university. The results of structural equation modeling showed that the attitude-intention-behavior relationship was only significant in the non-habituation group. In the linkage, health consciousness significantly influenced attitude toward physical activity, while self-efficacy had stronger impacts on behavioral intention and behavior than on attitude. Based on the findings, some theoretical implications and practical guidelines are discussed.
Draft Genome Sequences of 171 Listeria monocytogenes Isolates from Food-Related Listeriosis Outbreaks in California from 2007 to 2017

This publication reports the availability of draft genome sequences of 171 Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from various food-related sources from California between 2007 and 2017. All isolates contain at least two antimicrobial resistance genes. ABSTRACT This publication reports the availability of draft genome sequences of 171 Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from various food-related sources from California between 2007 and 2017. All isolates contain at least two antimicrobial resistance genes.
Predicted growth in plastic waste exceeds efforts to mitigate plastic pollution

A mess of plastic It is not clear what strategies will be most effective in mitigating harm from the global problem of plastic pollution. Borrelle et al. and Lau et al. discuss possible solutions and their impacts. Both groups found that substantial reductions in plastic-waste generation can be made in the coming decades with immediate, concerted, and vigorous action, but even in the best case scenario, huge quantities of plastic will still accumulate in the environment. Science, this issue p. 1515, p. 1455 Even the most optimistic scenario projects huge amounts of plastic pollution in the coming decades. Plastic pollution is a planetary threat, affecting nearly every marine and freshwater ecosystem globally. In response, multilevel mitigation strategies are being adopted but with a lack of quantitative assessment of how such strategies reduce plastic emissions. We assessed the impact of three broad management strategies, plastic waste reduction, waste management, and environmental recovery, at different levels of effort to estimate plastic emissions to 2030 for 173 countries. We estimate that 19 to 23 million metric tons, or 11%, of plastic waste generated globally in 2016 entered aquatic ecosystems. Considering the ambitious commitments currently set by governments, annual emissions may reach up to 53 million metric tons per year by 2030. To reduce emissions to a level well below this prediction, extraordinary efforts to transform the global plastics economy are needed.
Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Methanolic Extract of Aitchisonia Rosea in Albino Mice

Objective: Current analysis aims at in-vivo investigation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Aitchisonia rosea methanolic extract. Methods: Albino mice (20-30 g) were used in the study. Extract at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg doses was tested against egg albumin and carrageenan induced mice paw edema along with formalin persuaded paw licking and acetic acid prompted writhing for analgesic activity. Results: Results depicted dose reliant and significant (p<0.001) inhibition of carrageenan as well as egg albumin brought paw edema, abdominal constrictions/ hind limb stretching tempted by acetic acid and formalin instigated paw licking. Capability of crude extract to halt inflammatory and analgesic response was akin to that of ibuprofen in all models. Conclusion: The current findings support the use of Aitchisonia rosea for inflammatory conditions, which might be attributed to its previously proven high alkaloid, flavonoids, phenol, tannins content and free radical scavenging activity.
Vanilla rhizobacteria as antagonists against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vanillae.

Pathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum strongly affect the health of various agricultural crops like vanilla. However, despite significant economic losses caused by this pathogen there is no efficient method for its control. Therefore, we propose using rhizobacteria obtained from vanilla roots against F. oxysporum f. sp. vanillae. The results showed that there was no positive correlation between the antagonism expressed under in vitro conditions and those expressed under greenhouse conditions. The 16S rDNA gene analysis indicated that the bacterial genera tested corresponded to Sphingobacterium, Staphylococcus, Serratia, Psychrobacter, Pseudomonas and Stenotrophomonas. The in vitro antifungal activity was evaluated using three culture media (Potato Dextrose Agar, Nutrient Agar and Czapek) using the empty box technique (antagonism). Isolates of Staphylococcus xylosus BAC-JAG15, Serratia sp. BAC-JAG4 and Stenotrophomonas sp. BAC-JAG1 showed 90% in vitro antagonism against F. oxysporum in the three media tested. In the greenhouse evaluation, plants treated with these isolates initially showed symptoms of chlorosis without developing characteristic symptoms of disease produced by F. oxysporum f. sp. vanillae. This demonstrates protection provided by rhizobacteria against infection from F. oxysporum f. sp. vanillae in vanilla plants. © 2016 Friends Science Publishers
Evolutionary conservation of long intergenic non-coding RNA genes in Arabidopsis

Long intergenic non-coding RNA (lincRNA) genes are a poorly studied class of transcripts, particularly in plants. Because of the low levels of expression, high tissue specificity, and rapid rate of evolution of lincRNA transcripts, the discovery and functional annotation of these molecules is a significant challenge. Here, I report the annotation of 201 new lincRNA transcripts in Arabidopsis thaliana discovered using the results of a single RNA-seq experiment of a normalized library. Using these sequences, along with the 6 480 lincRNA genes annotated by Liu et al. (2012), I performed a pairwise sequence alignment experiment with the genomes of 22 plant species in order to discover highly conserved sequences within lincRNA loci. Of the 6 681 lincRNA sequences examined, 3 374 have highly conserved sequences supported by multiple genomic alignments to other species. Six of these show evidence of ongoing reduced sequence rate evolution when single-nucleotide variant data from the recent evolutionary history of Arabidopsis thaliana. The rate of retention of these conserved regions within the Brassicaceae suggests a much higher rate of sequence turnover in lincRNA genes compared with protein coding genes. Structural variant data from 80 different A. thaliana ecotypes suggests that lincRNA genes suffer deletions of the entire locus from the genome with appreciable frequency: 570 of the lincRNA loci examined are entirely missing from at least one A. thaliana strain. These results suggest an intriguing mixture of rapid sequence evolution with short, highly-conserved islands in lincRNA genes.
The modification of sex expression in papaya (Carica papaya L.)

SummaryField trials with six times normal nitrogen supply produced a significant increase in the proportion of female papaya plants. The addition of nitrogen to the soil increased the leaf nitrogen content but had no effect on the amino acid content. Leaves of male plants contained more nitrogen than female plants but no difference could be detected in the contents of amino acids in the leaves and flower buds. Foliar application of 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 2-chloroethyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride (CCC) resulted in a higher female : male ratio, but maleic hydrazide (MH) and gibberellic acid (GA3) enhanced maleness. The animal sex hormone stilboesterol dipropionate had no apparent effect on sex expression but the application of testosterone propionate increased the proportion of male plants.
Effect of water control and plastic‐film mulch on growth and the range of size inequalities in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) populations

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the effect of water supply regimes and plastic‐film mulching on the harvest index (HI), reproductive allocation (RA), and the range of size inequalities in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) populations, and to explore the mechanisms causing them. Grain yield, biological yield, HI, and RA of spring wheat decreased significantly (P < 0.001) along the irrigation gradient (applied water decreased from 0.35 to 0.175 to 0 m3 m−2). Either mulched or non‐mulched, the range of size inequalities always increased. HI and RA in the mulched treatment were significantly lower than in the non‐mulched treatment (P < 0.05). Results suggest that the range of size inequalities in spring wheat populations are closely correlated with the water regime in the field, and that under greater drought stress there are relatively smaller plants with lower HI. A greater range of size inequalities may result in growth redundancy. Appreciable growth redundancy occurred in spring wheat populations mulched with plastic film, which may result from the exacerbated interplant competition and self‐thinning. Thus, spring wheat cultivation with plastic‐film mulching was not the best method, although grain yields increased 38.5% in mulched treatments compared with non‐mulched control plots.