Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Inhibitory Activity of Diazinyl-Substituted Thiourea Derivatives on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase

Starting from 2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine, a series of N-diazinyl-N′-[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]thioureas was prepared via the (2-pyridyl)ethylisothiocyanate and was screened as non-nucleoside human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Derivatives bearing a 3-pyridazinyl or a 4-pyrimidinyl moiety turned out to be the most potent compounds. However, they exhibited less activity than nevirapine or trovirdine.
Tumor cell lysate-loaded immunostimulatory spherical nucleic acids as therapeutics for triple-negative breast cancer

Significance In mouse models of triple-negative breast cancer, we show that the oxidation of tumor cells prior to lysate generation, coupled with their compartmentalization in the core of liposomal spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) comprised of adjuvant DNA, yields a powerful immunotherapeutic that significantly inhibits tumor growth, dramatically extends survival, and promotes a tumoricidal immune cell population within the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, this work points toward the importance of properly packaging and presenting the adjuvant and antigens such that biodistribution, dendritic cell activation, and therapeutic efficacy can be controlled. Highly heterogenous cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), remain challenging immunotherapeutic targets. Herein, we describe the synthesis and evaluation of immunotherapeutic liposomal spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) for TNBC therapy. The SNAs comprise immunostimulatory oligonucleotides (CpG-1826) as adjuvants and encapsulate lysates derived from TNBC cell lines as antigens. The resulting nanostructures (Lys-SNAs) enhance the codelivery of adjuvant and antigen to immune cells when compared to simple mixtures of lysates with linear oligonucleotides both in vitro and in vivo, and reduce tumor growth relative to simple mixtures of lysate and CpG-1826 (Lys-Mix) in both Py230 and Py8119 orthotopic syngeneic mouse models of TNBC. Furthermore, oxidizing TNBC cells prior to lysis and incorporation into SNAs (OxLys-SNAs) significantly increases the activation of dendritic cells relative to their nonoxidized counterparts. When administered peritumorally in vivo in the EMT6 mouse mammary carcinoma model, OxLys-SNAs significantly increase the population of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and simultaneously decrease the population of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) within the tumor microenvironment, when compared with Lys-SNAs and simple mixtures of oxidized lysates with CpG-1826. Importantly, animals administered OxLys-SNAs exhibit significant antitumor activity and prolonged survival relative to all other treatment groups, and resist tumor rechallenge. Together, these results show that the way lysates are processed and packaged has a profound impact on their immunogenicity and therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, this work points toward the potential of oxidized tumor cell lysate-loaded SNAs as a potent class of immunotherapeutics for cancers lacking common therapeutic targets.
Influence of ofloxacin on the disposition kinetics of meloxicam following single intravenous administration in goats.

________________________________________________________________________________________ YADAV, R. S. , S. K. GARG, A. RAHAL: Infl uence of ofl oxacin on the disposition kinetics of meloxicam following single intravenous administration in goats. Vet. arhiv 84, 625-635, 2014. ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of ofl oxacin (10 mg/kg) on the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg) in goats, when administered concurrently by intravenous route. Meloxicam concentration in plasma was measured using HPLC assay. The pharmacokinetics of meloxicam were best described by the two-compartment open model. Following concurrent administration of meloxicam and ofl oxacin, the mean plasma level of meloxicam was only found to be signifi cantly higher (P<0.05) at 15 min compared to its alone administration. Statistical analysis of data revealed that there were no statistically signifi cant differences in PK parameters between the two treatments, except K21. Therefore, the results of the present study suggest that concurrent administration of ofl oxacin and meloxicam in goats does not require any adjustment in dosage regimens. Based on PK determinants, meloxicam may be administered by i.v. route at 0.86 and 0.65 mg/kg, as loading and maintenance doses respectively, and is to be repeated at 8 h intervals.
KINSHIP, SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS, AND DEN SHARING IN KIT FOXES

Abstract We used 11 microsatellites, highly variable nuclear markers, to infer kinship among 35 San Joaquin kit foxes,Vulpes macrotis mutica, and combined this information with field observations to gain insight into fox social behavior. Fox social units consisted of solitary foxes, mated male–female pairs, and trios consisting of a mated pair plus another adult. Pair-mates were not closely related. The additional adult (1 male, 1 female) in 2 trios was the offspring of at least 1 of the pair-mates. Foxes living on adjacent home ranges tended to be more closely related than foxes that did not live on adjacent home ranges, largely because females on adjacent home ranges were often closely related. FIS values indicated a deficiency of homozygotes that was likely due to clusters of relatives living on adjacent home ranges. Foxes that shared the same den on the same day were usually members of the same social group. Contrary to expectations, however, we sometimes found foxes sharing dens with foxes from other social groups. Many cases involved unpaired individuals and appeared to be unsuccessful attempts at pair formation. Other cases involved members of 2 adjacent social groups, a pair and a trio. Both members of the pair were closely related to ≥1 member of the trio, indicating that kit foxes can maintain enduring social relationships with adult offspring or siblings that have dispersed to a new home range and found a mate.
Effects of gamma radiation on different developmental stages of the oriental tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa assulta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Ionizing radiation is increasingly used as an alternative to post‐harvest crop fumigation by methyl bromide. We studied the effects of gamma irradiation on Helicoverpa assulta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) at different stages of development to determine the minimal dose for the prevention of normal emergence of adults. We selected five doses of gamma rays (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 Gy) based on preliminary experiments and irradiated eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. A dose of 100 Gy to eggs allowed 21.83% of larvae to pupate, but these all died during the pupal stage. A dose of 100 Gy to last‐instar larvae caused larval or pupal death, or the emergence of abnormal adults; no normal adults developed. Irradiation of pupae with doses of 300 Gy and above resulted either in their death or emergence of abnormal adults; however, after 100 or 200 Gy, normal adults emerged and F1 eggs were produced, but no eggs hatched. Following irradiation of adults, eggs were produced at all doses, although the numbers were significantly decreased compared to untreated controls (P < 0.05; 69.45–125.50 vs. 475.05 eggs per female); however, none of the eggs hatched. As prevention of normal emergence is a key outcome for measuring the effectiveness of radiation, then the 100 Gy dose was effective for irradiation of eggs and larvae, and 300 Gy for pupae.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Transgenic insect-resistant cotton has been planted in China in a large scale and may have adverse impacts on honeybees. Pollens from the transgenic Cry1Ac+CpTI cotton Zhong-41 and the parental cotton Zhong-23 were collected from the field and their impacts on adult worker bees were assessed. Experimental results showed that Zhong-41 pollen had no acute oral toxic effect on worker bees. No significant differences were observed in the superoxide dismutase activity or in the longevity of worker bees fed with diets containing the two cotton pollens. The main reasons for the outcome may be the low expression level of the transgenic proteins Cry1Ac and CpTI in the pollen of Zhong-41 as well as the substantial equivalence in the amounts of gross protein and soluble saccharides for the two cotton pollens. The implications of these results are discussed and further work to be carried out is put forward.
Comparison of two models for predicting bioaccumulation of hydrophobic organic chemicals in a great lakes food web

The steady‐state models of Gobas and Thomann for predicting chemical residues in aquatic food webs were compared. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) predicted on the basis of freely dissolved chemical in the water were not significantly different for piscivorous fish, based upon the 10th and 90th percentile predictions, except for chemicals with log n‐octanol/water partition coefficients (Kows) ranging from 6.5 to 6.9, the region of maximum differences for chemicals with log Kows less than 8. For chemicals with log Kows greater than 8, the BAFs predicted by the models diverged. The BAFs predicted using the Gobas model were in slightly better agreement with measured BAFs (determined from Lake Ontario data) than those predicted using the Thomann model. Sensitivities of the input parameters used by both models were very similar. The most sensitive input parameters were lipid contents, Kow, and sediment–water column chemical concentration quotient (Πsocw) for both models, and the feeding preferences for benthic invertebrates (Diporeia) for the Thomann model. Simulations performed using uncertainties for the input parameters demonstrated that the Kow and Πsocw were the dominant sources of uncertainties for predicted BAFs by both models for the Great Lakes food web. For piscivorous fish, overall uncertainties in the predicted BAFs ranged from a factor of 3.3 to 5.5 (Gobas model) and from a factor of 3.3 to 8.7 (Thomann model) for chemicals with log Kows less than 7.6 (based upon the 10th and 90th percentile predictions).
Characterization of the Bovine FASN Gene Variation for Carcass and Beef Quality Traits in Hanwoo

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a multi-functional enzyme with a central role in the synthesis of long-chain fatty acid and has been considered as a positional candidate gene for BTA 19 quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting milk-fat content and fatty acid composition. In this study, we sequenced the FASN gene in several cattle breeds including Hanwoo and imported beef cattle, and identified novel DNA polymorphisms and their linkage relationship in Hanwoo. We found a significant frequency difference of the FASN (AF285607) g.17924 A G polymorphism between Hanwoo (70%) and other breeds and this polymorphism has been known for an association with fatty acid composition in Angus. Furthermore, by direct DNA sequencing in 18 unrelated Hanwoo, we identified 27 SNPs including nine novel variations in the FASN gene. Among 27 SNPs identified in the FASN gene, four SNPs were further genotyped in 100 Hanwoo and 96 imported beef cattle, and analyzed for haplotype construction and association with beef quality traits. We performed haplotype block and linkage disequilibrium studies using four selected SNPs. Two different haplotype blocks (block A: g.10568 C T and g.11280 G A; block B: g.13125 C T and g.17924 G A) were constructed and the block A in particular had a very high r2 (0.936), which indicated a nearly complete linkage disequilibrium existed between the g.10568 C T and g.11280 G A polymorphisms. A total of four major haplotypes (frequency > 0.05) were identified with the four polymorphisms including TATG (0.36), CGCG (0.31), CGTA (0.19) and TACG (0.06). Statistical association analysis revealed that the g.10568 C T and g.11280 G A polymorphisms in the FASN were significantly associated with meat color (P=0.004) and texture (P=0.0114). The g.13125 C T and g.17924 G A polymorphisms in the FASN were also significantly associated with back-fat thickness and quantity index (P=0.0179 and 0.0495, respectively). Our findings suggested that the FASN gene polymorphisms may be used for determining the (unsaturated) fatty acid contents and carcass trait in the Hanwoo beef.
Pediococcus spp. - a potential probiotic isolated from Khadi (an Indian fermented food) and identified by 16s rDNA sequence analysis.

The probiotic potential of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented Khadi was investigated. The pure culture of the isolate GS4, was subjected to microbiological, biochemical characterization and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis for species confirmation. Among other probiotic properties, GS4 exhibited antibacterial ability against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 25619), with an average zone of inhibition of 25.03 ± 2.13 mm, 18.83 ± 0.98 mm and 17.33 ± 0.58 mm respectively. The GS4 showed also significant bile tolerance and survivability at pH 3.5. Amplification of DNA was carried out by the consensus 16S rDNA primers. Sequencing was performed with the aid of big dye terminator version 3.1 cycle sequencing kit. The data was analysed using software seq scape version 5.2 and was compared by alignment against the 16S rDNA sequences of LAB. Phylogenetic tree was created based on Jukes- cantor corrected distance model and the tree was created using weighbor. The statistical tool used for estimating sample distribution by resampling with replacement from original sample was carried out using Bootstrap method. The sequence of the isolate has been deposited in Genbank repository holding an NCBI accession number HM044322. The sequence reveals the LAB isolate as Pediococcus sp. GS4, a closest homologue to Pediococcus sp. Pom 4 (EF107608) with a similarity score of 0.997. The work looks forward the future use of this probiotic strain in food biotechnology.
Environmental contaminants in Texas, USA, wetland reptiles: Evaluation using blood samples

Four species of reptiles (diamondback water snake [Nerodia rhombifer], blotched water snake [N. erythrogaster], cottonmouth [Agkistrodon piscivorus], and red‐eared slider [Trachemys scripta]) were collected at two contaminated and three reference sites in Texas, USA. Old River Slough has received intensive applications of agricultural chemicals since the 1950s. Municipal Lake received industrial arsenic wastes continuously from 1940 to 1993. Blood samples were analyzed for organochlorines, potentially toxic elements, genetic damage, and plasma cholinesterase (ChE). Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) concentrations reached as high as 3.0 ppm (wet weight) in whole blood of a diamondback water snake at Old River Slough, a level probably roughly equivalent to the maximum concentration found in plasma of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) in 1978 to 1979 when DDE peaked in this sensitive species. Possible impacts on diamondback water snakes are unknown, but at least one diamondback water snake was gravid when captured, indicating active reproduction. Arsenic was not found in red‐eared sliders (only species sampled) from Municipal Lake. Red‐eared sliders of both sexes at Old River Slough showed declining levels of ChE with increasing mass, suggesting a life‐long decrease of ChE levels. Possible negative population consequences are unknown, but no evidence was found in body condition (mass relative to carapace length) that red‐eared sliders at either contaminated site were harmed.
SURVIVAL RATES OF AUSTRALASIAN SHOVELER DUCKS IN NEW ZEALAND

Abstract We studied survival and movement of Australasian shoveler (Anas rhynchotis) using 883 band recoveries reported by hunters from 4,080 adult and 881 pre-fledged juveniles banded in 2 regions of New Zealand between 1972 and 1985. We fitted several band-recovery models including ones in which the logit of the survival probability was modelled as a linear function of age, sex, banding location, and time. We also fitted models in which the time-effect was expressed as a function of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation index (SOI). In a year in which the SOI was zero (neither El Niño nor La Niña conditions) the survival probability for adult males banded in Otago was an estimated 0.610 (SE = 0.058). The odds of survival for male and female juvenile shoveler were an estimated 0.605 (SE = 0.125) times that for adults; the odds of survival for juvenile and adult females were an estimated 0.631 (SE = 0.129) times the odds of survival for males; and the odds of survival for all birds banded in Southland were an estimated 1.550 (SE = 0.305) times the odds of survival for birds banded in Otago. For birds banded in Southland and Otago, large negative values of the SOI were associated with higher survival and decreased movement of birds away from the banding site. For birds banded in Waikato, the estimated survival probability for males in a year with SOI = zero was 0.724 (SD = 0.045). Across all years, the odds of survival for females were an estimated 0.720 (SD = 0.11) times that of males. In Waikato, El Niño conditions were associated with lower survival and increased movement of birds away from the banding site. We recommend that northern and southern populations of shoveler be managed as separate populations.
Current Trends of Artificial Intelligence for Colorectal Cancer Pathology Image Analysis: A Systematic Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers requiring early pathologic diagnosis using colonoscopy biopsy samples. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant progress and shown promising results in the field of medicine despite several limitations. We performed a systematic review of AI use in CRC pathology image analysis to visualize the state-of-the-art. Studies published between January 2000 and January 2020 were searched in major online databases including MEDLINE (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE). Query terms included “colorectal neoplasm,” “histology,” and “artificial intelligence. ” Of 9000 identified studies, only 30 studies consisting of 40 models were selected for review. The algorithm features of the models were gland segmentation (n = 25, 62%), tumor classification (n = 8, 20%), tumor microenvironment characterization (n = 4, 10%), and prognosis prediction (n = 3, 8%). Only 20 gland segmentation models met the criteria for quantitative analysis, and the model proposed by Ding et al. (2019) performed the best. Studies with other features were in the elementary stage, although most showed impressive results. Overall, the state-of-the-art is promising for CRC pathological analysis. However, datasets in most studies had relatively limited scale and quality for clinical application of this technique. Future studies with larger datasets and high-quality annotations are required for routine practice-level validation.
Behavioural and trophic ecology of reef sharks at Ningaloo reef, Western Australia

The focus of my project was to quantify the long-term movements, environmental associations, and trophic role of reef sharks at Ningaloo Reef, and relate findings to management. I reviewed 50 years of research on coastal shark movement and found common horizontal and vertical patterns, and relate these to habitat specificity, site fidelity, habitat partitioning and management. I monitored long-term (> 2 yrs) behaviour of four species of reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus, Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, Triaenodon obesus and Negaprion acutidens) at Ningaloo Reef using a combination of visual censuses, acoustic monitoring, and stable isotope techniques. All species showed site fidelity to inshore areas, one of which was an aggregation site (Skeleton Bay). Temporal and spatial overlap within Skeleton Bay was high for all species. Examination of environmental influences showed that sharks were more affected by water temperature than other variables, which suggests behavioural thermoregulation. Trophic level estimates were comparable to previous estimates based on dietary studies, and high δ13C suggests a dependency on coastal food webs. There was support for an increase of δ15N with body size, which suggests larger animals feed higher in the foodweb. Movement patterns around a sanctuary zone indicate that individuals were detected 10 km); the longest being 137 km. Management of reef sharks at Ningaloo should incorporate the use of MPA zoning with other measures such as migration corridors, and size and bag limits. Future research should adopt biotelemetry and molecular techniques,which would provide further detail on dispersal and interconnectivity of reef shark populations at Ningaloo and increase the resolution of habitat use and behaviour.
Songbird-transported tick Ixodes minor (Ixodida: Ixodidae) discovered in Canada

Abstract Ticks are carried into Canada by millions of birds during spring migration, and some of these blood-sucking ectoparasites harbour tick-associated pathogens. During a pan-Canadian study of ticks on avian hosts, we identified an extralimital tick, Ixodes minor Neumann (Ixodida: Ixodidae) collected from a Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Parulidae) at Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Although the I. minor larva was not tested for any tick-borne pathogens, this tick species is considered a competent enzootic vector of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt, and Brenner sensu lato (s.l.). Epidemiologically, diverse B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies have been detected in, or isolated from I. minor, and this tick species potentially represents a public health risk not only in the southeastern United States of America, where I. minor is indigenous, but also in Canada. This tick collection is the northernmost report of I. minor in North America, and constitutes the first documentation of this tick species in Canada. Résumé Au printemps, durant leur migration vers le Nord, des millions d’oiseaux chanteurs introduisent des tiques au Canada et certaines de ces suceuses de sang, dites ectoparasites, colportent des pathogènes généralement liés à la tique. Durant une étude pancanadienne sur les oiseaux hôtes, on a identifié une tique extra-limite, Ixodes minor Neumann (Ixodida: Ixodidae), recueillie sur une Paruline masquée, Geothlypis trichas (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Parulidae), à Toronto, en Ontario, Canada. Bien que la larve I. minor n’ait pas été examinée pour des pathogènes reliés à la tique, cette espèce de tique est censée être un vecteur compétent d’enzootique du spirochète de la maladie de Lyme, Borrelia burgdorferi Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt et Brenner sensu lato (s.l.). En ce qui concerne les épidémies, différentes espèces génétiques de B. burgdorferi s.l. ont été détectées dans ou isolées de I. minor, et cette espèce de tique représente un risque pour le public, non seulement dans le Sud des États-Unis, mais aussi au Canada. Ce rapport sur le parasitisme d’oiseaux chanteurs est le plus septentrional qui soit en ce qui concerne I. minor en Amérique du Nord et constitue la première documentation sur cette espèce de tique au Canada.
Everyday life challenges among adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: An in‐depth qualitative study

As survival rates increase, growing numbers of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors are at risk for somatic and psychosocial late effects. Adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors represent a distinct and vulnerable group. This study aimed to explore how AYA survivors of childhood ALL experience everyday life after cancer while adjusting to the potential impact of prior disease and treatment.