Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zika Virus with Increased CpG Dinucleotide Frequencies Shows Oncolytic Activity in Glioblastoma Stem Cells

We studied whether cytosine phosphate–guanine (CpG) recoding in a viral genome may provide oncolytic candidates with reduced infection kinetics in nonmalignant brain cells, but with high virulence in glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). As a model, we used well-characterized CpG-recoded Zika virus vaccine candidates that previously showed genetic stability and safety in animal models. In vitro, one of the CpG-recoded Zika virus variants had reduced infection kinetics in nonmalignant brain cells but high infectivity and oncolytic activity in GSCs as represented by reduced cell proliferation. The recoded virus also efficiently replicated in GSC-derived tumors in ovo with a significant reduction of tumor growth. We also showed that some GSCs may be resistant to Zika virus oncolytic activity, emphasizing the need for personalized oncolytic therapy or a strategy to overcome resistance in GSCs. Collectively, we demonstrated the potential of the CpG recoding approach for oncolytic virus development that encourages further research towards a better understanding of host–tumor–CpG-recoded virus interactions.
Regulation of glutathione synthesis in leaves of transgenic poplar (Populus tremula X P. alba) overexpressing glutathione synthetase

The poplar hybrid Populus tremula X P. alba was transformed with the Escherichia coli gene for glutathione synthetase (gsh II) targetted to the cytosol. Leaves of five lines of transgenic plants exhibited glutathione synthetase activities 15- to 60-fold higher than those of wild-type plants. Total glutathione levels and GSH/GSSG ratios were similar in transgenic and wild-type plants. Precursor feeding experiments with cysteine and γ-glutamylcysteine suggest that glutathione synthesis in the cytoplasm is controlled by a multistep procedure that includes (i) the availability of cysteine, (ii) the availability of γ-glutamylcysteine, and (iii) regulation of the activities of both γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase and glutathione synthetase. However step (ii) may set an upper limit for the cellular glutathione content.
Evidence of Gynodioecy in Kallstroemia grandiflora (Zygophyllaceae): Microsporogenesis in Hermaphrodite and Female Plants and Lack of Reproductive Compensation

Understanding mechanisms involved in the maintenance of gynodioecy in natural populations requires evidence concerning the phenotypic expression and reproductive consequences of male sterility. We have recently discovered male sterility in populations of Kallstroemia grandiflora from northwestern Mexico. Here we describe the development of anther and pollen grains in hermaphrodite and female plants and explore whether females experience any compensatory advantage over hermaphrodites. The major difference in anther development between morphs was the early disintegration of tapetal cells in anthers of pistillate flowers. Abnormalities in developing pollen grains in pistillate flowers were seen in the microspore mother cells, microspore tetrads, and young and mature pollen grains. Biomass allocation to flowers, petals, and stamens were larger in hermaphrodites, while both sexes had the same number of ovules per flower. Hermaphrodite flowers were self‐compatible. Pollination experiments revealed evidence of pollinator limitation for female plants but not for hermaphrodites. No evidence of reproductive compensation was detected, as flower and fruit production were similar for both sexes in two populations of K. grandiflora. We suggest alternative mechanisms that could maintain male sterility in natural populations of K. grandiflora.
Hyperoxia reduces STX17 expression and inhibits the autophagic flux in alveolar type II epithelial cells in newborn rats

Supplemental oxygen therapy can be life-saving for premature infants. Our previous study revealed a defect in the autophagic flux in the lung tissues of neonatal rats with hyperoxia-induced bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Moreover, there are few innovative treatments that can completely alter the course of BPD. The present study examined the expression of Syntaxin 17 (STX17), a protein necessary for autophago-some-lysosome binding, in alveolar type II (AT-II) epithelial cells of neonatal rats with BPD. Neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly exposed to elevated O2 levels [fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), 0.8; model group] or normal room air (FiO2, 0.21; control group), and the expression levels of STX17, autophagy-related [Microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3B (LC3B)-II, p62, lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1)] and apoptosis-related (cleaved caspase3) mRNA and proteins were examined in lung tissues. Moreover, the expression levels of the aforementioned proteins were measured in isolated primary AT-II cells cultured in vitro under hyperoxic conditions in the presence or absence of pharmacological modulators of autophagy. Transmission electron microscopy identified that AT-II cell apoptosis and autophagosome aggregation were elevated in the lungs of BPD rats compared with control rats on postnatal day 7. STX17 mRNA and protein expression levels were decreased in lung tissue and isolated AT-II cells as early as postnatal day 3 in BPD rats, while the expression levels of LC3B-II, p62 and cleaved caspase3 were increased, reaching a peak on postnatal day 7. This early reduction in STX17 expression, followed by increased expression in autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins, was also observed in isolated AT-II cells exposed to hyperoxia in vitro. However, treatment with the autophagy inducers rapamycin or LiCl eliminated the hyperoxia-induced reduction in STX17, partially restored the autophagy flux and increased the survival of AT-II cells exposed to hyperoxia. Collectively, these results indicated that STX17 expression in AT-II cells was reduced in the early stages of BPD in neonatal rats and may be related to the subsequent hyperoxia-induced block in autophagic flux.
The influence of piscivory on life history traits of brown trout

Brown trout in Lake Femund migrated from the nursery streams mainly at 2 years old, but ranging between 1 and 8 years. Brown trout switched to piscivory from 3 years onwards, and a body length of 17·5 cm, according to back calculation from scales. Fast growers switched to piscivory at a younger age and smaller size than slow growers. The most slow-growing trout switched to fish feeding at 9 years old and a mean body length of 36 cm. The growth of the invertebrate feeders was almost rectilinear to c. 45 cm and 11 years of age. Switching to a fish diet induced increased growth rates. Age at sexual maturity increased with the age at which the fish became piscivorous. The invertebrate feeders matured at an age similar to that of the most fast growing piscivorous trout. The mortality rate of sub-adults and adults did not differ significantly between fish and invertebrate feeding trout. Longevity of piscivorous trout was estimated at 11 years and of invertebrate feeders at 10 years.
Complete Genome Sequence of SARS-CoV-2 in a Tiger from a U.S. Zoological Collection

This report describes the identification and characterization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a Malayan tiger in a U.S. zoo. ABSTRACT This report describes the identification and characterization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a Malayan tiger in a U.S. zoo.
A tutorial on frailty models

The hazard function plays a central role in survival analysis. In a homogeneous population, the distribution of the time to event, described by the hazard, is the same for each individual. Heterogeneity in the distributions can be accounted for by including covariates in a model for the hazard, for instance a proportional hazards model. In this model, individuals with the same value of the covariates will have the same distribution. It is natural to think that not all covariates that are thought to influence the distribution of the survival outcome are included in the model. This implies that there is unobserved heterogeneity; individuals with the same value of the covariates may have different distributions. One way of accounting for this unobserved heterogeneity is to include random effects in the model. In the context of hazard models for time to event outcomes, such random effects are called frailties, and the resulting models are called frailty models. In this tutorial, we study frailty models for survival outcomes. We illustrate how frailties induce selection of healthier individuals among survivors, and show how shared frailties can be used to model positively dependent survival outcomes in clustered data. The Laplace transform of the frailty distribution plays a central role in relating the hazards, conditional on the frailty, to hazards and survival functions observed in a population. Available software, mainly in R, will be discussed, and the use of frailty models is illustrated in two different applications, one on center effects and the other on recurrent events.
MACROPHTHALMUS (EUPLAX) H. MILNE EDWARDS, 1852, A VALID SUBGENUS OF OCYPODOID CRAB (DECAPODA: BRACHYURA: MACROPHTHALMIDAE), WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract The taxonomy of the rare Macrophthalmus leptophthalmus (H. Milne Edwards, 1852) is reviewed. On the basis of distinctive features of the carapace, eyes, and epistome, M. leptophthalmus is assigned to the subgenus, Euplax H. Milne Edwards, 1852, new status, a taxon that has been incorrectly synonymised under Macrophthalmus (Venitus) Barnes, 1967. A related species, Macrophthalmus (Euplax) dagohoyi, new species, is described from subtidal mangroves in Bohol, central Philippines. Macrophthalmus (Euplax) dagohoyi can easily be distinguished from M. (Euplax) leptophthalmus by different carapace, cheliped, walking leg and sternal characters. A key to the genera and subgenera of Macrophthalmidae is also presented.
In vitro Regeneration of Taverniera Abyssinica A. Rich: A Threatened Medicinal Plant

In vitro germination, callus induction and plant regeneration has been established for dingetegna, Taverniera abyssinica. The best in vitro germination of seeds and vigorous seedlings growth as a prerequisite for the development of tissue culture methods was obtained on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 12 g 1-1 phytoagar without sucrose. Light green compact calli from node, petiole and shoot meristem explants were efficiently induced on Gamborg medium containing 0.90 or 1.80 iM dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) combined with 2.22 iM6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and supplemented with 30 g 1-1 sucrose and 5 g 1-1 phytagel. Callus initiation from shoot meristems and nodes was faster and occurred with a higher frequency than callus initiation from petiole and leaf segments (P transfer to glasshouse, 86% survived and grew vigorously. The development of in vitro regeneration protocol for T. abyssinica provides the possibility to preserve endangered germplasm from the increasingly devastating man-made environmental conditions. Moreover, the method established can be used for micropropagation and genetic improvement of this medicinally important species.Abbreviations: BAP – -benzaylaminopurine; 2,4-D – dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; IAA – indole-3-acetic acid; IBA – indole-3-butyric acid; NAA - a-naphthalenacetic acid; TDZ – 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl) ure.
Long non-coding RNA-based risk scoring system predicts prognosis of alcohol-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Increasing evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve a crucial role in predicting prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, prognostic performance may not be the same for alcohol-related HCC. The aim of the present study was to screen prognosis-associated lncRNAs and construct a risk scoring system for alcohol-related HCC. The expression profiles of lncRNAs in 113 patients with alcohol-related HCC and 224 with non-alcohol-related HCC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and screened for differentially expressed lncRNAs. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify prognosis-associated lncRNAs and select the optimal lncRNA model. A risk scoring system was established to calculate the risk score for each patient. The prognostic ability of this system was tested. Functional enrichment analysis was performed for genes that were highly associated with lncRNA expression. A total of 102 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified between alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related HCC. Four lncRNAs (AC012640.1, AC013451.2, AC062004.1 and LINC02334) were used to construct the risk assessment model to predict overall survival (OS), and five lncRNAs (ERVH48-1, LINC02043, LINC01605, AC062004.1 and AL139385) were used to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS). Patients were assigned to high- or low-risk groups according to the risk score. OS in the high-risk group was significantly shorter than that of the low-risk group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of risk scoring systems was >0.7. The risk score was an independent prognostic factor for alcohol-related HCC. Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that lncRNA-related genes found in this system were mainly involved in chemical carcinogenesis, drug metabolism, and the cell cycle. In conclusion, this study developed and validated a prognostic scoring system for alcohol-related HCC based on lncRNAs.
Immunoglobulins from Egg Yolk: Isolation and Purification

Simple water dilution was employed for the separation of water-soluble plasma proteins from egg yolk granules. An optimum recovery of immunoglobulin Y (IgY, 93–96%) in water-soluble fraction was obtained by sixfold water dilution at pH between 5.0–5.2 with incubation time of 6 hr at 4°C. Among the factors studied, pH was found to be the most important factor affecting IgY recovery. Active IgY of high purity with good recovery was obtained by a combination of several techniques including salt precipitation, alcohol precipitation, ultrafiltration, gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. Salt precipitation, ultrafiltration, and get filtration is the recommended sequence. Over 100 mg of electrophoretically pure IgY was routinely obtained from one egg.
Platelet Concentrate Treatments for Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objectives: This systematic review compared platelet concentrates (PCs) versus hyaluronic acid (HA) or saline/Ringer’s solution injections as treatments of temporomandibular osteoarthritis and disc displacement in terms of pain and maximum mouth opening (MMO). Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus were searched up to March 6, 2020. Inclusion criteria were randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Exclusion criteria were case series, observational studies, animal studies, and reviews. The Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) quality assessment tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. The weighted mean difference was used to compare the results. Results: Nine RCTs were included with a total of 407 patients. The numbers of joints treated were 262, 112, and 112 in the PC, HA, and saline groups, respectively. The quality of studies was rated as strong in 4 studies, moderate in 4 studies, and weak in 1 study. The meta-analysis revealed that PCs decreased pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores compared to HA by an average of −1.11 (CI, −1.62 to −0.60; P < 0.0001) and −0.57 (CI, −1.55 to 0.41; P = 0.26) at 3 and 12 mo follow-up respectively. Also, the average decrease in pain scores with PC compared to saline was −1.33 (CI, −2.61 to −0.06; P = 0.04), −2.07 (CI, −3.46 to −0.69; P = 0.003), and −2.71 (CI, −4.69 to −0.72; P = 0.008) at 3, 6, and 12 mo, respectively. Regarding MMO measurements, PC was comparable to HA, but it was significantly better than saline after 3 and 6 mo [2.9 mm (CI,1.47 to 4.3; P < 0.0001), and 1.69 mm (CI, 0.13 to 3.25; P = 0.03) respectively]. Conclusion: PC reduces pain VAS scores compared to HA during the first 3 m after treatment, and when compared to saline, it reduces pain and increases MMO for longer durations. However, due to differences between groups regarding PC preparation protocols and study heterogeneity, further standardized RCTs are required. Knowledge Transfer Statement: This study provides researchers and clinicians with quantitative and qualitative analyses of the current evidence regarding the clinical outcomes of platelet concentrate injections in the treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis and disc displacement in terms of pain control and maximum mouth opening.
Longitudinal Relationship Study of Depression and Self-Esteem in Postnatal Korean Women Using Autoregressive Cross-Lagged Modeling

Individuals with low self-esteem are vulnerable to depression. Depressed individuals process information related to themselves in a distorted way, thereby negatively affecting their self-esteem. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between depression and self-esteem in postnatal Korean women using longitudinal data and an autoregressive cross-lagged analysis. This study was conducted in postpartum women who had consistently participated in the Panel Study on Korean Children (PSKC) from Wave 1 through to Wave 8. The study results showed that depression and self-esteem in postnatal women had a significant positive correlation over time. Moreover, the longitudinal relationship between depression and self-esteem in postnatal women was affected by weight gain during pregnancy. This study overcomes the limitations of cross-sectional studies by using longitudinal data on the correlations between depression and self-esteem in postnatal women; the study findings may be used in developing weight control programs for pregnant and postnatal women.
Caloric Vestibular Stimulation Reduces the Directional Bias in Representational Neglect

Caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) can temporarily reduce visuospatial neglect and related symptoms. The present study examined the effect of CVS on representational neglect during free exploration of the map of France. We asked patients to name cities they could mentally “see” on the map of France, without giving them any directional instructions related to the left or right sides of the map. In right brain damaged patients with left visuospatial neglect, the mental representation of the map was asymmetrical (favoring the right side). After stimulation, neglect patients named more towns on the left side of the map, leading to a significant reduction in map representation asymmetry. Our findings are consistent with previous studies on visuospatial neglect and are in favor of a central effect of vestibular stimulation on mechanisms involved in space representation.
High mean entropy calculated from cardiac MRI texture analysis is associated with antitachycardia pacing failure

Antitachycardia pacing (ATP), which may avoid unnecessary implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) shocks, does not always terminate ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). Mean entropy calculated using cardiac magnetic resonance texture analysis (CMR‐TA) has been shown to predict appropriate ICD therapy. We examined whether scar heterogeneity, quantified by mean entropy, is associated with ATP failure and explore potential mechanisms using computer modeling.
Injury to Onions by Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Its Role in the Development of Purple Blotch

Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the role of Thrips tabaci Lindeman injury to onion, Allium cepa L. , in the invasion of the fungal pathogen Alternaria porri (Ellis) and the subsequent development of the disease purple blotch. Individually caged onions were infested with 25 thrips per plant and inoculated 20 d later with A. porri (1,000 spores per ml of H2O). Onions were rated 6 and 7 d after inoculation. Plants infested with thrips and inoculated with A. porri developed more and larger lesions that coalesced as the plant matured. Older leaves were more susceptible to A. porri infection in the absence of thrips injury. Purple blotch infection shifted to younger leaves as a result of thrips injury to onion, and more tissue was killed by thrips in the presence of purple blotch. Plant growth was negatively correlated with thrips feeding injury. Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine morphological changes in leaf tissue resulting from thrips feeding injury and the development of purple blotch. In the absence of thrips injury, A. porri enters onion leaf tissue through stomates and directly through the epidermal cell layer. When both thrips injury and purple blotch are present, leaf tissue is extremely necrotic and A. porri appears to use areas of insect damage as alternative penetration sites. Thus, the feeding wounds caused by thrips enhance entry and development of the disease by providing alternative penetration sites for A. porri .
Interdental Cleaning and Oral Health Status in an Adult Cohort, 2015 to 2018

Interdental cleaning is routinely recommended, despite limited evidence supporting efficacy to prevent advanced oral disease endpoints, such as caries and periodontal disease. We aimed to examine associations between interdental cleaning and oral health in a large, generalizable prospective cohort of adults in the United States. Data were drawn from wave 3 (2015 to 2016, n = 26,086 included in analysis) and wave 4 (2016 to 2018, n = 22,585) of the adult component (age ≥18 y) of the nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Survey-weighted multivariable regression models estimated the associations between wave 3 weekly interdental cleaning frequency and 6 measures of self-reported oral health—overall rating, tooth extractions, gum bleeding, loose teeth, bone loss around teeth, and gum disease—cross-sectionally and prospectively, with adjustment for established periodontal disease risk factors. As compared with no interdental cleaning, interdental cleaning ≥7 times/wk was prospectively associated with greater odds of excellent self-rated oral health (adjusted odds ratio, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.62), lower odds of bleeding gums (adjusted odds ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.70), but not statistically significantly lower odds of other oral health conditions in the following 12 mo. Older age, lower socioeconomic status, diabetes, and cigarette smoking were consistently associated with worse oral health across all outcome measures. Findings were largely robust to alternative model and variable specifications. Interdental cleaning is associated with better perceived oral health and less self-reported gingivitis. Prevention of more advanced disease states was not demonstrated. These findings should be interpreted cautiously given the self-reported nature of the measures and relatively short follow-up period.
Inheritance patterns of ITS1, chloroplasts and mitochondria in artificial hybrids of the seaweeds Fucus serratus and F. evanescens (Phaeophyceae)

Patterns of nuclear and organelle inheritance among artificial hybrids of the seaweeds Fucus serratus and F. evanescens were detected using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Three alleles were identified in the 231 bp rDNA-ITS1 gene (nuclear): two in F. serratus and one in F. evanescens. Alleles differed by 1–2 bp and all hybrids possessed one allele from each parent. Two haplotypes were present in the 288 bp Rubisco spacer (chloroplast), differentiated by a 33 bp indel. Two haplotypes differing by a single nucleotide were found in a 135 bp region of nad11 gene (mitochondrion). Both organelles are maternally inherited, as all hybrids contained the haplotypes of the parent contributing the egg. Although laboratory hybrids among Fucus spp. have been produced previously, this is the first time that both nuclear and cytoplasmic genetic markers have been used to document inheritance patterns. SSCPs analysed on an automated sequencer offer a rapid and powerful approach for identifying suspected hybrids from field samples, as well as a screen for intraspecific and intra-individual variation in DNA regions prior to confirmation of variations by sequencing.