Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human embryos as boundary objects? Some reflections on the biomedical worlds of embryonic stem cells and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis

In this paper we offer some reflections on embryos in the biomedical worlds of embryonic stem cells (ESC) and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). We draw upon two ethnographic studies of the social practices of PGD and embryonic stem cell science to examine the notion of boundary objects as an approach for understanding the social construction of embryos. We analyze the ways in which human embryos have similar and different meanings in the related social worlds of ESC and PGD labs through a discussion of two major themes: the goals of PGD and ESC; and linking the worlds of ESC and PGD. We suggest the interface between the two cultures of PGD and ESC science can facilitate the flow of concepts, skills, materials and techniques within and between these two social worlds. In conclusion, we argue this is a salient case study of the production of biomedicine as a social and material practice in the emerging sphere of new medical technologies.
Reinvestigations of Three “Well-known” Marine Scuticociliates: Uronemella filificum (Kahl, 1931) nov. gen., nov. comb., Pseud cohnilembus hargisi Evans & Thompson, 1964 and Cyclidium citrullus Cohn 1865, with Description of the New Genus Uronemella (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Scuticociliatida)

Abstract The living morphology, infraciliature and silverline system of 3 “well-known” marine scuticociliates, Uronemella filificum (Kahl, 1931) nov. gen., nov. comb. (formerly Uronema filificum Kahl, 1931), Pseudocohnilembus hargisi Evans & Thompson, 1964 and Cyclidium citrullus Cohn 1865 are reinvestigated and redescribed. Based on the data obtained, we suggest an establishment of a new genus Uronemella . The diagnosis for the new taxon: thigmotactic Uronematidae with generally pear-shaped body and subequatorially positioned cytostome; apical plate dominant; oral apparatus Uronema -like, one-rowed membranelle 1 about as long as membranelle 2; paroral membrane extending anteriorly to about mid-level of membrane 2; one caudal cilium; in vivo exhibiting typical rotatory movement with help of a caudal-cilium-associated sticky thread; generally in marine habitats. According to this definition, three nominal species as new combinations are transferred into this genus: Uronemella binucleata (Song, 1993) nov. comb. (= Homalogastra binucleata Song, 1993), Uronemella filificum (Kahl, 1931) nov. comb. (= Uronema filificum Kahl, 1931) and Uronemella cymruensis (Perez-Uz & Hope, 1997) nov. comb. (= Urocyclon cymruensis Perez-Uz & Hope, 1997). For comparison with Uronemella , some other closely-related taxa are also briefly outlined in the present paper.
Crystal structures of the GH18 domain of the bifunctional peroxiredoxin–chitinase CotE from Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming bacterium and a leading cause of hospital-acquired antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Symptoms of disease result from secreted toxins, while disease transmission is mediated via resistant endospores. CotE is a bifunctional spore-coat protein with peroxiredoxin and chitinase domains that are implicated in colonization. Here, the structure of the chitinase domain of CotE has been determined, revealing a GH18 family fold and, unexpectedly, a peptide bound in the active site.
Capture of Phenylalanine and Phenylalanine-Terminated Peptides Using a Supramolecular Macrocycle for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection

The cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) family of macrocycles are known to bind a variety of small molecules with high affinity. These motifs thus have promise in an ever-growing list of trace detection methods. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection schemes employing CB[n] motifs exhibit increased sensitivity due to selective concentration of the analyte at the nanoparticle surface, coupled with the ability of CB[n] to facilitate the formation of well-defined electromagnetic hot spots. Herein, we report a CB[7] SERS assay for quantification of phenylalanine (Phe) and further demonstrate its utility for detecting peptides with an N-terminal Phe. The CB[7]–guest interaction improves the sensitivity 5–25-fold over direct detection of Phe using citrate-capped silver nanoparticle aggregates, enabling use of a portable Raman system. We further illustrate detection of insulin via binding of CB[7] to the N-terminal Phe residue on its B-chain, suggesting a general strategy for detecting Phe-terminated peptides of clinically relevant biomolecules.
The geological interpretation of potassium-argon ages of metamorphic rocks from the Scottish Caledonides

of the slower phase-determining components and the time were such that the sizes of the quenched equilibrium systems were quite small. The presence of the bimineralic core zone complicates any analysis of the data because no simple relation between concentration and chemical potential should be expected in this zone. The occurrence of three phase assemblages and the data for the actinolite and biotite zones indicates that at least three independent extensive parameters such as Mg, Al, Fe are necessary to describe the observed sequence from core to biotite rock. Matthews' emphasis on the importance of variations in Mg by itself (p. 28, 11, 14-15, and p. 32, 1. 17) is not warranted. The small variations of one variable, e.g. concentration of Al, may be more critical in determining the stability of a phase at a given point than the large variations of another, e.g. concentration of Mg. Variations between these three variables, while other parameters remain essentially constant, are sufficient to determine the presence or absence of chlorite (q.v. 32, 1. 18). However, the influence of variations in other parameters (e.g. Si? ) are not excluded.
Aging live Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals

This study describes a method for extracting post-canine or incisor teeth from live antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) and southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) respectively and their use to determine age in a field situation. Dental elevators were used to loosen the teeth from the alveolus and periodental ligament. Most teeth were removed within l-2 min and a total of 214 and 81 teeth were collected by this method from antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals respectively. No seal recaptured at intervals up to a year after a tooth was extracted showed signs of infection or distress related to removal of the tooth. Teeth were thin-sectioned for the purpose of aging. In both species cementum growth layer groups were a more satisfactory indicator of age than dentinal growth layer groups. Estimates of age from cementum growth layers were confirmed for Antarctic fur seals using seals which had been tagged as pups up to 16 yr before sampling.
Pancreatic β-Cell–Selective Production of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Induced by Interleukin-1

Cytokines have been regarded as effector molecules responsible for +-cell death and major histocompatibility complex hyperexpression in endocrine pancreas of type I diabetes. However, the mechanism that results in +-cell–selective destruction has not been elucidated. We demonstrated in this study, using cell lines of transformed mouse +-cells and α-cells, that only pancreatic +-cells but not α-cells produced tumor necrosis factor-α when exposed to interleukin-1 +. Northern blot analysis confirmed the +-cell-selective expression of tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA. Interleukin-1 + also provoked tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expression in vitro by normal mouse islet cells. Because tumor necrosis factor-α has been shown to potentiate +-cell cytotoxicity of interleukin-1 and interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-α produced in situ by +-cells might be self-destructive. In fact, a low dose of interleukin-1 + in combination with a low dose of interferon-gamma preferentially injured +-cells. Hence endogenous tumor necrosis factor-α production by +-cells may be involved in +-cell–selective destruction in type 1 diabetes.
Dreaming with hippocampal damage

The hippocampus is linked with both sleep and memory, but there is debate about whether a salient aspect of sleep – dreaming – requires its input. To address this question, we investigated if human patients with focal bilateral hippocampal damage and amnesia engaged in dreaming. We employed a provoked awakening protocol where participants were woken up at various points throughout the night, including during non-rapid eye movement and rapid eye movement sleep, to report their thoughts in that moment. Despite being roused a similar number of times, dream frequency was reduced in the patients compared to control participants, and the few dreams they reported were less episodic-like in nature and lacked content. These results suggest that hippocampal integrity may be necessary for typical dreaming to occur, and aligns dreaming with other hippocampal-dependent processes such as episodic memory that are central to supporting our mental life.
Evaluation of longitudinal surrogate markers

The use of surrogate markers to examine the effectiveness of a treatment has the potential to decrease study length and identify effective treatments more quickly. Most available methods to investigate the usefulness of a surrogate marker involve restrictive parametric assumptions and tend to focus on settings where the surrogate is measured at a single point in time. However, in many clinical settings, the potential surrogate marker is often measured repeatedly over time, and thus, the surrogate marker information is a trajectory of measurements. In addition, it is often difficult in practice to correctly specify the relationship between a treatment, primary outcome, and surrogate marker trajectory. In this paper, we propose a model‐free definition for the proportion of the treatment effect on the primary outcome that is explained by the treatment effect on the longitudinal surrogate markers. We propose three novel flexible methods to estimate this proportion, develop the asymptotic properties of our estimators, and investigate the robustness of the estimators under multiple settings via a simulation study. We apply our proposed procedures to an AIDS clinical trial dataset to examine a trajectory of CD4 counts as a potential surrogate.
Predição de ganhos genéticos utilizando o Delineamento I em população de maracujazeiro

This study aimed to evaluate the potential population of passion for agronomic traits and to estimate genetic parameters for prediction of earnings. And still evaluating responses to selection and the earnings from the alternative selection. Were studied in this work, alternative selection of Design I in passion fruit: selection among males, females and males (all males) among females (independent of males), females and males selected, and combined selection. This disclosed the presence of genetic variability in the population, which is quite favorable to the improvement in that the genetic heterogeneity possible to obtain gains through selection. In all production characteristics evaluated, the combined selection (CS) was the one that gave greater selection gains.
Molecular distinction of two closely resembling Morinda species using rbcL and matK loci for quality management of Indian herbal medicines

Morinda reticulata Gamble and Morinda umbellata Linn. (Rubiaceae) are medicinally important climbers distributed as a mixed population in southern Western Ghats of India. A close morphological resemblance of these two species misleads the harvester in the identification of plant parts for preparation of herbal medicines. Though both species contain anthraquinone derivatives and share common medicinal properties for treating stomach disorders, each of these species has unique curative properties for treating selective diseases. Conventional methods are not reliable for identification of these species due to similarities in morphology. Thus, misidentification often leads to the deterioration of the quality of medicines. Thus, authentication utilizing conserved gene sequences in the chloroplast genome of these two Morinda spp. has been attempted for precise identification. Here we report the use of two barcoding genes (maturase kinase and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit) to distinguish M. reticulata and M. umbellata based on single nucleotide polymorphism. The present findings can be used for authenticating leaf samples of M. reticulata and M. umbellata.
Shear stimulation of FOXC1 and FOXC2 differentially regulates cytoskeletal activity during lymphatic valve maturation

Mutations in the transcription factor FOXC2 are predominately associated with lymphedema. Herein, we demonstrate a key role for related factor FOXC1, in addition to FOXC2, in regulating cytoskeletal activity in lymphatic valves. FOXC1 is induced by laminar, but not oscillatory, shear and inducible, endothelial-specific deletion impaired postnatal lymphatic valve maturation in mice. However, deletion of Foxc2 induced valve degeneration, which is exacerbated in Foxc1; Foxc2 mutants. FOXC1 knockdown (KD) in human lymphatic endothelial cells increased focal adhesions and actin stress fibers whereas FOXC2-KD increased focal adherens and disrupted cell junctions, mediated by increased ROCK activation. ROCK inhibition rescued cytoskeletal or junctional integrity changes induced by inactivation of FOXC1 and FOXC2 invitro and vivo respectively, but only ameliorated valve degeneration in Foxc2 mutants. These results identify both FOXC1 and FOXC2 as mediators of mechanotransduction in the postnatal lymphatic vasculature and posit cytoskeletal signaling as a therapeutic target in lymphatic pathologies.
Pigment accumulation and photosynthesis in developing rye coleoptiles

: Rye seedlings (Secale cereale L.) were grown in darkness or irradiated with white light (WL) of medium intensity (100 μmol quanta . m−2 . s−1). In the coleoptile and primary leaf of irradiated plants synthesis of chlorophylls a and b with average ratios of 2.4 and 2.7, respectively, were measured. The chlorophyll content of the fully green primary leaf was about 10-fold larger than that of the pale green coleoptile. In darkness a large increase in carotenoid content occurred in the primary leaf, but in the coleoptile the level of carotenoids remained very low. In both organs a WL-induced increase in carotenoid synthesis was observed. The level of anthocyanin was likewise enhanced by WL. In the coleoptile and primary leaf of irradiated seedlings light-dependent oxygen evolution was measured. The specific activity of the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase was enhanced after WL treatment. The results indicate that the mature rye coleoptile is a photosynthetically active plant organ.
Study of the karyotype of wine yeasts isolated in the region of Valdepeñas in two consecutive vintages

In this work, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used for the characterization ofSaccharomycesstrains. Eighteen vats from three different cellars, situated in the viticultural area of Valdepenas, where dry yeasts were never utilized, were sampled. In order to do this, 250 isolates belonging to theSaccharomycesgenus were submitted to the contour homogeneous electric field (CHEF) technique, resulting in 74 different strains, some of them represented more than 75% of the total population. When ‘cluster' analysis was applied to CHEF profiles of the strains five main ‘clusters' were noticed.
Resistance to Colletotrichum fragariae in strawberry affected by seedling age and inoculation method.

Two- to 4-wk-old strawberry seedlings (age after transplanting at the first true-leaf stage) were more susceptible to Colletotrichum fragariae than 14- to 18-wk-old seedlings when spray-inoculated with a conidial suspension. Comparisons were made among inoculation methods used to evaluate strawberry resistance to anthracnose crown rot caused by C. fragariae. Spray inoculation was the best method to determine the overall host reaction (i.e., the foliar and crown reaction of large populations of plants), but crown injection was more reliable to assess the crown response (.)
Combined effects of backward treadmill training and botulinum toxin type A therapy on gait and balance in patients with chronic stroke: A pilot, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Backward walking is recommended to improve the components of physiological gait in neurological disease. Botulinum toxin type A is an effective safe first line-treatment for post-stroke spasticity. OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of backward treadmill training (BTT) versus standard forward treadmill training (FTT) on motor impairment in patients with chronic stroke receiving botulinum toxin type A therapy. METHODS Eighteen chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to receive BTT (n = 7) or FTT (n = 11) as adjunct to botulinum toxin type A therapy. A total of twelve 40-minute sessions (3 sessions/week for 4 weeks) of either BTT or FTT were conducted. A blinded assessor evaluated the patients before and after treatment. The primary outcome was the 10-meter Walking Test (10 MWT). Secondary outcomes were the modified Ashworth Scale, gait analysis, and stabilometric assessment. RESULTS Between-group comparison showed a significant change on the 10 MWT (P = 0.008) and on stabilometric assessment [length of centre of pressure CoP (P = 0.001) and sway area (P = 0.002) eyes open and length of CoP (P = 0.021) and sway area (P = 0.008) eyes closed] after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Greater improvement in gait and balance was noted after BTT than after FTT as an adjunct to botulinum toxin therapy in patients with chronic stroke.
Toxicity of the Anticoagulant Pindone to the European Rabbit, Oryctolagus Cuniculus and the Sheep, Ovis Aries.

All sheep survived a mean daily dose of 12 mg/kg-1 of pindone (range 4.4-16 mg/kg-1) for 7 days with no signs of haemorrhage, while all active rabbits died when given 1 mg/kg-1 daily or more for 7 days. The voluntary intake of pindone by sheep appeared to be curtailed below the lethal dose.
Effect of glutamic acid elimination/substitution on the biological activities of S3 cationic amphiphilic peptides

Abstract Cationic amphiphilic peptides (CAPs) are usually classified as bacterial membrane targeting molecules. Rational design and modification of cationic and amphiphilic properties of CAPs have made them to be used in new medical and biotechnological applications. However, CAPs modification and development strategies are challenging issues due to the risk of cytotoxicity or hemolytic activity. In this research, modified variants of S3 peptide were introduced. S3 is a linear 34 amino acid peptide derived from the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding site of factor C in horseshoe crab’s hemolymph. Net positive charges of variants (S3E3 and S3E3A) increased by either eliminating negatively charged residues of the peptides or substituting them with alanine. Different biological activities of new variants including LPS binding affinity, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity against human breast tumor cell line, and hemolytic property were studied and compared to those of S3 peptide. S3E3 variant showed 68.5% higher LPS binding affinity, 40.4% stronger anti-microbial activity, conserved hemolytic property with the same anti-cancer activity compared to S3peptide. These results revealed that elimination/substitution of negatively charged residues will be a proper strategy for modification of S3 peptide.
The Effects of Tau, Amyloid, and White Matter Lesions on Mobility, Dual Tasking, and Balance in Older People

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate whether white matter lesions (WML), β-amyloid-, and tau pathologies are independently associated with mobility, dual tasking, and dynamic balance performance in older nondemented individuals. Methods We included 299 older people (mean, SD, age: 71.8, 5.6 years) from the Swedish BioFINDER study, whereof 175 were cognitively unimpaired and 124 had mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In multivariable regression analyses, dependent variables included mobility (Timed Up & Go [TUG]), dual tasking (TUG with a simultaneous subtraction task, that is, TUG-Cog, as well as dual task cost), and balance (Figure-of-eight). The analyses were controlled for age, sex, education, diagnosis (ie, MCI), and comorbidity (stroke, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease). Independent variables included WML volume, and measures of β-amyloid (abnormal cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] Aβ42/40 ratio) and tau pathology (CSF phosphorylated tau [p-tau]). Results Multivariable regression analyses showed that an increased WML volume was independently associated with decreased mobility, that is, TUG (standardized β = 0.247; p < .001). Tau pathology was independently associated with dual tasking both when using the raw data of TUG-Cog (β = 0.224; p = .003) and the dual-task cost (β= −0.246; p = .001). Amyloid pathology was associated with decreased balance, that is, Figure-of-eight (β = 0.172; p = .028). The independent effects of WML and tau pathology were mainly observed in those with MCI, which was not the case for the effects of amyloid pathology on balance. Conclusions Common brain pathologies have different effects where WML are independently associated with mobility, tau pathology has the strongest effect on dual tasking, and amyloid pathology seems to be independently associated with balance. Although these novel findings need to be confirmed in longitudinal studies, they suggest that different brain pathologies have different effects on mobility, balance, and dual-tasking in older nondemented individuals.
Novel blood‐based tumor mutation algorithm and nomogram predict survival of immune checkpoint inhibitor in non‐small‐cell lung cancer: Results from two multicenter, randomized clinical trials

Dear Editor, Our previous study has demonstrated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with high tissue-based tumor mutation burden (TMB) derived encouraging benefits from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). The blood-based TMB (bTMB) recently emerged as an encouraging non-invasive approach to predict improvements in PFS of atezolizumab over docetaxel among previously treated NSCLC patients, but it failed to reproducibly stratify patients into groups with different OS. The ctDNA maximum somatic allele frequency (MSAF) has been demonstrated affects the concordance between bTMB and tissue-based TMB, suggesting MSAF might potentially provide additional predictive value for the bTMB. Herein, we first performed individual patient data meta-analysis using OAK and POPLAR randomized trial data to assess the predictive value of adding MSAF to bTMB (bTMB-MSAF algorithm) in identifying NSCLC patients who could benefit from atezolizumab over docetaxel. Moreover, we comprehensively investigated the bloodbased mutational landscape of NSCLC patients and developed nomogram considering oncogenic and clinicopathological variables to predict survival of ICI patients. Full methods are described in the Supporting Information. In the whole intention-to-treat and EGFR wild-type patients, compared with docetaxel, atezolizumab resulted in significantly longer OS (HR 0.72, 95% CI, 0.62-0.83; P < .001; HR 0.67, 95% CI, 0.57-0.78; P < .001; Figure 1A,B), but not PFS (Figures S2 and S3). EGFR mutant patients did not show significant difference in OS or PFS between two treatments (Figure S4). More clinicopathological subgroups are presented in Supporting Information Result S1 and Figures S5 and S6. We found none of tested bTMB cut-points could classify patients into groups with consistent differences in PFS and OS between atezolizumab and docetaxel in the EGFR wild-type