Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cancer Immunogene Therapy: Antisense andTriple Helix Aproach

Cellular immunogene therapy inducing immune anti-tumor response constitutes one of the latest strategies for the treatment of many forms of cancers. From 2015, the cancer immunotherapy became an obligatory complement therapy in USA: The Cancer Moonshot Task program supervised by USA government and the cancer immunotherapy program established in Parker Institute in Los Angeles-the common program of the best university hospitals in USA [1]. The beginning of our Anti-gene (antisense and triple helix) IGF-I cellular immunogene Phase I trial in USA and Europe has presented promising results: an increase in immune response goes together with life span, and confirms the role of the immune phenomenon in the suppressing of animal tumors treated experimentally by the same cellular immunogene therapy. We need to underline, that our clinical trial was realized following the establishment of immunogene therapy as a clinical domain. This approach is based on suppression of growth factor IGF-I in cancers cells [2-5]. Mini Review Open Access
Does restoration work? It depends on how we measure success

The restoration of 4 partial stream barriers was evaluated in watersheds of Terra Nova National Park, Newfoundland, Canada from 2009 to 2011. Brook trout (n = 462) were tagged and tracked moving through our study sites using passive‐integrated transponder telemetry and the restoration actions were assessed using 3 different measures: passage success rates; the range of passable flows; and the availability of passable flows. We considered the observed results within a before‐after‐control‐impact (BACI) design that included reference reaches and pre‐restoration observations. The conclusions of BACI analyses were also contrasted with those that would have been obtained from commonly used before‐after (B‐A) or control‐impact (C‐I) study designs. While the restoration actions changed hydrological conditions in a way that should facilitate fish passage, our biological measures indicated that success was variable across culverts and within culverts depending on the measure evaluated. Furthermore, the natural temporal and spatial variability of fish movements often resulted in different conclusions between the more robust BACI design and the more commonly used B‐A and C‐I designs. Our results demonstrate that restoration of partial barriers may not always yield dramatic improvements. Furthermore, without suitable controls, the chances of drawing false conclusions regarding restorations in temporally and spatially dynamic systems are substantial.
Electricigens: source, enrichment and limitations

ABSTRACT Recent concerns to maximize the power output and achieve the scale-up applications of microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology demand the selection of enriched electroactive consortia from diverse natural habitats such as soil, sediments and wastewater. To further improve the MFC performance, a fundamental knowledge of microbiology of electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) is required. This review presents the various enrichment strategies, engineering and microbiological approaches to optimize the microbial communities with improved electrigenic potential that could be used to enhance the MFC performances. The development of functionally stable electrigenic and electrotrophic microbial communities on anodes and cathodes of MFCs could extend the scope of this technology beyond the bioelectricity generation and wastewater treatment to the electrosynthesis of higher value products and bioremediation. Moreover, investigating the effect of various exogenous factors and limitations on the enrichment of EAB could advance the commercial applications of MFCs.
Antidibetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative effects of Aegle marmelos and silymarin on alloxan induced diabetes in mice

This project was designed for the evaluation of the antidibetic, antihyperlipiemic and antioxidative effect of Aegle marmelose (L.) Correa ex Roxb. , and silymarin on alloxan induced diabetes in mice. A total of 15 mice were used which were divided into five groups as A, B, C, D and E. Group A was treated with normal chick’s diet. Alloxan were given at 150 mg kg -1 body weight through abdominal region, to all groups with the exception of control. Group B was diabetic mice, group C was treated with silymarin (200 mg kg -1 ) of body weight, group D was treated with A marmelose (180 mg kg -1 ) of body weight and Group E treated with silymarin (200 mg kg -1 ) and A. marmelose (180 mg kg -1 ) of body weight. Blood samples were taken from the coccygeal vein of the mice for the estimation of glucose, total cholesterol , triglyceride , high density lipoprotein , low density lipoprotein , malondialdehyde, oxidative stress marker, glutathione , superoxide dismutase and catalase activity. Results showed that A. marmelos and silymarin reduced the oxidative stress and increased the level of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. It was concluded from the present study that A. marmelos and silymarin can reduce the diabetes in mice.
REVISION OF THE JAPANESE GALL WASPS WITH THE DESCRIPTIONS OE NEW GENUS, SUBGEUS, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES (2) Cynipidae (Cynipinae) Hymenoptera

Introduction As I have already stated on the "Oyo-dobutsugaku-zasshi" in 1931, Walker was the pioneer who gave the scientific name of the Japanese gall wasps. He reported 2 new species from Japan iu 1874. Ashmead described 19 new species on the specimens had been collected by Koebele, Matsumura, and Nawa in Japan in 1904. Mayr stated on a species which had been sent by ErouaRD in Kofu, Japan in 1907. As I have mentioned previously, his species "Trichagalma drouardi" was a synonym of Ashmead'sDryophanta serratae. Mukaigawa reported of new species Dryophanta mukaigawae Mats, in 1913, and Aphelonix cnspulae Mats. , A. glanduliferae Mats, in 1920. Late Dettmer described 4 new species belon ging to genus Neuroterus in1934. Late Shinji published a book "Chuei to Chuei-konchu" in 1944. He described about 14 new species including some inquilines on that book, together with the species had stated already on several periodicals. Uchida and Sakagami described a species of Synergus in 1948. Sakagami elected a new subgenus Nipporhodites
Exploring Predatory Nematode Chemotaxis Using Low-Cost and Easy-to-Use Microfluidics

Abstract Symbiosis is a fascinating and diverse phenomenon. The study of symbiosis is important to understanding ecology, as it helps us understand relationships between organisms and provides insight into co-evolution, mutualism, adaptation, and survival. Ecological studies are challenging to implement in K-12 classrooms because they often require multiple organisms (often very different in size) and complex environments that are difficult to replicate accurately (e.g., soil composition, temperature, pH, and humidity). These factors can make it difficult to study quantitative changes in ecosystems. We developed an inexpensive, quantitative experiment for classrooms that can be used to explore important aspects of microbial symbiosis, pathogenesis, and ecology, and that helps support more investigations in this area of education. The experiment is low-cost, designed for K-12 teachers and students, uses common materials, and teaches students about the exciting relationships among bacteria, worms, and insects.
Predictive Coding of Novel versus Familiar Stimuli in the Primary Visual Cortex

To explore theories of predictive coding, we presented mice with repeated sequences of images with novel images sparsely substituted. Under these conditions, mice could be rapidly trained to lick in response to a novel image, demonstrating a high level of performance on the first day of testing. Using 2-photon calcium imaging to record from layer 2/3 neurons in the primary visual cortex, we found that novel images evoked excess activity in the majority of neurons. When a new stimulus sequence was repeatedly presented, a majority of neurons had similarly elevated activity for the first few presentations, which then decayed to almost zero activity. The decay time of these transient responses was not fixed, but instead scaled with the length of the stimulus sequence. However, at the same time, we also found a small fraction of the neurons within the population (∼2%) that continued to respond strongly and periodically to the repeated stimulus. Decoding analysis demonstrated that both the transient and sustained responses encoded information about stimulus identity. We conclude that the layer 2/3 population uses a two-channel predictive code: a dense transient code for novel stimuli and a sparse sustained code for familiar stimuli. These results extend and unify existing theories about the nature of predictive neural codes.
Determination of plasminogen/plasmin system components and indicators of lipoproteins oxidative modification under arterial hypertension

The present study was investigated of levels of oxidative modification of lipoproteins and content of plasminogen/plasmin system components – tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-pa) and plasminogen activators inhibitor-1 (paI-1), in patients with stage II arterial hypertension (ahT) and resistant form of ahT. It was established that t-pa level in blood plasma of the patients is 2 times lower under stage II hypertension than normal and 2.5 times lower under resistant ahT. The inhibitor activity is 1.5 and 2 times higher consequently. It is concluded that patients with AHT have a decreased fibrinolytic potential, which can cause thrombotic states. Our evaluation showed a significant accumulation of products of lipid and protein oxidation, decrease of activity of antioxidant enzymes and changes of the activity of high density-lipoproteins-associated enzymes (decrease of paraoxonase-1 activity, increase of myeloperoxidase activity). Oxidized lipoproteins, t-pa and PAI-1 can be used as prognostic markers of development of complications and for evaluating the efficacy of therapy in patients with arterial hypertension.
Detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in Faeces of Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Malwa Region of Madhya Pradesh

In ruminant, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) causes chronic persistent infection in small and large intestine, resulting in chronic persistent diarrhea. It is also known as paratuberculosis (JD). It is increasingly being recognized as a problem that adversely affects animal health leading to significant economic losses to livestock industry. Recent emerging evidences have established a link between MAP and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohnâ€™s disease (CD) suggesting its Zoonotic importance hence the present study was designed to find out percent incidence of MAP infection in buffaloes from Malwa region of Madhya Pradeh by using faecal microscopy. The study was conducted in buffaloes (females and males), belonging to different region of Malwa tract viz. Depalpur, Dewas, Mhow, Dhar (Sundrel), Indore and Maheshwar ranging between 1 to 10 years of age, slaughtered at Cantonment Board slaughter house, Mhow and Nagar Nigam Indore. Based on the presence of pink coloured short rod (0.5-1.5 micron) shaped MAP bacteria by feacal smear examination revealed 79.33% (119/150) incidence of MAP in buffaloes of Malwa region.
The spatial structure of variation in salamander survival, body condition and morphology in a headwater stream network

Funding information National Science Foundation (Division of Environmental Biology), Grant/Award Number: 1114804, 1050459, 1655653 Abstract 1. Understanding the spatial structure of individual variation is critical to assessing the mechanisms and scale of species-level ecological and evolutionary responses. But the continuity and complexity of streams can make it difficult to discern spatial structure, and data on individual variation spanning spatial scales are rare. 2. Our goal was to objectively resolve the scale of ecological and evolutionary processes affecting the salamander Gyrinophilus porphyriticus by testing for spatial structure in individual variation across a headwater stream network. We used 3 years of spatially explicit capture–mark–recapture data from four headwater streams in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA, to test for individual variation in survival at three scales: (a) among c. 2-km watersheds, (b) in 500-m downstream and upstream reaches within watersheds and (c) in riffle and pool habitats along reaches. We also tested for corresponding spatial variation in individual body condition and morphology to gain insight on the causes and implications of variation in survival. 3. Survival of G. porphyriticus larvae was constant among watersheds, but differed by reach and habitat. Larval survival was higher in upstream reaches than downstream reaches, matching the distribution of predatory brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), which were restricted to downstream reaches. Larval survival was also higher in pools than riffles. Survival of G. porphyriticus adults was constant at all scales. 4. Larval body condition was higher in downstream reaches than upstream reaches. Both larvae and adults differed in morphology at the habitat scale: individuals in pools had longer limbs than individuals in riffles. 5. Negative covariation in larval survival and body condition at the reach scale suggests that there is a trade-off between fitness and proximate performance along streams. The surprising differences between habitats in survival and morphology show the potential for fine-scale ecology–evolution interactions in streams, potentially driven by differences in flow and gradient conditions in riffles and pools. 6. Our results suggest that the larval stage is key to understanding individual, population and community-level processes affecting G. porphyriticus. More broadly, this research provides a novel empirical link between traditional studies of finescale ecological complexity in streams and recent studies showing consistent spatial dynamics at the network scale. By documenting differences in survival, body Received: 2 February 2018 | Revised: 3 May 2018 | Accepted: 14 May 2018 DOI: 10.1111/fwb.13133
Termite Holobiont: Microbe Matters

And its been not much surprise that the prokaryotes have close alliance with eukaryotes because it apparently evolved from them [1]. Myriad microbial niches in nature forms exceptional microbial communities due to their interaction with habitats [2]. It led to a tremendous diversity of prokaryotes which essentially dominate and exploit all available microenvironments. Coevolution partnership among animal-microbe partnership is ubiquitous from immunity, behavior, fitness, metabolism host development, speciation, circadian regulation and evolution. Lynn Margulis coined the term “holobiont” a combination of host, its microbiota and biotope [3].
SciReader: A Cloud-based Recommender System for Biomedical Literature

With the growing number of biomedical papers published each year, keeping up with relevant literature has become increasingly important, and yet more challenging. SciReader (www.scireader.com) is a cloud-based personalized recommender system that specifically aims to assist biomedical researchers and clinicians identify publications of interest to them. SciReader uses topic modeling and other machine learning algorithms to provide users with recommendations that are recent, relevant, and of high quality1.
Two different Oenococcus oeni lineages are associated to either red or white wines in Burgundy: genomics and metabolomics insights

Oenococcus oeni is the bacterium most often associated with spontaneous malolactic fermentation (MLF) of wine. During MLF, malic acid is transformed into lactic acid and several metabolites are modified, modulating wine’s total acidity and improving its sensory properties. Previous works have suggested that certain genetic groups of O. oeni strains are associated to different kinds of products. In the present study we have spotted two groups of strains isolated mainly from Burgundy wines, one associated to red wines and the other to white wines. Sequencing 14 genomes of red and white wine strains revealed that they share a common ancestor that probably colonised two different substrates –red and white wine-associated environments–, diverging over time and disseminating to various regions. Their capacity to perform MLF and modify the volatile profile of wine was determined by fermenting a chardonnay wine and analysing its volatile fraction with a non-targeted metabolomics approach by GC-MS. The strains had a different impact on the volatile composition depending on their group of origin. These results show for the first time a correspondence between the product of origin of the strains and the volatile profile of the wines they produce. Furthermore, the genetic features that might be implied in these different phenotypes are examined.
Exploring Nitrogen Fixation and Assimilation in Symbiotic Pea Root Nodules by in Vivo 15N NMR Spectroscopy

Nitrogen fixation and assimilation in pea (Pisum sativum L.) root nodules was studied by exposing detached nodules to Ni via a perfusion medium, while recording a time course of in vivo N NMR spectra. In vivo P NMR spectroscopy was used to monitor the physiological state of the metabolically active nodules. Root nodules were extracted after NMR studies and analysed for total soluble amino acid pools and N-labelling of individual amino acids by LC-MS. Asparagine was observed to be N-labelled at the amide as well as the amino nitrogen by LC-MS. The in vivo N NMR signal from the asparagine amino group was lacking in fully decoupled spectra, which is probably caused by an unfavourable size of the NOE factor. Likewise, yaminobutyric acid (GABA) was observed by LC-MS to be highly N-labelIed, but N-GABA was NMR invisible in living pea nodules. This may be due to immobilisation of GABA in nodules. Glutamine was more N-labelled in the amino than the amide nitrogen as evident from LC-MS as well as in vivo NMR. A substantial pool of free ammonium was recorded in the metabolically active, intact symbiosis by in vivo N NMR, The intracellular environment resulted in unusual in vivo N ammonium chemical shifts, whereas no changes in in vivo chemical shifts of amino acids were observed. This may suggest that ammonium and amino acids reside in different compartments.
Scaffolding and Docking Proteins of the Heart 14-3-3 Proteins—a focus on cancer and human disease

Proteins are a ubiquitous family of molecules that participate in protein kinase signaling pathways within all eukaryotic cells. Functioning as phosphoserine/phosphothreonine-binding modules, 14-3-3 proteins participate in phosphorylation-dependent protein-protein interactions that control progression through the cell cycle, initiation and maintenance of DNA damage checkpoints, activation of MAP kinases, prevention of apoptosis, and coordination of integrin signaling and cytoskeletal dynamics. In this review, we discuss the regulation of 14-3-3 structure and ligand binding, with a focus on the role of 14-3-3 proteins in human disease, particularly cancer. We discuss the latest data on the role of different 14-3-3 isotypes, the interaction of 14-3-3 proteins with Raf, Cdc25, and various integrin family members, and the likelihood that 14-3-3 proteins could be useful therapeutic targets in the treatment of human disease. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Persistency of milk trans-18:1 isomers and rumenic acid in Holstein cows over a full lactation

Mohammed, R. , Khorasani, R. G. , Goonewardene, L. A. , Kramer, J. K. G. and Kennelly, J. J. 2011. Persistency of milk trans-18:1 isomers and rumenic acid in Holstein cows over a full lactation. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 147-167. A long-term lactation study was undertaken to determine whether the previously reported short-term persistency in vaccenic acid [VA; trans(t)11-18:1] and rumenic acid (RA) could be maintained. To test this hypothesis, 24 Holstein cows were allotted to two experimental diets (control and test) from 2 wk before calving until they were 270 d in milk (DIM). The test diet was similar to the control diet, but supplemented with sunflower seed (11.2% diet DM), fish oil (0.5%) and monensin (22 mg/kg DM) by replacing an equivalent amount of barley grain. The forage: concentrate ratio was 50:50 (DM basis) with 35% barley silage and 15% alfalfa hay. Milk was sampled every fortnight from the start of lactation until cows were 270 DIM. Data obtained were averaged into three equal periods of 90 d each, representing three stages of lactation (SOL): early-lactation (EL), mid-lactation (ML) and late-lactation (LL). Dry matter intakes were not different between treatments with greater intakes observed during ML than during EL or LL. Milk yield was not different between treatments and decreased with increasing DIM. Milk fat content and yield showed interaction between treatment and SOL with lower values observed for the test diet than control diet during EL and ML. De novo synthesized fatty acids (4:0-15:0), 16:0-16:1 and preformed fatty acids (17:0 and above) showed interaction between treatment and SOL with the former two being greater for control diet than test diet and the latter greater for the test diet than control diet within each SOL. Milk t10-18:1 (% fatty acid methyl esters, FAME) was greater for the test diet compared with control diet (4.38 vs. 1.32) and was greater during ML (3.79) than during EL (2.38) or LL (2.38). Milk VA and RA showed interactions between treatment and SOL with greater values observed for the test diet than the control diet within each SOL. When analyzed by treatment, milk VA was not different across SOL for both diets. Milk RA was not different across SOL for the test diet, but was different for the control diet; it was lower during EL than during ML. Step-wise regression analysis revealed that the variability in milk RA for the control diet (P<0.01; R2=0.97) was determined by VA (70%) and RA/VA (27%); and for the test diet (P<0.01; R2=0.987) by VA (88.7%), RA/VA (5%) and t10-18:1 (3.8%). Desaturase index based on RA/VA showed an interaction between treatment and SOL; it was greater for the control diet than the test diet within each SOL. Overall findings revealed that the differences in milk t10- and VA across SOL reflected possible differences in starch and PUFA intakes, respectively. Differences in milk RA across SOL for the control diet could be attributed to possible differences in mammary desaturase activity based on differences in RA/VA.
Prebiotic Synthesis of Redox-Active Iron-Sulfur Clusters

Iron-sulfur clusters are indispensable to extant metabolism and are thought to have had an ancient role in mediating the chemical reactions that led to life. However, there has been no clear proposal for how these inorganic clusters came to occupy such an important position in biology. In this thesis I describe my efforts in delineating a plausible path from short, prebiotically plausible peptides to longer sequences with similar features to modern day iron-sulfur proteins. Small organic thiolates and short cysteine-containing peptides can give rise to [2Fe-2S] and [4Fe-4S] clusters in aqueous solution when irradiated with UV light in the presence of iron ions. Additionally, duplications of tripeptides coordinated iron-sulfur clusters give sequences which are better able to stabilize iron-sulfur clusters, resembling motifs with cysteinyl ligand spacing highly similar to contemporary ferredoxins. Moreover, the studied iron-sulfur clusters are redox active and are able to mimic extant metabolic pathways, such as the first step of the electron transport chain, within protocells favouring the formation of a proton gradient which could be exploited for central biosynthetic processes.