Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IGF2BP3 Associates with Proliferative Phenotype and Prognostic Features in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Simple Summary Although the prognosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has improved significantly during the past decades, ALL remains a major cause of pediatric cancer mortality, and more accurate risk-stratification is required. We investigated IGF2BP3, which has previously been associated with aggressive cancers, and found high and subtype-specific expression of IGF2BP3 in B-cell ALL, that was associated with good outcome in high-risk patients. Results suggest that IGF2BP3 could be useful to improve stratification and prognosis of B-ALL. Abstract The oncofetal protein insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) belongs to a family of RNA-binding proteins involved in localization, stability, and translational regulation of target RNAs. IGF2BP3 is used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in several malignancies. Although the prognosis of pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) has improved, a subgroup of patients exhibits high-risk features and suffer from disease recurrence. We sought to identify additional biomarkers to improve diagnostics, and we assessed expression of IGF2BP3 in a population-based pediatric cohort of B-ALL using a tissue microarray platform. The majority of pediatric B-ALL cases were positive for IGF2BP3 immunohistochemistry and were associated with an increased proliferative phenotype and activated STAT5 signaling pathway. Two large gene expression data sets were probed for the expression of IGF2BP3—the highest levels were seen among the B-cell lymphomas of a germinal center origin and well-established (KMT2A-rearranged and ETV6-RUNX1) and novel subtypes of B-ALL (e.g., NUTM1 and ETV6-RUNX1-like). A high mRNA for IGF2BP3 was associated with a proliferative “metagene” signature and a high expression of CDK6 in B-ALL. A low expression portended inferior survival in a high-risk cohort of pediatric B-ALL. Overall, our results show that IGF2BP3 shows subtype-specificity in expression and provides prognostic utility in high-risk B-ALL.
Dysregulation of the Ubiquitin Proteasome System in Human Malignancies: A Window for Therapeutic Intervention

Simple Summary The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) governs the non-lysosomal degradation of oxidized, damaged, or misfolded proteins in eukaryotic cells. Dysregulation of the UPS results in loss of ability to maintain protein quality through proteolysis, and is closely related to the development of various malignancies and tumorigenesis. Here, we provide a comprehensive general overview on the regulation and roles of UPS and discuss the mechanisms linking dysregulated UPS to human malignancies. Inhibitors developed against components of the UPS, which include U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA-approved and those currently undergoing clinical trials, are also presented in this review. Abstract The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) governs the non-lysosomal degradation of oxidized, damaged, or misfolded proteins in eukaryotic cells. This process is tightly regulated through the activation and transfer of polyubiquitin chains to target proteins which are then recognized and degraded by the 26S proteasome complex. The role of UPS is crucial in regulating protein levels through degradation to maintain fundamental cellular processes such as growth, division, signal transduction, and stress response. Dysregulation of the UPS, resulting in loss of ability to maintain protein quality through proteolysis, is closely related to the development of various malignancies and tumorigenesis. Here, we provide a comprehensive general overview on the regulation and roles of UPS and discuss functional links of dysregulated UPS in human malignancies. Inhibitors developed against components of the UPS, which include U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA-approved and those currently undergoing clinical trials, are also presented in this review.
Hybrid Nanostructures Obtained by Transport and Condensation of Tungsten Oxide Vapours onto CNW Templates

We present hybrid nanomaterial architectures, consisting of carbon nanowalls (CNW) templates decorated with tungsten oxide nanoparticles, synthesized using a mechanism based on tungsten oxide sublimation, vapor transport, followed by vapor condensation, in the absence or presence of plasma. The key steps in the decoration mechanism are the sublimation of tungsten oxides, when are exposed in vacuum at high temperature (800 °C), and their redeposition on colder surfaces (400–600 °C). The morphology and chemical composition of the hybrid architectures, as obtained from Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, are discussed with respect to substrate nature and the physical conditions of synthesis. We pointed out that the decoration process is strongly dependent on the temperature of the CNW templates and plasma presence. Thus, the decoration process performed with plasma was effective for a wider range of template temperatures, in contrast with the decoration process performed without plasma. The results are useful for applications using the sensing and photochemical properties of tungsten oxides, and have also relevance for fusion technology, tungsten walls erosion and material redeposition being widely observed in fusion machines.
Effectiveness of Rehabilitative Intervention on Pain, Postural Balance, and Quality of Life in Women with Multiple Vertebral Fragility Fractures: A Prospective Cohort Study

Patients with vertebral fragility fractures often experience chronic pain, postural and balance disorders, and poor quality of life (QoL). Although several studies have investigated the role of rehabilitation in severe osteoporosis, the effectiveness of this intervention in patients with multiple vertebral fractures is poorly known. The aim of our longitudinal cohort study is to evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation, including postural training, resistance exercises, and visual stabilization exercises, for a 7-week period, on the pain, postural balance, and QoL of subjects with at least two vertebral fragility fractures receiving denosumab and vitamin D. We investigated, before (T0) and after (T1, at 7 weeks) rehabilitation, the following outcome measures on 28 patients: pain (Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)), self-perceived QoL (36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and Mini-Osteoporosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-OQOL)), dizziness (Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI-I)), mobility (Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test), and instrumental posturographic assessment (FreeMed posturography system). At the end of the treatment, improvements of pain and QoL were recorded. Pain relief was highly obtained in patients with more than two vertebral fractures. Moreover, a significant functional improvement (TUG test) was found in those with two vertebral fractures, without any statistically significant change reported for other outcomes. Our findings suggest that combined intervention, including anti-osteoporotic drugs and postural rehabilitation, should be proposed to osteoporotic patients with multiple vertebral fractures.
MAPLE Coatings Embedded with Essential Oil-Conjugated Magnetite for Anti-Biofilm Applications

The present study reports on the development and evaluation of nanostructured composite coatings of polylactic acid (PLA) embedded with iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) modified with Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) essential oil. The co-precipitation method was employed to synthesize the magnetite particles conjugated with Eucalyptus natural antibiotic (Fe3O4@EG), while their composition and microstructure were investigated using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique was further employed to obtain PLA/Fe3O4@EG thin films. Optimal experimental conditions for laser processing were established by complementary infrared microscopy (IRM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations. The in vitro biocompatibility with eukaryote cells was proven using mesenchymal stem cells, while the anti-biofilm efficiency of composite PLA/Fe3O4@EG coatings was assessed against Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens.
Comparison of the Dielectric Properties of Ecoflex® with L,D-Poly(Lactic Acid) or Polycaprolactone in the Presence of SWCN or 5CB

The main goal of this paper was to study the dielectric properties of hybrid binary and ternary composites based on biodegradable polymer Ecoflex®, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCN), and liquid crystalline 4′-pentyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (5CB) compound. The obtained results were compared with other created analogically to Ecoflex®, hybrid layers based on biodegradable polymers such as L,D-polylactide (L,D-PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL). Frequency domain dielectric spectroscopy (FDDS) results were analyzed taking into consideration the amount of SWCN, frequency, and temperature. For pure Ecoflex®, two relaxation processes (α and β) were identified. It was shown that the SWCN admixture (in the weight ratio 10:0.01) did not change the properties of the Ecoflex® layer, while in the case of PCL and L,D-PLA, the layers became conductive. The dielectric constant increased with an increase in the content of SWCN in the Ecoflex® matrix and the conductive behavior was not visible, even for the greatest concentration (10:0.06 weight ratio). In the case of the Ecoflex® polymer matrix, the conduction relaxation process at a frequency ca. several kilohertz appeared and became stronger with an increase in the SWCN admixture in the matrix. Addition of oleic acid to the polymer matrix had a smaller effect on the increase in the dielectric response than the addition of liquid crystal 5CB. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results revealed that the molecular structure and chemical character of the Ecoflex® and PCL matrixes remained unchanged upon the addition of SWCN or 5CB in a weight ratio of 10:0.01 and 10:1, respectively, while molecular interactions appeared between L,D-PLA and 5CB. Moreover, adding oleic acid to pure Ecoflex® as well as the binary and ternary hybrid layers with SWCN and/or 5CB in a weight ratio of Ecoflex®:oleic acid equal to 10:0.3 did not have an influence on the chemical bonding of these materials.
Antibiotic Treatment Decrease the Fitness of Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Larvae

Simple Summary To determine the biologic function of gut bacteria with no host specificity in honeybee larvae, honeybee larvae were treated with antibiotics for disrupting the gut bacteria. Then, the body weight, development time, and expression of nutrient metabolism genes and immune genes of honeybee larvae were investigated. The results demonstrated that the disruption of gut microbiota by antibiotics weakened the nutrient metabolism, decreased the body weight, extended the development process, and decrease the immune competence of honeybee larvae, indicating the vital roles of gut bacteria in bee larvae fitness. Abstract Symbiotic bacteria could increase the nutrient provision, regulate the physiological state, and promote immunity in their insect host. Honeybee larvae harbor plenty of bacteria in their gut, but their functions are not well studied. To determine their effect on honeybee larvae, the 1-day-old larvae were grafted on to 24-well plates from the comb and artificially reared in the lab. They were treated with penicillin–streptomycin to remove the gut symbiotic bacteria. Then, the 5-day-old larvae and the newly emerged adults were weighted. The developmental periods to pupae and eclosion were investigated, respectively. The bacterial amount, expression of developmental regulation genes (ecr and usp), nutrient metabolism genes (ilp1, ilp2, hex 70a, hex 70b, hex 70c, and hex 110), and immunity genes (apidaecin, abaecin, defensin-1, and hymenoptaecin) were determined by qRT-PCR. The result showed that the antibiotics-treated larvae have significantly lower body weights in the 5-day-old larvae and the emerged bees. The expression of ilp2 and hex 70c in 5-day-old larvae was down-regulated. The usp was down-regulated in 5-day-old larvae, but increased in 7-day-old larvae, which disturbed the normal developmental process and caused the extension of eclosion. Moreover, antibiotics treatment significantly decreased the expression of apidaecin and abaecin in 5-day-old larvae, and defensin-1 and hymenoptaecin in 7-day-old larvae, respectively. These results showed that antibiotics could weaken the nutrient metabolism, disturb the development process, and decrease the immune competence of honeybee larvae, indicating the vital roles of gut bacteria in bee larvae fitness, so the antibiotics should be avoided to control microbial disease in honeybee larvae.
Associations between Children’s Risky Play and ECEC Outdoor Play Spaces and Materials

Children spend a large amount of time each day in early childhood education and care (ECEC) institutions, and the ECEC play environments are important for children’s play opportunities. This includes children’s opportunities to engage in risky play. This study examined the relationship between the outdoor play environment and the occurrence of children’s risky play in ECEC institutions. Children (n = 80) were observed in two-minute sequences during periods of the day when they were free to choose what to do. The data consists of 935 randomly recorded two-minute videos, which were coded second by second for several categories of risky play as well as where and with what materials the play occurred. Results revealed that risky play (all categories in total) was positively associated with fixed equipment for functional play, nature and other fixed structures, while analysis of play materials showed that risky play was positively associated with wheeled toys. The results can support practitioners in developing their outdoor areas to provide varied and exciting play opportunities.
Two Decades from the Introduction of Microdissection Testicular Sperm Extraction: How This Surgical Technique Has Improved the Management of NOA

The treatment of men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) has improved greatly over the past two decades. This is in part due to the discovery of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), but also significantly due to improvements in surgical sperm retrieval methods, namely the development of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE). This procedure has revolutionized the field by allowing for identification of favorable seminiferous tubules while simultaneously limiting the amount of testicular tissue removed. Improving sperm retrieval rates is imperative in this cohort of infertile men as there are a limited number of factors that are predictive of successful sperm retrieval. Currently, sperm retrieval in NOA men remains dependent on surgeon experience, preoperative patient optimization and teamwork with laboratory personnel. In this review, we discuss the evolution of surgical sperm retrieval methods, review predictors of sperm retrieval success, compare and contrast the data of conventional versus mTESE, share tips for optimizing sperm retrieval outcomes, and discuss the future of sperm retrieval in men with NOA.
Reconstitution of Cytokinin Signaling in Rice Protoplasts

The major components of the cytokinin (CK) signaling pathway have been identified from the receptors to their downstream transcription factors. However, since signaling proteins are encoded by multigene families, characterizing and quantifying the contribution of each component or their combinations to the signaling cascade have been challenging. Here, we describe a transient gene expression system in rice (Oryza sativa) protoplasts suitable to reconstitute CK signaling branches using the CK reporter construct TCSn:fLUC, consisting of a synthetic CK-responsive promoter and the firefly luciferase gene, as a sensitive readout of signaling output. We used this system to systematically test the contributions of CK signaling components, either alone or in various combinations, with or without CK treatment. The type-B response regulators (RRs) OsRR16, OsRR17, OsRR18, and OsRR19 all activated TCSn:fLUC strongly, with OsRR18 and OsRR19 showing the strongest induction by CK. Cotransfecting the reporter with OsHP01, OsHP02, OsHP05, or OsHK03 alone resulted in much weaker effects relative to those of the type-B OsRRs. When we tested combinations of OsHK03, OsHPs, and OsRRs, each combination exhibited distinct CK signaling activities. This system thus allows the rapid and high-throughput exploration of CK signaling in rice.
Application of enzymic Baeyer–Villiger oxidations of 2-substituted cycloalkanones to the total synthesis of (R)-(+)-lipoic acid

Oxidation of ketones 1a–h using a monooxygenase from Pseudomonas putida NCIMB 10007 gave the lactones 2a–h in optically active form: lactone 2h was converted into (R)-(+)-lipoic acid 9.
Furfural: Hemicellulose/xylosederived biochemical

Hemicellulose, the second, most common polysaccharide in nature constitutes approximately 20—35% of lignocellulosic biomass. Effective utilization of biomass, hitherto underutilized, is gaining tremendous importance for the production of energy, fuels, and chemicals. Amongst the vast array of chemicals derived from lignocellulosics, furfural is the key chemical that finds wide applications in oil refining, plastics, pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. There is no synthetic route for the production of furfural. A few conventional technologies currently in practice for its separation and subsequent isolation are appropriately reviewed. Major disadvantages associated with processes currently used for the production of furfural based on acid‐catalyzed hydrolysis have been discussed. A need to develop a process which is devoid of all the shortcomings associated with conventional process is emphasized. Several important aspects of chemistry underlying the acid hydrolysis of xylose are discussed. The importance of myriad pre‐treatment steps involved to surmount the physical and chemical barriers and to liberate xylose from the confines of acid‐resistant layer of lignin has been emphasized. New developments in the production of furfural from cyclodehydration of xylose using solid acid catalysts in the recent past have been reviewed appropriately in present communication. Finally, the production of furfural and furfuryl alcohol, their domestic market and export in China deserve some coverage and therefore have appropriately been discussed as well. © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Nitrogen Fertilization of White Riesling Grapes in Washington: Nitrogen Seasonal Effects on Bud Cold Hardiness and Carbohydrate Reserves

A commercial vineyard of White Riesling was used to study the influence of 0, 56, 112, and 224 kg N/ha on bud cold hardiness and carbohydrate reserves of bud and cane tissues over a three-year period. High N had significant effects on cold hardiness of buds, levels of soluble sugars and starches extracted from one-year-old bud or cane samples, only on a limited number of dates during the three years of the study. There was a positive relationship between bud hardiness and soluble sugars from bud or cane samples that was highly significant. Regression analysis of yearly data indicated there was no relationship between nitrogen level and either soluble sugars or starch in buds or canes. There was a positive relationship between air temperature and bud low temperature exotherms during the sampling period of each year, and an inverse relationship between air temperature and soluble sugar levels in both buds and canes. These data show the predominant role of air temperature on bud and presumably vine cold hardiness and the attendant changes in carbohydrate reserves. This study further demonstrates that under otherwise good management practices of pruning, cropload, irrigation, and rootstock selection, there should be little concern regarding a detrimental influence of nitrogen applied before harvest on cold hardiness or carbohydrate reserves of grapevines.
Electrochemical and Thermal Properties of NASICON Structured Na3V2(PO4)3 as a Sodium Rechargeable Battery Cathode: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

A combined experimental and computational study on Na3V2(PO4)3 has been carried out to investigate its structural, electrochemical, and thermal properties as a sodium battery cathode. The synthesized material by a sol-gel process was well-indexed to the R-3m space group in the framework of a rhombohedral NASICON structure. Galvanostatic measurements indicate that at 3.4 V vs. Na/Na+, 1.4 Na reversibly reacts with each Na3V2(PO4)3, which corresponds to a specific capacity of 84.8 mAh/g. Moreover, this material shows excellent rate capabilities and good cycling performance. Ex-situ XRD analyzes indicate that this material reacts with Na ions based on a reversible two-phase reaction. Thermal analyzes employing TGA/DSC and In-situ XRD at various temperatures show that this material maintains good thermal stability up to 450°C even in the desodiated state. The promising electrochemical and thermal properties suggest that this material with the well-defined NASICON structure is a promising cathode for large-scale sodium rechargeable batteries.
Spectrophotometric Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Olmesartan Medoximil and Hydrochlorothiazide in Tablets

Two simple rapid and accurate UV spectrophotometric methods were developed for simultaneous determination of Olmesartan medoximil (OLME) and Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in pharmaceutical dosages forms. Method-1 Vierodts method and Method -2 Absorbance corrected for interference method. For Vierodts method readings were taken at 256.5 nm λmax of (Olmesartan medoximil) and 271.0 nm λmax of (HCTZ); In absorbance corrected for interference method, absorbance was measured at wavelength 256.5 nm and 318.5nm. Both the drugs obey Beer’s law in the concentration range employed for these methods. The marketed tablet formulation analyzed by the above cited method shows good accuracy and precision for method.
Photoacoustic NO detection for asthma diagnostics

Exhaled nitric oxide was of high interest in breath analyses in the past few years. After its first detection in human breath in 1991, numerous publications uncovered the role of NO and its relation to different diseases. A strong relationship between an asthmatic eosinophilic airway inflammation and an increased NO level is medically confirmed. In this study a new photoacoustic detection system for nitric oxide based on a pulsed quantum cascade laser is introduced. The laser's single mode emission provides adequate selectivity to differentiate NO from other molecules in the sample. The demonstrated detection sensitivity allows in principle an application of the new system as diagnostic tool for asthma.