Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Enhancement and Immunity Profile of Broiler Treated Feed Additive Containing Lactic Acid Bacteria and Ganoderma lucidum

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of feed additive containing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Ganoderma lucidum (GL) on body weight gain (BWG), feed efficiency (FE), performance index (PI), antibody titer (AT) against Newcastle disease and histopathology of broilers. Bacteria used were Lactobacillus salivarius and Pediococcus pentosaceus , which were isolated from broiler's intestine. A number of 195 unsexed day old chicks ( Cobb strain) were arranged in a completely randomized design and consisted of 5 treatments, each in 3 equal replicates. The treatments were as followed T0: control/without-feed additive, T1: 1% LAB (10 9 cfu g -1 ), T2: 1% GL, T3: 1% of LAB 10 9 cfu g -1 + GL (1:1), T4: commercial antibiotic. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and conti-nued to Duncan's multiple range test. The results showed that T2, T3, T4 treatments significantly improved (P < 0.05) BWG, FE and PI of broilers. Broilers fed T3 had the highest PI, followed by T4, T1, T2 and T0. Broilers fed T3 had the highest AT value followed by T0, T2, T4, and T1. Histopathology profile showed that broiler fed T3 had no lesion on liver and intestine compared to others. The result of this experiment indicated that additive containing 0.25% L. salivarius , 0.25% P. pentosaceus, and 0.5% G. lucidum was able to enhance broiler performance.
Dynamic Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Uncharacterized Complex Regulatory Pathway Underlying Genotype-Recalcitrant Somatic Embryogenesis Transdifferentiation in Cotton

As a notable illustration of totipotency and plant regeneration, somatic embryogenesis (SE) is the developmental reprogramming of somatic cells toward the embryogenesis pathway, the key step for genetic engineering. Investigations examining the totipotency process are of great fundamental and practical importance in crop biotechnology. However, high-frequency regeneration of cotton via SE has been limited due to genotype-dependent response. The molecular basis deciphering SE genotype recalcitrance remains largely unexplored in cotton. In the current study, to comprehensively investigate the dynamic transcriptional profiling and gene regulatory patterns involved in SE process, a genome-wide RNA sequencing analysis was performed in two cotton genotypes with distinct embryogenic abilities, the highly embryogenic genotype Yuzao 1 (YZ) and the recalcitrant genotype Lumian 1 (LM). Three typical developmental staged cultures of early SE—hypocotyls (HY), nonembryogenic calli (NEC) and primary embryogenic calli (PEC)—were selected to establish the transcriptional profiles. Our data revealed that a total of 62,562 transcripts were present amongst different developmental stages in the two genotypes. Of these, 18,394 and 26,514 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified during callus dedifferentiation (NEC-VS-HY) and embryogenic transdifferentiation (PEC-VS-NEC), respectively in the recalcitrant genotype, 21,842 and 22,343 DEGs in the highly embryogenic genotype. Furthermore, DEGs were clustered into six expression patterns during cotton SE process in the two genotypes. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were significantly enriched in fatty acid, tryptophan and pyruvate metabolism in the highly embryogenic genotype and in DNA conformation change otherwise in the recalcitrant genotype. In addition, critical SE-associated expressed transcription factors, as well as alternative splicing events, were notably and preferentially activated during embryogenic transdifferentiation in the highly embryogenic genotype compared with the recalcitrant genotype. Taken together, by systematically comparing two genotypes with distinct embryogenic abilities, the findings in our study revealed a comprehensive overview of the dynamic gene regulatory patterns and uncharacterized complex regulatory pathways during cotton SE genotype-dependent response. Our work provides insights into the molecular basis and important gene resources for understanding the underlying genotype recalcitrance during SE process and plant regeneration, thereby holding great promise for accelerating the application of biotechnology to cotton for improving its breeding efficiency.
ATG5 knockout promotes paclitaxel sensitivity in drug-resistant cells via induction of necrotic cell death

Autophagy regulators are often effective as potential cancer therapeutic agents. Here, we investigated paclitaxel sensitivity in cells with knockout (KO) of ATG5 gene. The ATG5 KO in multidrug resistant v-Ha-ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells (Ras-NIH 3T3/Mdr) was generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The qPCR and LC3 immunoblot confirmed knockout of the gene and protein of ATG5, respectively. The ATG5 KO restored the sensitivity of Ras-NIH 3T3/Mdr cells to paclitaxel. Interestingly, ATG5 overexpression restored autophagy function in ATG5 KO cells, but failed to rescue paclitaxel resistance. These results raise the possibility that low level of resistance to paclitaxel in ATG5 KO cells may be related to other roles of ATG5 independent of its function in autophagy. The ATG5 KO significantly induced a G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression. Additionally, ATG5 KO caused necrosis of a high proportion of cells after paclitaxel treatment. These data suggest that the difference in sensitivity to paclitaxel between ATG5 KO and their parental MDR cells may result from the disparity in the proportions of necrotic cells in both populations. Thus, our results demonstrate that the ATG5 KO in paclitaxel resistant cells leads to a marked G2/M arrest and sensitizes cells to paclitaxel-induced necrosis.
Phalangeal curvature in a chimpanzee raised like a human: Implications for inferring arboreality in fossil hominins

Arboreal primates such as chimpanzees exhibit pronounced curvature in their hand and foot phalanges, which is assumed to develop throughout life in response to mechanical loads produced by grasping and hanging from branches. Intriguingly, ancient fossil hominins also exhibit substantial phalangeal curvature, which, too, has been interpreted as a direct result of habitual arboreality during life. Here, we describe the phalangeal curvature of a chimpanzee who was raised during the 1930s in New York City to live much like a human, including by having very few opportunities to engage in arboreal activities. We show that the degree of hand and foot phalangeal curvature in this individual is indistinguishable from that of wild chimpanzees and distinct from humans. Thus, rather than being a direct effect of mechanical loads produced by lifetime arboreal activities, phalangeal curvature appears to be shaped largely by genetic factors. An important implication of this finding is that phalangeal curvature among fossil hominins is evidently best interpreted as a primitive trait inherited from an arboreal ancestral species rather than proof of engagement in arboreal activities during life.
Light Environment Has Little Effect on Heteroblastic Development of the Temperate Rain Forest Tree Gevuina avellana Mol. (Proteaceae)

Premise of research. Heteroblastic species are those that show an abrupt change in shape and/or size among individual metamers during ontogeny. Gevuina avellana Mol. (Proteaceae) is a typical tree species in the temperate rain forests of Chile and Argentina. This tree shows drastic heteroblasty, changing from simple leaves at the seedling stage to pinnate leaves during development. It regenerates mostly in shady understories, but juveniles can be found growing under a wide range of light conditions (5%–50% canopy openness). Thus, considering that light has been proposed as a driver of the heteroblastic strategy, G. avellana is an interesting model to study the potential environmental modulation of its ontogenetically programmed heteroblasty. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of light availability on G. avellana’s heteroblastic trajectory. We postulated that G. avellana’s ontogenetic changes in leaf complexity (i.e., heteroblasty) increase under high light availability. Methodology. Saplings along most of the light availability gradient were sampled. Plant height was used as a proxy for ontogeny. We measured several leaf traits (leaf area), shape (aspect ratio), pinnation (leaf dissection index), and complexity (fractal dimension index). First, we evaluated the change in each leaf trait with height by means of Pearson’s correlation. Then we tested for differences in leaf traits along the ontogeny between two light environments (higher and lower than 10% canopy openness) by the line-fitting standardized major axis method. Pivotal results. We found positive correlations between each leaf trait and plant height (P < 0.001), while only leaf size and complexity showed higher ontogenetic increases under high light. Conclusions. Light environment has a small but significant effect on the heteroblastic trajectory of G. avellana. In particular, saplings inhabiting microsites with high light availability have larger and more complex leaves. While allometry would explain the ontogenetic trajectory of leaf size, the increased complexity could reflect functional advantages for large leaves in tall plants, especially under high light conditions.
The PDK1-FoxO1 signaling in adipocytes controls systemic insulin sensitivity through the 5-lipoxygenase–leukotriene B4 axis

Significance Recent studies have implicated LTB4 in inflammation in adipose tissue and in the subsequent development of insulin resistance. The mechanism by which LTB4 is produced in adipose tissue has remained unknown, however. We now reveal that insulin regulates LTB4 production in adipocytes via a PDK1–FoxO1–5-LO pathway and thereby maintains systemic insulin sensitivity. Whereas signaling pathways of insulin and LTB4 have been extensively investigated, a cross-talk between these two signaling pathways has not been reported. We also reveal that LTB4 exists in plasma at concentrations sufficient to activate its receptor BLT1 and that the plasma concentration of LTB4 correlated with insulin resistance in human, implying that LTB4 is a mediator of organ cross-talk. Although adipocytes are major targets of insulin, the influence of impaired insulin action in adipocytes on metabolic homeostasis remains unclear. We here show that adipocyte-specific PDK1 (3′-phosphoinositide–dependent kinase 1)-deficient (A-PDK1KO) mice manifest impaired metabolic actions of insulin in adipose tissue and reduction of adipose tissue mass. A-PDK1KO mice developed insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and hepatic steatosis, and this phenotype was suppressed by additional ablation of FoxO1 specifically in adipocytes (A-PDK1/FoxO1KO mice) without an effect on adipose tissue mass. Neither circulating levels of adiponectin and leptin nor inflammatory markers in adipose tissue differed between A-PDK1KO and A-PDK1/FoxO1KO mice. Lipidomics and microarray analyses revealed that leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels in plasma and in adipose tissue as well as the expression of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) in adipose tissue were increased and restored in A-PDK1KO mice and A-PDK1/FoxO1KO mice, respectively. Genetic deletion of the LTB4 receptor BLT1 as well as pharmacological intervention to 5-LO or BLT1 ameliorated insulin resistance in A-PDK1KO mice. Furthermore, insulin was found to inhibit LTB4 production through down-regulation of 5-LO expression via the PDK1−FoxO1 pathway in isolated adipocytes. Our results indicate that insulin signaling in adipocytes negatively regulates the production of LTB4 via the PDK1−FoxO1 pathway and thereby maintains systemic insulin sensitivity.
Nutritional Composition of Genetically Modified Peanut Varieties

ences in the fatty acid composition among some of the GMP lines and ences in the fatty acid composition among some of the GMP lines and ences in the fatty acid composition among some of the GMP lines and ences in the fatty acid composition among some of the GMP lines and the par the par the par the par the parent line ent line ent line ent line ent line, the v , the v , the v , the v , the variations w iations w iations w iations w iations were not substantial. e not substantial. e not substantial. e not substantial. e not substantial. The pr The pr The pr The pr The pro eported for tr ted for tr ted for tr ted for tr ted for traditional peanut v aditional peanut v aditional peanut v aditional peanut v aditional peanut varieties. This study indicates that, for the peanut lines studied, genetic modi- This study indicates that, for the peanut lines studied, genetic modi- This study indicates that, for the peanut lines studied, genetic modi- This study indicates that, for the peanut lines studied, genetic modi- This study indicates that, for the peanut lines studied, genetic modi- fication did not cause substantial unintentional changes in peanut chemical composition, which might r fication did not cause substantial unintentional changes in peanut chemical composition, which might r fication did not cause substantial unintentional changes in peanut chemical composition, which might r fication did not cause substantial unintentional changes in peanut chemical composition, which might r
An investigation of the frost hardiness of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) during bud break

SUMMARY The aim of this investigation was to assess ice nucleation and frost resistance of two varieties of grapevine (Siegrebbe and Madeleine Angevine) during bud burst under radiative freezing conditions analogous to those during Spring in the UK. During bud burst, grapevines were almost entirely resistant to freezing during frosts of less than -3°C by virtue of their ability to supercool. The risk of frost damage increased significantly as bud development progressed, and once buds had passed growth stage DS3 they became more sensitive to freezing and freezing damage was more extensive. The two varieties did not differ in frost resistance but, because of its earlier developing habit, variety Siegrebbe could be more prone to frost damage in the field. Buds were more prone to damage after freezing once bud burst had commenced and the damage could not be reversed by acclimating plants for periods of 7 to 21 days at 4°C in an 8 h photoperiod. Such acclimation appeared to predispose frozen buds to more extensive damage.
Effects of the cholesterol‐lowering compound methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin in models of α‐synucleinopathy

The aggregation of α‐synuclein (α‐syn) is believed to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of disorders such as dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease. The function of α‐syn remains unclear, although several lines of evidence suggest that α‐syn is involved in synaptic vesicle trafficking, probably via lipid binding, and interactions with lipids have been shown to regulate α‐syn aggregation. In this context, the main objective of this study was to determine whether methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD), a cholesterol‐extracting agent, interfered with α‐syn accumulation in models of synucleinopathy. For this purpose, we studied the effects of MβCD on the accumulation of α‐syn in a transfected neuronal cell line and in transgenic mice. Immunoblot analysis showed that MβCD reduced the level of α‐syn in the membrane fraction and detergent‐insoluble fraction of transfected cells. In agreement with the in vitro studies, treatment of mice with MβCD resulted in decreased levels of α‐syn in membrane fractions and reduced accumulation of α‐syn in the neuronal cell body and synapses. Taken together, these results suggest that changes in cholesterol and lipid composition using cholesterol‐lowering agents may be used as a tool for the treatment of synucleinopathies.
EMS induced mutagenesis in Poshita and Jawahar 22 of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae).

Eight macromutants (albina, xantha, chloroxantha, bushy, thick leaf, dwarf, early flowering and synchronous flowering) were induced in Poshita and Jawahar 22 (recommended varieties) of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal; (Family: Solanaceae) at M2 following EMS treatments (0.25, 0.50, 1.00% for 2 h and 4 h durations) to dry seeds. Albina and Xantha in both varieties and chloroxantha in Poshita were non-viable. Viable mutation frequency was recorded to be 0.00% to 3.00% in Poshita and 0.00% to 2.31% in Jawahar 22; however, estimated mutation frequency over M2 population was 2.54%. Meiosis was nearly normal in mutants as control (2n=48), except chloroxantha of Jawahar 22 (22.58II+2.84I/cell at MI, 57.0% cells with 24/24 separation at AI, 39.27% pollen fertility; control: 23.69II+0.62I/cell at MI, 90.0% cells with 24/24 AI separation, 71.05% pollen fertility). The mutant trait(s) were monogenic recessive to normal. Analysis of morphological parameters (root and shoot attributes including seed yield), secondary metabolites (total alkaloid and withanolides; withaferin A and withanolide A by HPLC) and fibre content of the roots (withaferin A was analyzed also from leaf) of M3 plants revealed that bushy and thick leaf were noteworthy mutants.
Repeat RNAs associate with replication forks and post-replicative DNA

Noncoding RNA has a proven ability to direct and regulate chromatin modifications by acting as scaffolds between DNA and histone-modifying complexes. However, it is unknown if ncRNA plays any role in DNA replication and epigenome maintenance, including histone eviction and reinstallment of histone modifications after genome duplication. Isolation of nascent chromatin has identified a large number of RNA-binding proteins in addition to unknown components of the replication and epigenetic maintenance machinery. Here, we isolated and characterized long and short RNAs associated with nascent chromatin at active replication forks and track RNA composition during chromatin maturation across the cell cycle. Shortly after fork passage, GA-rich-, alpha- and TElomeric Repeat-containing RNAs (TERRA) are associated with replicated DNA. These repeat containing RNAs arise from loci undergoing replication, suggesting an interaction in cis. Post-replication during chromatin maturation, and even after mitosis in G1, the repeats remain enriched on DNA. This suggests that specific types of repeat RNAs are transcribed shortly after DNA replication and stably associate with their loci of origin throughout the cell cycle. The presented method and data enable studies of RNA interactions with replication forks and post-replicative chromatin and provide insights into how repeat RNAs and their engagement with chromatin are regulated with respect to DNA replication and across the cell cycle.
Internalization and Viability Studies of Suspended Nanowire Silicon Chips in HeLa Cells

Micrometer-sized silicon chips have been demonstrated to be cell-internalizable, offering the possibility of introducing in cells even smaller nanoelements for intracellular applications. On the other hand, silicon nanowires on extracellular devices have been widely studied as biosensors or drug delivery systems. Here, we propose the integration of silicon nanowires on cell-internalizable chips in order to combine the functional features of both approaches for advanced intracellular applications. As an initial fundamental study, the cellular uptake in HeLa cells of silicon 3 µm × 3 µm nanowire-based chips with two different morphologies was investigated, and the results were compared with those of non-nanostructured silicon chips. Chip internalization without affecting cell viability was achieved in all cases; however, important cell behavior differences were observed. In particular, the first stage of cell internalization was favored by silicon nanowire interfaces with respect to bulk silicon. In addition, chips were found inside membrane vesicles, and some nanowires seemed to penetrate the cytosol, which opens the door to the development of silicon nanowire chips as future intracellular sensors and drug delivery systems.
Wearable Sensing and Telehealth Technology with Potential Applications in the Coronavirus Pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a pandemic with serious clinical manifestations including death. A pandemic at the large-scale like COVID-19 places extraordinary demands on the world's health systems, dramatically devastates vulnerable populations, and critically threatens the global communities in an unprecedented way. While tremendous efforts at the frontline are placed on detecting the virus, providing treatments and developing vaccines, it is also critically important to examine the technologies and systems for tackling disease emergence, arresting its spread and especially the strategy for diseases prevention. The objective of this article is to review enabling technologies and systems with various application scenarios for handling the COVID-19 crisis. The article will focus specifically on 1) wearable devices suitable for monitoring the populations at risk and those in quarantine, both for evaluating the health status of caregivers and management personnel, and for facilitating triage processes for admission to hospitals; 2) unobtrusive sensing systems for detecting the disease and for monitoring patients with relatively mild symptoms whose clinical situation could suddenly worsen in improvised hospitals; and 3) telehealth technologies for the remote monitoring and diagnosis of COVID-19 and related diseases. Finally, further challenges and opportunities for future directions of development are highlighted.
Generic relationships within the Euglossini (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

ABSTRACT. The relationships among the euglossine genera are examined. These genera form two natural groups, Exaerete+Euglossa, and Eufriesea+(Eulaema+Aglae). Each genus is discussed separately giving generic synonymy, biological notes and a complete species list. In addition, a key to the genera is provided.
Further investigations into the bioactivity of root extract of Plumbago zeylanica

The metabolic effect of crude and ethanol extracts of the root of Plumbago zeylanica was investigated in rats. The treatment of rats with crude Plumbago zeylanica and its ethanol extract resulted in an increase in the activities of serum lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and liver alkaline phosphatase. The blood sugar concentrations increased significantly while liver acid phosphatase and total nucleic acids were drastically reduced. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.