Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recovery of Amino Acids from Seafood Processing Wastewater with a Dual Chitosan-Based Ligand-Exchange System

Crawfish chitosan, prepared from crawfish shell chitin, was demonstrated to be an effective ligand-exchange column material for recovery of amino acids from seafood processing wastewater. In comparison with commercial chitosan, crawfish chitosan, loaded with copper or amino copper, showed higher recovery rates of amino acids. Recovery from amino copper-crawfish chitosan columns was pH dependent, with reduction at higher pH values. Eluatc was completely free of copper ions when treated with a second crawfish chitosan column. The amino acids recovered by this treatment have potential application as seafood flavors in terms of their sensory attributes.
Heritability of stem straightness and genetic correlations in Eucalyptus cladocalyx in the semi-arid region of Chile

The aim of this study was to determine genetic parameters for straightness of the trunk of Eucalyptus cladocalyx, with a view to the selection of straight trees, while keeping the impact on growth minimal. The tests were conducted at two locations in the semi-arid region of Chile, using a randomized block design, with 30 replications and 49 half-sib families. The parameters were estimated by a bi-character model of individual trees, using Bayesian inference by Gibbs algorithm. The heritability for stem straightness was shown to be moderate, with h2=0.40 [0.29-0.57]. Heritabilities for diameter and height were moderate: 0.30 [0.24-0.38] and 0.30 [0.22-0.44]. Genetic correlations between straightness and growth were statistically not different from zero. The genotype-environment interaction was not significant (p>0.05) for the traits. The moderate degree of genetic control allows significant genetic gains in environments under water stress.
Clinical characteristics of preeclampsia in twin versus singleton pregnancies

Abstract Objective We aimed to compare features of preeclampsia between twin and singleton pregnancies. Methods In this retrospective case-control study, women with twin pregnancies who were diagnosed with preeclampsia were matched to singleton pregnancies controls. Results Ninety-four women with twin gestation diagnosed with preeclampsia were compared to singleton pregnancies with preeclampsia. Twin pregnancies were diagnosed at an earlier mean gestational age (33.23 ± 7.32 vs 35.93 ± 3.52 weeks, p = .001), and had an earlier gestational age at delivery (35.05 ± 2.28 vs 36.31 ± 3.25 weeks, p = .002) in comparison to singleton pregnancies. Mean systolic blood pressure at diagnosis was lower (147.22 ± 14.62 vs 152.7 ± 15.22 mmHg, p = .013), and the rate of thrombocytopenia <100,000 platelets/microliter, (17.02% vs 7.45%, p = .045) was higher in the twin preeclampsia group. A subanalysis for diagnosis prior to 34 weeks of gestation revealed that the rate of chronic hypertension was lower (3.03% vs 26.32%, p = .020), and the gestational age at delivery was higher (32.83 ± 2.16 weeks vs 31.02 ± 2.49, p = .008) among the twin preeclampsia group. In the prior to 34 weeks gestation preeclampsia subanalysis, less women in the twin group were hospitalized due to maternal indications (hypertension, ominous signs for PE, disturbed laboratory tests and suspicion for intra-hepatic cholestasis of pregnancies) in comparison to the singleton preeclampsia group (63.64% vs 89.47%, p = .028), while non-maternal/fetal indications (active labor, premature rupture of membranes, cervical dynamics, latent phase or gastroenteritis) for hospitalization were more common in the twin preeclampsia group (30.30% vs 0.00%). Conclusion Preeclampsia in women with twin pregnancies is diagnosed at an earlier gestational age with lower level of hypertension and a higher rate of thrombocytopenia in comparison to singleton pregnancies.
Synthesis, crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, DNA binding, DNA cleavage activity and molecular docking of a new Schiff base nickel(II) complex

Abstract A mononuclear nickel(II) complex, [Ni(o-van-tris)2]·2H2O (o-van-tris = Schiff base derived from o-vanillin and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The single crystal structure shows a distorted octahedron geometry coordinated with Ni(II) atom, and 2 D plane structure has formed by O–H···O hydrogen bond interactions. An analysis to ascertain intermolecular interactions of the complex was performed based on the Hirshfeld surfaces and their associated two-dimensional fingerprint plots. The binding properties of the nickel(II) complex with CT-DNA have been investigated by spectroscopic methods and molecular docking. Absorption and fluorescence spectral studies reveal that the complex interacts with DNA through hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions with the DNA base pairs. Molecular docking studies show that the complex effectively docks in the major groove of DNA. The DNA cleavage experiment was performed by gel electrophoretic assay, indicating that DNA cleavage activity of the complex is concentration dependent and much sensitive to ionic strength. The efficient cleavage mediated via hydrolytically cleaving pathway. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma Graphical Abstract
Astrocyte gp130 Expression Is Critical for the Control of Toxoplasma Encephalitis1

Toxoplasma gondii infects astrocytes, neurons and microglia cells in the CNS and, after acute encephalitis, persists within neurons. Robust astrocyte activation is a hallmark of Toxoplasma encephalitis (TE); however, the in vivo function of astrocytes is largely unknown. To study their role in TE we generated C57BL/6 GFAP-Cre gp130fl/fl mice (where GFAP is glial fibrillary acid protein), which lack gp130, the signal-transducing receptor for IL-6 family cytokines, in their astrocytes. In the TE of wild-type mice, the gp130 ligands IL-6, IL-11, IL-27, LIF, oncostatin M, ciliary neurotrophic factor, B cell stimulating factor, and cardiotrophin-1 were up-regulated. In addition, GFAP+ astrocytes of gp130fl/fl control mice were activated, increased in number, and efficiently restricted inflammatory lesions and parasites, thereby contributing to survival from TE. In contrast, T. gondii- infected GFAP-Cre gp130fl/fl mice lost GFAP+ astrocytes in inflammatory lesions resulting in an inefficient containment of inflammatory lesions, impaired parasite control, and, ultimately, a lethal necrotizing TE. Production of IFN-γ and the IFN-γ-induced GTPase (IGTP), which mediate parasite control in astrocytes, was even increased in GFAP-Cre gp130fl/fl mice, indicating that instead of the direct antiparasitic effect the immunoregulatory function of GFAP-Cre gp130fl/fl astrocytes was disturbed. Correspondingly, in vitro infected GFAP-Cre gp130fl/fl astrocytes inhibited the growth of T. gondii efficiently after stimulation with IFN-γ, whereas neighboring noninfected and TNF-stimulated GFAP-Cre gp130fl/fl astrocytes became apoptotic. Collectively, these are the first experiments demonstrating a crucial function of astrocytes in CNS infection.
Expression of chitin synthase genes in the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Gigaspora margarita

Genomic DNA from spores of the endomycorrhizal fungus Gigaspora margarita was amplified with two sets of degenerate primers designed on conserved regions of chitin synthase polypeptides. Three chitin synthase (chs) gene portions were identified: Gimchs1, Gimchs2 and Gimchs3, encoding one class II and two class IV chitin synthases, respectively. Gimchs1 and Gimchs3 transcripts were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during root colonization, whereas none of three mRNAs was revealed during spore germination. The potential role of the genes expressed is discussed in the light of morphogenetic and signalling events.
Aromatic interactions with membrane modulate human BK channel activation

Large-conductance potassium (BK) channels are transmembrane (TM) proteins that can be synergistically and independently activated by membrane voltage and intracellular Ca2+. The only covalent connection between the cytosolic Ca2+ sensing domain and the TM pore and voltage sensing domains is a 15-residue ‘C-linker’. To determine the linker’s role in human BK activation, we designed a series of linker sequence scrambling mutants to suppress potential complex interplay of specific interactions with the rest of the protein. The results revealed a surprising sensitivity of BK activation to the linker sequence. Combining atomistic simulations and further mutagenesis experiments, we demonstrated that nonspecific interactions of the linker with membrane alone could directly modulate BK activation. The C-linker thus plays more direct roles in mediating allosteric coupling between BK domains than previously assumed. Our results suggest that covalent linkers could directly modulate TM protein function and should be considered an integral component of the sensing apparatus.
Long-term follow-up of cystinosis patients treated with 0.55% cysteamine hydrochloride

Background/Aims Cystinosis is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder causing defective transport of cystine out of lysosomes. Cystadrops (0.55% cysteamine hydrochloride in viscous solution) has been used on a named-patient basis to treat the accumulation of cystine crystals in the cornea in patients with cystinosis. Methods Retrospective analysis of the Temporary Authorisation for Use cohort of 130 patients who received Cystadrops between 2013 and 2017 in France. Results Patients received an average dosage of 3.3 (±0.94) instillations per eye per day. Over the duration of follow-up, of up to 45 months, patients maintained visual acuity scores of 0.0, which approximated normal. Corneal cystine crystal scores tended to decrease over time, stabilising after around 27 months between 1.22 and 1.87. Photophobia decreased within 3 months, stabilising on scores of around 1.5 and 1.7. 47 non-serious adverse reactions were reported, which were generally transient irritation, stinging or blurred vision. Four serious adverse events were reported, including keratitis and corneal ulcer, but these may have been caused by the underlying disease. Conclusion This large safety cohort confirms the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Cystadrops in real-world clinical practice.
Dwarf and giant geckos from the cellular perspective : the bigger the animal, the bigger its erythrocytes?

Summary 1. Although evolutionary and ecological consequences of body size changes are relatively well understood, the proximate mechanisms of body size alteration at a cellular level are often surprisingly neglected, especially in vertebrates. The question of whether larger animals are made from larger cells is rarely tested in an explicit phylogenetic framework, i.e. among closely related species with known phylogeny. 2. Here we explore the relationship between erythrocyte and body size in a small gecko family (Eublepharidae) exhibiting large body size variation. 3. We found positive interspecific correlation of cell and body size. Assuming that size of other cell types changed in a similar way to red blood cell size, we can conclude than c. 15‐20% of body size change in this group could be attributed to cell size variation. 4. As larger cells are generally more frugal than smaller cells, we hypothesise that a macro-evolutionary trade-off exists between body complexity and energetic efficiency. 5. We believe that knowing how particular animal lineages have solved this trade-off during body size evolution will help us explain much of the variation in ecophysiological traits among clades as well as within them.
Lesion network mapping demonstrates that mind‐wandering is associated with the default mode network

Functional neuroimaging research has consistently associated brain structures within the default mode network (DMN) and frontoparietal network (FPN) with mind‐wandering. Targeted lesion research has documented impairments in mind‐wandering after damage to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampal regions associated with the DMN. However, no lesion studies to date have applied lesion network mapping to identify common networks associated with deficits in mind‐wandering. In lesion network mapping, resting‐state functional connectivity data from healthy participants are used to infer which brain regions are functionally connected to each lesion location from a sample with brain injury. In the current study, we conducted a lesion network mapping analysis to test the hypothesis that lesions affecting the DMN and FPN would be associated with diminished mind‐wandering. We assessed mind‐wandering frequency on the Imaginal Processes Inventory (IPI) in participants with brain injury (n = 29) and healthy comparison participants without brain injury (n = 19). Lesion network mapping analyses showed the strongest association of reduced mind‐wandering with the left inferior parietal lobule within the DMN. In addition, traditional lesion symptom mapping results revealed that reduced mind‐wandering was associated with lesions of the dorsal, ventral, and anterior sectors of mPFC, parietal lobule, and inferior frontal gyrus in the DMN (p < 0.05 uncorrected). These findings provide novel lesion support for the role of the DMN in mind‐wandering and contribute to a burgeoning literature on the neural correlates of spontaneous cognition.
Variable natural mortality rate of juvenile Norwegian spring-spawning herring (Clupea harengus L.) in the Barents Sea

Understanding the patterns of mortality rate in the juvenile stages of exploited fish populations is essential for improving current stock assessment procedures. Most of the research on ‘‘the recruitment problem’’ has focused on the larval stages, but recent work indicates that a large part of the variability in year-class strength may be associated to variable mortality rates during the juvenile stages. The data on abundance of juvenile Norwegian spring-spawning herring in the Barents Sea collected by the Bergen Institute of Marine Research between 1983 and 1993 was analysed to test this hypothesis. The results give strong support to the hypothesis. Survival from the start of the 0-group stage to age 3 years may have varied from 0 to 30% for the cohorts investigated. Mortality rate is shown to be strongly age-dependent, and between 75% and 99% of the total juvenile mortality occurs during the first year of life. 1998 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
Historical Selection

This paper discusses a select list of six historical conditions, some long-lasting, some of shorter duration that have influenced the research of many psychologists. The conditions are: (a) the emergence of industrialization and increased numbers of European immigrants to the United States, (b) the historical commitment to a material basis for all natural phenomena, (c) the Cold War and computers, (d) the entry of mothers into the workforce, (e) the reliance on the analysis of variance and regression, and (f) the unique position of physics among the empirical sciences.
Age-dependent plasticity in reproductive investment, regeneration capacity and survival in a partially clonal animal (Hydra oligactis).

Asexual reproduction diversifies life history priorities and is associated with unusual reproduction and somatic maintenance patterns, such as constant fertility with age, extensive regeneration ability and negligible senescence. While age-dependent plasticity in relative allocation to sexual vs. asexual reproductive modes is relatively well studied, the modulation of somatic maintenance traits in parallel with age-dependent reproduction is much less well understood in clonal or partially clonal animals. Here, we asked how age-dependent investment into sexual and asexual reproduction co-varies with somatic maintenance such as regeneration in a partially clonal freshwater cnidarian, Hydra oligactis, a species with remarkable regeneration abilities and experimentally inducible sex. We induced gametogenesis by lowering temperature at two ages, one week or four weeks after detachment from an asexual parent, in animals of a male and a female clone. Then we measured phenotypically asexual and sexual reproductive traits (budding rate, start day and number of sexual organs) together with head regeneration rate, survival and the cellular background of these traits (number of reproductive and interstitial stem cells) for two or five months. Younger animals had higher asexual reproduction while individuals in the older group had more intensive gametogenesis and reproductive cell production. In parallel with these age-dependent reproductive differences, somatic maintenance of older individuals was also impacted: head regeneration, survival and interstitial stem cell numbers were reduced compared to younger polyps. Some of the traits investigated showed an ontogenetic effect, suggesting that age-dependent plasticity and a fixed ontogenetic response might both contribute to differences between age groups. We show that in H. oligactis asexual reproduction coupled with higher somatic maintenance is prioritized earlier in life, while sexual reproduction with higher maintenance costs occurs later if sex is induced. These findings confirm general life history theory predictions on resource allocation between somatic maintenance and sexual reproduction applying in a partially clonal species. At the same time, our study also highlights the age-dependent integration of these resource allocation decisions with sexual/asexual strategies. Accounting for age-related differences might enhance repeatability of research done with clonal individuals derived from mass cultures.
Molecular Tagging of the Ms Locus in Onion

Cytoplasmic-genic male sterility (CMS) is used to produce hybrid onion (Allium cepa L.) seed. For the most widely used source of onion CMS, male sterility is conditioned by the interaction of the male-sterile (S) cytoplasm and the homozygous recessive genotype at a nuclear male-fertility restoration locus (Ms). Maintainer lines are used to seed propagate male-sterile lines, possess normal (N) male-fertile cytoplasm, and are homozyous recessive at the Ms locus. Due to the biennial nature of onion, it takes 4 to 8 years of crossing and scoring of progeny phenotypes to establish if maintainer lines can be extracted from an uncharacterized population or family. Identification of nuclear markers tightly linked to the Ms locus would allow for molecular-facilitated selection of maintainer lines. We evaluated testcross progenies from a segregating family for nuclear restoration of male fertility over at least three environments. Although segregations in the F2 family fit the expected 1:2:1 ratio (P = 0.973), the proportion of male-sterile testcross progenies showed significant (P < 0.01) year effects and it is therefore imperative to score male-fertility restoration over environments. Too many male-sterile testcross progenies were often observed, indicating that the dominant allele conditioning male-fertility restoration for S cytoplasm may not show complete penetrance. Segregations of amplified fragment length polymorphisms and restriction fragment length polymor- phisms (RFLPs) revealed RFLPs flanking the Ms locus at 0.9 and 8.6 cM. An onion cDNA showing highly significant homology to the aldehyde dehydrogenase conditioned by the rf2 locus of maize was identified and mapped to linkage group I, independent of the Ms locus. A sample of commercial onion germplasm was evaluated for putative allelic diversity at the RFLP loci linked to Ms. The genomic region corresponding to the cDNA (AOB272) revealing the closest RFLP to Ms was sequenced to reveal numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms. Single-stranded conformational polymorphisms and single nucleotide extensions were developed that revealed genomic variation at AOB272-EcoRI. The use of these molecular markers to select maintainer lines in onion is discussed. tions, e.g. the cultivars 'Texas 1015Y' (United States), 'Sapporo- Ki' (Japan), or 'Pukekohe Longkeeper' (New Zealand), has not
Development of radiopharmaceuticals based on aptamers: selection and characterization of DNA aptamers for CEA

Colorectal cancer is among the top four causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a complex intracellular glycoprotein produced by about 90% of colorectal cancers. CEA has been identified as an attractive target for cancer research because of its pattern of expression in the surface cell and its likely functional role in tumorigenesis. Research on the rapid selection of ligands based on the SELEX (sistematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) forms the basis for the development of high affinity and high specifity molecules, which can bind to surface determinants of tumour cells, like CEA. The oligonucleotides ligands generated in this tecnique are called aptamers. Aptamers can potentially find applications as therapeutic or diagnostic tools for many kind of diseases, like a tumor. Aptamers offer low immunogenicity, good tumour penetration, rapid uptake and fast systemic clearence, which favour their application as effective vehicles for radiotherapy. In addition aptamers can be labeled with different radioactive isotopes. The aim of this work was select aptamers binding to the CEA tumor marker. The aptamers are obtained through by SELEX, in which aptamers are selected from a library of random sequences of synthetic DNA by repetitive binding of the oligonucleotides to target molecule (CEA). Analyses of the secondary structure of the aptamers were determined using the mfold toll. Three aptamers were selected to binding assay with target cells. These aptamers were confirmed to have affinity and specific binding for T84 cell line (target cell), showed by confocal imaging. We are currently studying the potential efficacy of these aptamers as targeted radiopharmaceuticals, for use as imaging agents or therapeutic applications. The development of aptamers specific to CEA open new perspectives for colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This investigation was supported by the Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear (CDTN/Brazil) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES/Brazil).
Machine Learning for Survival Analysis: A Survey

Accurately predicting the time of occurrence of an event of interest is a critical problem in longitudinal data analysis. One of the main challenges in this context is the presence of instances whose event outcomes become unobservable after a certain time point or when some instances do not experience any event during the monitoring period. Such a phenomenon is called censoring which can be effectively handled using survival analysis techniques. Traditionally, statistical approaches have been widely developed in the literature to overcome this censoring issue. In addition, many machine learning algorithms are adapted to effectively handle survival data and tackle other challenging problems that arise in real-world data. In this survey, we provide a comprehensive and structured review of the representative statistical methods along with the machine learning techniques used in survival analysis and provide a detailed taxonomy of the existing methods. We also discuss several topics that are closely related to survival analysis and illustrate several successful applications in various real-world application domains. We hope that this paper will provide a more thorough understanding of the recent advances in survival analysis and offer some guidelines on applying these approaches to solve new problems that arise in applications with censored data.