Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Image-Based Cell Viability (QuantICV) Assay for Microfluidic 3D Tissue Culture Applications

Microfluidic 3D tissue culture systems are attractive for in vitro drug testing applications due to the ability of these platforms to generate 3D tissue models and perform drug testing at a very small scale. However, the minute cell number and liquid volume impose significant technical challenges to perform quantitative cell viability measurements using conventional colorimetric or fluorometric assays, such as MTS or Alamar Blue. Similarly, live-dead staining approaches often utilize metabolic dyes that typically label the cytoplasm of live cells, which makes it difficult to segment and count individual cells in compact 3D tissue cultures. In this paper, we present a quantitative image-based cell viability (QuantICV) assay technique that circumvents current challenges of performing the quantitative cell viability assay in microfluidic 3D tissue cultures. A pair of cell-impermeant nuclear dyes (EthD-1 and DAPI) were used to sequentially label the nuclei of necrotic and total cell populations, respectively. Confocal microscopy and image processing algorithms were employed to visualize and quantify the cell nuclei in the 3D tissue volume. The QuantICV assay was validated and showed good concordance with the conventional bulk MTS assay in static 2D and 3D tumor cell cultures. Finally, the QuantICV assay was employed as an on-chip readout to determine the differential dose responses of parental and metastatic 3D oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to Gefitinib in a microfluidic 3D culture device. This proposed technique can be useful in microfluidic cell cultures as well as in a situation where conventional cell viability assays are not available.
Using an Online Platform to Administer the Single-Session Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm: An Initial Examination of Feasibility and Validity

Online platforms represent a cost-effective option for data collection; however, it is unclear whether online administration of certain kinds of tasks (e.g., behavioral measures of aggression) poses validity threats. The present study provided a preliminary examination of effort (as indexed by total number of presses), differential drop-out, and believability of an online version of the single-session point subtraction aggression paradigm (PSAP). Two subsamples of participants were recruited; a sample recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (n = 758) and an in-person undergraduate sample (n = 88). All participants completed the PSAP, along with measures of trait hostility and state anger. The online sample did not differ from the in-person sample on effort (i.e., total number of presses), and did not find the task less believable. Higher scores on state anger were associated with lower likelihood of beginning the online PSAP, but were not associated with prematurely closing the task. State anger was related to aggressive responding on the PSAP. Limitations of the online PSAP and considerations for future research are discussed.
PREDATORS OF AEDES ATROPALPUS (COQ) (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) AND OF OTHER MOSQUITOES BREEDING IN ROCK POOLS IN ONTARIO

Predators of Aedes atropalpus (Coq.) and of other rockpool mosquitoes were investigated at Cordova Mines, Ontario, by tagging larvae with radioactive phosphorus, P32. High radiation counts showed that six species of dytiscids, two of Hemiptera, a leech, and a minnow were predators of A. atropalpus. The dytiscid Laccophilus maculosus Germ. exceeded other arthropod predators in numbers and in degrees of radioactivity. Hydra oligactis Pallas killed but did not ingest the tagged larvae. Other evidence suggested that H. oligactis inhibits breeding by capturing young larvae and paralyzing later stages. Five species of aquatic insects were predacious on larvae of Anopheles and Culex.
Two New Liverworts for the Bryophyte Flora of Spain

Abstract Based on recent bryophyte collections, the presence of Nardia insecta Lindb. and Tritomaria scitula (Taylor) Jörg, from one locality in the Catalonian Pyrenees is indicated, being their first records for Spain. Data on their ecology are included and their conservation status discussed.
Serious mental illness and incidents between adult children and parents responded to by police

Abstract Background Despite a sizable minority of persons with serious mental illness (SMI) acting aggressively toward family members, little is known about this topic. The objectives of the present analyses are to examine the association of offenders' SMI status with offender behaviors and victim outcomes and to compare the immediate contextual characteristics of incidents involving offenders with and without SMI. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, all incidents of domestic violence to which police were called between adult children and their parents in Philadelphia, PA, in 2013 (N = 6191) were analyzed. Additionally, incidents in which the offender was indicated to have SMI (n = 327) were matched with a sample of incidents in which the offender was not indicated to have SMI (n = 327). Results Offenders having SMI was not associated with using a bodily weapon or gun, threatening victims, or damaging property. Offenders having SMI was associated with a decreased risk of offenders using a non-gun external weapon and victims being observed to have a complaint of pain or visible injuries. When offenders had SMI, conflict was less likely to focus on family issues and more likely to focus on offenders' behaviors and to involve contextual characteristics related to mental illness. Conclusions Efforts to prevent gun and other violence between non-intimate partner family members should target factors more strongly associated with violence than SMI (e.g. history of domestic violence, substance abuse). Intervening in family aggression by persons with SMI likely requires addressing unique circumstances these parties experience.
The Effect of Finishing and Polishing Sequences on The Surface Roughness of Three Different Nanocomposites and Composite/Enamel and Composite/Cementum Interfaces

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of final surface treatment and dental composite type on the roughness of the composite surface, composite/enamel interface, and composite/cementum interface, as well as on the polishing time. Class V cavities prepared in extracted teeth (n = 126) were restored using one of the three nanohybrid composites with different filler sizes. The specimens were randomly assigned to three different finishing and polishing sequences. The roughness (Ra) of the investigated surfaces was measured using the contact profilometer. The time required to achieve visible gloss was documented. The data were analyzed using ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05). There was no significant influence of the composite type on the restoration surface roughness (p = 0.088), while the polishing method had a significant impact (p < 0.001). The Ra of the composites ranged between 0.08 µm and 0.29 µm, with the lowest values (0.09 µm ± 0.05 µm) found in the aluminum oxide disc group (p < 0.001). The time to achieve a visible composite gloss was influenced by the polishing method, composite type, and interactions between these factors (p < 0.001). The interface roughness was significantly greater than that of the composite surface (p < 0.001), and depended on the composite type and polishing system employed.
Phylogeography of the cold‐water barnacle Chthamalus challengeri in the north‐western Pacific: effect of past population expansion and contemporary gene flow

Aim Phylogeographical patterns of marine organisms in the north‐western Pacific are shaped by the interaction of past sea‐level fluctuations during glacial maxima and present‐day gene flow. This study examines whether observed population differentiation in the barnacle Chthamalus challengeri, which is endemic to the north‐western Pacific, can be explained by the interactions between historical glacial events and patterns of contemporary gene flow.
l‐Citrulline treatment alters the structure of the pulmonary circulation in hypoxic newborn pigs

Dysregulated nitric oxide (NO) signaling contributes to chronic hypoxia (CH)‐induced pulmonary hypertension (PH). NO signaling is improved and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is reduced in CH piglets treated with the l‐arginine‐NO precursor, l‐citrulline. We hypothesized that l‐citrulline might cause structural changes in the pulmonary circulation that would contribute to the reduction in PVR and that the l‐citrulline‐induced structural changes would be accompanied by alterations in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling.
Metabolome responses of Enterococcus faecium to acid shock and nitrite stress

Enterococcus faecium is gaining increasing interest due to its virulence and tolerance to a range of stresses (e.g., acid shock and nitrite stress in human stomach). The chemical taxonomy and basic structural features of cellular metabolite can provide us a deeper understanding of bacterial tolerance at molecular level. Here, we used hierarchical classification and molecular composition analysis to investigate the metabolome responses of E. faecium to acid shock and nitrite stress. Our results showed that considerable high biodegradable compounds (e.g., dipeptides) were produced by E. faecium under acid shock, while nitrite stress induced the accumulations of some low biodegradable compounds (e.g., organoheterocyclic compounds and benzenoids). Complete genome analysis and metabolic pathway profiling suggested that E. faecium produced high biodegradable metabolites responsible for the proton‐translocation and biofilm formation, which increase its tolerance to acid shock. Yet, the presence of low biodegradable metabolites due to the nitrite exposure could disturb the bacterial productions of surface proteins, and thus inhibiting biofilm formation. Our approach uncovered the hidden interactions between intracellular metabolites and exogenous stress, and will improve the understanding of host‐microbe interactions.
Longitudinal cortical thinning progression differs across multiple sclerosis phenotypes and is clinically relevant: A multicentre study

Background: Longitudinal evolution of cortical thickness (CTh) in different MS phenotypes has been rarely studied. Aim: To investigate the regional pattern and 1-year progression of cortical thinning in relapsing-remitting (RR) and progressive (P) MS. Methods: 3T high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained from 86 patients (75 RRMS, 11 PMS) and 34 healthy controls (HC) at three European sites at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Using FreeSurfer, baseline CTh between-group differences, longitudinal CTh changes and their correlations with clinical and MRI variables were assessed. Results: Baseline frontal, parietal and sensorimotor atrophy was found in MS versus HC. Such pattern was driven by RRMS, while PMS showed additional parietal, insular and sensorimotor cortical atrophy versus RRMS. At 1-year versus baseline, additional frontal and temporal cortical thinning was detected in RRMS patients, while a widespread CTh reduction was found in PMS patients (significant at time-by-group interaction vs RRMS). In MS, baseline fronto-parietal atrophy correlated with more severe disability and higher lesion volume. Baseline inferior parietal CTh decrease and 1-year temporal cortical thinning correlated with more severe disability. Conclusion: Parieto-temporal baseline CTh abnormalities and thinning pattern over time characterized the main MS clinical phenotypes and were associated with 1-year disability worsening.
Predictive values of blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio and other routine blood parameters on disease severity and survival of COVID‐19 patients

We aimed to examine independent predictive factors for the severity and survival of COVID‐19 disease, from routine blood parameters, especially the blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine (Cr) ratio. A total of 139 patients with COVID‐19 were investigated at Siirt State Hospital. According to the disease severity, the patients were categorized as three groups (moderate: 85, severe: 54, and critical: 20). Then, patients were divided into two groups: nonsevere (moderate) and severe (severe and critical). Demographic, clinical data, and routine blood parameters were analyzed. In multivariate model adjusted for potential confounders BUN/Cr ratio (odds ratio [OR] = 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20‐2.40; P = .002) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (OR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.20‐4.30; P < .001) were independent predictive factors for disease severity. In multivariate Cox proportional hazard model BUN/Cr ratio (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.05; P = .030), and NLR (HR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.06‐1.30; P = .020) were independent predictors for survival of COVID‐19 disease. The optimal thresholds of the BUN/Cr ratio at 33.5 and 51.7 had the superior possibility for severe disease and mortality, area under the curve (AUC) were 0.98 and 0.95, respectively. The optimal thresholds of NLR at 3.27 and 5.72 had a superior possibility for severe disease and mortality, AUC were 0.87 and 0.85, respectively. BUN/Cr and NLR are independent predictors for COVID‐19 patient severity and survival. Routine evaluation of BUN/Cr and NLR can help identify high‐risk cases with COVID‐19.
Trichodinid Parasites (Protozoa: Ciliophora: Peritrichida) of Invasive Gobiid Fish Inhabiting The Lower Kizilirmak Delta in Samsun, Turkey

The trichodinid fauna of three gobiid species, the monkey goby Neogobius fluviatilis (Pallas, 1814), the tubenose goby Proterorhinus marmoratus (Pallas, 1814) and the marbled goby Pomatoschistus marmoratus (Risso, 1810) collected from the Lower Kizilirmak Delta in Samsun, Turkey were investigated during December 2010-November 2011. Three trichodinid species including Trichodina domerguei Wallengren, 1897, Trichodina heterodentata Duncan, 1977 and Paratrichodina corlissi Lom et Haldar, 1977 were identified on 222 gobiid fish specimens. The existence of trichodinid parasites in relation to the body parts of three gobiid species as well as their seasonal occurrences were determined and discussed. This paper is the first report on the trichodinid fauna on the monkey goby, the tubenose goby and the marbled goby in Turkey. Trichodina heterodentata Duncan, 1977 and Paratrichodina corlissi Lom et Haldar, 1977 are new records for Turkish fish parasite fauna, while T. heterodentata is a new parasite record for Neogobius fluviatilis, Proterorhinus marmoratus and Pomatoschistus marmoratus.
ISOLATION OF CYTOKININ BIOSYNTHESIS AND METABOLIC GENES FROM WHITE CLOVER (Trifolium repens L)

The factors influencing senescence in white clover (Trifolium repens L.) are of considerable importance to the pastoral sector of New Zealand’s economy. The plant hormones, ethylene and the cytokinins, have been implicated as having opposing influences on senescence. This project focused on the cytokinins. The rate limiting step in cytokinin biosynthesis is catalysed by isopentenyl transferase (IPT) and the primary enzyme in the degradation of cytokinins is cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX). Both IPT and CKX genes are present as multi-gene families. A reduction in the level of active cytokinins either via a decrease in IPT expression, or an increase in CKX expression, or both, would implicate the cytokinins in developmental leaf senescence in white clover. White clover grows in a sequential pattern with leaves at all stages of development making it a good model for studying leaf development and senescence. A decrease in leaf chlorophyll is used as a marker for the onset of senescence. A micro-scale chlorophyll analysis was developed using the NanoDropTM thus allowing tissue from the same leaflet to be used for gene expression and chlorophyll measurements. The pattern of chlorophyll changes was similar to that shown by Hunter et al.(1999) and Yoo et al.(2003) in white clover stolons used for ethylene research. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and BLAST analysis was used to identify five putative IPT genes and seven putative CKX genes from white clover. RT-PCR demonstrated the expression of seven of these genes (TrIPT1. TrIPT13, TrIPT15 TrCKX1, TrCKX2, TrCKX6). Analysis with quantitative real-time PCR showed expression of TrCKX2 increased markedly during leaf expansion and was consistently high during senescence, suggesting a potential role for CKX in facilitating the progression of senescence.
Isolation of Ursolic Acid from Apple Peels and Its Specific Efficacy as a Potent Antitumor Agent

Dried apple peels were extracted with n-hexane, chloroform, and methanol successively. The portion of the chloroform extract that showed the strongest cytotoxic activity was purified by silica gel chromatography to isolate ursolic acid (UA). The amount of the isolated UA was 0.71% of the dried peels. Normal mouse embryo cells [serum-free mouse embryo (SFME) cells] and tumorigenic human c-Haras- and mouse c-myc-transformed SFME cells [r/m highly metastatic (HM)-SFME-1 cells] were treated with various concentrations of UA (2.5‐20µM) to investigate its effects on cell growth. UA at 10µ Ma ppeared very effective at suppressing the tumor cell growth, affecting more than 82% of r/mHM-SFME1 cells, while it inhibited cell growth in only about 7% of SFME cells . T umorigenic r/m HM-SFME-1 cells were also treated with various concentrations (2.5‐10µM) of epidermal growth factor (EGF) or aminoguanidine (AG) in the presence of UA (2.5‐ 10µM). Neither EGF nor AG seemed to have any effect on UA-inhibited cell growth. In the present study, it is revealed tha tU A could be av ery effective and promising agent for antitumor treatments,
Kiwifruit Cultivars Differ in Response to Winter Chilling

Abstract Cuttings from five cultivars of [Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.) C.F. Liang et A.R. Ferguson var. deliciosa] were excised following ambient exposure to chilling temperatures in 100 hour accumulated increments. Cuttings were then placed in a thermostatically controlled greenhouse maintained at 72°F (22.2°C) for forcing to determine effects of chilling on flower buds and vegetative growth. Our data indicate ‘Matua’ and ‘AU-1M’ are better pollinizers than Tomuri' based on flower uniformity per stem, the number of flowers per stem and the total number of flowers remaining at the end of the study. Stem length and leaf area, providing indicators of overall plant vigor, were always greater for males than female cultivars. Our data indicate ‘AU-1F’ could potentially set more fruit than ‘Hayward’ based on stem uniformity of flowering, flowers per stem, and flower retention.
Cloning and Analysis of piRNAs from Testes of Three Species

บทคดยอ piRNAs คอ สวนของสาย อารเอนเอขนาดเลกในกลมความจำเพาะตอลกอณฑะของสตวเลยงลกดวยนำนม ทำการศกษาลำดบเบสของ piRNAs ในสตวจำนวน 3 สปชส โดยวธการสราง cDNA library ประกอบดวย หนไมซจำนวน 2 ตวอยาง นกกระทาจำนวน 8 ตวอยางและไกจำนวน 6 ตวอยาง ซงเปนการศกษาครงแรกใน นกกระทาและไก ผลการวเคราะหลำดบเบสพบวา piRNAs ของสตวปกมความยาวและตำแหนงของเบส Uridine ทตำแหนงปลาย 5 แตกตางจาก piRNAs ของสตวเลยงลกดวยนำนม อาจกลาววา piRNAs ของสตวปกมบทบาทในการควบคมการพฒนาเซลลประสาทและเซลลเนองอก นอกเหนอไปจากหนาทในการกระบวนการพฒนาของการสรางสเปอรม คำสำคญ: ไก การโคลนนง piRNAs นกกระทา ลกอณฑะ Abstract piRNAs are a testis-specific class of small RNAs in mammal. Sixteen sequences of piRNAs were cloned fromthree different species by the method of construction of cDNA library including two sequences from mouse, eightsequences from quail and six sequences from chicken. Herein, the two piRNAs sequences from mouse had alreadybeen identified, while the others were cloned for the first time. The sequence analysis indicated that the avian piRNAshad a similar length and a preference of uridine for 5’-end with varying degrees to the mammalian piRNAs. Besidethe function in the process of sperm development and maturation, avian piRNAs may also have a role in regulatingthe development of nerve and tumor cells. Keywords: chicken, cloning, piRNAs, quail, testis
Aspergillus fumigatus Cyp51A and Cyp51B Proteins Are Compensatory in Function and Localize Differentially in Response to Antifungals and Cell Wall Inhibitors

Triazole antifungals are the primary therapeutic option against invasive aspergillosis. However, resistance to azoles has increased dramatically over the last decade. Azole resistance is known to primarily occur due to point mutations in the azole target protein Cyp51A, one of two paralogous 14-α sterol demethylases found in Aspergillus fumigatus. Despite the importance of Cyp51A, little is known about the function of its paralog, Cyp51B, and the behavior of these proteins within the cell or their functional interrelationship. ABSTRACT Triazole antifungals are the primary therapeutic option against invasive aspergillosis. However, resistance to azoles has increased dramatically over the last decade. Azole resistance is known to primarily occur due to point mutations in the azole target protein Cyp51A, one of two paralogous 14-α sterol demethylases found in Aspergillus fumigatus. Despite the importance of Cyp51A, little is known about the function of its paralog, Cyp51B, and the behavior of these proteins within the cell or their functional interrelationship. In this study, we addressed two important aspects of the Cyp51 proteins: (i) we characterized their localization patterns under normal growth versus stress conditions, and (ii) we determined how the proteins compensate for each other’s absence and respond to azole treatment. Both the Cyp51A and Cyp51B proteins were found to localize in distinct endoplasmic reticulum (ER) domains, including the perinuclear ER and the peripheral ER. Occasionally, the Cyp51 proteins concentrated in the peripheral ER network of tubules along the hyphal septa and at the hyphal tips. Exposure to voriconazole, caspofungin, and Congo red led to significant increases in fluorescence intensity in these alternative localization sites, indicative of Cyp51 protein translocation in response to cell wall stress. Furthermore, deletion of either Cyp51 paralog increased susceptibility to voriconazole, though a greater effect was observed following deletion of cyp51A, indicating a compensatory response to stress conditions.
A Vivid Orange New Genus and Species of Braconid-Mimicking Clearwing Moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) Found Puddling on Plecoptera Exuviae

A clearwing moth with a distinct orange, black and white colour pattern was found sucking up fluids from Plecoptera (stonefly) exuviae on rocks, surrounded by water, on a river bank in Thailand. During this process, known as puddling, the sesiid ejected brown liquid, indicating that it was not imbibing water alone. The behaviour was documented via video recording. Morphological and DNA analyses indicate that the moth is a new genus and species of the tribe Osminiini and it is described herein as Aurantiosphecia piotrii genus et species nova. Two species of Aschistophleps Hampson, 1893 have been transferred to the newly established genus. The barcode sequence of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene was obtained with universal invertebrate primers after two sets of standard Lepidoptera primers failed to generate a product. Sections on behaviour, conditions of occurrence and possible mimicry models are included. The unique colouration and body posture of A. piotrii suggest that it is a braconid wasp mimic, with the mimicry model potentially also being the sesiid’s parasitoid.