Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RNA Interference-Based Silencing of the Chitin Synthase 1 Gene for Reproductive and Developmental Disruptions in Panonychus citri

Simple Summary The Chitin Synthase 1 gene, when suppressed with RNAi, imparts differences in the structural development, physiology, and synthesis of epidermal chitin, which ultimately leads to the mortality of the target pest. The results presented here will help to illuminate the molecular mechanism and function of the PcCHS1 gene, which regulates the egg-laying potential in adult citrus red mites. Using the leaf dip method, we found that dsRNA was potent and effective, and significantly reduced the egg-laying potential and hatching of citrus red mite eggs. These results show the potential utility of the PcCHS1 gene in the development of novel RNA interference strategies for controlling the citrus red mite. Abstract Chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) is an essential gene regulating chitin during different developmental stages of arthropods. In the current study, we explored for the first time the role of CHS1 gene regulation in the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae), by silencing its expression using (RNA interference) RNAi-based strategies. The results reveal that P. citri tested in different developmental stages, including larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs, and adults fed on sweet orange leaves dipped in various concentrations (200, 400, 600, and 800 ng/μL) of dsRNA-PcCHS1, resulted in a continuous reduction in their gene expression, and the extent of transcript knockdown was positively correlated with the concentration of dsRNA. Concentration–mortality response assays revealed a mortality of more than 50% among all the studied developmental stages, except for adulthood. Furthermore, the target gene dsRNA-PcCHS1 treatment of larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs, and females at a treatment rate of 800 ng/mL of dsRNA significantly decreased the egg-laying rates by 48.50%, 43.79%, 54%, and 39%, respectively, and the hatching rates were also considerably reduced by 64.70%, 70%, 64%, and 52.90%, respectively. Moreover, using the leaf dip method, we found that the RNA interference effectively reduced the PcCHS1 transcript levels by 42.50% and 42.06% in the eggs and adults, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that the RNAi of PcCHS1 can dramatically reduce the survival and fecundity of P. citri, but the dsRNA concentrations and developmental stages can significantly influence the RNAi effects. These findings indicate the potential utility of the PcCHS1 gene in causing developmental irregularities, which could aid in the development of effective and novel RNAi-based strategies for controlling P. citri.
“Begging the Question”—Does Toxocara Infection/Exposure Associate with Multiple Sclerosis-Risk?

Although the cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is unclear, infectious agents, including some parasitic roundworms (nematodes), have been proposed as possible risk factors or contributors. Here, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published observational studies to evaluate whether there is a possible association between infection with, or exposure to, one or more members of the genus Toxocara (phylum Nematoda; superfamily Ascaridoidea) and MS. We undertook a search of public literature databases to identify relevant studies and then used a random-effects meta-analysis model to generate the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). This search identified six of a total of 1371 articles that were relevant to the topic; these published studies involved totals of 473 MS patients and 647 control subjects. Anti-Toxocara IgG serum antibodies were detected in 62 MS patients and 37 controls, resulting in respective seroprevalences of 13.1% (95% CI: 8.2–20.3) and 4.8% (95% CI: 2.5–9.2), indicating an association (pooled OR, 3.01; 95% CI: 1.46–6.21). Because of the publication bias identified (six eligible studies), well-designed and -controlled studies are required in the future to rigorously test the hypothesis that Toxocara infection/exposure has an association with MS.
Formation of Self-Assembled Anticorrosion Films on Different Metals

The review will first discuss shortly the phenomenon of corrosion and enroll some general possibilities to decrease the rate of this deterioration. The stress will be laid upon the presentation of anticorrosive self-assembled molecular (SAM) layers as well as on the preparation technology that is a simple technique, does not need any special device, and can be applied on different solids (metals or non-metals) alone or in combination. The paper groups the chemicals (mainly amphiphiles) that can develop nanolayers on different pure or oxidized metal surfaces. The history of the self-assembled molecular layer will be discussed from the beginning of the first application up to now. Not only the conditions of the nanofilm preparation as well as their characterization will be discussed, but the methods that can evaluate the corrosion-inhibiting efficiency of the SAM layers under a corrosive environment will be demonstrated as well.
Genetic Engineering of Livestock: The Opportunity Cost of Regulatory Delay.

Genetically engineered (GE) livestock were first reported in 1985, and yet only a single GE food animal, the fast-growing AquAdvantage salmon, has been commercialized. There are myriad interconnected reasons for the slow progress in this once-promising field, including technical issues, the structure of livestock industries, lack of public research funding and investment, regulatory obstacles, and concern about public opinion. This review focuses on GE livestock that have been produced and documents the difficulties that researchers and developers have encountered en route. Additionally, the costs associated with delayed commercialization of GE livestock were modeled using three case studies: GE mastitis-resistant dairy cattle, genome-edited porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-resistant pigs, and the AquAdvantage salmon. Delays of 5 or 10 years in the commercialization of GE livestock beyond the normative 10-year GE product evaluation period were associated with billions of dollars in opportunity costs and reduced global food security. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, Volume 9 is February 16, 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Some data on the comparative and combined toxic activity of nanoparticles containing lead and cadmium with special attention to their vasotoxicity

Abstract Moderate subchronic intoxication was induced in rats by repeated intraperitoneal injections of PbO (49.6 ± 16.0 nm) and/or CdO (57.0 ± 13.0 nm) nanoparticles (NP) three times a week during 6 weeks. In particular, there was a reduction in arterial blood pressure and in blood concentrations of a number of factors controlling vasoconstriction and vasodilation, particularly of endothelin 1 (ET-1). This toxic effect was attenuated with a bioprotective complex administered in the background. The study confirmed as well that the combined binary action typology varies depending on which effect it is estimated by.
Acceptability and Barriers to Use of the ASMAN Provider-Facing Electronic Platform for Peripartum Care in Public Facilities in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, India: A Qualitative Study Using the Technology Acceptance Model-3

The evolving field of mobile health (mHealth) is revolutionizing collection, management, and quality of clinical data in health systems. Particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), mHealth approaches for clinical decision support and record-keeping offer numerous potential advantages over paper records and in-person training and supervision. We conducted a content analysis of qualitative in-depth interviews using the Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM-3) to explore perspectives of providers and health managers in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, India who were using the ASMAN (Alliance for Saving Mothers and Newborns) platform, a package of mHealth technologies to support management during the peripartum period. Respondents uniformly found ASMAN easy to use and felt it improved quality of care, reduced referral rates, ensured timely referral when needed, and aided reporting requirements. The TAM-3 model captured many determinants of reported respondent use behavior, including shifting workflow and job performance. However, some barriers to ASMAN digital platform use were structural and reported more often in facilities where ASMAN use was less consistent; these affect long-term impact, sustainability, and scalability of ASMAN and similar mHealth interventions. The transitioning of the program to the government, ensuring availability of dedicated funds, human resource support, and training and integration with government health information systems will ensure the sustainability of ASMAN.
Factors influencing preoperative chest radiography request for elective endoscopic procedures among medical personnel

Background Chest radiography is not routinely recommended before elective endoscopies. A high incidence of perioperative chest radiography requests was observed at our institution. This study aims to investigate factors influencing preoperative chest radiography request for patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopies. Methods This cross-sectional clinical study recruited 264 participants from different medical specialties who were responsible for preoperative endoscopic chest x-ray (CXR) ordering including anesthesiologists, surgeons and gastroenterologists. They completed questionnaires exploring their general knowledge and attitudes about preoperative chest radiography. Demographic characteristic of the participants affecting the knowledge on preoperative chest radiography was determined. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was constructed from validated conceptual framework to find causal relationships between hypothesized factors and intention for preoperative endoscopic chest radiography request. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software version 18.0 and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 18.0. Results The questionnaire response rate was 53.79%. Baseline general knowledge on preoperative chest radiography of the participants was comparable. The SEM results showed unsupported relationship between hypothesized factors and the intention for preprocedural GI endoscopic CXR request (p < 0.1). Conclusions General knowledge of medical personnel on tuberculosis needs improvement. To rectify the unnecessary chest radiography request before elective GI endoscopic procedures, awareness of the patients’ health conditions, adherence to the hospital’s policy and realizing of possible patient-related mishaps are not the determinants for preprocedural endoscopic chest radiography request. Future works are required to explore other alternative factors involved for reducing chest radiography requests which are not indicated.
Sequence based mapping identifies AWNS1, a candidate transcription repressor underlying awn suppression at the B1 locus in wheat

Awns are stiff, hair-like structures that grow from the spikelets of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and other grasses. In wild wheat relatives, awns play a role in seed dispersal. Awn suppression in domesticated wheat, where awns are shortened or even eliminated entirely, is variably adaptive with both awned and awnless types under widespread cultivation. Although the B1 locus on the long arm of chromosome 5A is a major determinant of awn suppression, no underlying gene or mechanism of action has been identified. Using association mapping, we identified a SNP marker located on the distal end of 5AL (5A28417) predictive of awn status in a panel of 640 U.S. winter wheat breeding lines, indicating that B1 was the determinant of awn suppression in this germplasm. Analysis of historical data available for the panel determined 5A28417 was also significantly associated with grain test weight. Evaluation of spike morphology and kernel traits was undertaken in a 341 RIL population developed from a cross between awned soft winter wheat cultivar LA95135 and awnless cultivar SS-MPV57. Awn suppression in the population co-segregated with 5A28417 and was co-located with QTL for number of spikelets per spike, kernel weight and kernel length. Fine-mapping located B1 to a region containing only two predicted genes, including a C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor 219 bp from 5A28417 that we named AWNS-A1. Deletions encompassing both genes were present in awned mutants of the awnless cultivar Brundage. Polymorphisms in the AWNS-A1 coding region were not observed in diverse wheat germplasm. However, sequencing of wheat lines representing different marker haplotypes in the surrounding region identified a deletion 3 kb downstream of AWNS-A1. A marker for this deletion was highly predictive of awn suppression in a collection of diverse wheat accessions, and indicates that AWNS-A1 is likely the major determinant of awn suppression in global wheat germplasm. AWNS-A1 is more highly expressed in developing spikes of awnless individuals, suggesting a mechanism for awn suppression.
Methoxy‐Substituted Hydroxychalcone Reduces Biofilm Production, Adhesion and Surface Motility of Acinetobacter baumannii by Inhibiting ompA Gene Expression

An increasing lack of available therapeutic options against Acinetobacter baumannii urged researchers to seek alternative ways to fight this extremely resistant nosocomial pathogen. Targeting its virulence appears to be a promising strategy, as it offers considerably reduced selection of resistant mutants. In this study, we tested antibiofilm potential of four synthetic chalcone derivatives against A. baumannii. Compound that showed the greatest activity was selected for further evaluation of its antivirulence properties. Real‐time PCR was used to evaluate mRNA expression of biofilm‐associated virulence factor genes (ompA, bap, abaI) in treated A. baumannii strains. Also, we examined virulence properties related to the expression of these genes, such as fibronectin‐ and collagen‐mediated adhesion, surface motility, and quorum‐sensing activity. The results revealed that the expression of all tested genes is downregulated together with the reduction of adhesion and motility. The conclusion is that 2′‐hydroxy‐2‐methoxychalcone exhibits antivirulence activity against A. baumannii by inhibiting the expression of ompA and bap genes, which is reflected in reduced biofilm formation, adhesion, and surface motility.
The occurrence of the non-native tapeworm Khawia japonensis (Yamaguti, 1934) (Cestoda) in cultured common carp in the Czech Republic confirms its recent expansion in Europe

Invasive parasites represent a serious problem due to their capacity to threaten local populations of native (often endemic) hosts, and fishes in breeding facilities. Tapeworms (Cestoda) are extremely adapted (they lack any gut and circulatory system) parasitic flatworms some of which have colonised new geographical regions as a result of unintentional transfer of hosts infected with these parasites. The highest number of invasive parasites within this host-parasite system is among tapeworms parasitizing common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), which has also been introduced globally. In the present study, we report another record of the Asian non-native fish tapeworm Khawia japonensis (Yamaguti, 1934) (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea) from common carp in Europe. Previous records of this cestode from Italy (Po River basin) and Slovakia (Danube River basin) and its present finding in the Czech Republic (Elbe River basin) confirms recent expansion of the parasite in Europe. Potential impacts of this non-native parasite on common carp in commercial breeding fisheries should be carefully studied.
An Immunophenotyping of Ovarian Cancer With Clinical and Immunological Significance

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), mainly anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, has showed promising clinical benefits in the treatment of some cancer types; however, its application in ovarian cancer is still in the primary stage. Immunophenotyping can help us understand the clinical characteristics and immune status of cancer, and thus benefit immunotherapy and personalized therapy. In this study, we clustered 907 ovarian cancer patients into three immune molecular subtypes (IMMSs) based on 48 genes. Expression data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Unsupervised consensus clustering was used to identify IMMS. Clinical and immunological characteristics and gene expression patterns of different IMMS were compared, and associations between IMMS and tumor microenvironment immune types were explored. Three IMMSs with different clinical and immunological characteristics were identified, in which type I and II ovarian cancer patients were similar to each other. There were more serous and low-grade tumors in type I and II ovarian cancer. IMMS was associated with disease-free survival before and after adjusting for clinical characteristics and ICB-related genes. Among the differentially expressed genes identified in our study, about 90% (25/28) were highly expressed in type I and II ovarian cancer. Genes related to ICB (CTLA-4, PD-L1, and PD-L2) and cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8A, GZMA, and PRF1) were all highly expressed in type I and II ovarian cancer. Patients with type I and II ovarian cancer may be more sensitive to anti-CTLA-4 therapy, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, and a combination of immunotherapies. In contrast, patients with type III ovarian cancer may be insensitive to these treatments and require new therapies.
Lignin Degradation and Its Use in Signaling Development by the Coprophilous Ascomycete Podospora anserina

The filamentous fungus Podospora anserina is a good model to study the breakdown of lignocellulose, owing to its ease of culture and genetical analysis. Here, we show that the fungus is able to use a wide range of lignocellulosic materials as food sources. Using color assays, spectroscopy and pyrolysis–gas chromatography mass spectrometry, we confirm that this ascomycete is able to degrade lignin, primarily by hydrolyzing β–O-4 linkages, which facilitates its nutrient uptake. We show that the limited weight loss that is promoted when attacking Miscanthus giganteus is due to a developmental blockage rather than an inefficiency of its enzymes. Finally, we show that lignin, and, more generally, phenolics, including degradation products of lignin, greatly stimulate the growth and fertility of the fungus in liquid cultures. Analyses of the CATΔΔΔΔΔ mutant lacking all its catalases, pro-oxidants and antioxidants indicate that improved growth and fertility of the fungus is likely caused by augmented reactive oxygen species levels triggered by the presence of phenolics.
SGDAN—A Spatio-Temporal Graph Dual-Attention Neural Network for Quantified Flight Delay Prediction

There has been a lot of research on flight delays. But it is more useful and difficult to estimate the departure delay time especially three hours before the scheduled time of departure, from which passengers can reasonably plan their travel time and the airline and airport staff can schedule flights more reasonably. In this paper, we develop a Spatio-temporal Graph Dual-Attention Neural Network (SGDAN) to learn the departure delay time for each flight with real-time conditions at three hours before the scheduled time of departure. Specifically, it first models the air traffic network as graph sequences, what is, using a heterogeneous graph to model a flight and its adjacent flights with the same departure or arrival airport in a special time interval, and using a sequence to model the flight and its previous flights that share the same aircraft. The main contributions of this paper are using heterogeneous graph-level attention to learn the influence between the flight and its adjacent flight together with sequence-level attention to learn the influence between the flight and its previous flight in the flight sequence. With aggregating features from the learned influence from both graph-level and sequence-level attention, SGDAN can generate node embedding to estimate the departure delay time. Experiments on a real-world large-scale data set show that SGDAN produces better results than state-of-the-art models in the accurate flight delay time estimation task.
Morphometric and Mechanical Analyses of Calcifications and Fibrous Plaque Tissue in Carotid Arteries for Plaque Rupture Risk Assessment

Objective: Atherosclerotic plaque rupture in carotid arteries is a major source of cerebrovascular events. Calcifications are highly prevalent in carotid plaques, but their role in plaque rupture remains poorly understood. This work studied the morphometric features of calcifications in carotid plaques and their effect on the stress distribution in the fibrous plaque tissue at the calcification interface, as a potential source of plaque rupture and clinical events. Methods: A comprehensive morphometric analysis of 65 histology cross-sections from 16 carotid plaques was performed to identify the morphology (size and shape) and location of plaque calcifications, and the fibrous tissue fiber organization around them. Calcification-specific finite element models were constructed to examine the fibrous plaque tissue stresses at the calcification interface. Statistical correlation analysis was performed to elucidate the impact of calcification morphology and fibrous tissue organization on interface stresses. Results: Hundred-seventy-one calcifications were identified on the histology cross-sections, which showed great variation in morphology. Four distinct patterns of fiber organization in the plaque tissue were observed around the calcification. They were termed as attached, pushed-aside, encircling and random patterns. The stress analyses showed that calcifications are correlated with high interface stresses, which might be comparable to or even above the plaque strength. The stress levels depended on the calcification morphology and fiber organization. Thicker calcification with a circumferential slender shape, located close to the lumen were correlated most prominently to high interface stresses. Conclusion: Depending on its morphology and the fiber organization around it, a calcification in an atherosclerotic plaque can act as a stress riser and cause high interface stresses. Significance: This study demonstrated the potential of calcifications in atherosclerotic plaques to cause elevated stresses in plaque tissue and provided a biomechanical explanation for the histopathological findings of calcification-associated plaque rupture.