Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quorum‐quenching endophytic bacteria inhibit disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae in Citrus cultivars

Two strains of 64 endophytic bacteria, Bacillus cereus Si‐Ps1 and Pseudomonas azotoformans La‐Pot3‐3, isolated from Citrus sinensis and C. sinensis var. Thomson's leaves, respectively, reduced N‐acyl homoserine‐based quorum sensing in bioindicator strain Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) B728a and the biofilm production and swarming motility of field isolate Pss 3289. A homolog of aiiA gene encoding an AHL‐lactonase was found in B. cereus (Si‐Ps1), suggesting that this isolate can degrade the quorum‐sensing signal molecules of Pss 3289. The crude extract of endophytic bacterium, B. cereus (Si‐Ps1), inhibited Pss 3289 biofilm formation after 48 and 96 h by 55% and 58%, respectively. Similar reductions in biofilm formation were conferred by crude extracts of P. azotoformans (La‐Pot3‐3). Correspondingly, the number of planktonic cells in cultures treated with these extracts was higher than in control cultures, indicating a direct effect on biofilm formation and not on cell growth. In greenhouse assays, the virulence of Pss 3289 to different citrus cultivars was decreased when coinoculated with these endophytic bacteria.
Pollen nuclei after ionising irradiation for egg transformation in Nicotiana

Abstract Pollen from Nicotiana alata and N. langsdorffii was gamma irradiated at doses previously used to treat donor pollen for egg transformation in these species. Observation with a light microscope of the second pollen mitosis showed that irradiation caused chromatin fragmentation, lack of metaphase orientation, and failure of the generative nucleus to divide.
INORGANIC CATIONS IN THE CELL NUCLEUS

Earlier reports indicated the presence of significant amounts of inorganic salts in the nucleus. In the present study the possibility that this might be related to the transcription process was tested on seminiferous epithelium of the adult mouse, using potassium pyroantimonate as a fixative. The results indicated that a correlation exists between the inorganic cations comprising the pyroantimonate-precipitable fraction and the RNA synthetic activity. During meiotic prophase an accumulation of cation-antimonate precipitates occurs dispersed through the middle pachytene nuclei, the stage in which RNA synthesis reaches a maximum. At other stages (zygotene to diplotene), where RNA synthesis falls to a low level, that pattern is not seen; cation-antimonate deposits are restricted to a few masses in areas apparently free of chromatin. The condensed sex chromosomes, the heterochromatin of the "basal knobs," the axial elements, and the synaptonemal complexes are devoid of antimonate deposits during the meiotic prophase. The Sertoli cells, active in RNA synthesis in both nucleoplasm and nucleolus, show cation-antimonate deposits at these sites. In the nucleoplasm some "patches" of precipitates appear coincident with clusters of interchromatin granules; in the nucleolus the inorganic cations are mainly located in the fibrillar and/or amorphous areas, whereas relatively few are shown by the granular component. The condensed chromatin bodies associated with the nucleolus were always free of antimonate precipitates. It is suggested that the observed sites of inorganic cation accumulation within the nucleus may at least partially indicate the presence of RNA polymerases, the activity of which is dependent on divalent cations.
Comparison of two different periodontal risk assessment methods with regard to their agreement: periodontal risk assessment versus periodontal risk calculator.

AIM To evaluate the level of agreement between the Periodontal Risk Assessment (PRA) and the Periodontal Risk Calculator (PRC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Periodontal risk was retrospectively assessed among 50 patients using PRA and PRC. Both methods were modified. PRA by assessing probing pocket depths and bleeding on probing at four (PRA4) and six (PRA6) sites per tooth, PRC by permanently marking or unmarking the dichotomously selectable factors "irregular recall", "oral hygiene in need of improvement" and "completed scaling and root planing" for PRC. Agreement between PRA and PRCred (summarized risk categories) was determined using weighted kappa. RESULTS Fifty patients enrolled in periodontal maintenance (48% female, age: 63.8±11.2 years) participated. PRA4 and PRA6 matched in 32 (64%) patients (κ-coefficient=0.48, p<0.001). There was 100% agreement between both PRC versions. There was minimal agreement of PRA6 and PRCred (66%, 28% one different category, 6% two different categories; κ-coefficient=0.34; p=0.001). PRA4 and PRCred did not match (60% agreement, 34% one different category, 6% two different categories; κ-coefficient=0.23; p=0.13). For the SPT diagnosis of severe periodontitis, PRA6 and PRCred agreed weakly (κ-coefficient=0.44; p=0.004). CONCLUSION PRA and PRC showed a minimal agreement. Specific disease severity may result in improved agreement.
Letter to the Editor

With interest I have read a recent article by McManimen and colleagues [1] in which they employ the answers to questions of the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ) in their pursuit to standardize data collection methods and operationalization of symptoms. Looking at the method and conclusions, two important comments must be made. First, the thesis that patients diagnosed with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Fukuda criteria may be considered to have ME (according to the World Health Organization) because the CDC considers ME to be a synonym of CFS, is untenable. If a federal government agency considers cars and motor vehicles to be equivalent for its reasons, that does not mean that all motor vehicles are cars. The CDC position with regard to ME and CFS is irrelevant in a research or clinical context. Whether the old criteria for ME [2] or the new International Consensus criteria [3] of ME are used, the diagnostic criteria of ME define another patient population than the CFS Fukuda criteria CFS. [4] ME is a distinct clinical entity,[5] characterized by an unique form of muscle fatigability and prolonged post-exertional muscle weakness, circulatory impairment, neurological signs indicating cerebral dysfunction and an unpredictable state of central exhaustion after exertion which may require several days for recovery. CFS is a polythetic condition defined as chronic fatigue accompanied by at least 4 out of 8 symptoms. [4] Hallmark features of ME are not required to fulfil the diagnostic criteria for CFS. [6] Second, the authors propose that it is preferable to utilize subjective measures, that is, symptom severity and frequency ratings included in the DSQ, since subjective measures have been shown to be as specific and sensitive as objective measures, for example, repeated exercise tests. The arguments put forward (subjective tests could improve funding from the National Institutes of Health and objective tests often require days of testing and sophisticated equipment) are not very convincing. Subjective measures used in the last decades have not improved funding, while the equipment for objective tests, for example, cardiopulmonary exercise test equipment, is available in many hospitals and health centres. When there are no obstacles for using objective test methods, objective measures should prevail above subjective measures and selfreport in research and clinical practice. Since CFS is a heterogeneous condition,[1] sensitivity and specificity of questions in line with the polythetic criteria of CFS [1] does not lead to a more homogenous patient population. Also, how does one compare severity of fatigue in one patient with the fatigue severity of another patient or the fatigue score before and after intervention? It is known that a fatigue reduction in subjective terms does not result into
GDF9 polymorphisms: influence on ovarian response in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation

Objective: The study looked into the possible influence of GDF9 polymorphisms on ovarian response in women with a normal ovarian reserve undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 67 women with normal ovarian reserve aged 30-39 years submitted to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF. We sequenced four polymorphisms in the GDF9 gene (C398G, C447T, G546A, and G646A) and analyzed their influence on follicular and oocyte outcomes. Results: The mutant allele C398G decreased the total number of follicles >17mm (6.49 vs. 4.33, p=0.001), total number of follicles (10.11 vs. 7.33, p=0.032), number of MII oocytes retrieved, and serum progesterone levels on trigger day. The C447T polymorphism was associated with a greater number of follicles between 12 and 14 mm on the day of r-hCG, while the G546A polymorphism was associated with lower serum progesterone levels on trigger day. Conclusions: GDF9 gene polymorphisms C398G and C447T adversely affected ovarian response in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. These findings show that in addition to playing a role in the early stages of folliculogenesis, GDF9 polymorphisms have an important impact on the final stage of oocyte development.
Biomarker Modulation Study of Celecoxib for Chemoprevention in Women at Increased Risk for Breast Cancer: A Phase II Pilot Study

In preclinical studies, celecoxib has been associated with reduced risk of breast cancer. In this study, the aim was to assess the biomodulatory effect of celecoxib on blood and benign breast tissue biomarkers in women at increased risk for breast cancer. Women at increased risk for breast cancer [5-year Gail risk score of >1.67%, history of atypical hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ, or previous estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer] were treated with celecoxib at 400 mg orally twice daily for 6 months. Participants underwent random periareolar fine needle aspiration and blood draw at baseline and at 6 months for analysis of biomarkers: serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), and IGFBP-3; tissue expression of Ki-67 and ER; as well as cytology. Forty-nine patients were eligible for analysis. Median IGFBP-1 levels increased significantly from 6.05 ng/mL at baseline to 6.93 ng/mL at 6 months (P = 0.04), and median IGFBP-3 levels decreased significantly from 3,593 ng/mL to 3,420 ng/mL (P = 0.01). We also detected favorable changes in cytology of 52% of tested sites after 6 months of celecoxib therapy. No changes in tissue Ki-67 and ER expression levels were observed. No grade 3 or 4 toxicity was recorded. Celecoxib was well tolerated and induced favorable changes in serum biomarkers as well as cytology in this pilot phase II trial. A phase IIb placebo-controlled study with celecoxib could be considered for women at increased risk for breast cancer.
Lifetime of surface bubbles in surfactant solutions.

Despite the prevalence of surface bubbles in many natural phenomena and engineering applications, the effect of surfactants on their surface residence time is not clear. Numerous experimental studies and theoretical models exist but a clear understanding of the film drainage phenomena is still lacking. In particular, theoretical works predicting the drainage rate of the thin film between the bubble and the free surface in the presence and absence of surfactants usually make use of the lubrication theory. On the other hand, in numerous natural situation and experimental works, the bubble approaches the free surface from a certain distance and forms a thin film at a later stage. This paper attempts to bridge these two approaches. In particular, in this paper, we review these works, and compare them to our Direct Numerical Simulation where we study the coupled influence of bubble deformation and surfactants on the rising and drainage process of a bubble beneath a free surface. In the present study, the level-set method is used to capture the air-liquid interfaces and the transport equation of surfactants is solved in an Eulerian framework. The axisymmetric simulations capture the bubble acceleration, deformation and rest (or drainage) phases from non-deformable to deformable bubbles, as measured by the Bond number (Bo), and from surfactant-free to surfactant coated bubbles, as measured by the Langmuir number (La). The results show that, the distance h between the bubble and the free surface decays exponentially for surfactant-free interfaces (La = 0) and this decay is faster for non-deformable bubbles (Bo << 1) than for deformable ones (Bo>>1). The presence of surfactants (La > 0) slows down the decay of h, exponentially for large bubbles (Bo>>1) and algebraically for small ones (Bo<<1). For Bo ∼ 1, the lifetime is the longest and associated to (Marangoni) elastic recoil at the interfaces.
Costs of Reproduction in the Pink Lady's Slipper Orchid: A Four-Year Experimental Study

The cost of current reproduction on future growth, survival, and reproduction is a central concept in evolutionary ecology, but the field evidence in plants for a cost of reproduction is weak because the appropriate experimental protocol (manipulation of the level of reproduction in an experimental group of individuals) has rarely been carried out. The pink lady's slipper orchid, Cypripedium acaule, is well suited to this design because naturally occurring flowering plants only rarely fruit, whereas virtually all hand-pollinated flowers develop into fruits. In two eastern Massachusetts populations, plants were randomly assigned to be hand-pollinated or left as controls, with the treatments repeated in four successive years. After 2 yr, treatment effects were weak at one site and absent from the other site. By the third and fourth years, the high cost of reproduction was clearly demonstrated in a lower growth and flowering rate of hand-pollinated plants in comparison with the control plants. An average-sized plant that produces a fruit in the current year results in an estimated 10%-13% decrease in leaf area and a 5%-16% decrease in the probability of flowering in the following year. Plants that are experimentally defoliated are still capable of maturing their fruit, even though these plants have a decreased probability of flowering in the following year. These results show that long-term studies in the field are capable of demonstrating a cost of reproduction.
Sexual Size Dimorphism of the Little Egret Egretta garzetta

It is difficult to capture wild egrets and herons, thus there is not enough information available on sexual size dimorphism in the family Ardeidae (e.g. Hancock & Kushlan 1984). Payne and Risley (1976) described ardeid osteology in detail, but they did not mention sexual size dimorphism. Cramp et al. (1977) described size differences among four European Egretta species, and for the Little Egret Egretta garzetta, on the basis of measurements from 17 skins of adults and juveniles from the British Museum, UK, Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, and Zoologisch Museum, The Netherlands, they concluded that sexual differences were significant only for bill length. Boev (1987) measured 27 external characters of 251 specimens representing nine species of Ardeidae including the Little Egret and found some degree of sexual size dimorphism in all of them. For Little Egrets, Boev (1987) reported sexual differences only in the wings and bill. All these results are based on specimens collected from diverse regions in Europe (Cramp et al. 1977) or from Bulgaria (Boev 1987) and thus these data may not reflect the sexual size dimorphism of egrets from one population. It is important to analyze data from a single population in order to examine the evolution of sexual size dimorphism. Furthermore, information on sexual dimorphism of body mass among Ardeidae is also meagre because it is impossible to estimate accurately the body mass of live birds by measuring museum specimens. Hoffman (1966) reported the body mass of 33 live Little Egrets collected from the Camargue, in southern France, in July and August, as 280g to 555g. However, in his study sexes were pooled because it is difficult to determine the sex of Little Egrets by external morphological characters. There have been no reports of sexual size dimorphism for body mass of the Little Egret. In the present study, I assessed the sexual size dimorphism of morphological characters, including body mass, using adult Little Egrets captured alive from a single population with a valid determination of the sex. In addition, for the individuals that I sexed using this method I also examined whether it is possible to identify sexes using external characteristics with a logistic re-
Heterodera litoralis sp.n. (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) from Austral glasswort, Sarcocornia quinqueflora, in New Zealand

Heterodera litoralis sp.n. (Ncmatoda: Heteroderidae) is described from austral glasswort, Sarcocornia quinqueflora (Ung.-Sternb.) A.J. Scott (Chenopodiaceae), a coastal succulent common in Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand. The new species resembles Heterodera turcomanica in the orientation of the subterminal fcnestrae on the vulval cone. H. turcomanica is a species in the H. avenae group. The long vulval slit of about 40 μm excludes the new species from the H. avenae group. Among the Heterodera species with a long vulval slit H. litoralis most closely resembles H. humuli (cysts bifenestrate, vulval bridge wide, vulval slit long, underbridge present, bullae lacking). H. litoralis differs from H. humuli by the longer, more slender cysts and the longer stylet of the second-stage juveniles.
Changes in 3-, 2-Monochloropropandiol and Glycidyl Esters during a Conventional Baking System with Addition of Antioxidants

Shortening derived from palm oil is widely used in baking applications. However, palm oil and the related products are reported to contain high levels of monochloropropandiol (MCPD) ester and glycidyl ester (GE). MCPD and glycidol are known as process contaminants, which are carcinogenic and genotoxic compounds, respectively. The objective was to evaluate the effects of antioxidant addition in palm olein and stearin to the content of MCPD esters and GE in baked cake. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), rosemary extract and tocopherol were used to fortify the samples at 200 mg/kg and in combinations (400, 600 and 800 mg/kg rosemary or tocopherol combined with 200 mg/kg BHA). The MCPD esters and GE content, radical formation and the quality of the fats portion were analyzed. The results showed that palm olein fortified with rosemary extract yielded less 2-MCPD ester. The GE content was lower when soft stearin was fortified with rosemary. ESR spectrometry measurements showed that the antioxidants were effective to reduce radical formation. The synergistic effects of combining antioxidants controlled the contaminants formation. In conclusion, oxidation stability was comparable either in the single or combined antioxidants. Tocopherol in combination with BHA was more effective in controlling the MCPD esters and GE formation.
β‐Alanine and taurine as endogenous agonists at glycine receptors in rat hippocampus in vitro

Electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of glycine receptors were characterized in hippocampal organotypic slice cultures. In the presence of ionotropic glutamate and GABAB receptor antagonists, pressure‐application of glycine onto CA3 pyramidal cells induced a current associated with increased chloride conductance, which was inhibited by strychnine. Similar chloride currents could also be induced with β‐alanine or taurine. Whole‐cell glycine responses were significantly greater in CA3 pyramidal cells than in CA1 pyramidal cells and dentate granule cells, while responses to GABA were similar among these three cell types. Although these results demonstrate the presence of functional glycine receptors in the hippocampus, no evidence for their activation during synaptic stimulation was found. Gabazine, a selective GABAA receptor antagonist, totally blocked evoked IPSCs in CA3 pyramidal cells. Glycine receptor activation is not dependent on transporter‐controlled levels of extracellular glycine, as no chloride current was observed in response to sarcosine, an inhibitor of glycine transporters. In contrast, application of guanidinoethanesulfonic acid, an uptake inhibitor of β‐alanine and taurine, induced strychnine‐sensitive chloride current in the presence of gabazine. These data indicate that modulation of transporters for the endogenous amino acids, β‐alanine and taurine, can regulate tonic activation of glycine receptors, which may function in maintenance of inhibitory tone in the hippocampus.
COVID-19: Time for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis?

From a healthcare perspective, infection due to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and the ensuing syndrome called COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) represents the biggest challenge the world has faced in several decades. Particularly worrisome are the high contagiousness of the virus and the saturation of hospitals’ capacity due to overwhelming caseloads. Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as quarantine and inter-personal distancing are crucial to limiting the spread of the virus in the general population, but more tailored interventions may be needed at an individual level on a case-by-case basis. In this perspective, the most insidious situation is when an individual has contact with a contagious subject without adequate protection. If rapidly recognized afterwards, this occurrence may be promptly addressed through a post-exposure chemoprophylaxis (PEP) with antiviral drugs. This strategy has been implemented for other respiratory viruses (influenza above all) and was successfully used in South Korea among healthcare workers against the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus, by providing people who were exposed to high-risk contacts with lopinavir-ritonavir plus ribavirin. Initial experiences with the use of hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19 also seem promising. Post-exposure chemoprophylaxis might help mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Polymer Optical Fiber-Based Integrated Instrumentation in a Robot-Assisted Rehabilitation Smart Environment: A Proof of Concept

Advances in robotic systems for rehabilitation purposes have led to the development of specialized robot-assisted rehabilitation clinics. In addition, advantageous features of polymer optical fiber (POF) sensors such as light weight, multiplexing capabilities, electromagnetic field immunity and flexibility have resulted in the widespread use of POF sensors in many areas. Considering this background, this paper presents an integrated POF intensity variation-based sensor system for the instrumentation of different devices. We consider different scenarios for physical rehabilitation, resembling a clinic for robot-assisted rehabilitation. Thus, a multiplexing technique for POF intensity variation-based sensors was applied in which an orthosis for flexion/extension movement, a modular exoskeleton for gait assistance and a treadmill were instrumented with POF angle and force sensors, where all the sensors were integrated in the same POF system. In addition, wearable sensors for gait analysis and physiological parameter monitoring were also proposed and applied in gait exercises. The results show the feasibility of the sensors and methods proposed, where, after the characterization of each sensor, the system was implemented with three volunteers: one for the orthosis on the flexion/extension movements, one for the exoskeleton for gait assistance and the other for the free gait analysis using the proposed wearable POF sensors. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first time that optical fiber sensors have been used as a multiplexed and integrated solution for the simultaneous assessment of different robotic devices and rehabilitation protocols, where such an approach results in a compact, fully integrated and low-cost system, which can be readily employed in any clinical environment.