Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variations of Saponins, Minerals and Total Phenolic Compounds Due to Processing and Cooking of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Seeds

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a grain of great nutritional interest that gained international importance during the last decade. Before its consumption, this grain goes through many processes that can alter its nutritional value. Here we report the effect of processing (polishing and milling) and cooking (boiling and steaming) on the saponin content, mineral profile of 14 elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), protein content, and total phenolic compound. The polishing caused an average drop in the saponin content from 1.7% to 0.46% but induced important losses in mineral content (K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Ni), and phenolic compounds. However, the greatest nutritional degradation happened after milling due to the elimination of seed teguments and embryos, where over 50% of many minerals, 60% of protein content, and almost the totality of phenolic compounds, were lost. Cooking effect was less important than processing, but some significant losses were attested. Boiling caused a loss of up to 40% for some minerals like K, B, and Mo because of their hydrosolubility, and 88% of the polyphenols, while steaming allowed a better retention of those nutrients. Consuming polished quinoa instead of semolina and using steaming instead of boiling are trade-offs consumer needs to make to get optimal benefits from quinoa virtues.
Population coding in the cerebellum and its implications for learning from error

The cerebellum resembles a feedforward, three-layer network of neurons in which the “hidden layer” consists of Purkinje cells (P-cells), and the output layer consists of deep cerebellar nucleus (DCN) neurons. However, unlike an artificial network, P-cells are grouped into small populations that converge onto single DCN neurons. Why are the P-cells organized in this way, and what is the membership criterion of each population? To consider these questions, in this review I apply elementary mathematics from machine learning and assume that the output of each DCN neuron is a prediction that is compared to the actual observation, resulting in an error signal that originates in the inferior olive. This signal is sent to P-cells via climbing fibers that produce complex spikes. The same error signal from the olive must also guide learning in the DCN neurons, yet the olivary projections to the DCN are weak, particularly in adulthood. However, P-cells that form a population exhibit a special property: they can synchronize their complex spikes, which in turn suppresses activity of the DCN neuron that produced the erroneous output. Viewed in the framework of machine learning, it appears that the olive organizes the P-cells into populations so that through complex spike synchrony each population can act as a surrogate teacher for the DCN neuron it projects to. This error-dependent grouping of P-cells into populations gives rise to a number of remarkable features of behavior, including multiple timescales of learning, protection from erasure, and spontaneous recovery of memory.
DEFECTIVE GAP JUNCTIONAL INTERCELLULAR COMMUNICATION IN LUNG CANCER: Loss of an Important Mediator of Tissue Homeostasis and Phenotypic Regulation

Gap junctions provide direct pathways for the exchange of molecules and ions between neighboring cells, a process known as gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). This GJIC is important for homeostasis and regulation of mitosis, differentiation, and apoptosis. Gap junctions are present in lung airway and alveolar epithelial cells and, in addition to the above roles, might coordinate ciliary beating and surfactant secretion. GJIC is decreased in human and mouse lung carcinoma cells because of reduced expression of the gap junction protein, connexin43 (Cx43), and defects in signal transduction pathways that mediate Cx43 function. This reduced GJIC is important in the behavior of lung carcinoma cells because forced expression of Cx43 in lung carcinoma cells inhibits their growth and tumorigenicity. In this report, we summarize our studies on the role of GJIC in lung neoplasia.
THE EFFECTS OF A BINARY MIXTURE OF BENZO(a)PYRENE AND 7H-DIBENZO(c,g)CARBAZOLE ON LUNG TUMORS AND K-RAS ONCOGENE MUTATIONS IN STRAIN A/J MICE

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and N -heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NHA) are environmental pollutants formed during the incomplete combustion of organic materials. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and 7H-dibenzo(c,g)carbazole (DBC) are well-characterized representatives of the PAH and NHA classes of compounds, respectively. Both are demonstrated carcinogens that frequently co-occur in environmental mixtures. This preliminary study was conducted to investigate the effects of a binary mixture of BaP and DBC on lung carcinogenicity in the strain A/Jmouse as manifested by tumor development and mutations in the K-ras gene. Male A/Jmice were administered the following single intraperitoneal dose (mg/kg) combinations of BaP and DBC dissolved in a 0.2-mL volume of tricaprylin - 10 DBC:10 BaP; 2 DBC:10 BaP; 2 DBC:100 BaP; and 10 DBC: 100 BaP, and each of the compounds alone at the same doses. Mice were sacrificed 8 months after carcinogen treatment and lung tumor multiplicity and K-ras mutations determined (high-dose combination). The combination of DBC and BaP produced fewer tumors than the sum of all tumors produced by each compound acting alone. The frequency of tumors with K-ras mutations was also less in a sample of the 10 DBC:100 BaP treatment group than in the same-dose, single compound-treated animals. The dominant mutations produced by BaP and DBC were expressed in tumors from animals treated with the mixture.
Transient Tracheal Collapse Associated with Bronchopneumonia in a Kid Goat

Abstract Corbera, J.A. , Vilar, J.M. and Gutierrez, C. 2009. Transient tracheal collapse associated with bronchopneumonia in a kid goat. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 53–54. A case of transient tracheal collapse associated with bronchopneumonia occurred in α 3-week-old goat is presented. Tracheal collapse, affecting particularly the caudal cervical region, would have been secondary to great respiratory effort. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment was successful and the tracheal collapse was reversible. Possible pathogenesis is discussed.
Changes in the second stage juveniles of Globodeva rostochiensis prior to hatching in response to potato root diffusate

SUMMARY cAMP levels in eggs of G. rostochiensis and the diameter of the nucleolus of the nucleus within the dorsal pharyngeal gland cell of the second stage juvenile have been measured as indicators of the response of the nematode to the hatching stimulus in potato root diffusate. The nucleolus increased from 2.72 ± 0.103 μm for unhatched individuals to 3.28 ± 0.14 μm and 3.88 ± 0.15 μm after soaking eggs in potato root diffusate for 3 and 4 days respectively. Juveniles expressed from unstimulated eggs in water to potato root diffusate for 4–5 days showed a similar increase in size of the nucleolus to 3.94 ±0.15 μm but those released into water for this time had smaller nucleoli of 3.20 ± 0.98 μm. The change in diameter of the nucleolus is probably related to the accumulation of secretions in this gland cell before hatching. Preliminary results with dibutyryl analogues of CAMP and cGMP showed some inhibition of hatch in 10% potato root diffusate. Theophylline had a similar effect but NaF was dissimilar in that the effect of this inhibitor was not reversible. A standard radioimmunoassay showed that significant changes in cAMP levels occurred in the unhatched juveniles within cysts after treatment with potato root diffusate for 2.5 or 8 h compared with values for cysts kept in water. This change occurs before other known responses of the juveniles to potato root diffusate and it defines the period of interest for future work on the initial action of hatching factor.
Preoperative pain and recurrence risk in patients with peritoneal endometriosis

Objective. Pain symptoms in endometriosis patients do not necessarily correlate with the extent of the disease, and there is little evidence regarding the recurrence risk. Aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for the recurrence of endometriosis, with regard to preoperative and postoperative pain. Design. Retrospective observational study. Setting. Single institution study. Population. A total of 150 patients were followed up for recurrence after surgical treatment for endometriosis. Methods. The patients were interviewed retrospectively to obtain information about pain levels during the course of the disease. Main outcome measures. Disease free survival. Results. High preoperative pain levels were associated with a higher risk of recurrence after 4 years of follow-up. The hazards ratio was 2.30 (95% CI, 1.22–4.31; p = 0.009). None of the other parameters assessed for medical history, reproductive history, or lifestyle was associated with the recurrence risk. Conclusions. The risk for recurrence after surgery for endometriosis may be substantially influenced by the patients' perception of pain. Risk classifications for the recurrence risk in endometriosis are nonexistent. Developing these is imperatively needed soon to improve further treatment and/or prophylaxis for patients after surgery. A classification might be improved by adding sensory testing before surgery.
On the Prevalence and Relative Importance of Interspecific Competition: Evidence from Field Experiments

In a strictly defined sample of competition studies using controlled field experiments, covering 215 species and 527 experiments, competition was found in most of the studies, in somewhat more than half of the species, and in about two-fifths of the experiments. In most of these experiments interspecific competition was not distinguished from intraspecific competition. In the few studies in which the two were separated, interspecific competition was the stronger form in about onesixth of all experiments done. When competition was demonstrated, intraspecific competition was as strong or stronger than interspecific in three-quarters of the experiments. Some evidence from this literature survey suggests that negative results may be underrepresented, so that the absolute values of these figures may be too high. Since this bias should apply also to studies of all taxa, habitats, or other interactions it should not greatly affect estimates of the relative prevalence of competition. Since these estimates come from field experiments open to other influences such as predators, grazers, weather, disturbances, etc., they should provide a fair approximation of the relative prevalence of interspecific and intraspecific competition in natural ecological communities. The prevalence of competition in these studies varied. Marine organisms showed consistently higher frequencies of competition than terrestrial ones as did large-sized organisms as compared to smaller ones. Plants, herbivores, and carnivores showed similar frequencies of competition in all habitats compared. The incidence of competition varied considerably from year to year and place to place. In some categories, evidence concerning competition is sparse. More studies are needed of all freshwater species, marine vertebrates, parasites, effects on resource partitioning, and particularly the relative strengths of interspecific versus intraspecific competition. When both members of a pair were studied and some competition found, only one member was affected in well over half the experiments. Such strong asymmetrical competition is not always consistent in direction; reversals in the rank order of competitive superiority have been demonstrated by field experiments and direct observations. Some positive interactions were found. These may have been a consequence of actual positive influences or of negative ones acting indirectly through other species. The latter may also apply to some of the negative interactions interpreted as competition in these studies. If only the input and output of an experiment are known, it is difficult to decide what mechanism produced the observed effect. While many of the experiments probably have been correctly interpreted, the present survey illustrates how difficult it is to produce a clear and unambiguous demonstration of interspecific competition.
Photosynthetic 14C-labeling patterns in developing soybeans

Soybean plants (Glycine max 'Harasoy') were cultured in a controlled environment room and studied at seven ages ranging from 16 to 40 days after flowering. Fruits from each age group were labeled by translocation of organic compounds from leaves which had photosynthetically incorporated 14CO2. Leaf blades, petioles, and seeds were extracted in boiling ethanol at the termination of labeling experiments. Seeds were also harvested and extracted 1, 2, and 8 days after labeling. Distribution of label in leaf blades and petioles was essentially the same in all age groups with more than 90% of the activity in petioles being found in carbohydrates. Little or no translocation of amino acids and organic acids was occurring. In seeds, most of the label appeared in the carbohydrate fraction immediately after labeling; however, at 2 and 8 days after labeling the label seemed to be transferred to lipids and the ethanol-insoluble residue. The rate of transfer decreased as a function of seed age. Levels of activity in th.
Human IgG neutralizing monoclonal antibodies block SARS-CoV-2 infection

The coronavirus induced disease 19 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a worldwide threat to human lives, and neutralizing antibodies present a great therapeutic potential in curing affected patients. We purified more than one thousand memory B cells specific to SARS-CoV-2 S1 or RBD (receptor binding domain) antigens from 11 convalescent COVID-19 patients, and a total of 729 naturally paired heavy and light chain fragments were obtained by single B cell cloning technology. Among these, 178 recombinant monoclonal antibodies were tested positive for antigen binding, and the top 13 binders with Kd below 0.5 nM are all RBD binders. Importantly, all these 13 antibodies could block pseudoviral entry into HEK293T cells overexpressing ACE2, with the best ones showing IC50s around 2-3 nM. We further identified 8 neutralizing antibodies against authentic virus with IC50s within 10 nM. Among these, 414-1 blocked authentic viral entry at IC50 of 1.75 nM and in combination with 105-38 could achieve IC50 as low as 0.45 nM. Meanwhile, we also found that 3 antibodies could cross-react with the SARS-CoV spike protein. Altogether, our study provided a panel of potent human neutralizing antibodies for COVID19 as therapeutics candidates for further development.
Assessing the Photocatalytic Degradation of Fluoroquinolone Norfloxacin by Mn:ZnS Quantum Dots: Kinetic Study, Degradation Pathway and Influencing Factors

Norfloxacin (NOFX), a broadly used fluoroquinolone antibiotic, has been a subject of great concern in the past few years due to its undesirable effect on human beings and aquatic ecosystems. In this study, novel Mn doped ZnS (Mn:ZnS) quantum dots (QDs) were prepared through a facile chemical precipitation method and used as photocatalysts for NOFX degradation. Prior to photodegradation experiments, morphological and optical parameters of the QDs were examined through transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses. Mn:ZnS QDs exhibited excellent properties of photodegradation, not only under UV irradiation but also in sunlight, which induced NOFX to photodegrade. The utmost photodegradation efficiency was obtained under optimal conditions (25 mL of NOFX, 15 mg/L, pH 10, 60 min UV irradiation, 60 mgs QDs), adopting first order kinetics. In addition, hydroxyl radicals produced by the conduction band electrons were found to be the primary reason dominating the transformation of NOFX in basic conditions, while holes, oxygen atoms, as well as the doped metal (Mn) enhanced the degradation. The QDs showed excellent reusability and stability in four repeated cycles. Finally, four different pathways were predicted, derived from the identified intermediates, with piperazinyl ring transformation being the primary one. It is expected that the synthesized Mn:ZnS QDs could be utilized as efficient photocatalytic materials for energy conversion and ecological remediation.
Hyperkalemia in heart failure: Foe or friend?

Hyperkalemia is a frequent and sometimes life‐threatening condition that may be associated with arrhythmia and cardiac dysfunction in patients with heart failure (HF). High potassium levels in HF represent both a direct risk for cardiovascular complication and an indirect biomarker of the severity of the underlying disease, reflecting neurohormonal activation and renal dysfunction. Evaluating the prevalence and significance of hyperkalemia in HF patients is essential for optimizing the use of potassium sparing agents, such the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) or angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, which represent a well‐established cornerstone and life‐saving therapy. In this review we discuss recent findings and current concepts related to the epidemiology, pathological mechanisms and implications of hyperkalemia, as well as novel therapeutic approaches to counteract it in patients with HF. The balance between optimizing life‐saving potassium sparing medication and minimizing hyperkalemia‐associated risk is much needed in patients with HF. Although older potassium‐binding agents are associated with serious adverse events, novel potassium‐binding drugs are effective in lowering potassium levels and are generally well tolerated. Novel potassium‐binding drugs, such as patiromer and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate, may help to optimize therapy in HF and achieve guideline‐recommended doses. Hyperkalemia is common in HF patients and is associated with a poorer prognosis and an increased risk of cardiovascular complications: Contrariwise, “moderate” potassium levels go with a better prognosis, while the emergence of new drugs, potassium binders, could allow target doses of RAASi to be achieved.
Biomimic Enamel Remineralization by Hybridization Calcium- and Phosphate-Loaded Liposomes with Amelogenin-Inspired Peptide

We here report a novel biomimetic mineralization strategy for enamel remineralization by intergration of calcium phosphate loaded and thermally triggered liposomes and a self-assembly amelogenin-inspired peptide. Firstly, calcium and phosphate loaded temperature sensitive liposomes were synthesized by Interdigitation-fusion method with 1,2-bis(palmitoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphor- choline (DPPC) and 1,2-bis(myristoyl)-sn-glycero- 3-phosphocholine (DMPC) at mass ratio of 9:1 . The liposomes were stable at room temperature, but slowly released calcium and phosphate ions if heated to 37 °C. Secondly, a novel polyanion amelogenin-inspired oligropeptide (Gln-Pro-Ala)4-Thr-Lys-Arg-Glu-Glu-Val-Asp ) was synthesized by standard solid-phase. Lastly, the mixture of peptide and liposomes solution was exposed to enamel surface at 37 °C. The results showed oriented enamel-like hydroxylapatite evenly deposited on enamel surface.
Floral initiation in wheat, sunflower, and sorghum under carbon dioxide enrichment

Wheat cv. Timgalen and cv. Gabo, sunflower cv. HA 124, and sorghum cv. RS 610 plants were grown at normal atmospheric or an elevated CO2 concentration (atmospheric + 500 μmol CO2 mol air−1). Enrichment with CO2 advanced floral initiation by 1 – 3 days in wheat and sunflower but had no such effect in sorghum. The rate of differentiation of the primordial inflorescence was unaffected in sunflower but was reduced slightly in wheat and significantly in sorghum. Exposing plants to a brief CO2 enrichment in series during the vegetative phase showed that the sensitive period for stimulation of floral initiation in wheat commenced within 10 days before the formation of double ridges. The sensitive period for retardation of inflorescence differentiation in sorghum commenced within 6 days before floral initiation. For sunflower the sensitive period was short, with peak stimulation occurring 7 days before floral initiation. It is concluded that the flowering response to CO2 enrichment was not due solely to a general.
FGFR Signaling Coordinates the Balance Between Glycolysis and Fatty Acid β-Oxidation in Lymphatic Endothelial Cells

The balance between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation is believed to be critical for maintaining cellular bioenergetics, yet the regulation of such balance in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) remains unclear. Here we found that chemical inhibition of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) activity or knockdown of FGFR1, which has been shown to suppress glycolysis and consequently ATP production, induces substantial upregulation of fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO), but not glucose oxidation or glutamine oxidation in LECs. Mechanistically, blockade of FGFR-AKT signaling promotes the expression of CPT1A, a rate-limiting enzyme of FAO, in a PPARα-dependent manner. Metabolic analysis further showed that CPT1A depletion impairs ATP generation in FGFR1-deficient rather than wild-type LECs. This result suggests that FAO, which makes a minor contribution to cellular energy under normal conditions, can compensate for energy deficiency caused by FGFR inhibition. Consequently, CPT1A silencing potentiates the effect of FGFR1 knockdown on impeding LEC proliferation and migration. Collectively, our study identified an FGFR-regulated metabolic balance that is important for LEC growth.
Occurrence and morphological variability of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (WOLOSZ.) SEENAYYA et SUBBA RAJU (Cyanophyta, Nostocales) near Olomouc in 2006.

The presented paper focuses on the occurrence and variability of one of the most problematic cyanobacterium all over the world - Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, which has occurred near Olomouc again after thirty years. We found the species in a small dead arm of the Morava River and collected samples of phytoplankton from summer to late autumn. We studied both living as well as preserved samples and documented variability of the species by drawings a nd microphotographs. The obtained data are discusse d with relevant literature.
Regulation of Glutamate Transporter Function

Normal neuronal function and neuronal survival require that brain extracellular glutamate concentrations be maintained at low micromolar levels. This is accomplished by a family of Na+-dependent glutamate transporters. These transporters are expressed on both glia and neurons, but uptake by glia seems to predominate. Several transporter subtypes have been identified that differ in anatomical distribution, cell type of expression, and electrophysiological properties. Activity of the transporters can be influenced by changes in the uptake driving forces (thermodynamic forces) and by phosphorylation and other modulations that alter their kinetic properties. An understanding of the modulatory mech anisms and signal transduction systems that govern glutamate transport is now beginning to take shape. NEUROSCIENTIST 5:280-282, 1999