Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural basis for the recognition of transiently structured AU-rich elements by Roquin

Abstract Adenylate/uridylate-rich elements (AREs) are the most common cis-regulatory elements in the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs, where they fine-tune turnover by mediating mRNA decay. They increase plasticity and efficacy of mRNA regulation and are recognized by several ARE-specific RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Typically, AREs are short linear motifs with a high content of complementary A and U nucleotides and often occur in multiple copies. Although thermodynamically rather unstable, the high AU-content might enable transient secondary structure formation and modify mRNA regulation by RBPs. We have recently suggested that the immunoregulatory RBP Roquin recognizes folded AREs as constitutive decay elements (CDEs), resulting in shape-specific ARE-mediated mRNA degradation. However, the structural evidence for a CDE-like recognition of AREs by Roquin is still lacking. We here present structures of CDE-like folded AREs, both in their free and protein-bound form. Moreover, the AREs in the UCP3 3′-UTR are additionally bound by the canonical ARE-binding protein AUF1 in their linear form, adopting an alternative binding-interface compared to the recognition of their CDE structure by Roquin. Strikingly, our findings thus suggest that AREs can be recognized in multiple ways, allowing control over mRNA regulation by adapting distinct conformational states, thus providing differential accessibility to regulatory RBPs.
Nutritional status and appetite-regulating hormones in early treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia among children and adolescents: a cohort study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia are at risk of malnutrition, but few studies have described the changes in nutritional status during the different phases of chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in nutritional status, food intake and appetite-regulating hormones among children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the first phase of chemotherapy. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cohort study developed in the pediatric oncology departments of two hospitals in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. METHODS: Fourteen children/adolescents (mean age of 7 years; 50% female) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were monitored over the 28 days of an induction chemotherapy cycle. Anthropometric measurements, 24-hours food weight records and appetite-regulating hormone levels (ghrelin, leptin, insulin and cortisol) were obtained at three different times (before, in the middle and at the end of the induction phase). RESULTS: Most of the patients (85.7%) had normal weight at the beginning of the treatment, and this did not change significantly during the 28 days. Energy and nutrient intakes improved from the start of the treatment to the midpoint, according to the ghrelin levels (from 511.1 ± 8.3 to 519.3 ± 6.6 pg/ml; P = 0.027). Other appetite-regulating hormones did not present changes. CONCLUSION: Food consumption improves during the first phase of treatment, without alterations in anthropometric nutritional status.
Adapted physical activity in community-dwelling adults with neurological disorders: design and outcomes of a fitness-center based program

Abstract Purpose To describe and evaluate an adapted physical activity-based program (APA-program) designed for community-dwelling patients with neurological diseases in local fitness centers. Materials and methods The APA-program consisted of individual and group activities supervised by an adapted physical activity (APA) instructor twice a week for 6 months. Clinical evaluations before and after the APA-program included strength tests on gym machines, the six-minute walk test (6MWT), the single-leg stance test, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Results Between January 2017 and May 2019, 79 individuals participated in the APA-program (33 women, mean age 59 ± 14 years, 47 stroke, 13 multiple sclerosis, and 19 other neurological diseases). All physical outcomes improved significantly: upper body strength increased by 49%, lower body strength by 37%, 6MWT by 22%, single-leg stance time by 86%, and SF-36 Mental and Physical scores by 23%. Sixty-eight percent of participants completed the 6-month program and 83% of completers then purchased a one-year subscription in the fitness center. Conclusions The 6-month APA-program improved participant’s physical abilities and quality of life. More than half of participants decided to subscribe personally to the fitness center at the end of the program, supporting the development of community APA-programs for people with chronic neurological diseases, in collaboration with rehabilitation hospitals. Implications for rehabilitation A physical activity-based-program implemented in a fitness center is effective in improving physical fitness and quality of life in people suffering from neurological disorders such as stroke and multiple sclerosis. Close coordination between rehabilitation hospitals and local fitness centers, training by skilled adapted physical activity instructors and group activities are critical determinants of successful participation.
Development and Evaluation of Matrices Composed of β-cyclodextrin and Biodegradable Polyesters in the Controlled Delivery of Pindolol

Polymer-drug conjugates are currently being more widely investigated for the treatment of hypertension. In view of the above, in the first stage of our work, we used nontoxic β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as effective, simple, inexpensive, and safe for the human body initiator for the synthesis of biocompatible and biodegradable functionalized polymers suitable for the medical and pharmaceutical applications. The obtained polymeric products were synthesized through a ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (CL), d,l-, and l,l-lactide (LA and LLA). The chemical structures of synthesized materials were elucidated based on 1H NMR and solid-state carbon-13 cross-polarization/magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (13C CP/MAS NMR) analysis, while the incorporation of β-CD molecule into the polymer chain was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Furthermore, molecular modeling has been applied to investigate the intrachain rigidities and chain architectures for several representative structures. The obtained and thoroughly characterized branched matrices were then used to generate the first β-cyclodextrin/biodegradable polymer/β-blocker conjugate through the successful conjugation of pindolol. The conjugates were fabricated by carbodiimide-mediated coupling reaction. The branched biodegradable materials released the drug in vitro in a sustained manner and without “burst release” and thus have the ability to treat different heart diseases.
Parasitic Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana): A Possible Ant-Pollinated Plant

Abstract Epifagus virginiana (Beechdrop) is an annual flowering plant that parasitizes Fagus grandifolia (American Beech) roots. The pollination biology of the chasmogamous flowers of E. virginiana is unknown. In September 2011–2012, we observed insect visitors to E. virginiana flowers. Insect visitors included Bombus impatiens, Crematogaster spp. , and Prenolepis imparis, but were dominated by P. imparis (over 96% of insect visits). In September 2012, we captured ants (Crematogaster and P. imparis) on E. virginiana flowers in three different areas found in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont physiographic provinces. With the use of 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), we tested E. virginiana pollen from flowers and ant integuments for viability. We observed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the viability of pollen taken directly from E. virginiana flowers and pollen removed from the ants. Our data suggests that ants can be playing an important role in the pollination of E. virginiana.
Role of Opsonophagocytosis in Immune Protection against Malaria

The quest for immune correlates of protection continues to slow vaccine development. To date, only vaccine-induced antibodies have been confirmed as direct immune correlates of protection against a plethora of pathogens. Vaccine immunologists, however, have learned through extensive characterizations of humoral responses that the quantitative assessment of antibody responses alone often fails to correlate with protective immunity or vaccine efficacy. Despite these limitations, the simple measurement of post-vaccination antibody titers remains the most widely used approaches for vaccine evaluation. Developing and performing functional assays to assess the biological activity of pathogen-specific responses continues to gain momentum; integrating serological assessments with functional data will ultimately result in the identification of mechanisms that contribute to protective immunity and will guide vaccine development. One of these functional readouts is phagocytosis of antigenic material tagged by immune molecules such as antibodies and/or complement components. This review summarizes our current understanding of how phagocytosis contributes to immune defense against pathogens, the pathways involved, and defense mechanisms that pathogens have evolved to deal with the threat of phagocytic removal and destruction of pathogens.
White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Suburban Habitat Use along Disturbance Gradients

Abstract Habitat use was studied for 28 deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in a suburban area 20 km northeast of the city of Philadelphia. Deer were tracked at high frequency by the use of GPS collars (one GPS fix every 5 min for weeks to months) providing high resolution location data. Habitat disturbance was ranked using several approaches. One metric was based on a human activity index (scale 0–10, with zero corresponding to least impacted and ten to most impacted habitat). A second metric was based on vegetation succession depression [scale 0–5, with zero indicating areas undergoing natural succession and five for areas where succession is almost impossible (paved roads, buildings)]. In addition habitat was classified by the density of occupied buildings. The resulting GIS model depicting habitat disturbance (Disturbance Index, DI) was then plotted against GPS fixes generated by individual deer. Monitored animals selected wooded habitat with shrubby underbrush, neglected land parcels, and fields with annual and bi-annual mowing regimes. They avoided high-density residential areas and very low disturbance areas, but tolerated areas with low density of buildings (fewer than 400 buildings km−2). Deer preferences along the suburban disturbance gradient suggested that patches of moderate disturbance with ongoing succession in areas with low building density are most important for the deer. Managing these areas could be instrumental in controlling the deer herd.
Utilisation des protéines du lait et du lactosérum par le jeune veau préruminant. Influence de l'âge et de la dénaturation des protéines du lactosérum

Trois aliments d’allaitement (Témoin, RD et RN) sont préparés. Dans l’aliment Témoin, les protéines sont fournies en totalité par de la poudre de lait écrémé supplémentée en méthionine ; dans les aliments RD et RN, 58 p. 100 des protéines sont apportées par un rétentat de lactosérum dénaturé (RD) ou natif (RN), le reste provenant de la poudre de lait écrémé. Les 2 rétentats sont pasteurisés (72 °C, quelques secondes), puis concentrés et séchés par atomisation. La dénaturation du produit RD est effectuée par un chauffage supplémentaire (75 °C, 30 mn) appliqué après la concentration ; le pourcentage de protéines dénaturées passe ainsi de 8 à 34. Chacun des aliments est distribué à 5 veaux mâles Holstein x Frisons à partir de l’âge d’un jour. La digestibilité est mesurée de 3 à 8 (Pi), de 14 à 19 (Pz) et de 28 à 33 j (Pa). La digestibilité apparente de l’aliment Témoin augmente régulièrement de la P, à la Ps, passant ainsi pour l’azote de 0,871 à 0,935
Sources, Production, and Clinical Treatments of Milk Fat Globule Membrane for Infant Nutrition and Well-Being

Research on milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is gaining traction. The interest is two-fold; on the one hand, it is a unique trilayer structure with specific secretory function. On the other hand, it is the basis for ingredients with the presence of phospho- and sphingolipids and glycoproteins, which are being used as food ingredients with valuable functionality, in particular, for use as a supplement in infant nutrition. This last application is at the center of this Review, which aims to contribute to understanding MFGM’s function in the proper development of immunity, cognition, and intestinal trophism, in addition to other potential effects such as prevention of diseases including cardiovascular disease, impaired bone turnover and inflammation, skin conditions, and infections as well as age-associated cognitive decline and muscle loss. The phospholipid composition of MFGM from bovine milk is quite like human milk and, although there are some differences due to dairy processing, these do not result in a chemical change. The MFGM ingredients, as used to improve the formulation in different clinical studies, have indeed increased the presence of phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycolipids, and glycoproteins with the resulting benefits of different outcomes (especially immune and cognitive outcomes) with no reported adverse effects. Nevertheless, the precise mechanism(s) of action of MFGM remain to be elucidated and further basic investigation is warranted.
Body Composition and Physical Fitness Profiles of Elite Female Japanese Wrestlers Aged <12 Years until >20 Years

Studies evaluating the physical fitness levels of elite wrestlers during junior high school are limited. This study aimed to examine the body composition and physical fitness profiles of elite Japanese female wrestlers aged <12 years until >20 years. There were 114 elite female wrestlers enrolled. Measurements were conducted in the following age categories: <12 years (U-12), <15 years (U-15), <17 years (U-17: cadet), <20 years (U-20: junior), and >20 years (senior). Body composition variables consisted of body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, fat free mass, and fat free mass index (FFMI). Fitness measurements included grip strength, back strength, sit-up, rope-climbing, and endurance running tests. The wrestlers in this study demonstrated comparable or greater FFMI values (e.g., FFMI: 17.9 ± 0.4 kg/m2 for light and 19.8 ± 0.9 kg/m2 for heavy weight categories in U-20), when compared with young female wrestlers in previous studies, whereas stature, body mass, and BMI of the wrestlers in our study were unremarkable. Regarding the fitness assessment, a remarkable increase in back strength was observed after late puberty. An outstanding enhancement of muscle strength after late puberty, which is unlikely to occur in ordinary women, would be an important requirement to become the world’s top female wrestler.
Effects of dietary digestible lysine levels on protein and fat deposition in the carcass of broilers

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of different levels of digestible lysine in the diets of male and female broilers on protein and fat deposition. A total of 2160 Avian Farms broilers. A completely randomized experimental design was applied, and treatments consisted of the effects of three digestible lysine levels nested within each sex, with 12 replicates and 30 birds per experimental unit. The adopted digestible lysine levels corresponded to 92.5, 100.0, and 107.5% of the nutritional requirements of phases 1 to 21 days, 22 to 42 days, and 43 to 56 days of age, respectively. In each phase, the experimental diets contained similar calorie and protein levels within each sex. No significant effects of lysine levels were found on dry matter and fat percentages in the carcass of birds during the evaluated periods. Also, there were no significant effects of lysine levels on protein and fat deposition in males or females. However, males presented higher protein deposition and lower fat deposition than females during the total experimental period. Gompertz equations showed that females deposit more fat and less protein than males, and that this affected the fall in the curve of protein deposition, when the curve of fat deposition was still rising. Therefore, it was concluded that the older the broilers at slaughter, the higher their body fat content and the lower their body protein content, particularly in females.
Degradation of Gamma-BHC in Flooded Soils Enriched with Peptone

Soils had an ability to decompose BHC when they were kept in flooded condition, and the ability was remarkably enhanced with peptone. Every tested soil was affected by the addition of peptone, and it was suggested to be due to the increase of BHC decomposers in the soil. The BHC decomposer predominating in the soil-peptone culture preferred an anaerobic condition and was heat-resistant, being able to decompose α- as well as γ -BHC. Several anaerobic bacteria were isolated, from the soil-peptone culture as BHC decomposers, and these decomposers were tentatively identified as species of Clostridium from several characteristic features.
The Feeding Apparatus of the Barnacle Nauplius Larva: A Scanning Electron Microscope Study

INTRODUCTION The nauplius stages of many barnacle species have been described at the light microscope level (Bassindale, 1936; Knight-Jones & Waugh, 1949; Costlow & Bookhout, 1957; Karande, 1974), including those of the British barnacles Balanus balanoides (L.) andBalanus hameri (Ascanius) (Crisp, 1962a, b). Although these studies have included full descriptions of limb structure, it is not possible with the light microscope to resolve the topographical relationship of the limbs and other structures associated with feeding. Attempts to describe the feeding process of barnacle nauplii (Lochhead, 1936; Norris & Crisp, 1953; Gauld, 1959; Moyse & Knight-Jones, 1967) have necessarily been limited for this reason.
Biological relationships and frontal sinus similarity in skeletal remains with known genealogical data

Frontal sinus analysis has potential utility for detecting biologically related individuals. However, the methodological approach to its evaluation, as well as its informative value, have been questioned. The aim of this work is to introduce a new approach to evaluating the frontal sinus using the ‘external supraorbital line’ (ESOL) and to determine whether there are sex differences within families in frontal sinus measurements and whether frontal sinus similarity reflects known genetic relationships in both measurements and morphology. We examined the skeletal remains of 41 adult individuals (25 males, 16 females), all members of one family over four generations (19th to 20th centuries), including individuals with very close consanguinity. CT images of skulls were acquired, and both the dimensions and morphology of the frontal sinuses were analyzed using their portions above the ESOL. No significant sex differences were found within families based on frontal sinus dimensions. Significant relationships were found between biological distance and the maximum height and morphology of the frontal sinuses. The greatest degree of similarity was found among closely related individuals. Additionally, in several cases, there was a greater degree of similarity between first cousins or grandparents and their grandchildren than among siblings or parents and their children. Total surface, volume and width are not significant indicators of relatedness. Known genetic relationships are also supported by individual morphological features. Variability within families with very close consanguineous relationships was lower than within families with common degrees of consanguinity, although differences are significant only for some variables.
New Markers of Renal Failure in Multiple Myeloma and Monoclonal Gammopathies

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common plasma cell malignancy, which is responsible for significant mortality, often related to severe renal impairment (RI). Kidney injury can limit therapeutic choices and may often translate into poor outcomes, but it remains potentially reversible in a proportion of patients. The most accessible, conventional markers of RI are subject to several shortfalls, among which are the delayed onset following kidney insult, multiple interfering factors, and lesser sensitivity to mild changes in glomerular filtration. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C have accumulated large interest in MM-RI due to being very sensitive markers of renal injury, as well as indicators of tubular-glomerular axis impairment. Of interest, recent data suggest that prediction of acute kidney injury may be aided by urinary tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), which both act to induce G1 cell cycle arrest, reflective of a state of pre-injury, and thus may be superior to other measures of kidney insult (NGAL, kidney injury molecule ((KIM-1)). Moreover, TIMP-2 seems to be a biomarker dedicated to distal tubular cells, whereas insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) secretion has been found in proximal tubule cells. IGFBP7 can also identify a subsection of the normal proximal nephron, even, maybe the one that is responding to insult. They may be adopted into a conceptual screening panel for MM-RI. Unfortunately, no biomarker is ideal (influence of non-renal, biologic factors), and novel measures are limited by economic constraints, availability, lack of standardization. With the emergence of more advanced diagnostic and prognostic MM models, markers reflective of disease processes (including RI) are of high interest. Candidate molecules also include peptidome markers.
Renal Function Parameters and Serum Sodium Enhance Prediction of Wait‐List Outcomes in Pediatric Liver Transplantation

Reliance on exception points to prioritize children for liver transplantation (LT) stems from concerns that the Pediatric End‐Stage Liver Disease (PELD) score underestimates mortality. Renal dysfunction and serum sodium disturbances are negative prognosticators in adult LT candidates and various pediatric populations, but are not accounted for in PELD. We retrospectively evaluated the effect of these parameters in predicting 90‐day wait‐list death/deterioration among pediatric patients (<12 years) listed for isolated LT in the United States between February 2002 and June 2018.
Unlocking HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Delivery: Examining the Role of HIV Providers in Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Care.

Despite being a promising prevention strategy for populations at risk for HIV acquisition, there has not been rapid uptake of HIV antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Yet, HIV clinics within the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City have successfully incorporated PrEP. HIV care providers (n = 18), who practice in these clinics and were early PrEP adopters, participated in a survey and semistructured interview. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed that barriers and facilitators to PrEP uptake were identified on multiple levels from broader systemic to provider-and-patient-level concerns. The following themes were identified: (1) to reach a greater proportion of patients at risk for HIV and address racial/ethnic and gender disparities, PrEP should be available in a variety of settings and provided by different types of providers within proximity to affected populations; (2) financial support is needed beyond addressing medication cost; and (3) multidisciplinary teams and population-specific clinic protocols can assist providers in conducting high-quality visits and addressing these barriers to PrEP.