Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
30 Years of Translational Mobility Medicine: 2020 Padua Muscle Days go virtual from Euganean Hills, November 19th to 21st

In the autumn of 2019, the 2020 Padua Muscle Days (PMDs) were planned to be held from March 18 to March 21, 2020. The program listed Scientific Sessions to occur over three full days at either Padova University or the Hotel Augustus on Euganei Hills (Padova), Italy. Abruptly, however, in early January the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak started in China and changed the world perspectives. In Italy, the epidemia had the first Italian cases and victims in an area south of Milan and in a Village of the Euganei Hills (Vo Euganeo, Padova). Thus, it was a mandatory decision to post-pone the PMDs meeting to 19-21 November, 2020. Luckily, almost all chairs, speakers, and attendees accepted the decision and have assured their presence in late November by long-distance communications. Thus, the Collection of Abstracts were e-published in 30(1) 2020 Issue of the European Journal of Translational Myology (EJTM) together with the many EJTM Communications submitted by speakers and attendees of the 2020 PMDs Here we add a few new entries and the detailed Program of the 2020 Virtual PMDs to be organized November 19-21, 2020 from the Hotel Petrarca of Euganei Hills (Padova), Italy. The Program of the 2020 Virtual PMDs ends with invitation by Zipora Yablonka-Reuveni and myself to the 2021 (Virtual) Padua Muscle Days, March 25-27, Euganei Hills (Padova), Italy.
Exposure of Adult Female Mice to Low Doses of di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate Alone or in an Environmental Phthalate Mixture: Evaluation of Reproductive Behavior and Underlying Neural Mechanisms

Background: We have previously shown that adult male mice exposure to low doses of an ubiquitous endocrine disruptor, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), alters courtship behavior. Objective: The effects of adult exposure to low doses of DEHP alone or in an environmental phthalate mixture on estrous cyclicity, reproductive behavior, and underlying neural structures were analyzed in female mice. Methods: Two-month-old C57BL/6J females were exposed orally for 6 wk to DEHP alone (0, 5 or 50μg/kg/d) or to DEHP (5μg/kg/d) in a phthalate mixture. Estrous cyclicity was analyzed in intact mice, and behavior [lordosis, olfactory preference, partner preference, ability to stimulate male ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs)] was measured in ovariectomized mice primed with estradiol and progesterone. Immunohistochemical studies were conducted in the neural structures involved in behavior for estrogen receptor (ER) α and progesterone receptor (PR). Results: Exposure to DEHP alone or in mixture lengthened the estrous cycle duration, with a shorter proestrus and longer estrus and metestrus stages. Under normalized hormonal levels, females exposed to DEHP alone or in mixture exhibited altered olfactory preference. A lower lordosis behavior and ability to attract and stimulate male emission of courtship USVs was observed, probably due to modifications of pheromonal emission in exposed females. The behavioral alterations were associated with a lower number of PR-expressing neurons, without changes in ERα, in the neural circuitry underlying sexual behavior. The majority of effects observed was comparable between the two DEHP doses and were driven by DEHP in the mixture. Conclusions: Exposure to environmental doses of DEHP alone or in mixture altered several components of female sexual behavior in mice, probably through selective disruption of neural PR signaling. Together with the previously reported vulnerability of male mice, this finding suggests a major impact of exposure to phthalates on sexual reproduction, including in other species with similar neural regulatory processes. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7662
Synthesis of Monodispersed Lauric Acid Capped Silver Nanoparticles by Wet-Chemical Reduction Method

Silver nanoparticles with narrow distribution were prepared by a simple route in water in presence of lauric acid as the capping agents. The morphology and crystal structure of as-synthesized silver nanoparticles were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The mass ratio of lauric acid and silver nitrate, the reaction temperature play important roles on the morphology and size of the silver nanoparticles. Well-dispersed silver nanopartilces with diameter of 8 nm were obtained when the mass ratio of lauric acid and silver nitrate was 1.2:1 and the reaction temperature was room temperature. It is also confirmed that the sol system was monodisperse nanosilver sol.
Spatial genetic structure and landscape connectivity in black bears: Investigating the significance of using different land cover datasets and classifications in landscape genetics analyses

Abstract Landscape genetic analyses allow detection of fine‐scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) and quantification of effects of landscape features on gene flow and connectivity. Typically, analyses require generation of resistance surfaces. These surfaces characteristically take the form of a grid with cells that are coded to represent the degree to which landscape or environmental features promote or inhibit animal movement. How accurately resistance surfaces predict association between the landscape and movement is determined in large part by (a) the landscape features used, (b) the resistance values assigned to features, and (c) how accurately resistance surfaces represent landscape permeability. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of resistance surfaces generated using two publicly available land cover datasets that varied in how accurately they represent the actual landscape. We genotyped 365 individuals from a large black bear population (Ursus americanus) in the Northern Lower Peninsula (NLP) of Michigan, USA at 12 microsatellite loci, and evaluated the relationship between gene flow and landscape features using two different land cover datasets. We investigated the relative importance of land cover classification and accuracy on landscape resistance model performance. We detected local spatial genetic structure in Michigan's NLP black bears and found roads and land cover were significantly correlated with genetic distance. We observed similarities in model performance when different land cover datasets were used despite 21% dissimilarity in classification between the two land cover datasets. However, we did find the performance of land cover models to predict genetic distance was dependent on the way the land cover was defined. Models in which land cover was finely defined (i.e., eight land cover classes) outperformed models where land cover was defined more coarsely (i.e., habitat/non‐habitat or forest/non‐forest). Our results show that landscape genetic researchers should carefully consider how land cover classification changes inference in landscape genetic studies.
Pentazole, III. Kristallisierte Aryl-pentazole

Aus Aryl-diazoniumchloriden und Alkaliazid werden kristallisierte Arylpentazole dargestellt. Die UV-Absorptionsspektren zeigen, das das Pentazol-System als Substituent stark elektronenanziehend wirkt. Die Zerfallswarme von [p-Athoxy-phenyl]-pentazol wird zu 5.4 ± 0.2 kcal/Mol gefunden. Mit zunehmender Polaritat des Losungsmittels sinkt die Zerfalls-RG von gelostem Phenyl-pentazol.
Dehydrobufotenin extracted from the Amazonian toad Rhinella marina (Anura: Bufonidae) as a prototype molecule for the development of antiplasmodial drugs

Abstract Background: The resistance against antimalarial drugs represents a global challenge in the fight and control of malaria. The Brazilian biodiversity can be an important tool for research and development of new medicinal products. In this context, toxinology is a multidisciplinary approach on the development of new drugs, including the isolation, purification, and evaluation of the pharmacological activities of natural toxins. The present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity, as well as the antimalarial activity in silico and in vitro of four compounds isolated from Rhinella marina venom as potential oral drug prototypes. Methods: Four compounds were challenged against 35 target proteins from P. falciparum and screened to evaluate their physicochemical properties using docking assay in Brazilian Malaria Molecular Targets (BraMMT) software and in silico assay in OCTOPUS® software. The in vitro antimalarial activity of the compounds against the 3D7 Plasmodium falciparum clones were assessed using the SYBR Green I based assay (IC50). For the cytotoxic tests, the LD50 was determined in human pulmonary fibroblast cell line using the [3(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay. Results: All compounds presented a ligand-receptor interaction with ten Plasmodium falciparum-related protein targets, as well as antimalarial activity against chloroquine resistant strain (IC50 = 3.44 μM to 19.11 μM). Three of them (dehydrobufotenine, marinobufagin, and bufalin) showed adequate conditions for oral drug prototypes, with satisfactory prediction of absorption, permeability, and absence of toxicity. In the cell viability assay, only dehydrobufotenin was selective for the parasite. Conclusions: Dehydrobufotenin revealed to be a potential oral drug prototype presenting adequate antimalarial activity and absence of cytotoxicity, therefore should be subjected to further studies.
A Simple Sonochemical Route for Synthesis Silver Selenide Nanoparticles From SeCl4 and Silver Salicylate

For the first time, silver salicylate marked as [Ag(HSal)] was applied to fabricate silver selenide nanoparticles. This article describes a simple approach based on reaction between silver salicylate as an inorganic precursor, SeCl4, and hydrazine hydrate (N2H4.H2O) via sonochemical route for the fabrication of silver selenide (Ag2Se) nanoparticles. The effect of preparation parameters such as pH, ultrasonic power, and reaction temperature on the morphology of the final products was investigated. Ag2Se nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).
A Congener Specific Evaluation of Transfer of Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and Dibenzofurans to Milk of Cows following Ingestion of Pentachlorophenol-Treated Wood

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) treated wood has been hypothesized as an important source of dioxins in milk and beef. This phase of studies to evaluate the hypothesis involved the administration of PCP-treated wood to cows and measurement of the transfer of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF) to milk. The 3 g/day dose of ground wood was administered to four cows for 56 days. This dose provided a PCP intake of 4.8 mg/day and PCDD/F intakes in the range of 0.3 μg/day for 2,3,7,8-TCDD to 17 000 μg/day for 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD. Steady state with respect to excretion in milk was reached because concentrations of PCDD/Fs in milk fat were reasonably constant from day 28 through day 56. The PCDFs without chlorine in the 4 and 6 positions were metabolized and not transported to milk. The other PCDFs and all PCDDs had intake adjusted concentrations in milk that were inverse to the number of chlorines. Variations among cows in concentrations of specific congeners were small and were not relate.
The effect of edaphic factors on the distribution and abundance of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Iran

Abstract The current study is aimed at investigating the effect of edaphic factors on the distribution and abundance of ants in different habitats of the central areas of Iran, while considering the vegetation. During 2018 to 2019, 20 stations from four habitats, including deserts, mountainous and submontane, plains and rural areas and urban areas, were selected. In general, a total of 311 sample units were collected from all the stations, out of which, 32 species belonging to 13 genera, nine tribes and three subfamilies were identified. The biological distribution and abundance of species were argued by computing the physical and chemical parameters of the soil, such as salinity, pH, total nitrogen, organic carbon, calcium and vegetation. The present study has demonstrated that the calcium content significantly affects the species richness of ants, although the impact of this element on various genera is different. We found that increasing in the abundance and richness of plant species has a positive impact on the abundance and richness of ants. Our results also show that some genera are meaningfully adaptable to a variety of habitats. In Kahak station, which is an urban habitat, with enormous diversity, 14 species were found, while in Sadrabad Historic Karvansara, a desert habitat, only Cataglyphis lividus (André, 1881) was collected. Cataglyphis bellicosus (Karavaiev, 1924), as the most abundant species, collected from 12 stations, was the most dominant species.
As old as the hills: Pliocene palaeogeographical processes influence patterns of genetic structure in the widespread, common shrub Banksia sessilis

Abstract The impact of Quaternary glaciation on the development of phylogeographic structure in plant species is well documented. In unglaciated landscapes, phylogeographic patterns tend to reflect processes relating to persistence and stochasticity, yet other factors, associated with the palaeogeographical history of the landscape, including geomorphological events, can also have a significant influence. The unglaciated landscape of south‐western Western Australia is an ideal location to observe these ancient drivers of lineage diversification, with tectonic activity associated with the Darling Fault in the late Pliocene attributed to patterns of deep phylogeographic divergence in a widespread tree from this region. Interestingly, other species within this region have not shown this pattern and this palaeogeographical boundary therefore presents an opportunity to examine age and historical distribution of plant species endemic to this region. In this study, we assess patterns of genetic diversity and structure across 28 populations of the widespread shrub Banksia sessilis using three cpDNA markers and nine nuclear microsatellite markers. Sixteen cpDNA haplotypes were identified, comprising two major chloroplast DNA lineages that are estimated to have diverged in the Pliocene, approximately 3.3 million years ago. This timing coincides with major geomorphological processes in the landscape, including the separation of the Darling Plateau from the adjacent Swan Coastal Plain, as well as eustatic changes on the Swan Coastal Plain that are likely to have resulted in the physical isolation of historical plant lineages. Chloroplast lineages were broadly aligned with populations associated with older lateritic soils of the Darling Plateau and Geraldton sandplains or the younger sandy soils associated with the Swan Coastal Plain and Southern Coastline. This structural pattern of lateritic versus non‐lateritic division was not observed in the nuclear microsatellite data that identified three genetic clades that roughly corresponded to populations in the North, South, and Central portions of the distributions.
Heavy Metal Pollution in Some Soil and Water Resources of Bursa Province, Turkey

Abstract Bursa, the fourth most densely populated province in Turkey, is important to the national economy for agricultural and industrial production. During the past two decades, substantial migration into the region has increased drastically the risk of soil degradation. Urbanization and industrial development in the province have mainly occurred on soil types with land capability Class 1 and 2 and produce large amounts of nonbiodegradable urban and industrial waste, much of which is disposed of in the Nilufer River, the Ayvali Canal, and on agricultural land. Regulation of effluent quality disposed of to surface waters has been limited, so it was decided to conduct a preliminary survey of selected potentially toxic element (PTE) concentrations in agricultural soils and the PTEs in irrigation waters in the area to determine what potential pollution and health risk may exist. The pH and concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and heavy metals were determined in water samples from along the Nilufer River, above and below the industrialized area, and one of its tributaries, the Ayvali Canal. The results indicated considerable pollution from industry and city sewage in the surface waters, which are used directly by local farmers for irrigation of adjacent fields. Total heavy metal contents of the Fluvisols and Vertisols showed that these agricultural soils were polluted with iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb). The DTPA‐extractable Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations in irrigated Fluvisols and Vertisols indicated that the practice caused the accumulation of the Cd and Cu in the upper parts of the soil profiles. In the longer term, irrigation of the soils with the polluted waters may damage soil, crop, and human health.
Sister species diverge in modality‐specific courtship signal form and function

Abstract Understanding the relative importance of different sources of selection (e.g., the environment, social/sexual selection) on the divergence or convergence of reproductive communication can shed light on the origin, maintenance, or even disappearance of species boundaries. Using a multistep approach, we tested the hypothesis that two presumed sister species of wolf spider with overlapping ranges and microhabitat use, yet differing degrees of sexual dimorphism, have diverged in their reliance on modality‐specific courtship signaling. We predicted that male Schizocosa crassipalpata (no ornamentation) rely predominantly on diet‐dependent vibratory signaling for mating success. In contrast, we predicted that male S. bilineata (black foreleg brushes) rely on diet‐dependent visual signaling. We first tested and corroborated the sister‐species relationship between S. crassipalpata and S. bilineata using phylogenomic scale data. Next, we tested for species‐specific, diet‐dependent vibratory and visual signaling by manipulating subadult diet and subsequently quantifying adult morphology and mature male courtship signals. As predicted, vibratory signal form was diet‐dependent in S. crassipalpata, while visual ornamentation (brush area) was diet‐dependent in S. bilineata. We then compared the species‐specific reliance on vibratory and visual signaling by recording mating across artificially manipulated signaling environments (presence/absence of each modality in a 2 × 2 full factorial design). In accordance with our diet dependence results for S. crassipalpata, the presence of vibratory signaling was important for mating success. In contrast, the light and vibratory environment interacted to influence mating success in S. bilineata, with vibratory signaling being important only in the absence of light. We found no differences in overall activity patterns. Given that these species overlap in much of their range and microhabitat use, we suggest that competition for signaling space may have led to the divergence and differential use of sensory modalities between these sister species.
Muscle Glycogen and Muscle Electrolytes during Prolonged Physical Exercise1

Nine volunteers have been examined during prolonged physical exercise to exhaustion at a load of about 60 per cent of W170. Ordinary circulatory parameters were measured as well as the quantities of glycogen, water and electrolytes in muscle tissue obtained by needle biopsy. In a separate study 6 subjects were examined for respiratory quotient under similar exercising conditions. The muscle glycogen fell considerably from a mean of 6.9 per 100g glycogen and fat-free solids to a mean of 1.7 g at the end of exercise. The quantity of muscle glycogen used was correlated both to total energy developed during exercise and also to duration of exercise. The electrolyte and water content in muscle tissue showed only small changes. Some increase was found in muscle sodium and chloride, and also in the chloride space. The potassium content fell significantly by about 4 per cent of the basal value. None of the circulatory parameters measured showed changes of such magnitude as to have a limiting effect on performance. Two subjects were examined also with glucose infusion during the exercise. The reduction of glycogen, as also the performance of these two subjects, was of the same order of magnitude with and without infusion of glucose. The results suggest that the capacity for prolonged work is directly correlated to the glycogen store in the working muscles.
Catalyst Layers for PEMFC Manufactured by Flexography Printing Process: Performances and Structure

This article focuses on the potential of a classic printing process, flexography, for manufacturing proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) are produced by deposition of a water‐based catalyst ink on a gas diffusion layer (GDL). The affinity between the ink and the GDL is quantified. Thus, the strong hydrophobic character of the GDL and the poor printability of the ink are demonstrated. However, the permeability of the GDL allows developing a multilayer protocol. The deposition by superimposition of ink layers allows control of the platinum amount and to obtain catalyst layers with a similar density of platinum nanoparticles to coated samples. At similar platinum loading, flexography and coating made catalyst layers offer similar performances, which confirm the relevance of flexography in catalyst layer manufacturing. Structural characterization shows that manufacturing protocol and process has an influence on catalyst layer microstructure. However, catalyst layer cracking and aggregation are increased with the catalyst layer thickness, diminishing the charge and gas diffusion into the catalyst layer resulting in performance degradation. Consequently, a catalyst layer with 0.46 mgPt cm–2 reaches similar performances to catalyst layers with 1.77 and 2.01 times less platinum loading.
REACT-1 round 8 final report: high average prevalence with regional heterogeneity of trends in SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community in England during January 2021

In early January 2021, England entered its third national lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce numbers of deaths and pressure on healthcare services, while rapidly rolling out vaccination to healthcare workers and those most at risk of severe disease and death. REACT-1 is a survey of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in the community in England, based on repeated cross-sectional samples of the population. Between 6th and 22nd January 2021, out of 167,642 results, 2,282 were positive giving a weighted national prevalence of infection of 1.57% (95% CI, 1.49%, 1.66%). The R number nationally over this period was estimated at 0.98 (0.92, 1.04). Prevalence remained high throughout, but with suggestion of a decline at the end of the study period. The average national trend masked regional heterogeneity, with robustly decreasing prevalence in one region (South West) and increasing prevalence in another (East Midlands). Overall prevalence at regional level was highest in London at 2.83% (2.53%, 3.16%). Although prevalence nationally was highest in the low-risk 18 to 24 year old group at 2.44% (1.96%, 3.03%), it was also high in those over 65 years who are most at risk, at 0.93% (0.82%, 1.05%). Large household size, living in a deprived neighbourhood, and Black and Asian ethnicity were all associated with higher levels of infections compared to smaller households, less deprived neighbourhoods and other ethnicities. Healthcare and care home workers, and other key workers, were more likely to test positive compared to other workers. If sustained lower prevalence is not achieved rapidly in England, pressure on healthcare services and numbers of COVID-19 deaths will remain unacceptably high.