Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Saliva diagnostic utility in patients with type 2 diabetes: Future standard method

Background The purpose of the present study was to assess saliva reliability in diagnosis and monitoring type 2 diabetes instead of blood. Methods Blood and unstimulated whole saliva were collected from 300 type 2 diabetic subjects and 300 healthy controls in fasting. Then, the salivary flow rate was calculated. All parameters including glucose, urea, amylase, total protein, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobulin A (IgA), potassium, calcium and chloride were assessed in the supernatant, using an autoanalyzer. Oral exam was conducted by a single examiner on full mouth excluding third molars. Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS 20.0 version. Results Saliva screening showed that glucose, urea, amylase, total protein, potassium, calcium and chloride were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). Whereas, the IgA level and salivary flow rate were significantly reduced in patients (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in albumin and CRP levels (p > 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between salivary and plasma glucose levels (r = 0.887, and r = 0.900, p < 0.001), as well as, salivary and blood urea (r = 0.586, and r = 0.688, p < 0.001) in patients and controls, respectively. Conclusions From this study, saliva could be suggested as a useful diagnostic tool for type 2 diabetes.
Protective Effect of Phyllanthus niruri on DMBA/Croton Oil Mediated Carcinogenic Response and Oxidative Damage in Accordance to Histopathological Studies in Skin of Mice

The current study has been designed to unveil the preventive effect of Phyllanthus niruri extract (PNE) on two stage skin carcinogenesis and oxidative damage in Swiss albino mice. Single topical application of 7, 12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA), followed by croton oil thrice weekly produced 100% incidence of tumors in carcinogen control animals (Gr. III) by 16 weeks. On the other hand, oral administration of animals with PNE (1 week before of DMBA application & continued until the end of experiment, Gr. IV), significantly reduced the tumor incidence, tumor burden, tumor volume and weight and the number of tumors butÂ prolong the latent period of tumor occurrence, as compared with carcinogen control animals. Furthermore, administration of PNE protected against the losses provoked in levels of glutathione, Vit.C, total proteins and activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase in skin and liver of animals by the application of DMBA/croton oil, concomitantly, the levels of lipid peroxidation were also reduced significantly. P. niruri administration profoundly reverted back the pathological changes observed in skin and liver of cancerous animals. From the results, P. niruri extract proves to scavenge free radical and found to be a potent chemopreventive agent against chemical induced skin carcinogenesis. Keywords: carcinogenesis, Phyllanthus niruri , cancer chemoprevention, tumor incidence, reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzymes
Tyrosine Kinases in Autoimmune and Inflammatory Skin Diseases

Tyrosine kinases relay signals from diverse leukocyte antigen receptors, innate immune receptors, and cytokine receptors, and therefore mediate the recruitment and activation of various leukocyte populations. Non-receptor tyrosine kinases of the Jak, Src, Syk, and Btk families play major roles in various immune-mediated disorders, and small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors are emerging novel therapeutics in a number of those diseases. Autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases represent a broad spectrum of immune-mediated diseases. Genetic and pharmacological studies in humans and mice support the role of tyrosine kinases in several inflammatory skin diseases. Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are characterized by an inflammatory microenvironment which activates cytokine receptors coupled to the Jak-Stat signaling pathway. Jak kinases are also implicated in alopecia areata and vitiligo, skin disorders mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Genetic studies indicate a critical role for Src-family kinases and Syk in animal models of autoantibody-mediated blistering skin diseases. Here, we review the various tyrosine kinase signaling pathways and their role in various autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases. Special emphasis will be placed on identification of potential therapeutic targets, as well as on ongoing preclinical and clinical studies for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases by small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Integrative analysis of hexaploid wheat roots identifies signature components during iron starvation

Iron is an essential micronutrient for all organisms. In crop plants, iron deficiency can decrease crop yield significantly, however our current understanding of how major crops respond to iron deficiency remains limited. Herein, the effect of Fe deprivation at both the transcriptomic and metabolic levels in hexaploid wheat was investigated. Genome-wide gene expression reprogramming was observed in wheat roots subjected to Fe starvation, with a total of 5854 genes differential expressed. Homoeolog and subgenome specific analysis unveiled induction bias contribution from the A and B genomes. In general, the predominance of genes encoding for nicotianamine synthase, yellow stripe like transporters, metal transporters, ABC transporters and zinc-induced facilitator-like protein was noticed. Expression of genes related to the strategy-II mode of Fe uptake was predominant as well. Our transcriptomic data were in agreement with the GC-MS analysis that showed the enhanced accumulation of various metabolites such as fumarate, malonate, succinate and xylofuranose, which could be contributing to Fe-mobilization. Interestingly, Fe starvation leads to significant temporal increase of glutathione-S-transferase both at transcriptional and in enzymatic activity levels, which indicates the involvement of glutathione in response to Fe stress in wheat roots. Taken together, our result provides new insight into the wheat response to Fe starvation at molecular level and lays foundation to design new strategies for the improvement of Fe nutrition in crops.
Modulation of Insulin Resistance in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has an estimated prevalence of 25% in the general population, and cirrhosis secondary to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is predicted to become the leading cause of liver transplantation, yet there is a lack of effective licensed treatments for these conditions. There is a close relationship between insulin resistance (IR) and NAFLD, with prevalence of NAFLD being 5‐fold higher in patients with diabetes compared to those without. IR is implicated both in pathogenesis of NAFLD and in disease progression from steatosis to NASH. Thus, modulation of IR represents a potential strategy for NAFLD treatment. This review highlights key proposed mechanisms linking IR and NAFLD, such as changes in rates of adipose tissue lipolysis and de novo lipogenesis, impaired mitochondrial fatty acid β‐oxidation (FAO), changes in fat distribution, alterations in the gut microbiome, and alterations in levels of adipokines and cytokines. Furthermore, this review will discuss the main pharmacological strategies used to treat IR in patients with NAFLD and their efficacy based on recently published experimental and clinical data. These include biguanides, glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor (GLP‐1) agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR‐γ/α/δ) agonists, sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists, with further novel treatments on the horizon. Ideally, treatment would improve IR, reduce cardiovascular risk, and produce demonstrable improvements in NASH histology—this is likely to be achieved with a combinatorial approach.
Isolated Pheochromocytoma in a 73-Year-Old Man With No Clinical Manifestations of Type 1 Neurofibromatosis Carrying an Unsuspected Deletion of the Entire NF1 Gene

Pheochromocytomas (PHEOs) are a rare cause of endocrine hypertension that requires genetic counseling since at least 30% of PHEOs are associated with a germline mutation in a susceptibility gene. Neurofibromatosis type 1, NF1 is amongst the 16 known causing genes for pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas. We report a case of a 73-year-old man with PHEO in whom genetic testing revealed a large pathogenic heterozygous deletion of 1.14 Mb encompassing the entire coding sequence of the NF1 gene while the patient showed no signs of clinical NF1.This case illustrates that the diagnosis of NF1 should not be excluded in patients with PHEO in the absence of clinical diagnosis of the disease and support that older patients with PHEO should also be offered genetic counseling.
Shading levels in the development of dragon fruit (pitaya) nurseries

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o enraizamento e brotação de estacas de pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) sob diferentes níveis de sombreamento. As tonalidades obtidas por tela foram: 37,8%, 49,6%, 86,3% e sob o sol. Foram analisadas as seguintes características: sobrevivência de estacas (%), brotação (%), número de brotações, comprimento médio dos brotos (cm), massa seca da parte aérea (g), estacas enraizadas (%), comprimento médio da raiz (cm) (mL), matéria seca da raiz (g) e concentração de clorofila aeb (mg g-1). As médias percentuais de sobrevivência foram entre 90 e 100%. As respostas para fotografar e secar a matéria seca foram quadráticas, com ponto máximo em 23,48% e 42,7% de sombreamento, respectivamente. Em relação ao enraizamento de estacas, as médias foram entre 80 e 95%. O volume radicular e a massa seca das raízes apresentaram redução linear de acordo com o nível de sombreamento. Os teores de clorofila aeb apresentaram aumento linear na função o nível de sombreamento. O sombreamento parcial (entre 23 e 42%) aumentou a porcentagem de estacas com brotações, o acúmulo de matéria seca sobre elas e o volume afetado e o acúmulo de matéria seca nas raízes de viveiros pitaya propagados por estacas.
Volume thermal expansion and related thermophysical parameters in the Mg, Fe olivine solid-solution series

The successful parameterization of the volume thermal expansion in the Mg,Fe olivine solid-solution series stimulated us to carry the analysis further in view of the orthorhombic symmetry of the olivines and thus augment the available thermophysical data. To this purpose we studied the three axial expansivities, α a , b , c , on the basis of the same body of data and the same model as used for our parameterization of the volume expansion. The results are applied to various thermophysical parameters that possess a significant dependence on α a , b , c . In particular, the temperature variations of the axial adiabatic and isothermal moduli (a), the axial thermodynamic Gruneisen parameters (b), and the axial isothermal Anderson-Gruneisen parameters (c) are obtained for both forsterite (Fo) and fayalite (Fa). This allowed us to also study the response of the α a , b , c axial expansivities to pressure. Since Fo and Fa are isomorphous, it is striking that the axial thermophysical properties of Fo are distinctly less anisotropic than those of Fa. Whereas in Fo, both the axial compressibilities and the axial expansivities follow the same sequence, i.e. β T , b > β T , c > β T , a and α b > α c > α a , respectively, this expectation is violated in Fa where α c > α a > α b above 400 K. It is shown that the different anisotropies of the expansivities and hence of the α -dependent thermophysical properties can be related to differing structural responses to heating.
SORPTION CHARACTERISTICS OF EXTRUDED FEED FOR CARP STOCKING MATERIAL

TOSHKOV, N. , M. DUSHKOVA and A. SIMITCHIEV, 2015. Sorption characteristics of extruded feed for carp stocking material. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., Supplement 1, 21: 27–30 Equilibrium sorption isotherms of extruded feed for carp stocking material in three variants were experimentally obtained. The study was conducted by the static gravimetric method at 20°C and water activities from 0.11 to 0.85. It was established that the isotherms have a typical S-shaped profi le and there are no statistically signifi cant differences in the sorption capacity for all variants. A suitable model was selected to describe the sorption isotherms. The monolayer moisture content of the extrudates was determined.
Satellite Ocean Colour: Current Status and Future Perspective

Spectrally resolved water-leaving radiances (ocean colour) and inferred chlorophyll concentration are key to studying phytoplankton dynamics at seasonal and interannual scales, for a better understanding of the role of phytoplankton in marine biogeochemistry; the global carbon cycle; and the response of marine ecosystems to climate variability, change and feedback processes. Ocean colour data also have a critical role in operational observation systems monitoring coastal eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and sediment plumes. The contiguous ocean-colour record reached 21 years in 2018; however, it is comprised of a number of one-off missions such that creating a consistent time-series of ocean-colour data requires merging of the individual sensors (including MERIS, Aqua-MODIS, SeaWiFS, VIIRS, and OLCI) with differing sensor characteristics, without introducing artefacts. By contrast, the next decade will see consistent observations from operational ocean colour series with sensors of similar design and with a replacement strategy. Also, by 2029 the record will start to be of sufficient duration to discriminate climate change impacts from natural variability, at least in some regions. This paper describes the current status and future prospects in the field of ocean colour focusing on large to medium resolution observations of oceans and coastal seas. It reviews the user requirements in terms of products and uncertainty characteristics and then describes features of current and future satellite ocean-colour sensors, both operational and innovative. The key role of in situ validation and calibration is highlighted as are ground segments that process the data received from the ocean-colour sensors and deliver analysis-ready products to end-users. Example applications of the ocean-colour data are presented, focusing on the climate data record and operational applications including water quality and assimilation into numerical models. Current capacity building and training activities pertinent to ocean colour are described and finally a summary of future perspectives is provided.
Transcriptome-wide sites of collided ribosomes reveal principles of translational pausing

Translation initiation is considered overall rate-limiting for protein biosynthesis, whereas the impact of non-uniform ribosomal elongation rates is largely unknown. Using a modified ribosome profiling protocol based on footprints from two closely packed ribosomes (disomes), we have mapped ribosomal collisions transcriptome-wide in mouse liver. We uncover that the stacking of an elongating onto a paused ribosome occurs frequently and scales with translation rate, trapping ∼10% of translating ribosomes in the disome state. A distinct class of pause sites, independent of translation rate, is indicative of deterministic pausing signals. Pause sites are associated with specific amino acids, peptide motifs, and with structural features of the nascent polypeptide, suggestive of programmed pausing as a widespread mechanism associated with protein folding. Evolutionary conservation at disome sites and experiments indicate functional relevance of translational pausing. Collectively, our disome profiling approach allows novel, unexpected insights into gene regulation occurring at the step of translation elongation.
Predicting pH Optimum for Activity of Beta-Glucosidases

The working conditions for enzymatic reaction are elegant, but not many optimal conditions are documented in literatures. For newly mutated and newly found enzymes, the optimal working conditions can only be extrapolated from our previous experience. Therefore a question raised here is whether we can use the knowledge on enzyme structure to predict the optimal working conditions. Although working conditions for enzymes can be easily measured in experiments, the predictions of working conditions for enzymes are still important because they can minimize the experimental cost and time. In this study, we develop a 20-1 feedforward backpropagation neural network with information on amino acid sequence to predict the pH optimum for the activity of beta-glucosidase, because this enzyme has drawn much attention for its role in bio-fuel industries. Among 25 features of amino acids being screened, the results show that 11 features can be used as predictors in this model and the amino-acid distribution probability is the best in predicting the pH optimum for the activity of beta-glucosidases. Our study paves the way for predicting the optimal working conditions of enzymes based on the amino-acid features.
Evolutionary changes of phosphoenolpyruvate transporter (PPT) during the emergence of C4 photosynthesis

C4 photosynthesis is a complex trait, which evolved from its ancestral C3 photosynthesis by recruiting pre-existing genes. The evolutionary history of enzymes involved in the C4 shuttle has been extensively studied. Here we analyze the evolutionary changes of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) transporter (PPT) during its recruitment from C3 to C4 photosynthesis. Our analysis shows that 1) among the two PPT paralogs, i.e. PPT1 and PPT2, PPT1 is an ancestral copy while PPT2 is a derived copy; 2) during C4 evolution, PPT1 shifted its expression from predominantly in root to in leaf, and from bundle sheath cell to mesophyll cell, supporting that PPT1 was recruited into C4 photosynthesis; 3) PPT1 gained increased transcript abundance, gained more rapid and long-lasting responses to light during C3 to C4 evolution, while PPT2 lost its responsiveness to light; 4) PPT1 gained a number of new cis-elements during C4 evolution; 5) C4 PPT1 can complement the phenotype of Arabidopsis PPT1 loss-of-function mutant, suggesting that it is a bidirectional transporter and its transport direction did not alter during C4 evolution. We finally discuss mechanistic linkages between these observed changes in PPT1 and C4 photosynthesis evolution. High light During the process of C4 photosynthesis evolution, PPT not only experienced changes in its expression location and transcript abundance, but also acquired new cis-elements in its promoter region and accumulated protein variations.
Dihydrokainate restores recall of olfactory reward‐based associative learning following impairment by isoflurane

The mammalian olfactory bulb (OB) shapes olfactory discriminative perception, however, its role in olfactory associative learning is less clear. We trained adult CD‐1 mice (12 trials) to associate a test odor (conditioned stimulus) with a 5 mg, 100% sucrose pellet reward (unconditioned stimulus). Recall of odor discriminative learning was tested (30 mins later) with a series (n=4) of chemically related compounds of increasing dissimilarity. We now report that brief (15 min) exposure to 1% or 2% isoflurane (iso) significantly impaired recall of olfactory discriminative associative learning (P = 0.0001 vs no iso) without causing hypoxia. High (2%) iso also impaired recall of visual associative learning (P< .005 vs no iso). Recall of olfactory learning was unchanged despite allowing 15 min for consolidation (before iso) or 60 min recovery (after iso). Bulbar infusion of 1 mM or 10 mM dihydrokainate (DHK), a specific antagonist of the high affinity glutamate transporter (GLT1), completely restored recall of olfactory associative learning following isoflurane (P< .005 vs vehicle). Bilateral OB infusion of 10 mM DHK had no effect on impairment of visual associative learning by isoflurane (P < .001 vs no iso). These data are consistent with a mechanism for isoflurane‐induced olfactory retrograde amnesia involving an increased rate of glutamate uptake (via GLT1) in the olfactory bulb.
Abnormal expression of circRNA_089763 in the plasma exosomes of patients with post-operative cognitive dysfunction after coronary artery bypass grafting

Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a complication of the central nervous system characterized by mental disorders, anxiety, personality changes and impaired memory. POCD occurs frequently after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and can severely affect quality of life for patients. To date, the development of POCD biomarkers remains a challenge. Alterations in the expression of non-coding RNAs from brain tissue and peripheral blood have been linked to POCD. The present study aimed to detect the differential circular RNAs (circRNAs) in plasma exosomes of patients with POCD after CABG. The relative expression levels of circRNAs were analyzed using circRNA microarray analysis in the plasma exosomes of patients with POCD. Differentially altered circRNAs (P<0.05, fold change >1.5) were validated by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR in the plasma exosomes of patients with POCD. The target genes of the microRNAs were predicted using bioinformatics analysis. The functions and signaling pathways of these target genes were investigated by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. The microarray results indicated that the levels of nine circRNAs in patients with POCD were higher than those in the control subjects; and six circRNAs were at a lower level than those in control subjects. The RT-qPCR results from patients with POCD showed that only circRNA_089763 of the 15 circRNAs identified was significantly increased compared with control subjects. circRNA target gene prediction and functional annotation analysis showed significant enrichment in several GO terms and pathways associated with POCD. The present study provides evidence for the abnormal expression of POCD-induced circRNA_089763 in human plasma exosomes, as well as the involvement of POCD.
Getting Started with Citrix XenApp 6

This book has a tutorial style with step-by-step instructions and adequate screenshots for carrying out each task. If you are a system administrator or consultant who wants to implement and administer Citrix XenApp 6 farms, then this book is for you. This book will help both new and experienced XenApp professionals to deliver virtualized applications.
Reproductive Performance of Japanese Quail Hens (Coturnixcoturnix japonica) Fed with Feed Restriction Regimes during Growth Period

Reproductive performance of quail hens (Coturnixcoturnix japonica) at sexual maturity was evaluated following two feeding restriction programs (100%, 90% and 80% of ad libitum) and energy metabolism (EM) of ration: 2900 Kcal/kg and 2800 Kcal/kg) between 2 weeks and 5 weeks of age with five replicates of 10 chicks per replicate. Body weight and feed conversion were measured weekly during feed restriction. After experimental feeding treatment, age at first egg, BW, egg weight, development of reproductive organ on sexual maturity were evaluated of one hen’s quail per treatment. The results of the experiment indicated that the restricted feeding until 80% of ad libitum was consequently (p 0.01) delayed sexual maturity and influence the development of the reproductive organ. However, it did not show significant influence on the body weight of the first-laid egg and initial egg production. Restricted feeding at 90% of ad libitum and EM ration 2900 Kcal/kg showed the best results for quail feed management during growth.