Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antiviral Activity of Compound L3 against Dengue and Zika Viruses In Vitro and In Vivo

Dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) are mosquito-borne flaviviruses that cause severe illness after infection. Currently, there are no specific or effective treatments against DENV and ZIKV. Previous studies have shown that tyrosine kinase activities and signal transduction are involved in flavivirus replication, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for DENV and ZIKV. In this study, we found that compound L3 can significantly reduce viral protein expression and viral titers in HEK-293, MCF-7, HepG2, and Huh-7 cells and exhibits superior therapeutic efficacy against flaviviral infection compared to other tyrosine kinase inhibitors. In addition, compound L3 can decrease endogenous HER2 activation and inhibit the phosphorylation of the HER2 downstream signaling molecules Src and ERK1/2, the levels of which have been associated with viral protein expression in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, silencing HER2 diminished DENV-2 and ZIKV expression in MCF-7 cells, which suggests that HER2 activity is involved in flavivirus replication. Furthermore, in DENV-2-infected AG129 mice, treatment with compound L3 increased the survival rates and reduced the viremia levels. Overall, compound L3 demonstrates therapeutic efficacy both in vitro and in vivo and could be developed as a promising antiviral drug against emerging flaviviruses or for concurrent DENV and ZIKV outbreaks.
Methadone for postoperative analgesia: contribution of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonism

BACKGROUND Over the past number of years, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) inhibitory drugs, like ketamine, have been introduced as adjuvant treatments for postoperative acute pain, within a multimodal approach. A further extension of this strategy could be the use of opioids with NMDA receptor (NMDAr) antagonism activity for control of postoperative pain. Methadone has a unique pharmacodynamic profile: it is both a μ-agonist and an NMDAr-blocker. OBJECTIVE We designed this study to investigate the precise contribution of NMDAr antagonism in methadone-induced analgesia. DESIGN Single-centre, prospective, randomised, double-blind study. SETTING National Cancer Center – Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Milano; patients were recruited between March 2010 and June 2012. PATIENTS Ninety-six patients scheduled for an open laparotomy for anterior resection of the rectum. INTERVENTIONS We randomly assigned patients to four groups: 0-Mo (placebo and morphine), K-Mo [S(+)-ketamine and morphine], 0-Me (placebo and methadone), K-Me [S(+)-ketamine and methadone]. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary end-point was the extent of mechanical static (punctuate) hyperalgesia to von Frey hair stimulation lateral to the surgical incision. RESULTS Peri-incisional hyperalgesia was 8.4 cm (95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 15.41) lower in the treatment group (K-Me) compared with the control group (0-Mo) at 24 h after surgery (P = 0.02). No significant differences were observed between the groups at 48 h after surgery (P = 0.88). Both groups treated with methadone had significantly lower pain during rest and movement, as measured with a Numerical Rating Scale at 24 h. At 48 h, only the movement Numerical Rating Scale was significantly lower. No difference occurred in opioid consumption. CONCLUSION Methadone provides effective control of acute postoperative pain, independently, by modulation of the hyperalgesia mechanism. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, no.: NCT01594047.
Characterization of deaths and therapeutic itineraries investigated by the Porto Alegre AIDS Mortality Committee, Brazil, in 2015.

OBJECTIVE to characterize AIDS deaths eligible for Porto Alegre AIDS Mortality Committee (AIDSMC) investigation, Brazil, in 2015, and their therapeutic itineraries. METHODS this was a descriptive study using secondary data from surveillance information systems and AIDSMC investigation forms. RESULTS out of 336 deaths from AIDS-related causes, 113 (33.6%) were considered avoidable, of which 52 were analyzed by AIDSMC; there was predominance of males (30/52), low schooling level (29/52 incomplete elementary education), and less than 2 years between HIV infection diagnosis and death (28/52); tuberculosis was the most frequent cause of death (17/52); and in 50/52 cases at least one therapeutic itinerary inadequacy was identified. CONCLUSION avoidable deaths of people with AIDS occurred mostly in men, those with low education level, those with recent HIV diagnosis and most deaths were due to tuberculosis.
Spontaneous generation of prions and transmissible PrP amyloid in a humanised transgenic mouse model of A117V GSS

Inherited prion diseases are caused by autosomal dominant coding mutations in the human prion protein (PrP) gene (PRNP) and account for about 15% of human prion disease cases worldwide. The proposed mechanism is that the mutation predisposes to conformational change in the expressed protein, leading to the generation of disease-related multichain PrP assemblies that propagate by seeded protein misfolding. Despite considerable experimental support for this hypothesis, to-date spontaneous formation of disease-relevant, transmissible PrP assemblies in transgenic models expressing only mutant human PrP has not been demonstrated. Here, we report findings from transgenic mice that express human PrP 117V on a mouse PrP null background (117VV Tg30 mice), which model the PRNP A117V mutation causing inherited prion disease (IPD) including Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker (GSS) disease phenotypes in humans. By studying brain samples from uninoculated groups of mice, we discovered that some mice (≥475 days old) spontaneously generated abnormal PrP assemblies, which after inoculation into further groups of 117VV Tg30 mice, produced a molecular and neuropathological phenotype congruent with that seen after transmission of brain isolates from IPD A117V patients to the same mice. To the best of our knowledge, the 117VV Tg30 mouse line is the first transgenic model expressing only mutant human PrP to show spontaneous generation of transmissible PrP assemblies that directly mirror those generated in an inherited prion disease in humans.
Déterminisme et conséquences écologiques de la dynamique invasive du Cerisier tardif (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) sur les communautés végétales de la forêt de Compiègne

Abstract The relationships between the abundance of the invasive exotic species, Prunus serotina, and plant communities are studied in Compiègne forest (Oise, France). We compare vegetation composition, species richness and stratification between invaded (n = 32) and uninvaded (n = 32) stands, paired according to soil and dominant tree species conditions. Three invasion levels are identified from the contamination to the invasion stage. At the landscape scale, Prunus serotina development is enhanced by podzols on sandy, acidic and dry substratum; conversely, hydromorphic and/or calcareous soils limit its spread. At the local scale, Prunus serotina is the main control on plant communities. As the abundance of Prunus serotina increases, species richness declines. The lack of shrub layer in forest stands managed as even—aged plantations enhances its establishment and spread.
MYB Superfamily in Brassica napus: Evidence for Hormone-Mediated Expression Profiles, Large Expansion, and Functions in Root Hair Development

MYB proteins are involved in diverse important biological processes in plants. Herein, we obtained the MYB superfamily from the allotetraploid Brassica napus, which contains 227 MYB-related (BnMYBR/Bn1R-MYB), 429 R2R3-MYB (Bn2R-MYB), 22 R1R2R3-MYB (Bn3R-MYB), and two R1R2R2R1/2-MYB (Bn4R-MYB) genes. Phylogenetic analysis classified the Bn2R-MYBs into 43 subfamilies, and the BnMYBRs into five subfamilies. Sequence characteristics and exon/intron structures within each subfamily of the Bn2R-MYBs and BnMYBRs were highly conserved. The whole superfamily was unevenly distributed on 19 chromosomes and underwent unbalanced expansion in B. napus. Allopolyploidy between B. oleracea and B. rapa mainly contributed to the expansion in their descendent B. napus, in which B. rapa-derived genes were more retained. Comparative phylogenetic analysis of 2R-MYB proteins from nine Brassicaceae and seven non-Brassicaceae species identified five Brassicaceae-specific subfamilies and five subfamilies that are lacking from the examined Brassicaceae species, which provided an example for the adaptive evolution of the 2R-MYB gene family alongside angiosperm diversification. Ectopic expression of four Bn2R-MYBs under the control of the viral CaMV35S and/or native promoters could rescue the lesser root hair phenotype of the Arabidopsis thaliana wer mutant plants, proving the conserved negative roles of the 2R-MYBs of the S15 subfamily in root hair development. RNA-sequencing data revealed that the Bn2R-MYBs and BnMYBRs had diverse transcript profiles in roots in response to the treatments with various hormones. Our findings provide valuable information for further functional characterizations of B. napus MYB genes.
Catchable Trout Fisheries: The Need for Assessment

Abstract State fisheries agencies were questioned regarding their catchable-size (>178 mm) salmonid stocking programs, specifically: (1) number, species, and propagation cost of catchables stocked; (2) total length of stream and area of impoundments stocked; (3) methods used to estimate angler effort and harvest of catchables; (4) extent to which these techniques have been employed in the past 10 years. In 1983, 43 states stocked in excess of 50 million catchable-size trout at a production cost of nearly $37 million. Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) was the most popular species, predominating in 28 states and accounting for more than 77% of all catchable salmonids stocked. Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) were the next most frequently stocked salmonids (11.0% and 10.1% of total, respectively). More than 54,000 km of streams and 550,000 ha of ponds, lakes, and reservoirs were planted with catchables in 1983. Most methods utilized by management agencies to assess use and har.
Bioactive Excreted/Secreted Products of Entomopathogenic Nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Inhibit the Phenoloxidase Activity during the Infection

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are efficient insect parasites, that are known for their mutualistic relationship with entomopathogenic bacteria and their use in biocontrol. EPNs produce bioactive molecules referred to as excreted/secreted products (ESPs), which have come to the forefront in recent years because of their role in the process of host invasion and the modulation of its immune response. In the present study, we confirmed the production of ESPs in the EPN Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, and investigated their role in the modulation of the phenoloxidase cascade, one of the key components of the insect immune system. ESPs were isolated from 14- and 21-day-old infective juveniles of H. bacteriophora, which were found to be more virulent than newly emerged nematodes, as was confirmed by mortality assays using Galleria mellonella larvae. The isolated ESPs were further purified and screened for the phenoloxidase-inhibiting activity. In these products, a 38 kDa fraction of peptides was identified as the main candidate source of phenoloxidase-inhibiting compounds. This fraction was further analyzed by mass spectrometry and the de novo sequencing approach. Six peptide sequences were identified in this active ESP fraction, including proteins involved in ubiquitination and the regulation of a Toll pathway, for which a role in the regulation of insect immune response has been proposed in previous studies.
Morpho-Anatomical and Physiological Responses Can Predict the Ideal Period for the Transplantation of Hydroponic Seedlings of Hymenaea courbaril, a Neotropical Fruit Tree

Hydroponics is an excellent alternative approach for the production of seedlings, given the growing demand for fruiting trees for the reforestation or recuperation of degraded natural landscapes. In most cases, however, little is known about the optimal period for the maintenance of the seedling in the hydroponic system. Given this, we decided to investigate the hypothesis that morpho-anatomical and physiological alterations can be used to predict the optimal timing for the transplantation of the seedlings to the soil substrate, thereby guaranteeing the most cost-effective application of the hydroponic system. We selected Hymenaea courbaril L. , an important Neotropical fruit tree, as the model for this study. We cultivated H. courbaril seedlings in a static hydroponic system and evaluated morpho-anatomical, physiological, and growth parameters over the course of seedling development (30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days after transplantation; DAT). We observed an interesting relationship between the increase in the density (SD) and conductance (gsw) of the stomata up to 120 DAT, which reflected higher rates of photosynthesis (A), but also a reduced efficiency in the use of water. In the subsequent intervals, the SD of the plants and the diameter of the radicular xylemic vessels elements (RVE) decreased, in an attempt to increase the efficiency of the use of this resource. We also observed an increase in the thickness of the palisade parenchyma (PP) prior to 120 DAT, which did not reflect a general increase in the thickness of the mesophyll, indicating an adjustment in the thickness of the spongiform parenchyma (SP). We also observed a progressive increase in photosynthetic efficiency up to 120 DAT, based on parameters such as the absorption flux energy per active reaction center (ABS/RC) and the photosynthetic performance index (PIABS), but after this period these indices decreased progressively. However, as the PIABS is an indicator of the plant’s tolerance, its decline was associated with an increase in the dissipation of energy (DI0/RC), which indicates that, after 120 DAT, the plant pots may become a stress factor that limit the growth of H. courbaril seedlings. The results of the present study indicate conclusively that a 120-day period is the optimum for the maintenance of the H. courbaril seedlings in the hydroponic system, and also confirm the hypothesis that the morpho-anatomical and physiological responses observed in the plants can be used to predict the ideal period for the transplantation of the seedlings, contributing to a reduction in production time of the hydroponic system.
[Therapeutic Effect of CT-guided ¹²⁵I Seed Implantation on Advanced Lung Cancer and Pulmonary Metastatic Carcinoma].

BACKGROUND Primary lung cancer and metastatic lung cancer are common malignant tumors of the lung and are the main cause of cancer-related death. Advanced lung cancer and lung metastatic cancer are mainly treated by systemic therapy, and local treatment is also an effective treatment for the refractory or recurrent lesions in the lungs after systemic treatment. ¹²⁵I radioactive particle implantation, as an efficient conformal radiotherapy, has a certain control effect on localized lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT) guided percutaneous puncture of lung tissue with ¹²⁵I radioactive particle implantation in the treatment of advanced lung cancer and lung metastatic cancer. METHODS Continuouslycollectedthe clinical and pathological data of 105 patients with advanced lung cancer and metastatic lung cancer treated by ¹²⁵I radioactive seed implantation in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 1, 2014 to November 30, 2018. The patients were followed until March, 2019. The clinical efficacy and complications of seedimplantation were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 105 patients were included in the study, 78 patients with advanced lung cancer and 27 patients with lung metastases. The median survival time after seed therapy was 395 days. The 1-year survival rate was about 78.1%, and the 2-year survival rate was about 56.1%. Seed implantation for advanced lung cancer is equivalent to lung metastasis. Seed combined with radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, and chemotherapy did not improve seed treatment. However, particle combined with external radiation therapy has a significant survival disadvantage compared with simple seed therapy. CONCLUSIONS The CT-guided ¹²⁵I radioactive seed implantation has controllable complications and can be used as a safe and effective treatment for advanced lung cancer and lung metastases.
Atomic force microscopy as an imaging tool to study the bio/nonbio complexes

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) besides X‐ray crystallography and electron microscopy is one of the most attractive methods to study bio/nonbio complexes. Information on how biomacromolecules interact with nanomaterials under different environmental conditions has important implications for the practice of nanomedicine and concerning the safety of nanomaterials. These complexes cover a broad range both in terms of stability and composition. AFM offers a wealth of structural and functional data about such assemblies. The variety of samples investigated using AFM in biology includes nanometre‐sized proteins, lipids, DNA, amyloid fibrils, as well as larger objects such as cells. Herein we choose to review the significance of AFM to study various biological aspects of selected assemblies. We have focused on the exploitation of AFM operating in the air. The presented AFM research offers a unique and often unexpected insight into the structure and function of the bio/nonbio complexes.
Use of Discrete Wavelet Transform to Assess Impedance Fluctuations Obtained from Cellular Micromotion

Electric cell–substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) is an attractive method for monitoring cell behaviors in tissue culture in real time. The time series impedance fluctuations of the cell-covered electrodes measured by ECIS are the phenomena accompanying cellular micromotion as cells continually rearrange their cell–cell and cell–substrate adhesion sites. Accurate assessment of these fluctuations to extract useful information from raw data is important for both scientific and practical purposes. In this study, we apply discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to analyze the concentration-dependent effect of cytochalasin B on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The sampling rate of the impedance time series is 1 Hz and each data set consists of 2048 points. Our results demonstrate that, in the Daubechies (db) wavelet family, db1 is the optimal mother wavelet function for DWT-based analysis to assess the effect of cytochalasin B on HUVEC micromotion. By calculating the energy, standard deviation, variance, and signal magnitude area of DWT detail coefficients at level 1, we are able to significantly distinguish cytotoxic concentrations of cytochalasin B as low as 0.1 μM, and in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, DWT-based analysis indicates the possibility to decrease the sampling rate of the micromotion measurement from 1 Hz to 1/16 Hz without decreasing the discerning power. The statistical measures of DWT detail coefficients are effective methods for determining both the sampling rate and the number of individual samples for ECIS-based micromotion assays.
Index of screening for wet endurance in malting barley.

Heritability values of wet endurance in F4 - F6 populations were estimated to improve wet endurance of malting barley. Materials were grown under excess soil moisture treatment (irrigated condition) at the internode elongation stage. Selected characters concerning wet endurance were the degree of dead leaf expressed by the score 0 (most tolerant) -5 (most susceptible) and the tolerance index (the mean value of excess soil moisture plot/that of control plot) of grain yield and culm length. Heritability of wet endurance in F4 - F6 populations was estimated by (M'1 ^^--M'2^^-) /(M1^^- - M2^^-), where M1^^^ and M'1 ^^- were mean value of selected lines for higher tolerance to excess soil moisture and their progenies, respectively, and M2^^-and M'2^^- were those for lower tolerance to excess soil moisture and their progenies, respectively.
BIOLOGY OF BACTERIUM LEPISEPTICUM

1. From 1922 to 1926, mucoid types of Bact. lepisepticum have proved more prevalent that "D" types in certain rabbit communities. 2. The bacteria from the mucoid colonies are larger than the "D" type; "G" variants are very small. All types are largest during the period of logarithmic growth. Differences in size appear to be determined chiefly by the amount of "cytoplasmic" substance. 3. The mucoid colony is larger and appears watery as compared with the "D" colony. 4. Fermentation tests, indole and nitrate reduction reactions of mucoid and "D" types and their variants are similar. 5. The acid agglutination zone of the mucoid type is similar to that of the "D" type. 6. The mucoid type is more stable in suspension than the "D" type. 7. The negative potential of mucoid types is similar to that of the "D" and higher than that of "G" variants. 8. The behavior of the mucoid type of bacilli in fluid media differs from that of the "D" strains in the following respects. About 500 or more mucoid organisms per c. , inoculated into plain broth, will grow; "D" strains require seedings of at least 100,000. A lag of 3 to 48 hours duration occurs in the growth of mucoid strains, according to the amount of original seeding. This is considerably longer than that observed for the "D" strains. The period of multiplication is relatively long—24 to 48 hours—and the maximum number per cc. does not exceed 600,000,000. "D" strains reach 1,000,000,000 per cc. within 24 hours. "G" variants appear very slowly in mucoid cultures as contrasted with "D" strains, where their occurrence is rapid and abundant. The presence in the broth of blood or other oxygen-absorbing substances enables less than ten mucoid organisms per cc. to multiply without lag and to reach a maximum number of about 600,000,000 per cc. in 24 to 48 hours. "D" strains reach a count of 1,000,000,000 per cc. within 12 hours under similar conditions. 9. "D" and mucoid strains, inoculated into 750 cc. of plain or blood broth, and incubated at 37°, remain alive for more than 12 months. The numbers per cc. decrease to about 1/1000 of the maximum after the first 6 weeks. Subsequently, the rate of decrease is slower. The original strains are gradually replaced by "intermediate" and "G" colonies. 10. The various mucoid strains proved similar in their antigenic properties. "D" strains were also mutually related, but no cross-agglutination between "D" and mucoid types was demonstrable.
Comparison of the Hydration Characteristics of Ultra-High-Performance and Normal Cementitious Materials

The hydration mechanism of ultra-high-performance cementitious materials (UHPC) departs considerably from that of normal cementitious materials (NC). In this study, the strength, isothermal calorimetry, chemical shrinkage, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetry (TG) methods are used to determine the hydration characteristics of UHPC and NC that contain silica fume (SF). A simple device was modified to test the chemical shrinkage for long-term growth, and the ultimate chemical shrinkage is obtained by semi-empirical formula fitting. It is found that the degree of hydration of UHPC is significantly lower than that of NC. The hydration kinetics analyzed using the Krstulovic-Dabic model shows that the hydration process of NC is type NG-I-D, which is characterized by gentle and prolonged hydration. However, the hydration of UHPC is type NG-D with the distinguishing features of early sufficiency and later stagnation. The growth of the strength, exothermic evolution, and phase development of UHPC is decelerated as the hydration process proceeds, which confirms the weak development tendency of hydration at the later stage. In addition, the effect of SF on the hydration of UHPC is minor, and the higher content of SF is beneficial to the hydration at the later stage.