Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ALKBH4 Functions as a Suppressor of Colorectal Cancer Metastasis via Competitively Binding to WDR5

Background Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a major process in the initiation of tumor metastasis, where cancer cells lose sessile epithelial potential and gain mesenchymal phenotype. Large-scale cell identity shifts are often orchestrated on an epigenetic level and the interplay between epigenetic factors and EMT progression was still largely unknown. In this study, we tried to identify candidate epigenetic factors that involved in EMT progression. Methods Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells were transfected with an arrayed shRNA library targeting 384 genes involved in epigenetic modification. Candidate genes were identified by real-time PCR. Western blot, RNA-seq and gene set enrichment analysis were conducted to confirm the suppressive role of ALKBH4 in EMT. The clinical relevance of ALKBH4 in CRC was investigated in two independent Renji Cohorts and a microarray dataset (GSE21510) from GEO database. In vitro transwell assay and in vivo metastatic tumor model were performed to explore the biological function of ALKBH4 in the metastasis of CRC. Co-IP (Co-Immunoprecipitation) and ChIP (Chromatin Immunoprecipitation) assays were employed to uncover the mechanism. Results We screened for candidate epigenetic factors that affected EMT process and identified ALKBH4 as a candidate EMT suppressor gene, which was significantly downregulated in CRC patients. Decreased level of ALKBH4 was associated with metastasis and predicted poor prognosis of CRC patients. Follow-up functional experiments illustrated overexpression of ALKBH4 inhibited the invasion ability of CRC cells in vitro, as well as their metastatic capability in vivo. Mechanistically, CO-IP and ChIP assays indicated that ALKBH4 competitively bound WDR5 (a key component of histone methyltransferase complex) and decreased H3K4me3 histone modification on the target genes including MIR21. Conclusions This study illustrated that ALKBH4 may function as a novel metastasis suppressor of CRC, and inhibits H3K4me3 modification through binding WDR5 during EMT.
Immunogenicity of Protein Therapeutics: A Lymph Node Perspective

The continuous development of molecular biology and protein engineering technologies enables the expansion of the breadth and complexity of protein therapeutics for in vivo administration. However, the immunogenicity and associated in vivo development of antibodies against therapeutics are a major restriction factor for their usage. The B cell follicular and particularly germinal center areas in secondary lymphoid organs are the anatomical sites where the development of antibody responses against pathogens and immunogens takes place. A growing body of data has revealed the importance of the orchestrated function of highly differentiated adaptive immunity cells, including follicular helper CD4 T cells and germinal center B cells, for the optimal generation of these antibody responses. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating the antibody responses against therapeutics could lead to novel strategies to reduce their immunogenicity and increase their efficacy.
The Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) Dissemination and Implementation Study: 24-Month Organizational Maintenance in a Countywide Initiative

Introduction: Despite the important role that faith-based organizations can play in eliminating health disparities, few studies have focused on organizational change and maintenance of interventions in this setting, making their long-term impact unknown. This study reports 24-month maintenance of the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) program in a southeastern county. Previously reported findings of reach, adoption, implementation, and effectiveness are also summarized. Methods: Church coordinators from 35 intervention churches (97% predominantly African American) located in a rural, medically underserved county in South Carolina were interviewed at baseline (2015), and 12- and 24-months post-training regarding implementation of physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE) components of the FAN program. Guided by the RE-AIM framework, organizational maintenance was defined as church coordinator-reported 24-month implementation of the four FAN components (providing opportunities, setting guidelines/policies, sharing messages, engaging pastor). Repeated measures analyses (mixed models) examined change in implementation over time. Churches were also classified as maintainers, non-sustained implementers, and low implementers for each FAN component. Statistical analyses were conducted in 2019. Results: Church coordinators reported significantly greater implementation of both PA and HE FAN components at 12 and 24 months compared to baseline (medium to large effects). The percentage of churches classified as maintainers ranged from 21 to 42 and 27 to 94% across PA and HE components, respectively. Most churches (58% for PA, 97% for HE) were maintaining at least one FAN component at 24 months. Conclusions: These promising findings position FAN well for the national implementation study now underway. Trial Registration: This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov NCT02868866.
Endophytic bacterial communities in the periderm of potato tubers and their potential to improve resistance to soil‐borne plant pathogens

To evaluate whether the location of bacterial endophyte communities contributes to disease resistance in potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum), the population density, biodiversity and antibiotic activity of endophytic bacteria was examined from the tuber peel (periderm plus top 3 mm of tissue) of four cultivars (Russet Burbank, Kennebec, Butte and Shepody). There were no significant differences for population density of bacteria among the layers of peel examined and no cultivar × peel layer interaction. Endophytic bacteria from several layers of peel were challenged in in vitro bioassays to the soil-borne plant pathogens Fusarium sambucinum, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora infestans (mating types A1 and A2). In general, antibiosis of bacterial endophytes against these pathogens was significantly higher (P = 0.01) in isolates recovered from the outermost layer of tuber peel and decreased progressively toward the centre of the tuber. Antibiosis against P. infestans was variable, with a progressive decrease in antibiotic activity from outer to inner layers of peel occurring in cvs Russet Burbank and Kennebec only. For antibiosis there were significant cultivar × peel, and cultivar × pathogen interactions (P = 0.01). In all cases the inhibitory activity of endophytic bacteria was significantly greater (P = 0.01) against the A1 than the A2 mating type of P. infestans. In four of seven cases, where the same species of bacteria were recovered from all three peel layers, antibiosis to pathogens decreased significantly (P = 0.01) with depth of recovery (from the periderm to inside the tuber), indicating that in certain communities of endophytic bacteria, defence against pathogens may be related to bacterial adaptation to location within a host and may be tissue-type and tissue-site specific.
Morphological and genetic variation in disjunct populations of the avalanche lily Erythronium montanum

The genetic structure and morphological variability of species are influenced by both life-history traits and historical factors. We studied morphological and genetic variability in 12 populations of the avalanche lily, Erythronium montanum, representing the four disjunct regions of its geographic range in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Floral traits exhibited significant differences among regions and among populations within regions, but these differences showed no clear geographic pattern, and for all traits there was substantial overlap among populations. In contrast, analysis of isozyme variation indicated a marked north–south gradient in genetic variability. The northernmost populations (from the B.C. Coast Range) had an average of 13% polymorphic loci and 1.13 alleles per locus, whereas southern populations (from the Cascade Mountains) averaged 48% polymorphic loci and 1.67 alleles per locus. The northern populations possessed no unique alleles but contained a subset of the alleles found .
Experiments On Mimicry: I. the Response of Wild Birds To Artificial Prey

Artificial prey, consisting of a piece of pastry placed on a coloured card, were placed randomly on an area of suburban lawn. Wild birds, mostly Starlings, were allowed to eat them. The birds were first conditioned to accept an edible green control and were then presented with equal numbers of controls and a red model, which was made distasteful by soaking the pastry in quinine hydrochloride. The birds rapidly became conditioned to eating the controls and leaving the models; this fact, and their observed reactions, show that they found the models unpalatable. The birds were then presented with controls, models and edible mimics in the ratio I : 2 : I. There were four kinds of mimic, one perfectly resembling the model, the others differing in a change of colour (yellow), or the addition of a black bar, or both. One type of mimic was offered in each trial, and the type changed according to a randomised block design. Perfect mimics were almost completely protected from predation. An analysis of the variance in the predation of the four types of mimic show that colour is of great importance in determining the rate of predation (yellow mimics being eaten more than red), that the black bar is of lesser importance, and that the birds' reaction to both these changed with time. The analysis is thought to indicate, but not prove, that the birds 'generalise' (desist somewhat from eating even the poor mimics). The red mimic with the black bar was eaten significantly more than the perfect red mimic, showing that the birds eat a slightly imperfect mimic more often than a perfect one. Wild birds thus behave in a way which could maintain Batesian mimicry and promote its gradual evolution in their natural prey.
Anti-inflammatory Effect of d-(+)-Cycloserine Through Inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways in LPS-Induced RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Recently, additional therapeutic potentials of classical antibiotics are gaining considerable attention. The discovery of penicillin in the 1920s had a major impact on the history of human health. Penicillin has been used for the treatment for fatal microbial infections in humans and has led to the discovery of several new antibiotics. d-(+)-Cycloserine (DCS) is an antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces orchidaceous and is used in conjunction with other drugs in the treatment of tuberculosis. However, there have been no studies on the anti-inflammatory effects of DCS in RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of DCS, we examined the ability of DCS to inhibit the inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages in this study. Cell viability was analyzed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The cells were pretreated with various concentrations (2, 4, and 6 mM) of DCS, then treated with 1 μg/mL LPS to detect its anti-inflammatory effects. d-(+)-Cycloserine inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) in a concentration-dependent manner, and to some extent, inhibited the production of prostaglandin E2. Consistent with these findings, DCS suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. However, it had no effect on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α. Western blot analysis demonstrated that DCS inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase and suppressed cyclooxygenase type-2 (COX-2) expression. In addition, investigation of its effects on nuclear factor kappa B signaling showed that DCS inhibited phosphorylation of inhibitory kappa B-α (IκB-α) and increased intracellular IκB-α in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, DCS inhibited the phosphorylation of LPS-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase, however it did not affect phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinase and p38. Further studies confirmed that the inhibition of phosphorylation of IκB-α was mediated through the inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) pathway. To determine the applicability of DCS to the skin, cytotoxicity on HaCaT keratinocytes was measured following treatment with various concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mM) of DCS using MTT assay. These results suggest that DCS may be used as a potential drug for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Path planning for unmanned surface vehicle based on predictive artificial potential field

The path planning for high-speed unmanned surface vehicle raises more complicated requirements to reduce sailing time and save energy. In this article, a new predictive artificial potential field is proposed using time information and predictive potential to plan a smoother path. The principle of artificial potential field with vehicle dynamics and reachability in local minimum is studied. According to global and local path planning, the most state-of-the-art traditional artificial potential field and its drawback are analysed at first. Then we proposed predictive artificial potential field with three modifications: angle limit, velocity adjustment and predictive potential to improve the feasibility and flatness of the generated path. In addition, we compare the performance between traditional artificial potential field and predictive artificial potential field, where predictive artificial potential field successfully restricts the maximum turning angle, cuts short sailing time and intelligently avoids obstacle. From the simulation results, we also verify that predictive artificial potential field can solve concave local minimum problem and enhance the reachability in special scenario. Therefore, the more reasonable path generated by predictive artificial potential field reduces sailing time and helps conserve more energy for unmanned surface vehicle.
Chemical Constituents From the Fruits of Ligustrum lucidum W.T.Aiton and Their Role on the Medicinal Treatment

Fruits of Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton (FLL) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, which has the functions of protecting liver, anticancer, antiosteoporosis, and antioxidant, etc. Various chemical constituents including triterpenes, secoiridoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, and flavonoids have been isolated and identified from FLL. In this article, the advances in research on the chemical constituents and their pharmacological effects were summarized by reviewing the recent literatures. In addition, the relationship between the chemical constituents and pharmacological activity of FLL was also discussed.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes After Primary ACL Reconstruction and Meniscus Ramp Repair

Background: Satisfactory outcomes have been reported after all-inside meniscus ramp repair with combined anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, clinical outcomes after ACLR with inside-out meniscus ramp repair are limited. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient-reported outcomes for patients who underwent ACLR and medial meniscus ramp repair compared with those who underwent isolated ACLR; patients in the 2 groups were matched for age, sex, and sport/activity. The null hypothesis was that there would be no significant differences in clinical outcomes between groups at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence 3. Methods: Patients who underwent primary ACLR with bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) autograft by a single surgeon were retrospectively identified. A subgroup of patients with combined ACLR and meniscus ramp repair with a minimum 2-year postoperative follow-up were matched to a cohort who underwent isolated ACLR. Subjective patient-reported questionnaires, knee stability, and return to level of activity/sport were collected. Results: There were 851 patients who underwent primary ACLR; of these, 158 (18.6%) had medial meniscus ramp lesions confirmed at arthroscopy. The most common clinical characteristics in patients with ramp lesions were chronic injuries (68.4%), contact mechanism (88%), concomitant lateral meniscus tears (63.2%), and concomitant lateral meniscus posterior root tears (22.2%). Further, 50 patients who underwent combined ACLR and meniscus ramp repair with minimum 2-year follow-up were matched to patients who underwent isolated ACLR. Both groups reported significant improvements in subjective outcomes from preoperative to postoperative assessments (P < .001). No significant differences were found in postoperative outcomes for combined ACLR with ramp repair versus isolated ACLR (P > .05). Patients with meniscus ramp repair had increased preoperative knee laxity demonstrated by grade 3 Lachman (44% vs 6%) and pivot-shift (38% vs 12%) test results compared with patients who underwent isolated ACLR (P ≤ .005 for both). Conclusion: This study demonstrates similar clinical outcomes, knee stability on postoperative physical examination, and return-to-sport rates for patients who underwent combined ACLR with BPTB autograft and inside-out meniscus ramp repair versus a matched cohort who underwent isolated ACLR. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for the presence of ramp lesions in patients with ACL tears who have a contact mechanism of injury, grade 3 Lachman test result, and concomitant lateral meniscal abnormality.
Kinematics analysis of a new parallel robotics

A new type of parallel robot ROBO_003 is presented. Its mechanisms, kinematics, and virtual prototype technology are introduced. The research of degrees of freedom (DOF) is based on screw theory, a set of screw is separated as a branch, which named as constrain screw. The type of three DOF gained by counting constrain screw, the moving platform’s frame, and base platform’s frame is set, respectively, a complete kinematic research including closed-form solutions for direct kinematic problem. The 3-D model of ROBO_003 is established using SOLIDWORKS; position and orientation of motion platform can be gained using ADMAS, which is a type of virtual prototype technology. The resultant shows that the structure of ROBO_003 is reasonable, three DOF of motion platform can be operated in a reasonable range, the solutions to the direct kinematics are right, and robot ROBO_003 can be used in many industrial fields. The research of this article provides a basis for the practical application of parallel robotics ROBO_003.
Hydrodynamic modelling of snapper Pagrus auratus egg and larval dispersal in Shark Bay, Western Australia: reproductive isolation at a fine spatial scale

Ichthyoplankton data collected between 1997 and 2000 were combined with the results of numerical modelling to investigate the dispersal of snapper Pagrus auratus eggs and larvae in Shark Bay, Western Australia. A 3-dimensional hydrodynamic model was coupled with a 2-dimensional Lagrangian particle-tracking program to simulate passive transport of these plank- tonic particles. Modelling analysed the separate and combined effects of the region's principal hydrodynamic forces of tide, wind and the Leeuwin Current. Model runs simulated a 30 d period to recreate residual transport on time scales encompassing early snapper development prior to settlement. Hydrodynamic conditions during winter were tidally dominated and exhibited minimal residual flows. Eggs and larvae were retained within residual eddies that were coincident with the 4 main spawning areas. No connectivity between these areas was observed. The results provided further evidence of the existence of a number of proximate but geographically discrete spawning populations of snapper in Shark Bay waters. Hydrodynamic retention provides a mechanism that partly explains existing data indicating that snapper stock-structure in the region is complex. Such information is fundamental to determining the most appropriate geographic scale at which local snapper populations should be managed.
Effect of intravenous lignocaine infusion on bispectral index during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section: A prospective randomised double-blind study

Background and Aims: Systemic lignocaine has been shown to have sedative effects. We designed this randomised-double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of intravenous lignocaine on the bispectral index (BIS) during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. Methods: 80 patients scheduled for elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were randomly allocated to 2 study groups. Group L received intravenous 1.5 mg/kg of lignocaine bolus, 15 minutes before spinal anaesthesia followed by an intravenous infusion 1.5 mg/kg/h for 60 minutes intravenously. The patients in the control group (C group) were given 0.9% sodium chloride in a double-blind fashion. Spinal anaesthesia was performed with 10 mg of 0.5% bupivacaine. The changes of Sao2, BIS and hemodynamic variables during caesarean section, Apgar score of neonate and the incidence of adverse effects were recorded. Results: BIS values were lower in the L group compared to C group (P ≤ 0.001). Comparison of mean arterial pressure (MAP) changes during spinal anaesthesia and surgery reveal statistically significant difference between two groups through repeated measure analysis (P ≤ 0.001), but comparision of heart rate (HR) changes during spinal anaesthesia and surgery failed to reveal any statistically significant difference between two groups. (P = 0.261). The Apgar scores did not reveal a significant difference between the two groups at first and five minutes after delivery (P = 0.99). Conclusion: Intravenous lignocaine infusion given with spinal anaesthesia in women undergoing elective caesarean delivery providing lower BIS values without respiratory depression, in the absence of foetal compromise.
FOOD-SEARCHING BEHAVIOR OF TITMICE IN PATCHY ENVIRONMENTS'

The food-searching behavior of titmice (Paridae) was investigated in laboratory and field to determine how effective individual birds were at locating patchy sources of hidden food. A series of three experiments was performed using tame great tits, Parus major. In Experiment 1, individual birds were offered a choice among six densities of hidden food in discrete patches. The birds learned to concentrate their search strongly on the more dense patches, and five of the six birds preferred to search at the highest density. In Experiment 2, the food distribution was altered by interchanging patches of the highest and lowest density gradually. The birds initially found fewer prey per trial, but soon recovered to near their original performance by switching their search effort to the area containing the second highest prey density. Most birds failed to respond to prey appearing where they had previously been absent. Experiment 3 varied the size of prey items among four areas containing equal numbers of hidden prey. A group of six birds learned to search selectively in areas containing larger prey and, as a result, a greater total quantity of prey. In all experiments, there were marked differences in performance by individual birds. The experiments support Royama's (1970, 1971) hypothesis that great tits distribute their search effort in relation to spatial differences in the profitability of feeding sites. Field observations on a pair of great tits and a pair of blue tits, Parus caeruleus, showed that searching behavior of wild tits was also very selective in space, at least when the birds were feeding nestlings. Birds often returned to previous capture sites and were more likely to do so when they found prey there quickly. These observations suggest that the laboratory experiments have real relevance to the food searching of wild tits. The searching capacity of great tits is discussed; it is suggested that they can approach ideal responses in stable but patchy feeding environments. Some factors leading to deviations from ideal responses are discussed.