Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cancer Stem Cells in Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare group of mesenchymal solid tumors with heterogeneous genetic profiles and clinical features. Systemic chemotherapy is the backbone treatment for advanced STS; however, STS frequently acquire resistance to standard therapies, which highlights the need to improve treatments and identify novel therapeutic targets. Increases in the knowledge of the molecular pathways that drive sarcomas have brought to light different molecular alterations that cause tumor initiation and progression. These findings have triggered a breakthrough of targeted therapies that are being assessed in clinical trials. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) exhibit mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) features and represent a subpopulation of tumor cells that play an important role in tumor progression, chemotherapy resistance, recurrence and metastasis. In fact, CSCs phenotypes have been identified in sarcomas, allied to drug resistance and tumorigenesis. Herein, we will review the published evidence of CSCs in STS, discussing the molecular characteristic of CSCs, the commonly used isolation techniques and the new possibilities of targeting CSCs as a way to improve STS treatment and consequently patient outcome.
Effect of egg location and respiratory gas concentrations on developmental success in nests of the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea

Hatching success of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, is typically ~50%, but the reasons for embryonic death are unknown. We investigated the distribution of egg failure within 16 developing nests to determine whether spatial position or respiratory environment was associated with embryonic death. We measured oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressures during incubation to investigate whether any spatial variation in developmental success was associated with regions of hypoxia or hypercapnia. Eggs in the centre of nests had a significantly lower mean hatching success (42.1 ± 7.6%) than eggs in the intermediate (66.1 ± 5.3%) and peripheral (69.8 ± 3.5%) regions. Of those eggs that died, there were no significant differences in the timing of early- and late-stage embryonic death in central (77.6 ± 7.2% early death, 17.3 ± 8.2% late death) and peripheral (80.8 ± 10.1% early death, 14.7 ± 5.8% late death) regions. Oxygen tension in all regions of nests was significantly lower and carbon dioxide tension was significantly higher than in control nests by Day 35 of incubation. Although spatial variation in respiratory gases was detected, it did not appear to explain spatially variable developmental success because late-stage embryonic death did not increase in the central region where oxygen tension was lowest and carbon dioxide tension was highest.
The Plant Microbiome: From Ecology to Reductionism and Beyond.

Methodological advances over the past two decades have propelled plant microbiome research, allowing the field to comprehensively test ideas proposed over a century ago and generate many new hypotheses. Studying the distribution of microbial taxa and genes across plant habitats has revealed the importance of various ecological and evolutionary forces shaping plant microbiota. In particular, selection imposed by plant habitats strongly shapes the diversity and composition of microbiota and leads to microbial adaptation associated with navigating the plant immune system and utilizing plant-derived resources. Reductionist approaches have demonstrated that the interaction between plant immunity and the plant microbiome is, in fact, bidirectional and that plants, microbiota, and the environment shape a complex chemical dialogue that collectively orchestrates the plant microbiome. The next stage in plant microbiome research will require the integration of ecological and reductionist approaches to establish a general understanding of the assembly and function in both natural and managed environments. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 74 is September 8, 2020. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Distributed Stabilization of Multiple Heterogeneous Agents in the Strong–Weak Competition Network: A Switched System Approach

The distributed stabilization problem is studied in this article for a group of heterogeneous second-order agents in the strong–weak competition network containing three kinds of relationships among agents: 1) cooperation; 2) strong competition; and 3) weak competition. The entire network satisfies the structural balance condition which can be partitioned into two subnetworks, while the strong and weak competitions are alternate actions on the agents from different subnetworks. To stabilize such heterogeneous networked systems in a distributed way, the switched system approach is developed and utilized in this article, where it is revealed that distributed stabilization can be achieved provided that the ratio on the activating periods of strong and weak competition is chosen appropriately. As an extension, a periodical switching law is taken into account to simplify the design process, where the periodical competition function is introduced correspondingly and several effective sufficient conditions are attained. Finally, the derived analytical results are demonstrated by performing numerical simulations.
Structural analysis of the Chambura Gorge forest (Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda)

The Chambura Gorge, part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), is completely covered by a forest which so far has not been exploited and whose species, composition and structure are barely known. It was therefore of interest to analyse this area as a typical example of a primary natural forest and as a peculiar habitat inside the QENP ecosystem. The forest cover has a typical structure, distributed into layers, but the lower layer is locally poor of saplings belonging to a possible cohort of regeneration. This process is likely to be observable on a wider scale of analysis. None of the species reach their potential maximum height, as measured in other areas and in a typical rain forest. However, the vegetation of Chambura Gorge is very representative of the local edaphic conditions and microclimate. In the structural analysis no relationships were found between the diameters and heights of the observed trees, if considered all together. If considered individually, only the most abundant species, Cleistopholis patens, showed any relationship between diameter and height. Resume La Chambura Gorge, qui fait partie du Parc National Queen Elizabeth (PNQE), est completement recouverte d'une foret qui n'a pas ete exploitee jusqu'a present et dont les especes, la composition et la structure sont a peine connues. Il est donc interessant d'analyser cet endroit comme un exemple typique de foret primaire naturelle, et comme un habitat particulier au sein de l'ecosysteme du PNQE. Le couvert forestier a une structure particuliere, distribuee en strates, mais la strate inferieure est localement pauvre en jeunes arbres susceptibles d'assurer la regeneration. On peut sans doute observer ce processus sur une analyse a plus grande echelle. Aucune des especes n'atteint sa hauteur maximale potentielle, mesuree a d'autres endroits et en foret pluviale naturelle. Pourtant, la vegetation de la Chambura Gorge est tres representative des conditions edaphiques locales et du microclimat. Dan l'analyse structurelle, on n'a trouve aucune relation entre le diametre et la hauteur des arbres observes, si on les prenait tous ensemble. Si on les prenait individuellement, seule l'espece la plus abondante, Cleistopholis patens, montrait quelque relation entre son diametre et sa hauteur.
The Roles of Signaling in Cytoskeletal Changes, Random Movement, Direction-Sensing and Polarization of Eukaryotic Cells

Movement of cells and tissues is essential at various stages during the lifetime of an organism, including morphogenesis in early development, in the immune response to pathogens, and during wound-healing and tissue regeneration. Individual cells are able to move in a variety of microenvironments (MEs) (A glossary of the acronyms used herein is given at the end) by suitably adapting both their shape and how they transmit force to the ME, but how cells translate environmental signals into the forces that shape them and enable them to move is poorly understood. While many of the networks involved in signal detection, transduction and movement have been characterized, how intracellular signals control re-building of the cyctoskeleton to enable movement is not understood. In this review we discuss recent advances in our understanding of signal transduction networks related to direction-sensing and movement, and some of the problems that remain to be solved.
Synthesis of chitosan–cyclodextrin adducts and evaluation of their bitter‐masking properties

Finding new taste modiﬁers, particularly bitter-taste blockers (BTBs), is an important goal for pharmaceutical and food industries. Although BTBs have been much sought after, only a few possess a wide spectrum of activity. We prepared, on a gram scale, several macromolecular adducts in which β- and γ-CDs are linked to chitosan through succinyl or maleyl bridges. Their bitterness-masking power was evaluated on caffeine and bitter natural extracts (artichoke leaves, aloe and gentian) by a panel test using serial caffeine concentrations as a reference scale. The β-CD–chitosan adduct showed the highest efﬁcacy and the bitterness attenuation was statistically signiﬁcant. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Qualitative Assessment of Unmet Information Management Needs of Informal Cancer Caregivers: Four Themes to Inform Oncology Practice.

PURPOSE Family and friends often provide informal care for patients with cancer, coordinating care and supporting patients at home. Stress, depression, and burnout are increasingly recognized among these informal caregivers. Although past research has described a range of needs, including the need for information, details about unmet informational needs for caregivers have not been fully described. We sought to assess unmet information management needs for informal caregivers in the digital era. METHODS This was a qualitative research study with semistructured interviews and focus groups of nonprofessional caregivers for patients with cancer, facilitated using a discussion guide. Eligible caregivers supported patients in the community who were in treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy) or completed treatment within 3 years. Participants were recruited using informational flyers at an academic cancer center and in the local community of metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sessions were transcribed verbatim and analyzed inductively to identify themes. RESULTS Thirteen caregivers participated, the majority between 41 and 60 years of age: seven of 13, 53.8%, were predominantly women; 10 of 13 (76.9%) were educated, 10 of 13 (76.9%) had graduated from college; and of modest means, six of 13 (46.2%) had household incomes < $35,000. Four themes emerged: (1) the information overload paradox, where caregivers felt overloaded by information yet had unmet informational needs; (2) navigating volatility as a caregiver, with changing or unknown expectations; (3) caregivers as information brokers, which placed new burdens on caregivers to seek, share, and protect information; and (4) care for the caregiver, including unmet information needs related to self-care. CONCLUSION This study identified several informational challenges affecting caregivers. Caregivers have dynamic and evolving informational needs, and strategies that support caregivers through just-in-time information availability or dedicated caregiver check-ins may provide relief within the stress of caregiving.
A Simple and High-Throughput ELISA-Based Neutralization Assay for the Determination of Anti-Flavivirus Neutralizing Antibodies

Mosquito-borne flavivirus infections, including dengue virus and Zika virus, are major public health threats globally. While the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) is considered the gold standard for determining neutralizing antibody levels to flaviviruses, the assay is time-consuming and laborious. This study, therefore, aimed to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based microneutralization test (EMNT) for the detection of neutralizing antibodies to mosquito-borne flaviviruses. The inhibition of viral growth due to neutralizing antibodies was determined colorimetrically by using EMNT. Given the significance of Fcγ-receptors (FcγR) in antibody-mediated neutralization and antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of flavivirus infection, non-FcγR and FcγR-expressing cell lines were used in the EMNT to allow the detection of the sum of neutralizing and immune-enhancing antibody activity as the neutralizing titer. Using anti-flavivirus monoclonal antibodies and clinical samples, the utility of EMNT was evaluated by comparing the end-point titers of the EMNT and the PRNT. The correlation between EMNT and PRNT titers was strong, indicating that EMNT was robust and reproducible. The new EMNT assay combines the biological functional assessment of virus neutralization activity and the technical advantages of ELISA and, is simple, reliable, practical, and could be automated for high-throughput implementation in flavivirus surveillance studies and vaccine trials.
Retinitis pigmentosa in Spain

Retinitis pigmentosa is a term commonly given to a group of inherited and progressive disorders which affect the photoreceptors of the retina. As part of an ongoing research programme throughout Spain, clinical, epide‐miological, and genetic studies have been carried out on these diseases. Here, we report the relative frequencies of the different genetic types in 503 non‐syndromic and 89 syndromic RP families of Spanish origin. The most frequent syndromic RP forms were Usher syndrome type 1 (20/ 89 families=30%) and Usher syndrome type 2 (44 families=49%). Among non‐syndromic RP forms, 12% were autosomal dominant, 39% autosomal recessive and 4% X‐linked. Forty‐one percent were isolated or simplex cases and in 4% the genetic type could not be established.
A rapeseed WRKY transcription factor phosphorylated by CPK modulates cell death and leaf senescence by regulating the expression of ROS and SA-synthesis-related genes.

Salicylic acid (SA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are two well-defined inducers of leaf senescence. Here, we identified a novel WRKY transcription factor gene WSR1 (WRKY regulating SA and ROS 1) in Brassica napus (rapeseed) in promoting SA and ROS production, which eventually led to leaf senescence thereafter. Its expression increased in senescing leaves. Ca2+-dependent protein kinase (CPK) 5, -6 and -11 interacted with and phosphorylated BnaWSR1. Overexpression of phosphomimic BnaWSR1 (BnaWSR1ca) in rapeseed protoplasts elicited ROS production and cell death while its ectopic expression in Arabidopsis enhanced SA and ROS levels, hence, accelerated leaf senescence. Furthermore, BnaWSR1ca activated the expression of Isochorismate Synthase 1 (ICS1), Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homolog (Rboh) D, and Senescence-Associated Gene 14 (SAG14). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative PCR (ChIP-qPCR) assays demonstreated that BnaWSR1ca directly bound to promoter regions of ICS1, RbohD and SAG14. These data have identified a CPK-WSR1 module that integrates SA and ROS to control cell death and leaf senescence.
New Insights for the Pathogenesis of COVID-19-Related Dysgeusia

We read with great interest the publication of Xu, Li, et al. (2020), indicating salivary glands as potential reservoirs for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which could explain asymptomatic infections. In this context, COVID-19 patients have developed dysgeusia and anosmia even in the absence of other major symptoms (Lao et al. 2020; Mao et al. 2020). Since dysgeusia is a common adverse event of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) (Unnikrishnan et al. 2004) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) (Tsuruoka et al. 2004, 2005), we were intrigued when angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) was indicated as a specific receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Zhou et al. 2020). Interestingly, ACE-2 was expressed in the oral cavity, more prominently in epithelial cells of the tongue, when compared to other oral sites, as gingival and buccal mucosa (Xu, Zhong, et al. 2020). ACE-2 was also strongly expressed in taste buds of rats (Sato et al. 2020). Moreover, angiotensin II (Ang II) is produced in taste buds of mice and plays an important role altering taste sensitivity (Shigemura et al. 2013; Shigemura et al. 2019). Since ACE-2 also degrades Ang II, the possible accumulation of Ang II in taste buds during COVID-19 infection might explain the mechanism behind the reported dysgeusia. In conclusion, we propose a possible mechanism for COVID-19–related dysgeusia based on previous animal studies and our clinical experience involving the complex reninangiotensin system, which is a key player in taste sensitivity modulation. However, studies exploring this system are needed to confirm its role in vitro and in vivo.
Phylogenetic analyses of the fungi based on large rDNA data sets.

Two data sets of fungal small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences, one from the Ribosomal Da- tabase Project (RDP) with 485 sequences, and the other from the rRNA WWW Server (RNA-S) with 785 sequences, have been analyzed to estimate group sup- port and to compare tree topologies resulting from independently aligned, large data sets of largely the same sequences. The analyses were conducted by us- ing a parsimony jackknifing computer program to search rapidly for supported groups in combination with branch swapping and random addition sequenc- es. The results show that gross topology is very simi- lar. The major differences were with the Ascomycetes, which were not recovered in the RDP tree, and with the Holobasidiomycetes, which were not recovered in the RNA-S tree. Both data sets identify and support many well known fungal groups such as the Gloma- les, Saccharomycetes, Dikaryomycetes, Basidiomy- cetes, Uredinomycetes, Ustilaginomycetes, Euasco- mycetes, Leotiomyceta, Sordariomycetes and the Chaetothyriomycetes. No support was found for some previously proposed groups, including the Chy- tridiomycetes, Taphrinomycotina, Pezizomycotina through Pezizales, Hymenomycetes, Tremellomyce- tes, Leotiomycetes and the Dothideomycetes. The analysis contradicted some other previously proposed groups, among them the Zygomycota, Zygomycetes, Lecanoromycetes and the Sordariomycetidae. Trans- version parsimony performed on the same data sets
Gene Expression Profiling in Fibromyalgia Indicates an Autoimmune Origin of the Disease and Opens New Avenues for Targeted Therapy

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain and by several non-pain symptoms. Autoimmunity, small fiber neuropathy and neuroinflammation have been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. We have investigated the gene expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from ten patients and ten healthy subjects. Of the 545,500 transcripts analyzed, 1673 resulted modulated in fibromyalgic patients. The majority of these genes are involved in biological processes and pathways linked to the clinical manifestations of the disease. Moreover, genes involved in immunological pathways connected to interleukin-17 and to Type I interferon signatures were also modulated, suggesting that autoimmunity plays a role in the disease. We then aimed at identifying differentially expressed Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) functionally connected to modulated genes both directly and via microRNA targeting. Only two LncRNAs of the 298 found modulated in patients, were able to target the most highly connected genes in the fibromyalgia interactome, suggesting their involvement in crucial gene regulation. Our gene expression data were confirmed by real time PCR, by autoantibody testing, detection of soluble mediators and Th-17 polarization in a validation cohort of 50 patients. Our results indicate that genetic and epigenetic mechanisms as well as autoimmunity play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia.
Field effects of ivermectin residues on dung beetles

The effects and the persistence of a single injection of ivermectin (Ivomec®) to steers, at the recommended dose rate of 200 μg kg −1 body weight, were studied in spring field experiments (Spanish conditions). Elimination of ivermectin by cattle (faecal route) was rapid (12 days), with a peak in day 5. The persistence of ivermectin in dropped dung was low under field conditions (< 6 days). The drug itself did not increase attraction of beetles to dung. The attraction of beetles to dung from treated animals increased after day 5 until day 17, beyond the time when ivermectin was available. The hypothesis made was that ivermectin modified the gut flora of treated cattle after the peak of elimination. Watering of pats did not influence results
Morphological Integration in the Saddle-Back Tamarin (Saguinus fuscicollis) Cranium

Quantitative genetic theory predicts that functionally and developmentally related characters will be morphologically integrated and tend to be inherited together. Furthermore, coinheritance and environmental integration of functionally related characters may be important in facilitating adaptive evolution. The hypothesis that functionally and developmentally related features of the cranium are phenotypically, genetically, and environmentally integrated in the saddle-back tamarin (Saguinus fuscicollis) cranium is tested. Thirty-nine craniofacial measurements were taken on 209 animals from the Oak Ridge Associated Universities' Marmoset Research Center. Heritabilities and phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlations were calculated using maximum likelihood methods after the data were corrected for sex and specified environmental effects. The correlation matrices were compared to a series of theoretical intertrait connectivities representing expected patterns of morphological integration using Mantel's test. The patterns of phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlation among craniofacial traits matched patterns predicted on the basis of developmental and functional relationships among cranial traits. The similarity between functional and developmental integration and correlation was largely due to the relatively high correlations among cranial vault traits and among oral traits. Both genetic and environmental correlation among developmentally and functionally related characters may enhance the rate of evolutionary change.
Winter activity of pipistrelle bats

(1) Pipistrelle bats leave hibernation to feed in all winter months. (2) Winter activity is most likely on warm and calm nights. (3) Bat feeding rates are highest on warm calm nights. (4) The behaviour of the bats shows a good qualitative fit to a simple energetic model of winter activity, but the response of the bats to temperature does not form the predicted step-function. (5) Males seem more often active in winter than females, and more males are active on warmer nights than on cold ones.