Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Imaging Review of Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes

SUMMARY: Paraneoplastic syndromes are systemic reactions to neoplasms mediated by immunologic or hormonal mechanisms. The most well-recognized paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome, both clinically and on imaging, is limbic encephalitis. However, numerous additional clinically described syndromes affect the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Many of these syndromes can have imaging findings that, though less well described, are important in making the correct diagnosis. Moreover, imaging in these syndromes frequently mimics more common pathology, which can be a diagnostic challenge for radiologists. Our goal is to review the imaging findings of paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes, including less well-known entities and atypical presentations of common entities. Specifically, we discuss limbic encephalitis, paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration, paraneoplastic brain stem encephalitis, cranial neuropathy, myelitis, and polyneuropathy. We also demonstrate common diagnostic pitfalls that can be encountered when imaging these patients.
Interaction of the Joining Region in Junctophilin-2 with the L-type Ca2+ Channel Is Pivotal for Cardiac Dyad Assembly and Intracellular Ca2+ Dynamics.

Rationale: Ca2+ induced Ca2+ release (CICR) in normal hearts requires close approximation of L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) within the transverse tubules (T-tubules), and Ryanodine receptors (RyR) within the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (jSR). CICR is disrupted in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, which is associated with loss of T-tubules and disruption of cardiac dyads. In these conditions, LTCCs are redistributed from the T-tubules to disrupt CICR. The molecular mechanism responsible for LTCCs recruitment to and from the T-tubules is not well known. Junctophilin-2 (JPH2) enables close association between T-tubules and the jSR to ensure efficient CICR. JPH2 has a so-called Joining region that is located near domains that interact with T-tubular plasma membrane, where LTCCs are housed. The idea that this Joining region directly interacts with LTCCs and contributes to LTCC recruitment to T-tubules is unknown. Objective:To determine if the Joining region in JPH2 recruits LTCCs to T-tubules through direct molecular interaction in cardiomyocytes to enable efficient CICR. Methods and Results: Modified abundance of JPH2 and redistribution of LTCC were studied in left ventricular hypertrophy in vivo and in cultured adult Feline and rat ventricular myocytes. Protein-protein interaction studies showed that the Joining region in JPH2 interacts with LTCC-α1C subunit and causes LTCCs distribution to the dyads, where they colocalize with RyRs. A JPH2 with induced mutations in the Joining region (mutPG1JPH2) caused T-tubule remodeling and dyad loss, showing that an interaction between LTCC and JPH2 is crucial for T-tubule stabilization. mutPG1JPH2 caused asynchronous Ca2+-release with impaired excitation-contraction (EC) coupling after β-adrenergic stimulation. The disturbed Ca2+ regulation in mutPG1JPH2 overexpressing myocytes caused Calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase-II activation and altered myocyte bioenergetics. Conclusions: The interaction between LTCC and the Joining region in JPH2 facilitates dyad assembly and maintains normal CIRC in cardiomyocytes.
Altitudinal pattern of shrub biomass allocation in Southwest China

Shrubs play an important role in the global carbon cycle and are particularly sensitive to climate change. However, the altitudinal pattern of biomass allocation in mountainous shrubs and its responses to climate change are still unclear. In this study, biomass accumulation and allocation of the shrub community and their relationships with climatic factors were investigated in 331 sampling sites along an extensive altitudinal gradient (311–4911 m) in Southwest China. The results showed that the above-ground biomass (AGB) and the total biomass (TB) of the shrub community decreased quadratically (R2 = 0.107) and linearly (R2 = 0.024) from 9.86 to 0.15 kg·m-2 and 15.61 to 0.26 kg·m-2 with increasing altitude, respectively. However, the below-ground biomass (BGB) and TB of the herb layer increased quadratically with increasing altitudes (R2 = 0.136 and 0.122, respectively. P<0.001). The root/shoot ratio (R/S) of the community and its component synusiae increased gradually with increasing altitudes (P<0.001). The standardized major axis (SMA) indicated an isometric relationship between AGB and BGB for the whole shrub community, but allometric relationships were found for the shrub and herb layer. Redundancy analysis and Pearson correlation analysis showed that the biomass and R/S were significantly correlated with mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP) and reconnaissance drought index (RDI). These findings indicate that shrub biomass allocation is strongly affected by the altitude, MAT and MAP and support the isometric relationship of AGB and BGB partitioning at the community level on mountainous shrub biomes.
Using Debriefing for Meaningful Learning With Screen-Based Simulation

Background COVID-19 has led to increased use of screen-based simulation. However, the importance of including a robust debriefing as a component of these simulations is often neglected. Problem Failing to include debriefing with screen-based simulation could negatively impact student learning outcomes. Approach Debriefing, including recollection, discussion to reveal understanding, feedback and reflection, is a process of helping learners make sense of learned content and knowledge as it is applied to the patient care experience. Debriefing for Meaningful Learning (DML) is an evidence-based method derived from theory, which can be easily incorporated into screen-based simulation to augment the clinical learning experience. Conclusion By guiding learners to consistently engage in DML, clinical decisions and actions taken during virtual simulations can be uncovered, discussed, challenged, corrected, and explored. Including a synchronous, structured debriefing like DML ensures that screen-based simulation results in meaningful learning in addition to performance feedback to foster safe and quality patient care.
The Cerebroventricular Environment Modifies CAR T Cells for Potent Activity against Both Central Nervous System and Systemic Lymphoma

In the clinic, CD19-CAR T cells are administered IV and are not used specifically to treat CNS lymphoma. The authors show a single ICV infusion of CD19-CAR T cells completely eradicates both CNS and systemic lymphoma in mice. Lymphomas with central nervous system (CNS) involvement confer a worse prognosis than those without CNS involvement, and patients currently have limited treatment options. T cells genetically engineered with CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) are effective against B-cell malignancies and show tremendous potential in the treatment of systemic lymphoma. We aimed to leverage this strategy toward a more effective therapy for patients with lymphoma with CNS disease. NOD-scid IL2Rgammanull (NSG) mice with CNS and/or systemic lymphoma were treated with CD19-CAR T cells via intracerebroventricular (ICV) or intravenous (IV) injection. CAR T cells isolated after treatment were rigorously examined for phenotype, gene expression, and function. We observed that CAR T cells infused ICV, but not IV, completely and durably eradicated both CNS and systemic lymphoma. CAR T cells delivered ICV migrated efficiently to the periphery, homed to systemic tumors, and expanded in vivo, leading to complete elimination of disease and resistance to tumor rechallenge. Mechanistic studies indicated that ICV-delivered CAR T cells are conditioned by exposure to cerebrospinal fluid in the ICV environment for superior antilymphoma activity and memory function compared with IV-delivered CAR T cells. Further analysis suggested that manipulating cellular metabolism or preactivating therapeutic CAR T cells with antigen ex vivo may improve the efficacy of CAR T cells in vivo. Our demonstration that ICV-delivered CD19-CAR T cells had activity against CNS and systemic lymphoma could offer a valuable new strategy for treatment of B-cell malignancies with CNS involvement.
Bidirectional interactions between host social behaviour and parasites arise through ecological and evolutionary processes

Abstract An animal's social behaviour both influences and changes in response to its parasites. Here we consider these bidirectional links between host social behaviours and parasite infection, both those that occur from ecological vs evolutionary processes. First, we review how social behaviours of individuals and groups influence ecological patterns of parasite transmission. We then discuss how parasite infection, in turn, can alter host social interactions by changing the behaviour of both infected and uninfected individuals. Together, these ecological feedbacks between social behaviour and parasite infection can result in important epidemiological consequences. Next, we consider the ways in which host social behaviours evolve in response to parasites, highlighting constraints that arise from the need for hosts to maintain benefits of sociality while minimizing fitness costs of parasites. Finally, we consider how host social behaviours shape the population genetic structure of parasites and the evolution of key parasite traits, such as virulence. Overall, these bidirectional relationships between host social behaviours and parasites are an important yet often underappreciated component of population-level disease dynamics and host–parasite coevolution.
EFFECT OF NITROGEN ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF INDIAN MUSTARD (Brassica juncea L.) GENOTYPES

The field experiment entitled “Effect of nitrogen on growth, yield and quality of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes” was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana (30 o 56 / N latitude and 75 o 48 / E longitude and at an altitude of 247 metres above mean sea level), during rabi 2011-12 on loamy sand, neutral in reaction, low in available N, rich in available P and K soil. The study was conducted in split plot design in three replications with four doses of nitrogen (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha) in the main plots and five genotypes (RLC 1, RLC 11, RLC 12, PBR 210 and PBR 91) in the sub plots. Application of N significantly increased plant height, dry matter accumulation (DMA), leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception and chlorophyll content up to 100 kg/ha though such an increase, except plant height continued upto 150 kg/ha of N. Nitrogen application delayed initiation of flowering and significantly increased number of the secondary branches and siliquae per plant and, seeds per siliqua over control. Seed yield increased by 65.7 and 12.0 per cent with 100 kg/ha of N over control and 50 kg/ha of N, respectively. There was consistent reduction in seed oil content and significant increase in oil yield with N application of 50 kg/ha over control. Nitrogen, protein and linoleic acid content increased with increase in N levels. Among genotypes, PBR 91 and PBR 210 exhibited significantly better growth in terms of plant height, DMA and LAI with higher PAR as compared to RLC 11 and RLC 12. Genotypes, PBR 91, PBR 210 and RLC 1 took significantly more number of days for completion of flowering than other genotypes. RLC 12 produced significant higher number of primary and secondary branches per plant, RLC 11 produced higher number of seeds per siliqua. Genotypes PBR 91, RLC 1 and PBR 210 registered significantly higher 1000-seed weight than RLC 11 and RLC 12. Differences in seed yield among genotypes were non-significant. Genotype RLC 11 registered significantly higher oil content but lowest seed protein content. Genotype RLC 12 contained significantly higher seed protein content than rest of the genotypes. Genotypes PBR 91, RLC 11 and PBR 210 produced similar but significantly higher oil yields than RLC 1. Erucic acid content was significantly lower in RLC 1 and RLC 12 while glucosinolate content was lowest in RLC 11 followed by RLC 12. Nitrogen application increased the seed yield up to 100 kg/ha in RLC 1 and RLC 12 and up to 150 kg/ha in RLC 11, PBR 210 and PBR 91. Increase in seed yield with 50 kg/ha of applied N over control was significant in all genotypes whereas further increase in N to 100 kg/ha increased the seed yield significantly in case of RLC 11, RLC 12 and PBR 210.
A Novel Corn-Expressed Phytase Improves Daily Weight Gain, Protein Efficiency Ratio and Nutrients Digestibility and Alters Fecal Microbiota in Pigs Fed with Very Low Protein Diets

Simple Summary Feeding pigs with very low crude protein (CP) diets with reduced calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) may be an effective strategy to decrease the nutrient excretion; however, this practice can negatively impact the growth performance of animals. Thus, there is an urgent need to improve the utilization of nitrogen, Ca and P in pigs. This study aimed to assess the effect of a novel corn-expressed phytase on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, gut microbial population, bone mineral density and content and blood metabolites in nursery pigs fed with low-CP, -Ca, and -P diets. Supplementation of very low protein diets with a corn-expressed phytase decreased the negative effects of these diets on average daily gain and protein efficiency ratio of pigs, increased the digestibility of Ca and P regardless of the levels of these minerals in the diet, improved bone characteristics and altered the fecal bacterial composition. This study suggests that corn-expressed phytase can be potentially useful for improving the growth performance of weaned pigs fed with low protein diets and should be considered for sustainable swine production. Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a novel corn-expressed phytase (CEP) on growth, nutrients digestibility, bone characteristics and fecal microbiota of pigs fed with very low-protein, -calcium (Ca) and -phosphorous (P) diets. Forty-eight barrows were subjected to 6 groups for 4 weeks: positive control-adequate protein (PC), negative control-reduced protein (NC), NC + low-dose CEP, i.e., 2000 FTU/kg (LD), NC + high-dose CEP, i.e., 4000 FTU/kg (HD), LD with 0.12% unit reduced Ca and 0.15% unit reduced available P (LDR), and HD with 0.12% unit reduced Ca and 0.15% unit reduced available P (HDR). Compared to NC, LD and HDR had a higher average daily gain (ADG) and gain:protein ratio (G:P), HD and HDR had greater apparent fecal digestibility of Ca and P and bone mineral density and LDR and HDR had lower serum osteocalcin. The feces of LD was enriched in Lachnospiraceae, while the HD had a higher abundance of Succinvibrio and LDR had a higher abundance of Bifidobacterium and Actinobacteria. In conclusion, supplementation of protein-restricted diets with a CEP decreased their negative effects on ADG and G:P ratio, increased the digestibility of Ca and P regardless of the levels of these minerals in the diet, improved bone characteristics and produced differential effects on fecal bacterial population.
Disentangling the beta-diversity in anuran parasite communities

Abstract There is great heterogeneity in parasite communities among hosts, understanding the nature and drivers of such variations is still a great scientific quest. Here, we analyse the variation in parasite communities by addressing the following questions: (i) What is the beta-diversity component (nestedness or turnover) that most contributes to beta diversity in parasite communities among anuran species? (ii) Does the beta diversity of parasite communities follow a non-random pattern? (iii) Is the dissimilarity in composition of parasite communities related to the phylogenetic or functional dissimilarity among hosts? We found that turnover in parasite assemblages was the main component of beta diversity, but the variation observed both in the total beta diversity and in its components did not differ from the respective null models. The dissimilarity among parasite communities was not related to the phylogenetic species variability or functional dissimilarity among anuran species for most localities. In short, our findings may indicate a process of resource tracking by the parasite species, in which the resource may not necessarily be conserved phylogenetically in their hosts.
Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA, gyrB and alkB genes of plant-associated Rhodococcus species from Tunisia.

The genus Rhodococcus contains several species with agricultural, biotechnological and ecological importance. Within this genus, many phyllosphere, rhizosphere and endosphere strains are plant growth promoting bacteria, whereas strains designated as R. fascians are plant pathogens. In this study, we isolated 47 Rhodococcus strains from a range of herbaceous and woody plant species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA, gyrB and alkB genes was used to compare our strains with type strains of Rhodococcus. For most of our strains, sequence similarity of the 16S rDNA, gyrB and alkB regions to type strains ranged from 98-100 %. Results of the concatenated gene sequence comparisons identified 18 strains of R. fascians and three strains of R. kroppenstedtii. The remaining strains were unclassified, and may represent novel species of Rhodococcus. Phylogenetic analysis based on gyrB sequences provided a more precise classification of our strains to species level than 16S rDNA sequences, whereas analysis of alkB sequences was unable to identify strains with orange-coloured colonies to species level.
RecQ helicases in DNA repair and cancer targets

Abstract Helicases are enzymes that use the energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to catalyze the unwinding of DNA or RNA. The RecQ family of helicases is conserved through evolution from prokaryotes to higher eukaryotes and plays important roles in various DNA repair pathways, contributing to the maintenance of genome integrity. Despite their roles as general tumor suppressors, there is now considerable interest in exploiting RecQ helicases as synthetic lethal targets for the development of new cancer therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the latest developments in the structural and mechanistic study of RecQ helicases and discuss their roles in various DNA repair pathways. Finally, we consider the potential to exploit RecQ helicases as therapeutic targets and review the recent progress towards the development of small molecules targeting RecQ helicases as cancer therapeutics.
Biopotentialities of Certain Plant Ingredients to Survival and Colour Enhancement in Xiphophorus Helleri

Ornamental fish sector is a widely accepted flourishing industry play an integral part in interior designing uplifted the economic status of developing and underdeveloped nations. With respect to natural fish, they dwell in captivity under confined space may lack natural consumption of aquatic vegetation could adversely affect its physiological aspects. In our study three plant materials of therapeutic uses such as A.sativum, B.monneiri & M.fragrans incorporated diet (TD2,TD3, TD4&TD5) in individual and mixed proportion provided to the ornamental fish X.helleri. The mean length-weight relationship for tested diets CF, TD1, TD2, TD3, TD4 and TD5 in X.hellerianalysed by paired test with Turkey HSD showed significance with p <0.01. The ANOVA test for length gain showed significant difference in gain in length among feeds at 1% level of significance (p-value<.01). The post hoc multiple comparison shows there are three homogeneous groups. Even though the highest gain in length observed in TD4 no significant difference in gains identified. The ANOVA test done for weight gain showed there was significant difference in gain in weight among feeds at 1% level of significance (p-value<.01). The post hoc multiple comparison showed four homogeneous groups with highest gain in weight observed in TD5, followed byTD4 with no significant difference in gains among TD1, TD2 and TD3. Colour the major factors determining the market value of fishes evaluated by HPTLC yielded arranged in the decreasing order TD2 diet (1.5gm garlic with 15360.9 AU) > TD3 diet (2 gm brahmi with 11626.8AU) > TD4 diet (1.5gm with 6580.3AU) > TD5 diet (1:1.5:1 gm of garlic, brahmi & nutmeg with 6458.9AU) > TD1(commercial feed with 4831.1.AU) > CF (control feed without plant with 4555.5AU). The survival rate among fishes fed with six diets observed 80% in CF & TD1, 90% in TD2, TD3 &TD5 and 100% in TD4. The present work hence enlightened the accuracy of medicinal plants in promoting survival and pigmentation in sword tail.
Kinetic Study of Glucosamine Production Using Aspergillus sydowii BCRC 31742 under Solid-State Fermentation

In the present study, we aimed to obtain a high yield and productivity for glucosamine using a low-cost solid-state culture with Aspergillus sydowii BCRC 31742. The fermentation conditions, such as inoculum biomass, moisture content, and supplemental volume and mineral salt, were chosen to achieve high productivity of glucosamine (GlcN). When the initial supplemental volume used was 3 mL/g substrate, the yield and productivity of GlcN were 48.7 mg/gds and 0.69 mg/gds·h, respectively. This result will be helpful for the industrialization of the process.
Effect of phytohormones on micropropagation and phytochemical studies of Aerva lanata (Linn.) Juss.ex Schult-A seasonal and vulnerable plant

Aerva lanata (Linn.) Juss. ex Schult (Family-Amaranthaceae) is an medicinally important plant known for its prolonged hypertensive and hypoglycemic activity. This study is focused on standardization of in vitro propagation and phytochemical studies of A. lanata. Direct organogenesis of shoots from nodal segments was achieved by culturing on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of growth regulators BAP (0.5–2.5 mg/l), IAA (0.5–2.5 mg/l) and KIN (0.2–1.0 mg/l). The maximum number of multiple shoots per explants was obtained in the combination BAP and (1.5 mg/l) and KIN (0.6 mg/l). Half and full strength of MS medium with different concentrations of auxins such as IAA and IBA, were used for in vitro root formation. IAA (1.5 mg/l) with half strength MS medium supported the greatest increase in the number of average roots. Hardening of regenerated plants was achieved with on 1:2:1 ratio of sterilized garden soil, red soil, compost. In the current investigation, 70% of A. lanata plantlets survived transfer to ex situ conditions.
Physiology of Potassium Nutrition in Cereals: Fluxes, Compartmentation, and Ionic Interactions

Potassium (K) is an essential nutrient and the most abundant cation in plant cells. Plants possess two transport systems for K acquisition: a high-affinity system (HATS), operating at external K concentrations ([K]ext) below 1 mM, and showing reduced transport activity in the presence of ammonium (NH4 ); and, a low-affinity system (LATS), operating at [K]ext above 1 mM, that is not affected by NH4 . K transport and compartmentation were investigated in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) using the non-invasive technique of compartmental analysis by tracer efflux (CATE), to simultaneously determine unidirectional membrane fluxes, ion concentrations, and exchange characteristics in subcellular compartments. These studies revealed striking differences in unidirectional K fluxes between HATS and LATS. It was found that flux measurements, using traditional direct influx (DI) protocols, accurately represented HATS influx, but underestimated LATS influx by as much as seven-fold. In both barley and rice, LATS K fluxes were found to undergo rapid, futile cycling, with the ratio of efflux:influx 3 to 5 times greater, and the cytosolic exchange rate 2 to 3 times faster than under HATS. Based upon plasma-membrane electrical potential measurements, efflux was found