Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Current Therapies and New Targets to Fight Melanoma: A Promising Role for the β3-Adrenoreceptor

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of cancer and the most deadly skin cancer. According to World Health Organization, about 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occur globally each year. Thanks to the efficacy of new therapies, life expectation has been improved over the last years. However, some malignant melanomas still remain unresponsive to these therapies. The β-adrenergic system, among its many physiological roles, has been recognized as the main mediator of stress-related tumorigenic events. In particular, catecholamine activation of β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) affects several processes that sustain cancer progression. Among the β-AR subtypes, the β3-AR is emerging as an important regulator of tumorigenesis. In this review, we summarize data of different experimental studies focused on β3-AR involvement in tumor development in various types of cancer and, particularly, in melanoma. Taken together, the preclinical evidences reported in this review demonstrate the crucial role of β3-AR in regulating the complex signaling network driving melanoma progression. Therefore, a need exists to further disseminate this new concept and to investigate more deeply the role of β3-AR as a possible therapeutic target for counteracting melanoma progression at clinical level.
Effect of Using Ultrasonic Muscle Depth and Fat Depth on the Accuracy of Predicted Phenotypic and Genetic Values of Carcass Traits on Live Ram Lambs

Abstract Ultrasonic scanning was used to measure muscle depth and fat depth at the third lumbar vertebra of 556 ram lambs of the Norwegian Dala and Spaelsau breeds in three ram circles in 1990. After slaughter, carcass weight, carcass grade, muscling score, fat score and weight of kidney and kidney fat were recorded. The increase in accuracy of predicting carcass weight and grade by including ultrasonic measurements in addition to weaning weight was low, whereas a considerable increase in accuracy of fat score was observed for Dala. A genetic analysis of 355 recorded progeny sired by 44 young Dala rams was made. Estimates of heritabilities from the REML procedure were: 0.46 ± 0.22 for muscle depth and 0.26 ± 0.17 for fat depth. Genetic correlations were estimated. The accuracy of the selection indexes for carcass weight, carcass grade or fat score increased significantly when ultrasonic measures were added compared to use of weaning weight and sire records only.
Squat Muscle Activation Patterns with Hip Rotations in Subjects with Genu Varum Deformity

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation during the squat with different hip rotations (neutral, 15, 30, and 45° of internal and external hip rotation) in subjects with and without Genu Varum deformity deformity. Surface electromyography were recorded from 32 men with (n=16) and without (n=16) Genu Varum deformity. In the Genu Varum deformity group, the squats with 30, 45 and 15° of internal rotations of the hip showed significantly greater gluteus medius activation as compared to other positions. Moreover, the tensor fascia lata activity increased with greater external rotation of the hip, and significantly more than hip internal rotations (p<0.05). For vastus medialis and vastus lateralis, both hip internal and external rotation showed a significantly greater activation compared to the neutral hip positions (p<0.05). There were significant differences in the gluteus medius:tensor fascia lata activity ratio (p=0.001) and the vastus medialis: vastus lateralis activity ratio (p=0.001) between the different hip positions in the Genu Varum deformity and healthy groups. These results demonstrate that muscle activation patterns varied significantly with the position of different hip rotation in both groups. Those with Genu Varum deformity may use this information to aid in an injury prevention strategy by choosing squat positioning that favorably alters muscle activation patterns.
License to Kill: When iNKT Cells Are Granted the Use of Lethal Cytotoxicity

Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells are a non-conventional, innate-like, T cell population that recognize lipid antigens presented by the cluster of differentiation (CD)1d molecule. Although iNKT cells are mostly known for mediating several immune responses due to their massive and diverse cytokine release, these cells also work as effectors in various contexts thanks to their cytotoxic potential. In this Review, we focused on iNKT cell cytotoxicity; we provide an overview of iNKT cell subsets, their activation cues, the mechanisms of iNKT cell cytotoxicity, the specific roles and outcomes of this activity in various contexts, and how iNKT killing functions are currently activated in cancer immunotherapies. Finally, we discuss the future perspectives for the better understanding and potential uses of iNKT cell killing functions in tumor immunosurveillance.
Effect of 5α-Dihydrotestosterone and Testosterone on Apoptosis in Human Dermal Papilla Cells

Pathogenetic mechanisms in androgenetic alopecia are not yet fully understood; however, it is commonly accepted that androgens like testosterone (T) and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) inhibit hair follicle activity with early induction of the catagen. Thus, we investigated the influence of T and 5α-DHT on proliferation, cell death and bcl-2/bax expression in cultured dermal papilla cells (DPC) from nonbalding scalp regions of healthy volunteers. T and 5α-DHT induced apoptosis in DPC in a dose-dependent and time-related manner; in addition a necrotic effect due to T at 10–5M was found. Interestingly, bcl-2 protein expression was decreased in T- and 5α-DHT-treated cells, leading to an increase in the bax/bcl-2 ratio. In addition, T and 5α-DHT induced proteolytic cleavage of caspase 8 and inhibited proliferation of DPC at 10–5M. High concentrations of T and 5α-DHT were needed to induce apoptotic effects in DPC. These data suggest that DPC from nonbalding scalp regions do have the capacity to undergo apoptosis, but need a high androgen stimulus. The present study provides an interesting new pathogenetic approach in androgenetic alopecia.
The Arabidopsis ubiquitin ligase ATL31 is transcriptionally controlled by WRKY33 transcription factor in response to pathogen attack

ATL31, an Arabidopsis RING-type ubiquitin ligase, plays a critical role in plant carbon/nitrogen (C/N)-nutrient responses during post-germinative growth and in defense responses to pathogen attack. ATL31 expression under these stress conditions suggested the presence of transcriptional regulators mediated by these stress signals. We recently reported that the expression pattern of WRKY33, a transcription factor involved in plant defense responses, is highly correlated with that of ATL31. In this study, we investigated the detailed relationship between the ATL31 gene and WRKY33. Using transient reporter analysis, we found that WRKY33 could significantly activate ATL31 transcription in plant cells. Transcript analysis of stable transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing WRKY33 confirmed that the expression of ATL31 in response to the PAMPs flg22 and chitin was enhanced compared with wild-type plants, while expression was repressed in wrky33 mutants. Further detailed transient reporter analysis revealed that transactivation by WRKY33 is required and mediated through a specific W-box cis-acting element in the promoter region of the ATL31 gene. In contrast, WRKY33 did not regulate ATL31 expression during the C/N response. Taken together, these results demonstrate that WRKY33 acts as a transcription factor of ATL31 and positively regulates its expression during activation of plant defense responses.
MiR-223-3p and miR-122-5p as circulating biomarkers for plaque instability

Background In this study, we discovered and validated candidate microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers for coronary artery disease (CAD). Method Candidate tissue-derived miRNAs from atherosclerotic plaque material in patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) (n=14) and unstable coronary artery disease (UCAD) (n=25) were discovered by qPCR-based arrays. We validated differentially expressed miRNAs, along with seven promising CAD-associated miRNAs from the literature, in the serum of two large cohorts (n=395 and n=1000) of patients with SCAD and UCAD and subclinical atherosclerosis (SubA) and controls, respectively. Result From plaque materials (discovery phase), miR-125b-5p and miR-193b-3p were most upregulated in SCAD, whereas miR-223-3p and miR-142-3p were most upregulated in patients with UCAD. Subsequent validation in serum from patients with UCAD, SCAD, SubA and controls demonstrated significant upregulation of miR-223-3p, miR-133a-3p, miR-146-3p and miR-155-5p. The ischaemia-related miR-499-5p was also highly upregulated in patients with UCAD compared with the other groups (SCAD OR 20.63 (95% CI 11.16 to 38.15), SubA OR 96.10 (95% CI 40.13 to 230.14) and controls OR 15.73 (95% CI 7.80 to 31.72)). However, no significant difference in miR-499-5p expression was observed across SCAD, SubA and controls. MiR-122-5p was the only miRNA to be significantly upregulated in the serum of both patients with UCAD and SCAD. Conclusion In conclusion, miR-122-5p and miR-223-3p might be markers of plaque instability.
Salt Stress Signals on Demand: Cellular Events in the Right Context

Plant stress is a real dilemma; it puzzles plant biologists and is a global problem that negatively affects people’s daily lives. Of particular interest is salinity, because it represents one of the major water-related stress types. We aimed to determine the signals that guide the cellular-related events where various adaptation mechanisms cross-talk to cope with salinity-related water stress in plants. In an attempt to unravel these mechanisms and introduce cellular events in the right context, we expansively discussed how salt-related signals are sensed, with particular emphasis on aquaporins, nonselective cation channels (NSCCs), and glycosyl inositol phosphorylceramide (GIPC). We also elaborated on the critical role Ca2+, H+, and ROS in mediating signal transduction pathways associated with the response and tolerance to salt stress. In addition, the fragmentary results from the literature were compiled to develop a harmonized, informational, and contemplative model that is intended to improve our perception of these adaptative mechanisms and set a common platform for plant biologists to identify intriguing research questions in this area.
DAPT, a potent Notch inhibitor regresses actively growing abdominal aortic aneurysm via divergent pathways.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a localized pathological dilation of the aorta exceeding the normal diameter (~ 20 mm) by more than 50% of its original size (≥30 mm), accounting for ~ 150,000-200,000 deaths worldwide per year. We previously reported that Notch inhibition does not decrease the size of pre-established AAA at late stage of the disease. Here, we examined whether a potent pharmacologic inhibitor of Notch signaling (DAPT), regresses an actively growing AAA. In a mouse model of an aneurysm (Apoe-/- mice; n=44); DAPT (n=17) or vehicle (n=17) was randomly administered at day 14 of angiotensin II (AngII; 1 µg/min/kg), three times a week and mice were sacrificed at day 42. Progressive increase in aortic stiffness and maximal intra-luminal diameter was observed in the AngII + vehicle group, which was significantly prevented by DAPT (P<0.01). The regression of aneurysm with DAPT was associated with reduced F4/80+Cd68+ inflammatory macrophages. DAPT improves structural integrity of aorta by reducing collagen fibrils abnormality and restoring their diameter. Mechanistically, Ccr7+F4/80- dendritic cells, implicated in the regression of aneurysm, were increased in the aorta of DAPT-treated mice. In the macrophages stimulated with AngII or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), DAPT reverted the expression of pro-inflammatory genes Il6 and Il12 back to baseline within 6h compared to vehicle (P<0.05). DAPT also significantly increased the expression of anti-inflammatory genes, including c-Myc, Egr2, and Arg1 at 12-24h in the LPS-stimulated macrophages (P<0.05). Overall, these regressive effects of Notch inhibitor signaling emphasize its therapeutic implications to prevent the progression of active AAAs.
IS EXTINCTION AGE DEPENDENT?

Abstract Age-dependent extinction is an observation with important biological implications. Van Valen's Red Queen hypothesis triggered three decades of research testing its primary implication: that age is independent of extinction. In contrast to this, later studies with species-level data have indicated the possible presence of age dependence. Since the formulation of the Red Queen hypothesis, more powerful tests of survivorship models have been developed. This is the first report of the application of the Cox Proportional Hazards model to paleontological data. Planktonic foraminiferal morphospecies allow the taxonomic and precise stratigraphic resolution necessary for the Cox model. As a whole, planktonic foraminiferal morphospecies clearly show age-dependent extinction. In particular, the effect is attributable to the presence of shorter-ranged species (range < 4 myr) following extinction events. These shorter-ranged species also possess tests with unique morphological architecture. The morphological differences are probably epiphenomena of underlying developmental and heterochronic processes of shorter-ranged species that survived various extinction events. Extinction survivors carry developmental and morphological characteristics into postextinction recovery times, and this sets them apart from species populations established independently of extinction events.
Genetic variability and aflatoxigenic potential of Aspergillus flavus isolates from maize

Abstract Various isolates of Aspergillus flavus collected from infected maize seeds were tested for their ability to produce aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in vitro. The amount of AFB1 produced by the toxigenic isolates of A. flavus was ranged from 0.57 to 82.91 ng/ml. Among the 51 isolates of A. flavus tested, the isolate AFM1 produced the highest amount of (82.91 ng/ml) AFB1. Nineteen isolates did not produce aflatoxin B1. The genetic variability among the A. flavus isolates was investigated by PCR amplification of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) including ITS1, ITS2 and the intervening 5.8S rRNA region of ribosomal DNA followed by sequencing. PCR amplification of the ITS regions of the A. flavus isolates (AFM1, AFM3 and AFM5) by using ITS1 and ITS4 primers gave products of approximately 580 base pairs in length. The nucleotide sequences were compared with ITS sequences of A. flavus from Genbank database. Analysis of the genetic coefficient matrix derived from the nucleotide sequences of the ITS regions of A. flavus isolates showed that minimum and maximum percent similarities among the tested A. flavus strains were in the range of 12 and 99%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences by the unweighted pair group method arithmetic average (UPGMA) identified three main clusters (A, B and C). Cluster A consisted of only one strain and cluster C consisted of three strains including AFM5. The sequence of AFM5 was clustered with the sequence of a clinical isolate of A. flavus (AY677676) and about 76% similarity index was observed between them at molecular level. All the remaining strains belonged to cluster B, which includes AFM1 and AFM3. The genetic variability among A. flavus isolates should be considered when A. flavus isolates are required for testing in resistance breeding programmes.
Utilization of A Bioluminescent Pattern in the Encircling Gillnet Fisheries

To investigate the relationship between bioluminescent patterns and targeted fish species that cause this pattern, encircling gillnet sampling was conducted in shallow water (< 12 m) on moonless nights between February 2007 and December 2008 in the northern Aegean Sea, Turkey. The bioluminescent patterns of the targeted species Atlantic bonito, Sarda sarda, bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, and salema, Sarpa salpa were distinctive enough to identify the species. Although not a target species, round sardinella, Sardinella aurita, also exhibited a unique bioluminescent pattern to differentiate schools of that species from the other species. Bioluminescence “signature” of fish species was found to be an important tool in locating and identifying targeted fish species in the small scale encircling gillnet fisheries.
Wireless Body Area Networks: UWB Wearable Textile Antenna for Telemedicine and Mobile Health Systems

A compact textile ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna with an electrical dimension of 0. 24λo × 0. 24λo × 0. 009λo with microstrip line feed at lower edge and a frequency of operation of 2.96 GHz is proposed for UWB application. The analytical investigation using circuit theory concepts and the cavity model of the antenna is presented to validate the design. The main contribution of this paper is to propose a wearable antenna with wide impedance bandwidth of 118.68 % (2.96–11.6 GHz) applicable for UWB range of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. The results present a maximum gain of 5.47 dBi at 7.3 GHz frequency. Moreover, this antenna exhibits Omni and quasi-Omni radiation patterns at various frequencies (4 GHz, 7 GHz and 10 GHz) for short-distance communication. The cutting notch and slot on the patch, and its effect on the antenna impedance to increase performance through current distribution is also presented. The time-domain characteristic of the proposed antenna is also discussed for the analysis of the pulse distortion phenomena. A constant group delay less than 1 ns is obtained over the entire operating impedance bandwidth (2.96–11.6 GHz) of the textile antenna in both situations, i.e., side by side and front to front. Linear phase consideration is also presented for both situations, as well as configurations of reception and transmission. An assessment of the effects of bending and humidity has been demonstrated by placing the antenna on the human body. The specific absorption rate (SAR) value was tested to show the radiation effect on the human body, and it was found that its impact on the human body SAR value is 1.68 W/kg, which indicates the safer limit to avoid radiation effects. Therefore, the proposed method is promising for telemedicine and mobile health systems.
Characterization of the Hydrolysis Kinetics of Fucosylated Glycosaminoglycan in Mild Acid and Structures of the Resulting Oligosaccharides

Mild acid hydrolysis is a common method for the structure analysis of fucosylated glycosaminoglycan (FG). In this work, the effects of acid hydrolysis on the structure of FG from S. variegatus (SvFG) and the reaction characteristic were systemically studied. The degree of defucosylation (DF) and molecular weights (Mw) of partial fucosylated glycosaminoglycans (pFs) were monitored by 1H NMR and size-exclusion chromatography, respectively. The kinetic plots of DF, degree of desulfation (DS) from fucose branches, and degree of hydrolysis (DH) of the backbone are exponentially increased with time, indicating that acid hydrolysis of SvFG followed a first-order kinetics. The kinetic rate constants kDF, kDS, and kDH were determined to be 0.0223 h-1, 0.0041 h-1, and 0.0005 h-1, respectively. The structure of the released sulfated fucose branches (FucS) from SvFG and HfFG (FG from H. fuscopunctata) was characterized by 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy, suggesting the presence of six types of fucose: α/β Fuc2S4S, Fuc3S4S, Fuc3S, Fuc4S, Fuc2S, and Fuc. The Fuc3S4S was more susceptible to acid than Fuc2S4S, and that the sulfate ester in position of O-2 and O-3 than in O-4 of fucose. The structure characteristic of pF18 indicated the cleavage of backbone glycosidic bonds. The APTT prolonged activity reduced with the decrease of the DF and Mw of the pFs, and became insignificant when its DF was 87% with Mw of 3.5 kDa.
Induction of nitrate reductase activity in red spruce needles by NO2 and HNO3 vapor

The induction of the enzyme nitrate reductase in needles may be a prerequisite for the assimilation of foliar-absorbed nitrogen oxide pollutants by red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) trees. To test for induction of nitrate reductase, 1-year-old red spruce seedlings were exposed to NO2, HNO3 vapor, or acid mist containing nitrate, and the activity of nitrate reductase in needles was measured. One day after exposure to NO2 (75 nL•L−1) began, nitrate reductase activity was three times greater than that of unexposed control plants. One day after exposure ended, the nitrate reductase activity returned to the control level. Older red spruce seedlings that had been excavated from a spruce–fir stand exhibited a similar pattern of response, but the level of nitrate reductase activity was much lower than that of the 1-year-old seedlings. Nitric acid vapor (75 nL•L−1) also induced nitrate reductase in red spruce needles, and the pattern of response was similar to that with NO2, except that the nitrate reductase activity.
Are Supplements Safe? Effects of Gallic and Ferulic Acids on In Vitro Cell Models

Polyphenols display health-promoting properties linked to their biological activities. They are initially absorbed in the small intestine, then they are largely metabolized in the colon, whereupon they are able to exert systemic effects. The health-promoting properties of polyphenols have led to the development of food supplements, which are also largely consumed by healthy people, even if data on their safety are still yet lacking. In the present paper, the content of gallic acid and ferulic acid was analyzed in two supplements, and shown to be higher than the relative contents found in fruit and flour. To evaluate the effects of these phenolic compounds on epithelial intestinal tissue, gallic and ferulic acids were added to a new in vitro model of the intestinal wall at different concentrations. The effects on viability, proliferation and migration of these compounds were respectively tested on three different cell lines (Caco2, L929 and U937), as well as on a tridimensional intestinal model, composed of a mucosal layer and a submucosa with fibroblasts and monocytes. Results indicated that gallic and ferulic acids can exert toxic effects on in vitro cell models at high concentrations, suggesting that an excessive and uncontrolled consumption of polyphenols may induce negative effects on the intestinal wall.
Allergic contact dermatitis in children

ABSTRACT Introduction Allergic contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease which accounts for up to 20% of all childhood dermatitis. Childhood allergic contact dermatitis is more frequent than previously thought and today early diagnosis is considered very important. Patch testing represents the gold standard method used to confirm the diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis. The knowledge of the most common allergens involved in allergic contact dermatitis in pediatric age is important considering that the first-line management of allergic contact dermatitis in children is to avoid the involved allergens. Areas covered We reviewed the literature on PubMed® and SciVerse Scopus® medical database about allergic contact dermatitis and emerging contact allergens in children. In this review, we summarize the clinical characteristics, differential diagnoses, and epidemiology of allergic contact dermatitis in children, underlying the most recent pieces of evidence about the most frequent and emerging contact allergens. Expert opinion We believe that persistent, well localized and recurrent eczematous lesions in children should suggest an allergic contact dermatitis, inducing physicians to refer patients for patch testing. Physicians should be acquainted with the current trends and the emerging contact allergens in children, in order to provide not only the best treatment but also the best management and prevention.