Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coupled Electrochemical and Microbial Catalysis for the Production of Polymer Bricks

Abstract Power‐to‐X technologies have the potential to pave the way towards a future resource‐secure bioeconomy as they enable the exploitation of renewable resources and CO2. Herein, the coupled electrocatalytic and microbial catalysis of the C5‐polymer precursors mesaconate and 2S‐methylsuccinate from CO2 and electric energy by in situ coupling electrochemical and microbial catalysis at 1 L‐scale was developed. In the first phase, 6.1±2.5 mm formate was produced by electrochemical CO2 reduction. In the second phase, formate served as the substrate for microbial catalysis by an engineered strain of Methylobacterium extorquens AM‐1 producing 7±2 μm and 10±5 μm of mesaconate and 2S‐methylsuccinate, respectively. The proof of concept showed an overall conversion efficiency of 0.2 % being 0.4 % of the theoretical maximum.
Totipotence du péricycle des organes souterrains et aériens de Rorippa sylvestris. II Régénération de racines et de bourgeons à partir de feuilles détachées ou de fragments foliaires cultivés in vitro

When detached and placed on water, leaves of Rorippa sylvestris (Brassicaceae) can rapidly initiate roots and subsequently buds at their proximal end. This ability can be modulated through in vitro culture of leaf explants with exogenous growth hormones. Indoleacetic acid enhances both rhizogenesis and caulogenesis with optimal responses at 10 mg∙L−1. Kinetin inhibits the two processes when applied at low concentration (0.05 mg∙L−1) and leads to necrosis above 0.1 mg∙L−1. When applied simultaneously or as a short pretreatment (48 h), indoleacetic acid cancels the toxic effects of kinetin and increases budding. Budding always occurs after rhizogenesis. In all the experiments, roots and buds arise from reactivation of cells belonging to the pericycle surrounding the vascular bundle and located near the protoxylem vessels. Sequential treatments applied in order to induce early morphogenetic reorientations in this totipotent layer are also presented. The double organogenetic ability of the pericycle is discus.
Resistant starches as a vehicle for delivering health benefits to the human large bowel

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP; major components of dietary fibre) have been rather disappointing in the prevention and management of large bowel inflammatory diseases (IBD) or colorectal cancer (CRC). Resistant starch (RS) is that starch which escapes small intestinal digestion and enters the large bowel. RS contributes to total dietary fibre and could be as important as NSP in promoting large bowel health and preventing IBD and CRC. Indeed, it appears that some societies historically at low risk for these conditions eat relatively little NSP but have diets high in RS through their culinary practices. RS acts largely through its large bowel bacterial fermentation products which are, in adults, short chain fatty acids (SCFA). Collectively, SCFA have several non-specific positive actions on large bowel physiology including lowering of luminal pH. Of the major acids, butyrate has attracted the most attention. It is a major metabolic fuel for and promoter of a normal phenotype in colonocytes. Recent data from our laboratory support the latter suggestion. We have shown that, in rats, higher dietary protein (as casein, red meat or soy) increases colonocyte genetic damage and thinning of the colonic mucus barrier. However, feeding of RS as a high amylose maize starch opposed both of these changes in proportion to increased colonic butyrate. These data accord with prospective population data showing lower CRC risk with consumption of total dietary fibre. RS intakes appear to be low in most affluent industrialized countries, so increasing its consumption by modifying consumer foods is one strategy to improve public health. CSIRO and its partners are developing new high amylose cereal cultivars for this purpose. Colonic delivery of specific SCFA could also be useful clinically and we have shown that acetylated, propionylated and butyrylated starches resist small intestinal amylolysis. The bound SCFA are released by the large bowel microflora, raising their digesta levels, with the greatest increase being in the esterified acid. Feeding studies with butyrylated starch in rats have confirmed the opposition of diet-induced genetic damage, supporting a role for this SCFA in lowering risk of CRC and IBD. Further human and animal interventions are planned to determine the potential of these new types of RS in enhancing colonic health.
Foliar epidermal micromorphology and its taxonomic significance in Polygonatum (Asparagaceae) using scanning electron microscopy

In the current investigation, 16 samples of six species of the genus Polygonatum were collected from different geographical regions in China. Leaf micromorphological traits were studied in detail using scanning electron microscopy. About five‐leaf samples were used for each species collected from different geographical regions. A significant variation was found in the foliar epidermal traits such as stomata types and their distribution, epidermal cell shape, anticlinal wall pattern, and various types of trichomes. Polygonal epidermal cells were observed in P. cyrtonema, P. odoratum, P. sibiricum, and P. filipes, rectangular in P. zanlanscianense and P. odoratum and irregular shape in P. filipes and P. zanlanscianense. Straight anticlinal wall pattern was observed in most of the species, but straight to little undulate was observed in P. cyrtonema, P. filipes, and P. zanlanscianense. Similarly, various shape stomata that are, oval, oblong, and elliptical and types that is, paracytic, anomocytic, and actinocytic have been observed. Based on the foliar traits, the P. odoratum and P. sibiricum were found closely related to one another. On the other hand, P. involucratum and P. zanlanscianense shows a strong association. However, P. filipes showed very less similarity with the other five species. Hence this study adds useful information that may be helpful in the further taxonomic classification of the taxa at subspecies level and was found significant in the correct identification and discrimination of the closely related taxa of the genus Polygonatum.
Nonstomatal limitations are responsible for drought-induced photosynthetic inhibition in four C4 grasses.

• Here, the contribution of stomatal and nonstomatal factors to photosynthetic inhibition under water stress in four tropical C4 grasses was investigated (Panicum coloratum, Bothriochloa bladhii, Cenchrus ciliaris and Astrebla lappacea). • Plants were grown in well watered soil, and then the effects of soil drying were measured on leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence and water relations. • During the drying cycle, leaf water potential (Ψleaf ) and relative water content (RWC) decreased from c. -0.4 to -2.8 MPa and 100-40%, respectively. The CO2 assimilation rates (A) and quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII ) of all four grasses decreased rapidly with declining RWC. High CO2 concentration (2500 µl l-1 ) had no effect on A or ΦPSII at any stage of the drying cycle. Electron transport capacity and dark respiration rates were unaltered by drought. The CO2 compensation concentrations of P. coloratum and C. ciliaris rose sharply when leaf RWC fell below 70%. In P. coloratum, 5% CO2 did not prevent the decline of O2 evolution rates under water stress. • We conclude that inhibition of photosynthesis in the four C4 grasses under water stress is dependent mainly on biochemical limitations.
Cardiac contractility modulation in left ventricular systolic dysfunction: one-year experience in a pilot study and design of a prospective registry.

BACKGROUND Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) is a treatment option for patients suffering symptomatic chronic heart failure (CHF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) who are not eligible for cardiac resynchronization. Data on mid-term follow-up are limited to small observational studies. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of CCM on quality of life, symptoms, exercise tolerance and left ventricular function in patients with CHF and moderate-to- severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. METHOS Patients suffering CHF with LVEF <45% and NYHA class > II despite optimal medical therapy, underwent CCM implantation. Enrolled patients underwent baseline and 3-, 6- and 12- months evaluation with ECG, echocardiogram, clinical assessment, 6-minute walking test and Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ). RESULTS Ten patients underwent CCM implantation. All patients were actively treated with the optimal pharmacological therapy as tolerated, and had at least one hospitalization for worsening heart failure during the previous year. After a mean follow-up of 15 months, 9 patients were alive, while one patient died for worsening heart failure precipitated by pneumonia. Among the remaining 9 patients, LVEF improved non-significantly from 29.4±8% to 32.2±10% (p=0.092), 6-minute walking test distance improved from 179±73 m to 304±99 m (p<0.001), NYHA class reduced from 3.0±0.4 to 1.6±0.5 (p=0.003) and MLWHFQ score improved from 59.6±49 to 34.2±32 (p=0.037). Only 2 patients have been hospitalized during the 12 months. Overall, a net clinical benefit was detected in 6 out of 9 patients. CONCLUSIONS CCM could be effective in improving quality of life, symptoms and exercise tolerance, and reduces hospitalizations in patients with symptomatic CHF on top of optimal medical and electrical therapy. A prospective registry has been designed to identify the subsets of patients gaining more benefit, and to assess the long-term effect of CCM on those clinical endpoints.
How does fascin promote cancer metastasis?

Fascin is an F‐actin‐bundling protein that cross‐links individual actin filaments into straight and stiff bundles. Fascin overexpression in cancer is strongly associated with poor prognosis and metastatic progression across different cancer types. It is well established that fascin plays a causative role in promoting metastatic progression. We will review the recent progress in our understanding of mechanisms underlying fascin‐mediated cancer metastasis. This review will cover the biochemical basis for fascin‐bundling activity, the mechanisms by which cancer cells upregulate fascin expression and the mechanism underlying fascin‐mediated cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastatic colonization. We propose that fascin has broad roles in both metastatic dissemination and metastatic colonization. Understanding these mechanisms will be crucial to the development of anti‐metastasis therapeutics targeting fascin.
Enamel multidien biological timing and body size variability among individuals of Chinese Han and Tibetan origins

Abstract Aims To measure the number of days of enamel formation between periodic striae of Retzius growth lines, the Retzius periodicity (RP), and to compare this multi-day, or multidien rhythm, to body height and weight among people from Beijing, China and Lhasa, Tibet/China. Subjects and methods Subjects requiring dental extractions from clinics in Beijing, China (N = 338) and Lhasa, Tibet/China (N = 227) provided a tooth and body size information. Multiple observers examined histological sections of the teeth and recorded RP. RP values were statistically compared to body height and weight. Results In Beijing and Lhasa samples, respectively, average height was 166.38 and 165.70 cm, average weight was 59.53 and 66.53 kg, and average RP was 7.47 and 7.69 d. Statistically significant differences were found between Beijing and Lhasa weight and RP means. Correlations for height and weight against RP were significant, but only comparatively strong for height. Conclusions Supporting the negative correlation presented in previous studies, RP is negatively associated with height and weight among a large intraspecific sample of people from Beijing and Lhasa. RP represents a metabolic-mediated multidien biological timing mechanism responsible for the rate of cell proliferation and maintenance of the body.
Seed predation in leguminous trees and shrubs: new invasive seed beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) to the Serbian fauna.

Three species of genera Bruchidius and one from Megabruchidiusas n. sp. are established in Republic of Serbia during studies from 2012 to 2014. These seed-beetles larvae develop in seeds within pods of five woody legumes, a widely grown species of ornamental trees and shrubs in Serbia. Several recent reports reveal that this species are well established in France, Hungary, and Bulgaria. The relationships of this new species are investigated using both morphological data and idioecological analyses. Our results indicate that this species is likely related to a mostly Paleotropical group, including members of genera Bruchidius, Megabruchidius and Acanthoscellides. Hypotheses on the geographic origin of this new species for Serbian entomafauna have beenalso discussed.
Eradication of cassava (Manihot esculenta) mosaic symptoms through thermotherapy and meristems cultured in vitro.

Three cassava accessions (Agric-Se, Hombete, Ouemenou) were examined in three different media with different combinations of growth regulators, NAA, 2,4-D (auxins), BAP, Kinetin (cytokinins), and gibberellic acid. Parameters evaluated in thermotherapy conditions were the presence of viral symptom and nodes formation. The response of explants was evaluated by aptitude to regeneration, and stems formation. The ANOVA analysis showed no significant (P˃0.05) accessions' reactions to thermotherapy, but significant (P˂0.05) accessions' response in deferent media. Thermotherapy revealed a total absence of viral symptom on the cuttings. Highest rate survival was recorded for Ouemenou accession (26 in 30) with combinations MS+NAA+KIN+GA3 and MS+2,4D+GA3. The combination MS+NAA+BAP+GA3 made regenerate stems for all the accessions with a maximum of 14 in compared to the 30 regenerated by the Ouemenou accession.
Analysis of global genetic variation in pig: Discovery of novel SNPs by whole genome re -sequencing

With the current sequencing depth, millions of SNPs, mostly novel polymorphisms can be identified for each boar we sequenced. Comparisons with genotyping data generated with Illumina porcine 60k chip indicate a detection rate about 80%(Table 1). Combined with Ensembl pig genome features, thousands of polymorphisms in coding regions were annotated as non-synonymous SNPs and hundreds of them were predicted to be deleterious. All the variations discovered in this study provide a valuable resource to be used as high density genetic markers for genotyping and for investigating phenotypic variations. Meanwhile in order to increase the SNP detection rate and accuracy, additional shotgun sequencing and an updated reference assembly may needed.
Culinary and nutritional quality of Phaseolus vulgaris seeds as affected by environmental factors

Efficient selection for specific culinary and nutritional quality traits needs a better understanding of the genetic and environmental control of quality traits at the structural, physiological and biochemical levels. Field experiments indicate great variability in the Phaseolus gene pool regarding the content of antinutritional compounds, as well as in cooking characteristics of the seeds. These seed attributes are strongly affected by geographic location, edaphic and climatic conditions at site of cultivation. However, information on the influence of specific environmental factors (such as temperature, water availability, edaphic conditions, etc.) on seed quality traits, as well as on their stability is very scarce. This lack of knowledge impairs a faster progress in the improvement of Phaseolus seed quality.
Management Strategies to Reduce Air Emissions: Emphasis—Dust and Ammonia

SUMMARY Air emissions generated by poultry production are numerous and can include dust, odors, endotoxins, microorganisms, and numerous gases. Ammonia (NH3) emissions have the potential to contaminate surface waters and are an environmental concern on both a local and global scale. These emissions in and around poultry production facilities can be a health and performance issue for birds and their caretakers. Dietary strategies can aid in the reduction of many airborne emissions, including dust and ammonia. Management techniques to quell, capture, or eliminate these air contaminants are numerous but vary in their cost, effectiveness, and practicality. Endotoxins, microorganisms, and nitrogenous compounds also can adhere to dust particles. Techniques for dust control include simple house cleaning, oil and water fogging, windbreaks, different filters, precipitation, certain housing systems and equipment, and vegetative shelterbelts. Many of the same strategies to reduce dust will also reduce ammonia losses as well. Simple procedures, including good manure management, reducing stress and maintaining bird health, reduce nitrogenous losses. Litter and manure amendments aid in reducing ammonia volatilization, and like those techniques for dust control, poultry housing systems, biofilters, water filters, composting, and vegetative shelterbelts also have potential for ammonia mitigation.
Control of stream insect assemblages: roles of spatial configuration and local environmental factors

Abstract 1. Current views in ecology emphasise that community structure is the sum of multiple processes, with imprints of both regional and local drivers. However, the degree to which stream insect assemblages are structured by spatial configuration (complying with the dispersal‐based neutral hypothesis) and local environmental features (complying with the niche‐based species sorting hypothesis) has not been rigorously examined based on surveys in multiple years.
The role of Nrg1-ErbB signaling in promoting Schwann cell myelination

The Role of Nrg1-erbB signaling in promoting Schwann cell myelination By Neeraja Syed Dissertation director: Dr. Haesun A. Kim Myelination is important for rapid saltatory conduction of nerve signals along the axons. Under various pathological conditions, myelin is lost and rebuilding myelin is required for functional recovery. In the PNS, myelination is regulated by axonal signals. Therefore, enhancing the promyelinating signals could be used as a therapeutic strategy to improve myelin repair by endogenous or transplanted myelinating glial cells such as Schwann cells. Recent studies identified Nrg1-type III as an important promyelinating signal that regulate Schwann cell myelination. Therefore, we hypothesized that providing an ectopic Nrg1-type III signal in a soluble form would increase the myelinating potential of Schwann cells. Since Nrg1-type III is normally expressed by axons as a membrane bound protein, in Aim 1 we first characterized the signaling function and the therapeutic potential of soluble Nrg1-type III in Schwann cells. Results from this study show that soluble Nrg1-type III elicits a promyelinating effect in-vitro: it increases myelin gene expression and enhances myelination on axons that express low levels of Nrg1-type III. However, when used at high concentrations it has a contrasting effect and inhibits myelination. Remyelination in the adult PNS is often incomplete: the myelin segments are thin and short. To determine the cell type that contributes to the defect, we
Descriptions of the dental remains of Homo floresiensis

Dental remains of Homo floresiensis excavated during 2002-2004 at Liang Bua, Flores, Indonesia, consist of one partial maxillary dentition, two nearly complete mandibular dentitions, and four isolated teeth. We present here morphological descriptions of all these specimens and report aspects of their dentition, occlusion, and oral health condition. This dental assemblage represents probably five but possibly four or six individuals. These different individuals share similar dental characteristics, supporting the view that the Liang Bua H. floresiensis assemblage represents a single population. We also reassess the previous claims for primitive and modern aspects of the H. floresiensis teeth. The previous studies reached conflicting conclusions: some researchers claim that these teeth are fully modern, whereas others highlight premolar and other morphologies that suggest their direct evolutionary link with the African earliest form of Homo or Australopithecus rather than with H. erectus. Neither of these views are supported. The H. floresiensis teeth exhibit a mosaic of primitive, derived, and unique characters, with the reported primitive aspects broadly comparable to the morphologies observed in H. erectus sensu lato. Although a more comprehensive comparative analysis is needed to fully illustrate dental morphological affinities of this dwarfed hominin species, we find no grounds for the hypothesis that H. floresiensis originated from the small-bodied, primitive hominins such as H. habilis sensu lato.
Twin zygosity and placentation

The relationship between placentation and zygosity is discussed in an unselected series of 326 twin births. Zygosity determinations were based on sex, red‐cell antigens ABO, MNSs, Rh, Lua, K and Fa, the red‐cell enzymes Ac. P., 6‐PGD, PGM1 and AK and placental alkaline phosphatase. The results indicate that, whereas dizygotic twins are always dichorionic, between 15% and 20% of monozygotic twins may also be dichorionic. Tables are given which allow information on the enzyme phenotypes to be utilized in estimating the probability of dizygosity in the case of twin pairs alike for all characters tested, where the types of the parents are unknown.
DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE STRATEGIES FOR PEST MANAGEMENT IN EUROPE

Global warming together with global trade and tourism gives foreign organisms a lot of opportunities to enter Europe and to find suitable habitats to establish. A number of these species already have a status as pests in their native countries and now start to be of major concern in Europe. A growing rejection of synthetic insecticides by people is observed particularly in industrial countries. The use of these insecticides is restricted e.g. in food production by new national and European directives, and pest management is limited to monitoring and the use of baits in presence of foodstuffs. Consequences for scientific research and for the industry are to invest in insecticides with novel action with special focus to user- and eco-friendly properties. Existing resistance of pests against frequently used insecticides should be overcome by the development of compounds which interfere in the metabolism and nervous system of arthropods in different ways than conventional insecticides. Additionally new monitoring systems are required which will also detect alien species. Completely new control strategies without acute acting insecticides and baits, which can be used without risk of contamination of the environment, should be developed particularly for sensitive areas like food production, pharmacy, hospitals etc. Countries with a vegetation of high diversity (e.g. tropical rainforests) will have a major significance in the research and development of natural compounds for pest control in future.