Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Title: Regional activity in the rat anterior cingulate cortex and insula during persistence and quitting in a physical-effort task Abbreviated Title: Cingulate and insular activity during an effortful task

As animals carry out behaviors, particularly costly ones, they must constantly assess whether or not to persist in the behavior or quit. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been shown to assess the value of behaviors and to be especially sensitive to physical effort costs. Complimentary to these functions, the insula is thought to represent the internal state of the animal including factors such as hunger, thirst, and fatigue. Utilizing a novel weight lifting task for rats, we characterized the local field potential (LFP) activity of the ACC and anterior insula (AI) during effort expenditure. In the task male rats are challenged to work for sucrose reward, which costs progressively more effort over time to obtain. Rats are able to quit the task at any point. We found modest shifts in LFP theta (7-9 Hz) activity as the task got progressively more difficult in terms of absolute effort expenditure. However, when the LFP data were analyzed based on the rat’s relative progress towards quitting the task, or performance state, substantial shifts in LFP power in the theta and gamma (55-100 Hz) frequency bands were observed in ACC and AI. Both ACC and AI theta power decreased as the rats got closer to quitting, while ACC and AI gamma power increased. Furthermore, coherency between ACC and AI in the delta (2-4 Hz) range shifted alongside the rat’s performance state. Overall we show that ACC and AI LFP activity changes are reflective of the rats’ relative performance state in an effort-based task. Significance Statement Animals need to assess whether or not a behavior is worth pursuing based on their internal states (e.g., hunger, thirst, fatigue) and the costs and benefits of the behavior. However, internal states often change as behaviors are carried out, such as becoming satiated or tired, necessitating constant reassessment as to whether to continue the behavior or quit. We characterized brain activity in two cortical regions, the anterior cingulate cortex and insula, as rats carried out a progressively challenging physical-effort task. Both brain regions showed significant shifts in activity as the rats approached their quitting point. Our study provides one of the first characterizations of neural activity changes as an animal approaches the decision to quit an effortful task.
16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequence Data from Feces of Five Species of Wild Animals in Japan

We report 16S rRNA amplicon sequence data from feces from 58 wild boars, 60 feral raccoons, 9 wild Japanese badgers, 21 wild masked palm civets, and 8 wild raccoon dogs in Japan. The predominant bacterial taxa in the fecal microbiota were similar in part but varied among the animal species. ABSTRACT We report 16S rRNA amplicon sequence data from feces from 58 wild boars, 60 feral raccoons, 9 wild Japanese badgers, 21 wild masked palm civets, and 8 wild raccoon dogs in Japan. The predominant bacterial taxa in the fecal microbiota were similar in part but varied among the animal species.
Inertial Sensors as a Tool for Diagnosing Discopathy Lumbosacral Pathologic Gait: A Preliminary Research

Background: the goal of the study is to ascertain the influence of discopathy in the lumbosacral (L-S) segment on the gait parameters. The inertial sensors are used to determine the pathologic parameters of gait. Methods: the study involved four patients (44, 46, 42, and 38 years). First, the goal of the survey was to analyze by a noninvasive medical test magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of each patient. Next, by using inertial sensors, the flexion-extension of joint angles of the left and right knees were calculated. The statistical analysis was performed. The wavelet transform was applied to analyze periodic information in the acceleration data. Results: in the patients with discopathy, the amount of knee flexion attained during stance phase is significantly lower than that of normal (health side), which could indicate poor eccentric control or a pain avoidance mechanism. The biggest differences are observed in the Initial Swing phase. Bending of the lower limb in the knee joint at this stage reaches maximum values during the entire gait cycle. Conclusions: It has been difficult to quantify the knee angle during gait by visual inspection. The inertial measurement unit (IMU) system can be useful in determining the level of spine damage and its degree. In patients in the first stages of the intervertebral disc disease who may undergo conservative treatment, it may also partially delay or completely exclude the decision to perform a complicated imaging examination which is MRI, often showing a false positive result in this phase of the disease.
Recent Advances: The Imbalance of Immune Cells and Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Recent advancement in the immunological understanding of genesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has implicated a decline in anti-tumour immunity on the background of chronic inflammatory state of liver parenchyma. The development of HCC involves a network of immunological activity in the tumour microenvironment involving continuous interaction between tumour and stromal cells. The reduction in anti-tumour immunity is secondary to changes in various immune cells and cytokines, and the tumour microenvironment plays a critical role in modulating the process of liver fibrosis, hepatocarcinogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumor invasion and metastasis. Thus, it is considered as one of primary factor behind the despicable tumour behavior and observed poor survival; along with increased risk of recurrence following treatment in HCC. The primary intent of the present review is to facilitate the understanding of the complex network of immunological interactions of various immune cells, cytokines and tumour cells associated with the development and progression of HCC.
Anticancer activity of bisindole alkaloids derived from natural sources and synthetic bisindole hybrids

The bisindole moiety, as a versatile pharmacophore, is one of the widespread heterocycles in naturally occurring and synthetic bioactive compounds. The bisindole alkaloids derived from natural sources possess structural and mechanistic diversity, and they were found to be generally more active than monoindole alkaloids against various cancer cell lines. Moreover, some bisindole alkaloids such as the tubulin inhibitors, vinorelbine and vinblastine, have already been approved for cancer therapy, suggesting that bisindole alkaloids are a significant source of anticancer agents and lead hits. Bisindole hybrids have the potential to overcome drug resistance, enhance efficiency, and reduce severe side effects. The bisindole–lactam hybrid midostaurin has already been approved for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia who are FLT3 mutation‐positive, highlighting the importance of bisindole hybrids in the development of novel anticancer agents. In this review, we present a brief account of the bisindole alkaloids derived from nature and of synthetic hybrids with potential anticancer activity developed in the recent 10 years.
Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus and Long-Term Effect on Glycemic Control

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been linked to worsening glycemic control in patients with diabetes due to insulin resistance. Studies have shown that treating HCV improves glycemic control in this patient population. Most studies assess glycemic control until the patient’s sustained viral response at 12 weeks (SVR12). OBJECTIVES: To (a) assess the sustainability of glycemic control after the SVR12 date and (b) determine the change in diabetic medication use over time. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of patients treated at an academic medical center’s hepatology clinic from 2014 through 2017. Patients were eligible for review if they were treated for hepatitis C and had type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) or pre-DM, defined by a hemoglobin A1c (A1c) > 5.7%, at baseline. Data were collected from the EPIC database available to Temple University Hospital. Results were analyzed using a linear mixed model and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Of the 1,073 patients screened, 310 met the eligibility criteria. Most patients achieved SVR12 (87.8%). A statistically significant decrease in A1c from baseline to treatment completion with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and until current reading was seen (P < 0.05). Overall, A1c was reduced in patients treated for HCV with DAA by −0.27% (95% CI = −0.479% to −0.055%, P = 0.014) from baseline to current reading. No statistically significant difference existed in A1c at time of SVR12 to current reading (difference in A1c = 0.07%, 95% CI = −0.26% to 0.4%, P = 0.67), indicating that the reduction in A1c achieved by treating HCV can be sustained over time. Insulin dose also decreased from baseline to current values. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, patients with diabetes successfully treated for the hepatitis C virus may be able to maintain improved glycemic control past SVR12. This could lead to less antidiabetic medication use and decreased insulin requirements for this patient population.
MOVEMENT RESPONSES TO PATCH STRUCTURE IN EXPERIMENTAL FRACTAL LANDSCAPES

Neutral landscape models predict that habitat loss will abruptly disrupt landscape connectivity. We performed a series of simulation experiments to explore whether thresholds in landscape connectivity affect movement attributes (path length, net displacement, and fractal dimension of pathway) within fractal neutral landscapes. We then tested these assumptions by generating fractal landscape patterns in the field across a range of habitat abundances (0%, 20%, 50%, and 80% grass) and patchiness (clumped vs. patchy) and quantified how patch structure affected movement behavior in a generic organism, the common cricket Acheta domestica (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). In the simulation experiment, individuals constrained to move only through adjacent grass cells (neighborhood size = 4 cells) exhibited abrupt thresholds between 50% and 80% grass cover for all movement parameters in clumped fractal landscapes but exhibited a linear decline in movement with decreasing habitat in patchy landscapes. Individuals constraine.
Protein Supramolecular Structures: From Self-Assembly to Nanovaccine Design

Life-inspired protein supramolecular assemblies have recently attracted considerable attention for the development of next-generation vaccines to fight against infectious diseases, as well as autoimmune diseases and cancer. Protein self-assembly enables atomic scale precision over the final architecture, with a remarkable diversity of structures and functionalities. Self-assembling protein nanovaccines are associated with numerous advantages, including biocompatibility, stability, molecular specificity and multivalency. Owing to their nanoscale size, proteinaceous nature, symmetrical organization and repetitive antigen display, protein assemblies closely mimic most invading pathogens, serving as danger signals for the immune system. Elucidating how the structural and physicochemical properties of the assemblies modulate the potency and the polarization of the immune responses is critical for bottom-up design of vaccines. In this context, this review briefly covers the fundamentals of supramolecular interactions involved in protein self-assembly and presents the strategies to design and functionalize these assemblies. Examples of advanced nanovaccines are presented, and properties of protein supramolecular structures enabling modulation of the immune responses are discussed. Combining the understanding of the self-assembly process at the molecular level with knowledge regarding the activation of the innate and adaptive immune responses will support the design of safe and effective nanovaccines.
Snail induces epithelial cell extrusion by regulating RhoA contractile signalling and cell–matrix adhesion

ABSTRACT Cell extrusion is a morphogenetic process that is implicated in epithelial homeostasis and elicited by stimuli ranging from apoptosis to oncogenic transformation. To explore whether the morphogenetic transcription factor Snail (SNAI1) induces extrusion, we inducibly expressed a stabilized Snail6SA transgene in confluent MCF-7 monolayers. When expressed in small clusters (less than three cells) within otherwise wild-type confluent monolayers, Snail6SA expression induced apical cell extrusion. In contrast, larger clusters or homogenous cultures of Snail6SA cells did not show enhanced apical extrusion, but eventually displayed sporadic basal delamination. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that Snail6SA did not substantively alter the balance of epithelial and mesenchymal genes. However, we identified a transcriptional network that led to upregulated RhoA signalling and cortical contractility in cells expressing Snail6SA. Enhanced contractility was necessary, but not sufficient, to drive extrusion, suggesting that Snail collaborates with other factors. Indeed, we found that the transcriptional downregulation of cell–matrix adhesion cooperates with contractility to mediate basal delamination. This provides a pathway for Snail to influence epithelial morphogenesis independently of classic epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Summary: Snail expression induces epithelial cell extrusion through transcriptional control of RhoA contractile signalling and cell–matrix adhesion that may act as a prelude to a metastatic event.
Size-Mediated Recurring Spinel Sub-nanodomains in Li and Mn-rich Layered Cathode Materials.

Li and Mn-rich layered oxide (LMR-NMC) is one of the most promising cathode materials for Li-ion batteries with high theoretical energy density. Its practical application is, however, hampered by the capacity and voltage fade after long cycling. Herein, a finite difference method for near-edge structure (FDMNES) code was combined with in-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and transmission electron microscopy/electron energy loss spectroscopy (TEM/EELS) to investigate the evolution of transition metals (TMs) in the fresh and heavily cycled electrode. Theoretical modeling reveals a recurring partially reversible LiMn 2 O 4 -like sub-nanodomain formation/dissolution process during each charge/discharge, which accumulates gradually and accounts for the Mn phase transition. From modeling of spectra and maps of the valence state over large regions of cathodes, it was found that the phase change is size-dependent. After pro-longed cycling, the TMs displayed different levels of inactivity.
NF-κB blockade during short-term L-NAME and salt overload strongly attenuates the late development of chronic kidney disease.

NO synthase inhibition by L-NAME plus high-salt diet (HS) is a model of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) characterized by marked hypertension and renal injury. With cessation of treatment, most of these changes subside, but progressive renal injury develops, associated with persistent low-grade renal inflammation. We investigated whether innate immunity, and in particular the NF-kB system, is involved in this process. Male Munich-Wistar rats received HS and L-NAME, 32 mg/Kg/d, while control rats received HS only. Treatment was ceased after Week 4 when 30 rats were studied. Additional rats were studied at Week 8 (n = 30) and Week 28 (n = 30). As expected, HS+L-NAME promoted severe hypertension, albuminuria, and renal injury after 4 weeks of treatment, whereas innate immunity activation was evident. After discontinuation of treatments, partial regression of renal injury and inflammation occurred, along with persistence of innate immunity activation at Week 8. At Week 28, glomerular injury worsened, while renal inflammation persisted and renal innate immunity remained activated. Temporary administration of the NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), in concomitancy with the early four-week HS+L-NAME treatment, prevented the development of late renal injury and inflammation, an effect that lasted until the end of the study. Early activation of innate immunity may be crucial to the initiation of renal injury in the HS+L-NAME model, and to the autonomous progression of chronic nephropathy even after cessation of the original insult. This behavior may be common to other conditions leading to CKD.
Evolutionary Patterns of Sex-Biased Genes in Three Species of Haplodiploid Insects

Females and males often differ obviously in morphology and behavior, and the differences between sexes are the result of natural selection and/or sexual selection. To a great extent, the differences between the two sexes are the result of differential gene expression. In haplodiploid insects, this phenomenon is obvious, since males develop from unfertilized zygotes and females develop from fertilized zygotes. Whiteflies of the Bemisia tabaci species complex are typical haplodiploid insects, and some species of this complex are important pests of many crops worldwide. Here, we report the transcriptome profiles of males and females in three species of this whitefly complex. Between-species comparisons revealed that non-sex-biased genes display higher variation than male-biased or female-biased genes. Sex-biased genes evolve at a slow rate in protein coding sequences and gene expression and have a pattern of evolution that differs from those of social haplodiploid insects and diploid animals. Genes with high evolutionary rates are more related to non-sex-biased traits—such as nutrition, immune system, and detoxification—than to sex-biased traits, indicating that the evolution of protein coding sequences and gene expression has been mainly driven by non-sex-biased traits.
Genetic effects on flight capacity in the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Lep., Noctuidae)

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, is an important migratory insect pest in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The current study investigated genetic variation in the flight capacity of both female and male moths, using a quantitative genetics approach. The offspring–parent regression showed that parents had a significant influence on the flight duration of offspring, and the heritability estimated as 0.302. The upward selection increased mean flight duration from 123.7 to 284.6 min in females and from 113.9 to 254.0 min in males during 8 h of flight test; by contrast, downward selection decreased it from 123.7 to 65.6 min in females and from 113.9 to 29.8 min in males, while it did not change significantly in either females or males of the control line over eight generations. The mean realized heritability was estimated as 0.432 based on upward selection but 0.130 on downward selection, suggesting the asymmetry of response to selection on flight capacity. Reciprocal crosses between the two selected lines confirmed the dominance of ‘long‐flying genes’ in the inheritance of flight capacity. A positive genetic correlation was found between increased flight duration and pupal weight. The presence of such additive genetic variance and covariance for flight capacity and the fitness trait, pupal weight, in the population of S. exigua may have underpinned the evolution of its migratory behaviour.
Minimal Modifications of Deep Neural Networks using Verification

Deep neural networks (DNNs) are revolutionizing the way complex systems are designed, developed and maintained. As part of the life cycle of DNN-based systems, there is often a need to modify a DNN in subtle ways that aﬀect certain aspects of its behavior, while leaving other aspects of its behavior unchanged (e.g., if a bug is discovered and needs to be ﬁxed, without altering other functionality). Unfortunately, retraining a DNN is often diﬃcult and expensive, and may produce a new DNN that is quite diﬀerent from the original. We leverage recent advances in DNN veriﬁcation and propose a technique for modifying a DNN according to certain requirements, in a way that is provably minimal , does not require any retraining, and is thus less likely to aﬀect other aspects of the DNN’s behavior. Using a proof-of-concept implementation, we demonstrate the usefulness and potential of our approach in addressing two real-world needs: (i) measuring the resilience of DNN watermarking schemes; and (ii) bug repair in already-trained DNNs.
Candidate HPV genotypes not included in the 9-valent vaccine for prevention of CIN 2–3

Objectives To identify the prevalence of human papillomavirus genotypes – as a single infection or co-infection – not included in the 9-valent (9v) HPV vaccine among women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2–3). Methods Retrospective study of 1700 women referred due to abnormal cytology to Sant Joan de Deu Hospital. We selected 849 patients with CIN 2 or CIN 3 diagnosis confirmed by biopsy. An HPV test, a second cytology, and colposcopy were performed on all patients.Those with abnormal colposcopy underwent cervical biopsy. Patients with abnormal cytology and normal colposcopy or transformation zone type 3 underwent endocervical curetage. Conization was performed if punch biopsy or endocervical curetage confirmed CIN 2–3 or if a CIN 1 lesion persisted (diagnosed by biopsy) over 2 years in patients over 25 years of age. Comparisons for qualitative variables were analyzed with the chi-squared test. Analysis of variance was used for comparisons involving more than two samples. Results HPV was detected in 746 of 849 patients (87.9%) and in 306 (41%) of those where more than one HPV genotype was present. The more frequent genotypes detected as single infection were: HPV-16 (267/849%–31.4%), HPV 31 (34/849–4%), HPV-33 (20/849%–2.4%), HPV-58 (17/849%–2%), HPV-51 (15/849%–1.8%), and HPV-53 (12/849%–1.4%). The more frequent genotypes isolated including multiple HPV infection were HPV-16 (427/849%–50.2%), HPV-31 (108/849%–12.7%), HPV-51 (79/849%–9.3%), HPV-33 (67/849%–7.8%), HPV-58 (67/849%–7.8%), and HPV-52 (59/849%–6.9%). In total, 78% of women diagnosed with CIN 2 or CIN 3 had an infection by a HPV genotype included in the 9v vaccine. Of the 849 women diagnosed with CIN 2 or CIN 3, 103 (12.1%) tested negative for HPV and 106 (12.4%) tested positive for low-risk HPV types. Conclusions Inclusion of HPV-51, 53, 66, and 35 in a new vaccine may not be advisable as most are detected as coinfection with other high-risk genotypes that are already included in the current vaccines.
Composition of Core Foods of the U.S. Food Supply, 1982-1991: I. Sodium, Phosphorus, and Potassium

Abstract Information is provided on the levels of moisture, sodium, phosphorus, and potassium in 234 foods analyzed as part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration′s Total Diet Study from 1982 to 1991. Median and mean (± standard deviation) values are presented for the elements per 100 g and per serving portion. Coefficients of variation (CVs) are also presented for the values per luncheon meats, and breads, rolls, pasta, etc., for sodium; mixed dishes, meat, dairy products, and poultry for phosphorus; and mixed dishes, root and tuber vegetables, beans and peas, and dairy products for potassium. Sodium Phosphorus, and potassium are widely distributed in Total Diet Study foods with 58 (25%), 61 (26%), and 31 (13%) foods, respectively, containing at least 10% of the daily value (DV) per serving portion. The average CVs for foods containing ≥ 10% of the DV of these elements were 21% for sodium, 15% for phophorus, and 16% for potassium.