Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reply: A Proposition for the Use of Radioiodine in WDTC Management

systematic use of optimized postoperative metabolic imaging in patients with thyroid carcinoma, I would also raise the problem of the frequent simplification and overgeneralization of WDTC histology. Follicular carcinomas are WDTCs, but their prognosis is different from that of papillary carcinomas, and their hematogenous route of dissemination differs from the lymphogenous route of papillary carcinomas (how do Hay et al. classify follicular carcinomas with histologically demonstrated vascular invasion? ). Pure papillary carcinomas (and the so-called macrofollicular variant) are WDTCs with a good prognosis, but when familial their prognosis is reported to be worse, although these carcinomas are usually then small. Furthermore, in the papillary carcinoma family, some variants are more aggressive than others, including the follicular variants, the papillary carcinomas with an insular growth pattern, the tall cell variants (4%212% of papillary carcinomas), the diffuse sclerosing cases (up to 3% of papillary carcinomas), and the trabecular or solid papillary variants (up to 3% of papillary carcinomas). These aggressive variants represent a substantial group but, unfortunately, in the literature are frequently not distinguished clearly from their pure parents (except for the Hürthle cell cases, which are known to be non–iodine-avid). Thus, the management of thyroid carcinoma should be based on histologic characteristics as well as, or even instead of, TNM staging. With the introduction of 18F-deoxyglucose and 124I metabolic PET/ CT, and new drugs that target precise metastatic pathways (6–8), we must shift from a macroscopic definition of thyroid cancers toward their microscopic, metabolic, histologic, and genetic characterization. With regard to this last point, we would stress that most cases of thyroid cancer express the sodium iodide symporter (9). As with other membranous receptors in other cancers, it would be logical to take into account immunohistologically assessed sodium iodide symporter expression in managing thyroid carcinoma and in deciding on treatment with high-activity 131I. As a conclusion and in response to the perspective of Hay et al. (1), I would propose the following approach (the cost-effectiveness of which needs to be evaluated). As a first step, patients with stage I pure papillary carcinomas using the TNM system and without antithyroglobulin antibodies (especially postsurgical patients in whom thyroglobulin does not become undetectable on thyroid hormone substitution) would be investigated by 123I or 131I SPECT/ CT or by 124I PET/CT if the tumor is sodium iodide symporter– positive, or by 18F-deoxyglucose PET/CT (either after recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone stimulation or after thyroid hormone withdrawal) if the tumor is sodium iodide symporter– negative. Whether the patients are treated and the method of treatment would be determined by the results of these investigations.
IQGAP1 Binds ERK2 and Modulates Its Activity*

IQGAP1 binds several proteins including actin, calmodulin, E-cadherin, β-catenin, Cdc42, Rac1, and CLIP-170. The interaction with these targets enables IQGAP1 to participate in many cellular functions varying from regulation of the cytoskeleton to gene transcription. Here we show that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 2 binds to IQGAP1. In vitro analysis with purified proteins demonstrated a direct interaction between ERK2 and IQGAP1. Moreover, binding occurred in cells as endogenous ERK2 co-immunoprecipitated with IQGAP1 from human breast epithelial cell lysates. The association between ERK2 and IQGAP1 was independent of epidermal growth factor. The in vivo interaction has functional significance. Manipulation of intracellular IQGAP1 levels significantly reduced growth factor-stimulated ERK1 and ERK2 activity. Similarly, stimulation of ERK1 and ERK2 activity by insulin-like growth factor I was reduced when IQGAP1 levels were changed. In contrast, overexpression of an IQGAP1 construct lacking the ERK2 binding region did not interfere with activation of ERK1 and ERK2 by epidermal growth factor. Our data disclose a previously unidentified communication between IQGAP1 and the ERK pathway and imply that IQGAP1 modulates the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade.
Cellular mechanisms of lipodystrophy induction by HIV protease inhibitors

Increasing clinical evidence indicates that the use of HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is linked closely to the pathogenesis of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and lipodystrophy in HIV patients. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Recent clinical and in vitro studies suggest that HIV PIs have multiple effects on different types of cells in the body, and that individual HIV PIs differ in their ability to induce dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and lipodystrophy. This review summarizes the recent evidence for potential cellular mechanisms of HIV PI-associated lipodystrophy. Understanding of the cellular mechanisms of HIV PI-induced side effects is of great clinical importance and will provide novel information for the development of improved therapeutic strategies.
NO-Induced Activation Mechanism of the Heme-Regulated eIF2α Kinase

The heme-regulated eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha (eIF2alpha) kinase (HRI), which is found primarily in reticulocytes, contains an N-terminal heme-binding domain (NT-HBD). Binding of NO to the heme iron of the NT-HBD of HRI activates its eIF2alpha kinase activity, thus inhibiting the initiation of translation in reticulocyte lysate. The EPR spectrum of the NO-bound NT-HBD showed several derivative-shaped lines around g = 2.00, which is one of the well-documented signature patterns of a six-coordinate NO complex with histidine as the axial ligand. This is in sharp contrast to that of another prototypical NO-sensor protein, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), in which the NO binding to the heme iron disrupts the iron-histidyl bond forming a five-coordinate NO. The NO-mediated activation of HRI is, therefore, not triggered by the cleavage of the iron-histidyl bond. As evidenced by the resonance Raman spectra, two inactive forms of HRI, the ferrous ligand-unbound and the CO-bound states of the NT-HBD, contain a six-coordinate complex as found for the NO complex, indicating that the replacement of the sixth ligand of the heme iron is not sufficient to trigger the activation of HRI. Because the configuration of liganded NO is different from that of liganded CO, we propose that specific interactions between liganded NO and surrounding amino acid residues, which would not be formed in the CO complex, are responsible for the NO-induced activation of HRI.
Seasonal variations in abundance, development and vertical distribution of Calanus finmarchicus, C. hyperboreus and C. glacialis in the East Icelandic Current

The seasonal variation in abundance and development of Calanus finmarchicus, Calanus hyperboreus and Calanus glacialis in relation to hydrography and chlorophyll (Chl) a was studied in the Arctic waters of the East Icelandic Current to the north-east of Iceland from March 1995 to February 1996. The sampling was carried out at approximately monthly intervals on a transect of five stations extending from 67°00'N, 13°55'W to 68°00'N 12°40'W. In April, May and June, vertical distribution was also investigated. Spring warming of the surface waters began in May, with maximum temperatures recorded in August (∼5°C, mean for uppermost 50 m). Below 75 m, temperature remained at <0°C throughout the year. The spring bloom of phytoplankton started in early May and the highest Chl a concentrations were measured during late May to early June (∼1 mg Chl a m -3 ). Calanus finmarchicus dominated in terms of numbers (∼75%), while C. hyperboreus dominated biomass (∼76%). Calanus glacialis occurred only in low numbers (∼1%) and was only a small portion of biomass (∼0.7%). The abundance of all species was low during the winter and peaked once during summer: C. finmarchicus in July (∼16 000 ind. m -2 ) and C. glacialis and C. hyperboreus in June (∼370 and ∼7700 ind. m -2 , respectively). The biomass of C. finmarchicus had two maxima, in April (∼1.9 g m -2 ) and July (∼1.5 g m -2 ), while C. hyperboreus peaked in June (∼12.3 g m -2 ). Calanus finmarchicus was estimated to spawn in early May at about the start of the spring bloom, while C. hyperboreus spawned prior to the spring bloom, in late February to early March. On the basis of copepod stage distribution, C. finmarchicus was considered to have a 1-year life cycle and C. hyperboreus at least a 2-year life cycle.
Influences of nutrition during pregnancy and lactation on birth weights and growth to weaning of calves sired by Piedmontese or Wagyu bulls

The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of nutrition during pregnancy and lactation on birth weight and growth to weaning of Piedmontese and Wagyu sired calves. This research was also conducted to provide animals for long-term studies on the consequences of growth early in life. During 2 breeding cycles, Hereford cows were managed within low or high pasture-based nutritional systems from about 80 days of pregnancy to parturition. During lactation, the calves and their dams remained on the low or high nutritional system or crossed over to the alternative system. From commencement of the nutritional treatment during pregnancy until parturition, and then during lactation, cows on low nutrition lost an average of 45 and 23 kg liveweight, respectively, and those on high nutrition gained 55 and 40 kg, respectively. Calves of Wagyu sires weighed less at birth (31.0 v 35.9 kg, s.e. = 0.31 kg) and weaning (182 v. 189 kg, s.e. = 2.26 kg) than those of Piedmontese sires. Calves of cows on low nutrition during pregnancy weighed less at birth than those of cows on high nutrition (32.5 v. 35.2 kg, s.e. = 0.32 kg). Low nutrition during pregnancy adversely influenced birth to weaning ADG (676 v. 759 g, s.e. = 9.2 g), weight gain (145 v. 160 kg, s.e. = 2.1 kg) and liveweight (177 v. 195 kg, s.e. = 2.3 kg) of calves at weaning. The nutritional system during lactation had greater effects on ADG (618 v. 816 g, s.e. = 9.2 g), weight gain (131 v. 174 kg, s.e. = 2.1 kg) and liveweight (164 v. 207 kg, s.e. = 2.3 kg) of calves at weaning than the nutritional system during pregnancy. Overall, the responses to the nutritional treatments were consistent for the progeny of both sire-genotypes.
Correction

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A special morph of hormaphidine aphid Glyphinaphis bambusae van der Goot (Hemiptera) from China

The hormaphidine aphid genus Glyphinaphis van der Goot (1917) represented by its lone and type species, G. bambusae van der Goot, restricted to South East Asia (China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines) is studied in this article. Its morphological characters, such as the shape of knob of cauda, and the length of dorsal setae showing extreme variation are examined. A special short-seta morph found on Bambusa sp. , from Guangxi Autonomous Region of China, is described. A key to the two morphs and their illustrations, hosts and distribution, are provided.
Phenolic compounds influence seed dormancy of palicourea rigida h.b.k. (rubiaceae), a medicinal plant of the brazilian savannah

Palicourea rigida H.B. K. (Rubiaceae), a medicinal species commonly known as douradinha, has wide distribution across ecosystems in Central and South America. This species exhibits seed dormancy delaying germination until optimal conditions for seedling growth and development are in place. While dormancy ensures species survival, it also presents a technical problem for developing P. rigida’s plant production program. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate if secondary metabolites present in seeds influence the seed dormancy of P. rigida. Mature fruits were harvested from the native habitat, in the savanna region of the State of Minas Gerais during February 2009, 2010 and 2011. The content of phenolic compounds in the seed of P. rigida was measured, and the allelopathic effects were assessed using the germination of lettuces as model to detect phytotoxicity. The P. rigida seeds geminated at rates varying between 7% and 31% with a Seed Germination Index (SGI) of 0.09. Data suggest that the phenolic compounds present in the seeds may be responsible for seed dormancy.
Effects of Oestradiol‐17 β on the Ovaries of the Starfish Asterias rubens

Oocyte diameters and their frequency distribution, and various other data determined for the oestradiol‐17 β treated female specimens of Asterias rubens proved to be significantly different from those for the control animals. The maturation index of the treated animals is 2.4, that of the control animals 1.4. Since the treated animals show a greater heterogeneity in development than the control animals, and because the diameter of the smallest oocytes is the same for both treated and control animals, a threshold size of the oocytes may be required before oocyte growth can be stimulated by oestradiol‐17β, and before substances originating in the pyloric caeca are incorporated into the oocytes. Oestradiol‐17β treatment caused a tenfold increase of the oestrone level in the ovaries, whereas a non‐significant increase was observed in the pyloric caeca. This may indicate that in vivo oestradiol‐17β is converted into oestrone in the ovaries but not in the pyloric caeca.
Pathogenicity and cell wall-degrading enzyme activities of some fungal isolates from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp)

Nine fungal species isolated from cowpea seeds were used as inocula on four cowpea varieties commonly distributed to farmers in Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria by the National Seed Service, a subsidiary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The effects of fungi on germinability and seedling health were determined using seedling symptom test. Two of the virulent species were screened for the production of cell wall degrading enzymes using viscometric method. All the fungi reduced germination rate in all the cowpea varieties and different types of seedling symptoms were noted for the fungi. The symptoms included seed rot, chlorotic leaf development, stunted growth etc. Production of pectinases and cellulases by Aspergillus flavus and Penicillum sp. was observed and the virulence of the two organisms could be attributed to the activities of these cell wall degrading enzymes.
Association of Grb2, Gads, and Phospholipase C-γ1 with Phosphorylated LAT Tyrosine Residues

The linker for activation of T cells (LAT) is a critical adaptor molecule required for T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling and thymocyte development. Upon T cell activation, LAT becomes highly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues, and Grb2, Gads, and phospholipase C (PLC)-γ1 bind LAT via Src homology-2 domains. In LAT-deficient mutant Jurkat cells, TCR engagement fails to induce ERK activation, Ca2+ flux, and activation of AP-1 and NF-AT. We mapped the tyrosine residues in LAT responsible for interaction with these specific signaling molecules by expressing LAT mutants with tyrosine to phenylalanine mutations in LAT-deficient cells. Our results showed that three distal tyrosines, Tyr171, Tyr191, and Tyr226, are responsible for Grb2-binding; Tyr171, and Tyr191, but not Tyr226, are necessary for Gads binding. Mutation of Tyr132 alone abolished PLC-γ1 binding. Mutation of all three distal tyrosines also abolished PLC-γ1 binding, suggesting there might be multiple binding sites for PLC-γ1. Mutation of Tyr132 affected calcium flux and blocked Erk and NF-AT activation. Since Grb2 binding is not affected by this mutation, these results strongly suggest that PLC-γ activation regulates Ras activation in these cells. Mutation of individual Grb2 binding sites had no functional effect, but mutation of two or three of these sites, in combination, also affected Erk and NF-AT activation.
Effect of age on pattern‑reversal visual evoked potentials in Indian population

Background and Aim: Functional declines of the visual system are probably the most obvious aging changes in humans. Normal non-pathologic aging causes senile miosis and media opacities which cannot entirely explain the age-related declines. Changes in the retina and its neuro-circuitary contribute to the visual decline, which can be evaluated by evoked potentials. We investigated the effects of age on various components of transient pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (t-PRVEPs) and whether there is presence of any differential aging on t-PRVEPs in Indian population. Methods: Monocular t-PRVEPs of 292 eyes from 146 normal subjects living in Wardha, Maharashtra and whose age ranges from 1-75 years, were recorded on an evoked potential recorder. Differences in latencies and amplitude were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and polynomial regressions. Results: Age affects the PRVEP components differently with the most significant changes encountered in the P100 amplitude. The present study demonstrated that statistically, at least 67% of these changes are contributed by age alone. Comparisons with studies abroad showed similar changes but suggest the existence of an aging difference in Indians by at least 5 years. Indian males and females also showed aging differences with the latter aging earlier by at least 6-7 years. Conclusion: We therefore conclude that Indians seem to age faster compared to other populations and further research on possible causes for this difference in aging is warranted.
INTRASPECIFIC AM FUNGAL VARIATION CONTRIBUTES TO PLANT-FUNGAL FEEDBACK IN A SERPENTINE GRASSLAND

Feedback between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can affect species diversity in plant and fungal communities. Feedback depends on (1) some specificity between plants and fungi and (2) fungi exhibiting specificity either improving (positive feedback) or decreasing (negative feedback) host performance relative to other fungi. Associations between AM fungi and plant species in a serpentine grassland dominated by Andropogon gerardii, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, and Sporobolus heterolepis were examined, and their performance consequences were evaluated. Specificity was determined from AM fungal spore abundance under plants in the field and from trap cultures established by inoculating greenhouse plants with field-collected roots containing fungal material. Seven AM fungal species were unevenly distributed among plant species, with differences in total spore numbers and evenness. In the field, Gigaspora gigantea exhibited specificity to Sporobolus compared to Andropogon and Sorgha.
Marsupial X chromosome inactivation: past, present and future

Abstract. Marsupial and eutherian mammals inactivate one X chromosome in female somatic cells in what is thought to be a means of compensating for the unbalanced X chromosome dosage between XX females and XY males. The hypothesis of X chromosome inactivation (XCI) was first published by Mary Lyon just over 50 years ago, with the discovery of XCI in marsupials occurring a decade later. However, we are still piecing together the evolutionary origins of this fascinating epigenetic mechanism. From the very first studies on marsupial X inactivation, it was apparent that, although there were some similarities between marsupial and eutherian XCI, there were also some striking differences. For instance, the paternally derived X was found to be preferentially silenced in marsupials, although the silencing was often incomplete, which was in contrast to the random and more tightly controlled inactivation of the X chromosome in eutherians. Many of these earlier studies used isozymes to study the activity of just a few genes in marsupials. The sequencing of several marsupial genomes and the advent of molecular cytogenetic techniques have facilitated more in-depth studies into marsupial X chromosome inactivation and allowed more detailed comparisons of the features of XCI to be made. Several important findings have come from such comparisons, among which is the absence of the XIST gene in marsupials, a non-coding RNA gene with a critical role in eutherian XCI, and the discovery of the marsupial RSX gene, which appears to perform a similar role to XIST. Here I review the history of marsupial XCI studies, the latest advances that have been made and the impact they have had towards unravelling the evolution of XCI in mammals.
Nicotine‐free and salt‐tolerant tobacco plants obtained by grafting to salinity‐resistant rootstocks of tomato

In this work we present the first study of the behaviour of tobacco plants, under saline conditions, grafted to salinity-resistant rootstocks of tomato cultivars. To test the viability and efficiency of this grafting technique in tobacco plants subjected to salinity, we analyse the production of foliar biomass and different quality parameters in this crop. With this aim, Nicotiana tabacum cv. Sevilla (scion) was grafted to two cultivars of Lycopersicum esculentum (rootstocks): cv. jaguar (Sevilla/Jaguar) and cv. Brillante (Sevilla/Brillante). Furthermore, as controls, tobacco plants of cv. Sevilla were used grafted to themselves (Sevilla/Sevilla) and non-grafted plants of cv. Sevilla. Plants were grafted by needle graft following the procedure described by Rivero RM, Ruiz JM, Romero L (2002) Role of grafting in horticultural plants, pp 229-254. In the present work, we demonstrate that the graft of tobacco scions with tomato rootstocks is an effective agricultural approach to improve production and quality in tobacco leaves under conditions of saline stress. Our results show that the rootstock of the cv. Brillante best induced salt resistance in tobacco cv. Sevilla, registering the lowest foliar concentrations of Na + and Cl - , the lowest lipid peroxidation and the highest proline and sugar concentrations. Overall, this is reflected in better biomass production of the aerial part of the plant. Finally, it is noteworthy that grafting in tobacco plants to tomato rootstocks essentially eliminates foliar nicotine levels (reduced to 1%). These results are of great importance, as this technique implies a rapid, efficient and natural alternative in increasing tobacco-leaf quality and thus reducing harmful effects of this alkaloid on the health of smokers.