Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lectin Profile Variation in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Different Sources

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a promising source of stem cells for regenerative medicine, have different morphological and functional characteristics. Carbohydrate moieties on the cell surface play an important role, including cell-cell interaction and cell recognition. The objective of this study was to determine possible differences in glycoconjugate distribution patterns of MSCs derived from various sources. MSCs were isolated from adipose tissue, bone marrow, Wharton’s jelly, and cord blood. Then, they were stained with FITC-conjugated wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), concanavalin A (ConA), Ulex europaeus (UEA), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), and Atto-488 conjugated Phytolacca americana (PWM) lectins. The intensity of the reactions was scored using ImageJ software. Flow cytometry was performed to detect the expression of the endothelial marker CD144. The obtained data were analyzed by ANOVA and LSD. Cord blood-derived MSCs showed the most significant staining intensities with all lectins. All MSCs were also moderately stained with PNA. Bone marrow-derived MSCs failed to react with UEA, DBA, and ConA. Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs could also not be stained with ConA. Cord blood-derived MSCs contained 2 subpopulations: osteoclast- and fibroblast-like cells. Both lectin staining intensity and distribution pattern were different in these 2 cell types; therefore, the central part of osteoclast-like cells stained more intensive with PNA and PWM, while that part in fibroblast-like cells stained more intensive with ConA. None of them expressed CD144. The glycoconjugate content of MSCs derived from various sources is different.
Building Dynamic Communities of Interest for Internet of Things in Smart Cities

The Internet of things (IoT) is a growing area of research in the context of smart cities. It links a city’s physical objects that are equipped with embedded sensing, communicating, and computing technology. These objects possess the capability to connect and share data with minimal human intervention, which creates the potential to establish social relationships among them. However, it is challenging for an object to discover, communicate, and collaborate dynamically with other objects, such as social entities, and provide services to humans. This is due to the increase in the number of objects and the complexity in defining social-like relationships among them. The current research aims to address this by introducing an object architecture and defining a Dynamic Community of Interest Model (DCIM) for IoT objects. The proposed model will help IoT objects to socialize and build communities amongst themselves based on different criteria. In this approach, objects belonging to a community will collaborate with each other to collect, manipulate, and share interesting content and provide services to enhance the quality of human interactions in smart cities.
Species Relationships in Hordeum : Cytology and RAPD Analyses

Cytological and molecular studies were performed on 10 Hordeum species of Iran. The species studied showed the occurrence of 2n=2x=14, 2n=4x=28 and 2n=6x=42. They formed mainly bivalents in metaphase with normal chromosomes segregation during anaphase and telophase stages, except in few cases of laggard chromosomes formation and chromosome stickiness observed in H. bulbosum. H. bulbosum and H. leporinum showed 0–2 B-chromosomes which were smaller than A-chromosomes and did not pair with them out of 20 RAPD primers used 11 primers produced 18 reproducible polymorphic bands. Specific bands were observed in some of the species or populations while, some bands occurred in all the species except one showing the species genetic differences. Clustering of the species based on cytological and RAPD data partly produced similar results, separating H. vulgare and H. spontaneum from each other. The species of H. marinum, H. glaucum and H. leporinum from the sect. Hordeastrum were grouped together, while H. violaceum H. bogdanii and H. brevisubulatum, from the sect. Stenostachys were placed in different clusters separated from each other. H. bulbosum and H. vulgare showed a close relationship, while H. spontaneum, H. distichon and H. vulgare were placed close to each other supporting their taxonomic position in Flora Iranica.
Reduced Reverse Cholesterol Transport Efficacy in Healthy Men with Undesirable Postprandial Triglyceride Response

Elevation of nonfasting triglyceride (TG) levels above 1.8 g/L (2 mmol/L) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Exacerbated postprandial hypertriglyceridemia (PP–HTG) and metabolic context both modulate the overall efficacy of the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) pathway, but the specific contribution of exaggerated PP–HTG on RCT efficacy remains indeterminate. Healthy male volunteers (n = 78) exhibiting no clinical features of metabolic disorders underwent a postprandial exploration following consumption of a typical Western meal providing 1200 kcal. Subjects were stratified according to maximal nonfasting TG levels reached after ingestion of the test meal into subjects with a desirable PP–TG response (GLow, TG < 1.8 g/L, n = 47) and subjects with an undesirable PP–TG response (GHigh, TG > 1.8 g/L, n = 31). The impact of the degree of PP–TG response on major steps of RCT pathway, including cholesterol efflux from human macrophages, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity, and hepatic high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesteryl ester (CE) selective uptake, was evaluated. Cholesterol efflux from human macrophages was not significantly affected by the degree of the PP–TG response. Postprandial increase in CETP-mediated CE transfer from HDL to triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles, and more specifically to chylomicrons, was enhanced in GHigh vs. GLow. The hepatic HDL-CE delivery was reduced in subjects from GHigh in comparison with those from GLow. Undesirable PP–TG response induces an overall reduction in RCT efficacy that contributes to the onset elevation of both fasting and nonfasting TG levels and to the development of cardiometabolic diseases.
Seed and seedling ecology of tree species in neotropical secondary forests: management implications.

In spite of the growing importance of neotropical secondary forests as sources of timber and environmental services, the baseline information needed to develop silvicultural options is still limited. In this paper I describe interspecific patterns of seed longevity in the soil, germination, and survival and growth of transplanted seedlings under closed canopy of nine tree species that are common in secondary forest stands in wet, lowland Costa Rica and most of which are timber species in the region: Cordia alliodora, Hampea appendiculata, Jacaranda copaia, Laetia procera, Rollinia microsepala, Simarouba amara, Stryphnodendron microstachyum, Trichospermum grewiifolium, and Vochysia ferruginea. Many of these species also occur throughout the lowland neotropics. Experiments were carried out in three replicate secondary-forest stands (20–30 yr old after pasture abandonment) located at La Selva Biological Station in northeastern Costa Rica. Longevity of experimental seed cohorts differed markedly among species.
Comparative Study of the Antimicrobial Effects of Tungsten Nanoparticles and Tungsten Nanocomposite Fibres on Hospital Acquired Bacterial and Viral Pathogens

A significant proportion of patients acquire hospital associated infections as a result of care within the NHS each year. Numerous antimicrobial strategies, such as antibiotics and surface modifications to medical facilities and instruments, have been devised in an attempt to reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections, but most have been proven unsuccessful and unsustainable due to antibiotic resistance. Therefore, the need to discover novel materials that can combat pathogenic microorganisms is ongoing. Novel technologies, such as the potential use of nanomaterials and nanocomposites, hold promise for reducing these infections in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of tungsten, tungsten carbide and tungsten oxide nanoparticles were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and bacteriophage T4 (DNA virus). The most potent nanoparticles, tungsten oxide, were incorporated into polymeric fibres using pressurised gyration and characterised using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of tungsten oxide/polymer nanocomposite fibres was also studied. The results suggest the materials in this study promote mediation of the inhibition of microbial growth in suspension.
S-layer of Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 12046: isolation, chemical characterization and re-formation after extraction with lithium chloride

Summary: In a previous study, electron microscopic examinations of thin sections of Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 12046 revealed a three-layered structure of the cell wall. The outermost component was identified as a layer of a non-glycosylated 52 kDa protein. Freeze-etched preparations of intact cells have now demonstrated that this protein layer is an oblique surface layer (S-layer) lattice (a = 4·5 nm, b = 9·6 nm, γ = 77 °) which completely covers the cell surface. Treatment with 5 m-LiCl extracted the S-layer protein from intact cells efficiently and selectively. Viability did not decrease significantly. Moreover, the S-layer reappeared when treated cells were allowed to grow again. In vitro self-assembly products obtained upon aggregation of isolated S-layer subunits exhibited the same oblique S-layer symmetry as observed on intact cells in vivo. The purified S-layer protein had a high content (44%) of hydrophobic amino acids. The N-terminal sequence was mainly composed of alanine, threonine, asparagine and aspartic acid.
A combinatorially regulated RNA splicing signature predicts breast cancer EMT states and patient survival

During breast cancer metastasis, the developmental process epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is abnormally activated. Transcriptional regulatory networks controlling EMT are well-studied; however, alternative RNA splicing also plays a critical regulatory role during this process. A comprehensive understanding of alternative splicing (AS) and the RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that regulate it during EMT and their impact on breast cancer remains largely unknown. In this study, we annotated AS in the breast cancer TCGA data set and identified an AS signature that is capable of distinguishing epithelial and mesenchymal states of the tumors. This AS signature contains 25 AS events, among which nine showed increased exon inclusion and 16 showed exon skipping during EMT. This AS signature accurately assigns the EMT status of cells in the CCLE data set and robustly predicts patient survival. We further developed an effective computational method using bipartite networks to identify RBP-AS networks during EMT. This network analysis revealed the complexity of RBP regulation and nominated previously unknown RBPs that regulate EMT-associated AS events. This study highlights the importance of global AS regulation during EMT in cancer progression and paves the way for further investigation into RNA regulation in EMT and metastasis.
Root Anatomy of 17 Genera Growing in the British Isles

Roots of 23 woody species are described anatomically. They are mostly from species uncommonly planted in the British Isles, and were unavailable at the time the Root Identification Manual of Trees and Shrubs (Cutler et al. 1987) was being written. They were collected from trees blown down in the stonn of October 1987, which uprooted over 15 million trees in the south and east of England. All but one (Tetracentron sinensis) are from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, or Wakehurst Place.
Heritability of Total and Fixed N Content of the Seed in Two Soybean Populations 1

Improved seed yield in the soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] may result from selection to increase the N₂-fixing ability of the crop. To investigate that possibility, broad-sense heritabilities of total and fixed N in the seed were estimated for two F₂ soybean populations. One population was derived from a cross of high (‘Ware’) and low (D66-5566) N₂-fixing parents and was grown years. The second population, grown in 1 year only, was derived from a cross of intermediate N₂-fixing parents (‘Williams’ and ‘Calland’). Both populations and their parents were grown in ¹⁵N-labeled soil in the field along with ‘Clark’ rj₁rj₁ nonnodulating plants as controls. The amount of fixed N in the mature seed at harvest was determined by the ¹⁵N-dilution method for individual plants. Broad-sense heritability estimates of fixed N content of the seed ranged from 0.53 to 0.60. Estimates for percentage of fixed seed N varied from 0.12 to 0.43. Estimates for total seed N [as a weight (from 0.49 to 0.61) and as a percentage (from 0.20 to 0.87)], for seed yield (from 0.52 to 0.59), and for plant weights (from 0.57 to 0.62) are also reported. strong positive association was noted between seed dry weight and fixed N content of the seed (r = 0.99). These results suggest that improving N₂ fixation in the soybean is feasible through selection based on the mass of fixed N in the seed. Selection for high seed yield will probably likewise result in the identification of plants with a high rate of N₂ fixation.
Evaluation of the Immunomodulatory Ability of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Feedlot Cattle Against Mastitis Using a Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells In Vitro Assay

Bovine mastitis, the inflammation of the mammary gland, affects the quality and quantity of milk yield. Mastitis control relies on single or multiple combinations of antibiotic therapy. Due to increasing antibiotic resistance in pathogens, the intramammary infusion of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has been considered as a potential alternative to antibiotics for treating and preventing bovine mastitis through the improvement of the host immunity. Probiotic effects are a strain-dependent characteristic; therefore, candidate LAB strains have to be evaluated efficiently to find out the ones with the best potential. Here, we investigated LAB strains originally isolated from feedlot cattle’s environment regarding their ability in inducing the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-triggered inflammatory responses in bovine mammary epithelial (BME) cells in vitro. The BME cells were pre-stimulated with the LAB strains individually for 12, 24, and 48 h and then challenged with Escherichia coli-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 12 h. The mRNA expression of selected immune genes—interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α), IL-1β, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), IL-8, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2), and CXCL3 were quantified by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Results indicated that pretreatment with some Lactobacillus strains were able to differentially regulate the LPS inflammatory response in BME cells; however, strain-dependent differences were found. The most remarkable effects were found for Lactobacillus acidophilus CRL2074, which reduced the expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, MCP-1, IL-8, and CXCL3, whereas Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL2084 diminished IL-1β, MCP-1, and IL-8 expression. The pre-stimulation of BME cells with the CRL2074 strain resulted in the upregulated expression of three negative regulators of the TLRs, including the ubiquitin-editing enzyme A20 (also called tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, TNFAIP3), single immunoglobin IL-1 single receptor (SIGIRR), and Toll interacting protein (Tollip) after the LPS challenge. The CRL2084 pre-stimulation upregulated only Tollip expression. Our results demonstrated that the L. acidophilus CRL2074 strain possess remarkable immunomodulatory abilities against LPS-induced inflammation in BME cells. This Lactobacillus strain could be used as candidate for in vivo testing due to its beneficial effects in bovine mastitis through intramammary infusion. Our findings also suggest that the BME cells immunoassay system could be of value for the in vitro evaluation of the immunomodulatory abilities of LAB against the inflammation resulting from the intramammary infection with mastitis-related pathogens.
Relationship between HIF-1 and Circadian Clock Proteins in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients—Preliminary Study

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by intermittent hypoxia and associated with the disruption of circadian rhythm. The study aimed to assess the relationship between hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) subunits, circadian clock proteins, and polysomnography (PSG) variables, in healthy individuals and severe OSA patients. The study included 20 individuals, who underwent PSG and were divided into severe OSA group (n = 10; AHI ≥ 30) and healthy control (n = 10; AHI < 5) based on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). All participants had their peripheral blood collected in the evening before and the morning after the PSG. HIF-1α, HIF-1β, BMAL1, CLOCK, CRY1, and PER1 protein concertation measurements were performed using ELISA. In a multivariate general linear model with the concentration of all circadian clock proteins as dependent variables, evening HIF-1α protein level was the only significant covariant (p = 0.025). Corrected models were significant for morning and evening PER1 (p = 0.008 and p = 0.006, respectively), evening (p = 0.043), and evening BMAL protein level (p = 0.046). In corrected models, evening HIF-1α protein level had an influence only on the evening PER1 protein level. Results suggest that OSA patients are at risk for developing circadian clock disruption. This process might be mediated by subunit α of HIF-1, as its increased protein level is associated with overexpression of circadian clock proteins.
Dipole Relaxation in Semiconducting Zn2−xMgxInV3O11 Materials (Where x = 0.0, 0.4, 1.0, 1.6, and 2.0)

This paper reports on the electrical and broadband dielectric spectroscopy studies of Zn2−xMgxInV3O11 materials (where x = 0.0, 0.4, 1.0, 1.6, 2.0) synthesized using a solid-state reaction method. These studies showed n-type semiconducting properties with activation energies of 0.147–0.52 eV in the temperature range of 250–400 K, symmetric and linear I–V characteristics, both at 300 and 400 K, with a stronger carrier emission for the matrix and much less for the remaining samples, as well as the dipole relaxation, which was the slowest for the sample with x = 0.0 (matrix) and was faster for Mg-doped samples with x > 0.0. The faster the dipole relaxation, the greater the accumulation of electric charge. These effects were analyzed within a framework of the DC conductivity and the Cole–Cole fit function, including the solid-state density and porosity of the sample. The resistivity vs. temperature dependence was well fitted using the parallel resistor model. Our ab initio calculations also show that the bandgap increased with the Mg content.
Stem cell markers in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas in relation to the site of origin and HPV infection: clinical implications

SUMMARY The expression of potential stem cell markers in HNSCCs was investigated to assess their potential clinical role. 69 primary, previously untreated oral (OSCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) were enrolled; personal, clinical and follow-up data were collected. HPV infection and expression of 5 potential stem cell markers (CD44, CD133, Oct-4, Nanog, and Sox-2) were evaluated. HPV+ OPSCC showed lower expression of Nanog. The cytoplasmic expression of Nanog was associated with significantly worse prognosis in OPSCC, but not in OSCC. Sox-2 staining was more intense among OPSCCs. Sox-2 nuclear staining was associated with worse prognosis. Nanog expression was associated with HPV- OPSCC and may have a role as a surrogate diagnostic marker. In general, the expression profile of some stem cell markers in HNSCC seems to vary according to the site of origin and HPV infection. Nanog and Sox-2 may also have prognostic value.
Lung Ultrasound Pattern in Healthy Infants During the First 6 Months of Life

Lung ultrasound (LUS) has gained a primary role in the diagnosis and management of pleuropulmonary disorders in pediatric practice. However, normal and pathologic patterns are translated from adult studies and have never been specifically studied in children, particularly in infants. This was a prospective observational pilot study aiming to define the normal LUS pattern in healthy infants during the first 6 months of life.
Benefits for Older People Engaged in Environmental Volunteering and Socializing Activities in City Parks: Preliminary Results of a Program in Italy

The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the feasibility of an environmental volunteering program involving park restoration and social activities for older people. Older people face a series of challenges, ranging from social isolation and depression to a lack of exercise, as well as the difficult task of creating new meaning to deal with a decrease in vitality and new social relationships, interests, and commitments. From this perspective, this pilot study aimed to contribute to highlighting if or how these aspects can be positively correlated with organized activities associated with caring for public green spaces. A single-group, pre-test/post-test design was used, and baseline and post-participation measurements were recorded. The data were collected using a questionnaire aimed at evaluating variations in physical activity, positive and negative emotions, life satisfaction, and perceived social support. Through focus group interviews with participants at the baseline and after one year of participating in the program, the participants’ motivations and experienced effects were explored. The sample was composed of a group of 19 healthy people who joined the program. The quantitative results showed that the participants’ level of physical activity, subjective life satisfaction, and positive feelings were significantly increased at the follow-up. Positive correlations were found between increasing moderate physical activities, walking, and The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) positive feelings. A pro-environmental attitude of the elderly emerged from the qualitative data. The results, limitations, and improvements of the study are discussed.
Reclassification of Peptostreptococcus magnus (Prevot 1933) Holdeman and Moore 1972 as Finegoldia magna comb. nov. and Peptostreptococcus micros (Prevot 1933) Smith 1957 as Micromonas micros comb. nov.

Abstract Several lines of evidence, notably 16S rRNA sequence analysis, indicate that the genusPeptostreptococcus is phylogenetically incoherent. Two of the most well studied species, Peptostreptococcus magnus and Peptostreptococcus micros, differ significantly in both genetic and phenotypic characteristics from each other and from the type species of the genus, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. Therefore, we propose thatPeptostreptococcus magnus be reclassified in a new genus, Finegoldia, as Finegoldia magna; we propose that Peptostreptococcus micros be reclassified in new genus, Micromonas, as Micromonas micros.