Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of a soil × dietary sulphur interaction in the impairment of copper absorption by ingested soil in sheep

Summary Four repletion experiments were carried out to clarify the roles of molybdenum, sulphur and iron in the inhibition of copper absorption by ingested soils. In each experiment, groups of four to six hypocupraemic Scottish Blackface ewes were repleted for 21 days with diets containing CuSO4 and/or soil Cu and the responses in plasma Cu used to assess the availability of the Cu supplied. In Expts 1 and 2, three soils varying in Mo but high in Fe content and derived from Lower Lias Clay, Namurian Shale and Weald loam were added at 100 g/kg D.M. to diets of low (1·0) and high (4·1 g/kg D.M.) S contents: they provided 3·1, 2·8 and 0·1 mg Mo/kg D.M. respectively. When compared with groups given no soil, each soil increased plasma Cu repletion in the low S experiment and decreased it in the high S experiment. Inhibition was thus not completely dependent on soil Mo but dependent upon dietary S. Soils varying in Fe content were compared in the manner of the above experiments in Expts 3 and 4. Two Fe-rich soils, developed from the Upper Chalk and a Barton Clay and providing 2·8 and 1·5 g Fe/kg D.M. , impaired Cu repletion on the high S diet but not on the low S diet. A soil, developed on a sand from the Bagshot Beds and providing only 0·15 g Fe/kg D.M. , did not impair repletion but FeSO4, providing 0·8 g Fe/kg D.M. did so, irrespective of dietary S content. Ingestion of Fe-rich soils in a high S diet caused three-fold increases in rumen sulphide concentrations 5 and 24 h after feeding. It is suggested that soil ingestion impairs Cu absorption in sheep by trapping S as heavy metal sulphides such as FeS and releasing sulphide in the acid abomasum.
New Nanohybrid Based on Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide and Silica Nanoparticles: Morphological, Structural and Thermal Properties

In this study, a set of advanced characterization techniques were used to evaluate the morphological, structural, and thermal properties of a novel molecular hybrid based on silica nanoparticles/hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (CSNH-PC1), which was efficiently obtained using a two-step synthetic pathway. The morphology of the nanohybrid CSNH-PC1 was determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and nanotracking analysis (NTA) techniques. The presence of C, N, O, and Si atoms in the nanohybrid structure was verified using electron dispersive scanning (EDS). Moreover, the corresponding structural analysis was complemented using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT-IR). The covalent bond between APTES-functionalized SiO2 nanoparticles (nSiO2-APTES), and the hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) chain (MW ≈ 20.106 Da) was confirmed with high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy (XPS). Finally, the thermal properties of the nanohybrid were evaluated by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that the CSNH-PC1 has a spherical morphology, with sizes between 420–480 nm and higher thermal resistance compared to HPAM polymers without modification, with a glass transition temperature of 360 °C. The integration of these advanced characterization techniques implemented here shows promising results for the study and evaluation of new nanomaterials with multiple applications.
Suppression of Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) by Endophytic Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin

The ubiquitous entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin was applied to whorl-stage corn plants, Zea mays L. , by foliar application of a granular formulation of conidia and by injection of a conidial suspension. Plants were analyzed at harvest for presence of B. bassiana and for the amount of tunneling by laboratory-reared European corn borer larvae, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner). In 1989, 98.3% of the foliarly treated plants, 95.0% of the injected plants, and 33.3% of the nontreated plants were colonized by B. bassiana at harvest. In 1988, there were no significant differences between treatment effects on O. nubilalis tunneling in plants. In 1989, when environmental conditions were more conducive to fungal growth, tunneling was significantly greater in the control plants, followed by the injected and foliarly treated plants. When applied to foliage, B. bassiana provided the greatest amount of O. nubilalis suppression. The entomopathogenic fungus colonized the corn plant at whorl stage, moved within the plant, and persisted to provide season-long suppression of O. nubilalis .
Geometric considerations of nitric oxide–cyclic GMP signalling in the glomerular neuropil of the locust antennal lobe

Using NADPH–diaphorase staining as a marker for nitric oxide (NO) synthase and an antiserum against cyclic GMP, we recently reported the anatomical distribution of nitric oxide donor and target cells in the antennal lobe, the principal olfactory neuropile of the locust. The most striking NADPH–diaphorase activity in the olfactory pathway is concentrated in a cluster of intensely stained local interneurons innervating the glomeruli. After incubation of tissue in a nitric oxide donor and inhibition of phospodiesterase activity, neurons of this cluster expressed cyclic GMP–immunoreactivity in the cell body and neurites. Here we examine the importance of the arrangement of NO donor and target cells for information processing in the glomeruli. The cellular organization of the NO–cyclic GMP system in olfactory interneurons, and the dendritic branching pattern, suggest that nitric oxide may not only act as intercellular, but also as intracellular messenger molecule in the glomerular neuropile of the antennal lobe.
Preliminary Studies on the Growth of Selected ‘Green Tide’ Algae in Laboratory Culture: Effects of Irradiance, Temperature, Salinity and Nutrients on Growth Rate

Abstract During the summer months, Langstone Harbour, a eutrophic inlet on the south coast of England, is subject to blooms of green macroalgae commonly referred to as ‘green tides’. In a series of laboratory experiments, the vegetative growth of eight ‘green tide’ algae collected from the harbour was examined under a range of irradiances, temperatures, salinities and N and P concentrations. Test algae were Chaetomorpha linum, Cladophora dalmatica, Enteromorpha compressa, Enteromorpha linza, Percursaria percursa, Rhizoclonium tortuosum, Ulva curvata and Ulva rigida. All algae showed a broad tolerance to the environmental conditions of irradiance, temperature and salinity. The most rapid growth rates were recorded in irradiances ranging from 18 to 175 mmol m−2 s−1, whilst the temperature promoting the most rapid algal growth ranged from 10 to 20 °C. With respect to salinity, the highest growth rates were recorded for algae cultured in the range 6.8 to 27.2 PSU. Several species were tolerant of salinities as low as 3.4 and 0 PSU. All algae showed a broad tolerance to a wide range of N and P concentrations. Maximum growth rates were recorded in nutrient concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 mmol m−3 PO4, 100 to 1000 mmol m−3 NO3 and 60 to 100 mmol m−3 NH4. At these concentrations of N and P, considerable biomass was attained by the algae, with growth rates up to 21% per day. This, coupled with their broad environmental tolerance, is likely to promote their ecological success in the shallow, nutrient-enriched waters of Langstone Harbour and, indeed, in eutrophic waters worldwide.
RECHERCHES EXPÉRIMENTALES SUR LA MATURATION IN VITRO DES OVOCYTES DE TRUIE ET DE VEAU

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. RECHERCHES EXPÉRIMENTALES SUR LA MATURATION IN VITRO DES OVOCYTES DE TRUIE ET DE VEAU W. -D. Foote, C. Thibault, Micheline Gérard, Anne-Marie Mélières
Functional Polymers Structures for (Bio)Sensing Application—A Review

In this review we present polymeric materials for (bio)sensor technology development. We focused on conductive polymers (conjugated microporous polymer, polymer gels), composites, molecularly imprinted polymers and their influence on the design and fabrication of bio(sensors), which in the future could act as lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices. LOC instruments enable us to perform a wide range of analysis away from the stationary laboratory. Characterized polymeric species represent promising candidates in biosensor or sensor technology for LOC development, not only for manufacturing these devices, but also as a surface for biologically active materials’ immobilization. The presence of biological compounds can improve the sensitivity and selectivity of analytical tools, which in the case of medical diagnostics is extremely important. The described materials are biocompatible, cost-effective, flexible and are an excellent platform for the anchoring of specific compounds.
A male XO sex-determining mechanism in Theodoxus meridionalis (Neritidae) (Prosobranchia, Archaeogastropoda).

The haploid number of chromosomes n=12+h and the diploid values 2n=25 in males, and 2n=26 in females, have been determined for three geographically separated populations of Theodoxus meridionalis (Neritidae). A male XO sex-determining mechanism has been observed for this species.
Wood Anatomical Variation of Acacia Melanoxylon in Relation to Latitude

The wood anatomy of Acacia melanoxylon samples from various locations in eastern Australia was examined and a number of characteristics were found to be significantly related to latitude. Vessel member length, proportion of fibres and proportion of multiseriate rays were positively related to latitude. Vessel frequency, vessel diameter and the abundance of crystals were negatively related to latitude as were the proportion of: uniseriate rays, vessels and axial parenchyma. Total proportion of ray tissue and basic density was not found to be associated with latitude.Anatomical features associated with lower transpirational demand appeared to be correlated with the cooler, more xeric environmental conditions accompanying increasing latitude.
Short-term response in solids-not-fat to grain fed in addition to molasses for dairy cows grazing tropical pastures

Holstein-Friesian cows in mid to late lactation grazed tropical grass-legume pastures with no supplement (C); 2.7 kg DM molasses/cow.day (M); or 2.6 kg DM molasses + 2.5 kg DM grain/cow.day (MG). Daily milk yields over the 8 week experimental period were 10.4, 11.2 and 12.9 kg/cow for C, M and MG. The MG supplementation increased solids-not-fat (SNF), protein and lactose percentages in milk, with average SNF values of 8.02, 8.10 and 8.24% (P<0.05), and lactose values 4.46,4.50 and 4.58% (P<0.057), for weeks 5-8; and average protein values for weeks 1-8 of 2.96, 3.02 and 3.10% (P<0.05) for C, M and MG, respectively. Molasses alone did not substantially increase the protein and lactose content of milk, but additional energy in the form of maize increased these values. If SNF percentages in milk were low, maize plus molasses feeding did not improve the quality to the legal minimum of 8.5% in 8 weeks.
Green Tea Extracts EGCG and EGC Display Distinct Mechanisms in Disrupting Aβ42 Protofibril.

The amyloid beta (Aβ) fibrillar aggregate is the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Disassembling preformed fibril or inhibiting Aβ aggregation is considered as a therapeutic strategy for AD. Increasing evidence shows that green tea extracts, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG, containing an extra gallic acid ester group compared to EGC) and epigallocatechin (EGC), can disassociate Aβ fibrils and attenuate Aβ toxicity. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. Herein, we performed microsecond all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the influences of EGCG/EGC on the newly Cryo-EM resolved LS-shaped Aβ42 protofibrils and their detailed interactions. MD simulations demonstrate that both EGCG and EGC can disrupt Aβ42 protofibril, and EGCG displays a higher disruptive capacity than EGC. EGCG alters the L-shape of Aβ42 protofibril by breaking the hydrogen bond between H6 and E11 through π-π interactions with residues H14/Y10 and hydrogen-bonding interactions with E11, while EGC remodels the L-shape by inserting into the hydrophobic core formed by A2, F4, L34 and V36 and via aromatics interaction with H6/Y10. EGCG disrupts the salt bridges between K28 side chain and A42 COO- through hydrogen-bonding interaction with A42 and cation-π interaction between its gallic acid ester group and K28, while EGC damages the salt bridges through hydrophobic interactions with V39 and I41 as well as with I32, M35, and V40 located in the C-terminal hydrophobic core. This study demonstrates the pivotal role of gallic acid ester group of EGCG in disrupting Aβ42 protofibril and provides atomic-level insights into the distinct mechanism by which EGCG and EGC disrupt Aβ protofibril, which could be useful for designing amyloid inhibitors.
Nanobodies Targeting Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen for the Imaging and Therapy of Prostate Cancer

The repertoire of methods for the detection and chemotherapeutic treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) is currently limited. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed in PCa tumors and can be exploited for both imaging and drug delivery. We developed and characterized four nanobodies that present tight and specific binding and internalization into PSMA+ cells and that accumulate specifically in PSMA+ tumors. We then conjugated one of these nanobodies to the cytotoxic drug doxorubicin, and we show that the conjugate internalizes specifically into PSMA+ cells, where the drug is released and induces cytotoxic activity. In vivo studies show that the extent of tumor growth inhibition is similar when mice are treated with commercial doxorubicin and with a 42-fold lower amount of the nanobody-conjugated doxorubicin, attesting to the efficacy of the conjugated drug. These data highlight nanobodies as promising agents for the imaging of PCa tumors and for the targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs.
Advanced cervical carcinoma in Ibadan, Nigeria: an appraisal of radiation therapy

This is a retrospective study of 500 patients with advanced cervical cancer (FIGO Stages IIB, III and IVA) who were seen and managed at the University College Hospital Ibadan between 1988 and 1992. External pelvic radiation therapy plus intractivary radioactive caesium brachytherapy was mainstay of treatment. Complete response to therapy was recorded in 68% of patients with stage IIB, 57% in stage III and 41.2% of patients in stage IVA. In patients with stage IIB, the local tumour control was 65%, in stage III patients 54% and in patients with stage IV 41%. The cumulative rates of survival at 5 years (for all the patients-with stage IIB, III and IVa) were 41.5%. The cumulative rates for disease-free survival at 5 years was 25.5%. Radiotherapy as the sole treatment modality in the management of advanced cervical cancer in Ibadan has yielded poor results as revealed in this study. There is an urgent need to evolve a new treatment policy with the aim of improving the response rate and survival in this group of patients.
The Roles of γ1 Heavy Chain Membrane Expression and Cytoplasmic Tail in IgG1 Responses

In antibody responses, B cells switch from the expression of immunoglobulin (Ig) μ and δ heavy (H) chains to that of other Ig classes (α, γ, or ɛ), each with a distinct effector function. Membrane-bound forms of α, γ, and ɛ, but not μ and δ, have highly conserved cytoplasmic tails. Mutant mice unable to express membrane γ1 H chains or producing tailless γ1 H chains failed to generate efficient IgG1 responses and IgG1 memory. H chain membrane expression after class switching is thus required for these functions, and class switching equips the B cell antigen receptor with a regulatory cytoplasmic tail that naive B cells lack.
Posttranslational regulation of the exon skipping machinery controls aberrant splicing in leukemia.

Splicing alterations are common in disease, such as cancer, where mutations in splicing factor genes are frequently responsible for aberrant splicing. Here we present an alternative mechanism for splicing regulation in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), that involves posttranslational stabilization of the splicing machinery via deubiquitination. We demonstrate there are extensive exon skipping changes in disease affecting proteasomal subunits, cell cycle regulators, and the RNA machinery. We present that the serine/arginine-rich splicing factors (SRSF), controlling exon skipping, are critical for leukemia cell survival. The ubiquitin-specific peptidase 7 (USP7) regulates SRSF6 protein levels via active deubiquitination and USP7 inhibition alters the exon skipping pattern and blocks T-ALL growth. The splicing inhibitor H3B-8800 affects splicing of proteasomal transcripts and proteasome activity and acts synergistically with proteasome inhibitors in inhibiting T-ALL growth. Our study provides the proof-of-principle for regulation of splicing factors via deubiquitination and suggests new therapeutic modalities in T-ALL.
Gratitude

A group of senior surgical residents, who in a few months would be finishing their general surgery residency program, were commiserating about the roughness of some of their surgical mentors. In the residents’ own thinking, gratitude was distant since they basically equated gratitude to niceness and good treatment, which they felt they were not always receiving. In their own thinking, they were only considering the surgical faculty who were close to them. In their own thinking, faculty members were grateful but failed to express it appropriately. This was not something surgeons were prepared to do. After all, the residency program, at first glance, did not appear to be dedicated to enhancing the presence and value of gratefulness to improve both life and the world of surgery. In this writing, my dedicated intent is to emphasize the clear importance of gratitude in the professional lives of surgeons as well as in that of all people. To write about gratitude is not difficult for me since I firmly believe in the great importance of exalting this significant and unique virtue [1–18]. For years I have felt as Seneca did that “nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart” [15]. I have also overwhelmingly accepted the thinking of Cicero in that “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others” [15]. Elie Wiessel, well-known Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner, put it very well when he said, “When a person doesn’t have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude” [15]. Furthermore, Sarah Ban Breathnach summarized it perfectly when she said, “Every time we remember to say thank you, we experience nothing less than heaven on earth” [11]. Gratitude, then, is what we need at home, at work, and in the operating room. Just imagine the great wonders of society and the world if gratitude could be bottled and used in all our endeavors, at all times, and under any circumstances. Gratitude, then, is the motor that makes engines function effectively and last a long time. Gratitude, then, is what we desperately need to improve our lives and to maintain the richness of our spirit. Gratitude, then, is a way of life, a heart filled with sentiment, a new spirit
PHYLOGENY OF LOBOCHARACIUM (CHLOROPHYCEAE) AND ALLIES: A STUDY OF 18S AND 26S rDNA DATA1

The phylogenetic affinities of Lobocharacium coloradoense were investigated by analysis of combined 18S and 26S rDNA data. Results from both parsimony and likelihood methods supported a close alliance among Lobocharacium, Characiosiphon, and Characiochloris. These three taxa formed a clade near the base of the “Dunaliella” group within the chlamydomonad lineage. Protosiphon, which exhibits a siphonous habit similar to Characiosiphon and Lobocharacium, was not resolved as a close ally of the latter two taxa. The Lobocharacium alliance was characterized by the presence of an attachment pad associated with the nonmotile vegetative stage and pyrenoids that possess cytoplasmic invaginations. The pyrenoid feature is an ultrastructural trait that has now been observed in five different chlorophycean lineages. The Lobocharacium–Characiosiphon–Characiochloris clade is not predicted by any classifications of green algae. Additional taxon and data sampling need to be completed to resolve inconsistencies between the molecular phylogenetic evidence and at least some of the current family‐level taxa.
Hypercalcaemia due to metastatic melanoma during pregnancy

Introduction Hypercalcaemia due to malignancy rarely occurs during pregnancy. The most common cancers leading to this situation are breast cancer, lung cancer and multiple myeloma (Mundy, 1990; Raue, 1994). We describe a case of metastatic malignant melanoma diagnosed in the third trimester of a pregnancy and in which the dominant symptoms were caused by hypercalcaemia. The hypercalcaemia could be treated safely, both for the mother and neonate, with diphospho nates given intravenously (Dunlop et al., 1990). The way of administering diphosphonates and other measures for hypercalcaemia (Mundy, 1990) during pregnancy are discussed. It is importan t that the neonatologist is aware of the prenatal administration of diphospho nates.
COVID-19: the rude awakening for the political elite in low- and middle-income countries

### Summary Box Political choices determine the conditions under which people can be healthy, including how COVID-19 spreads and its impact on populations. Decades of political corruption1 and the permeation of neoliberal political ideology2 have left health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), chronically underfunded, insufficiently regulated, inadequately staffed and unable to deliver high-quality care.3–5 The resulting consequences are poor health outcomes, financial waste, increasing inequality, disproportionate share of global disease burden and immeasurable human suffering—especially for the most disadvantaged and …
SYNERGxDB: an integrative pharmacogenomic portal to identify synergistic drug combinations for precision oncology

Abstract Drug-combination data portals have recently been introduced to mine huge amounts of pharmacological data with the aim of improving current chemotherapy strategies. However, these portals have only been investigated for isolated datasets, and molecular profiles of cancer cell lines are lacking. Here we developed a cloud-based pharmacogenomics portal called SYNERGxDB (http://SYNERGxDB.ca/) that integrates multiple high-throughput drug-combination studies with molecular and pharmacological profiles of a large panel of cancer cell lines. This portal enables the identification of synergistic drug combinations through harmonization and unified computational analysis. We integrated nine of the largest drug combination datasets from both academic groups and pharmaceutical companies, resulting in 22 507 unique drug combinations (1977 unique compounds) screened against 151 cancer cell lines. This data compendium includes metabolomics, gene expression, copy number and mutation profiles of the cancer cell lines. In addition, SYNERGxDB provides analytical tools to discover effective therapeutic combinations and predictive biomarkers across cancer, including specific types. Combining molecular and pharmacological profiles, we systematically explored the large space of univariate predictors of drug synergism. SYNERGxDB constitutes a comprehensive resource that opens new avenues of research for exploring the mechanism of action for drug synergy with the potential of identifying new treatment strategies for cancer patients.