Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Therapeutic Approach for the Management of Mood Disorders: In Vivo and In Vitro Effect of a Combination of L-Theanine, Melissa officinalis L. and Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E.H. Wilson

Mood disorders represent one of the most prevalent and costly psychiatric diseases worldwide. The current therapies are generally characterized by several well-known side effects which limit their prolonged use. The use of herbal medicine for the management of several psychiatric conditions is becoming more established, as it is considered a safer support to conventional pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible anxiolytic and antidepressant activity of a fixed combination of L-theanine, Magnolia officinalis, and Melissa officinalis (TMM) in an attempt to evaluate how the multiple modulations of different physiological systems may contribute to reducing mood disorders. TMM showed an anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like activity in vivo, which was related to a neuroprotective effect in an in vitro model of excitotoxicity. The effect of TMM was not altered by the presence of flumazenil, thus suggesting a non-benzodiazepine-like mechanism of action. On the contrary, a significant reduction in the effect was observed in animals and neuronal cells co-treated with AM251, a cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) antagonist, suggesting that the endocannabinoid system may be involved in the TMM mechanism of action. In conclusion, TMM may represent a useful and safe candidate for the management of mood disorders with an innovative mechanism of action, particularly as an adjuvant to conventional therapies.
Differences in Rehabilitation Needs after Stroke: A Similarity Analysis on the ICF Core Set for Stroke

Background: Successful rehabilitation is associated with physical, psychological, environmental, social, and personal factors based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. The influence of age has been suggested as crucial personal factors that may affect rehabilitation needs in post-stroke survivors. The aim of this study was to investigate the qualifiers of the ICF core set for stroke to detect differences in rehabilitation needs and goals between older (O, >65 years old) and younger (Y, ≤65 years old,) post-stroke individuals. Materials and methods: In this observational study, the comprehensive core set for stroke was filled during the rehabilitation period. Patient information was obtained using disability scales and translated into certain ICF categories using linking rules. Frequency, similarity, and linear regression analyses were performed for ICF qualifier profiles among Y and O patients. Results: Forty-eight ICF variables were significantly different between Y (n = 35, 46.17 ± 11.27 years old) and O (n = 35, 76.43 ± 6.77 years old) patients. Frequency analysis showed that activity of daily living and basic needs were more prevalent in O patients, whereas regaining of social role and social life were more prevalent in Y patients. The average Jaccard Index result (similarity analysis) was more homogeneous in O than in Y patients. Conclusions: ICF qualifiers are useful to design patient-centered care. Y patients have more heterogeneous needs and require more personalized program than O patients.
Transcriptional Regulation of Natural Killer Cell Development and Functions

Natural killer (NK) cells are the major lymphocyte subset of the innate immune system. Their ability to mediate anti-tumor cytotoxicity and produce cytokines is well-established. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with the development of human or murine NK cells are not fully understood. Knowledge is being gained about the environmental cues, the receptors that sense the cues, signaling pathways, and the transcriptional programs responsible for the development of NK cells. Specifically, a complex network of transcription factors (TFs) following microenvironmental stimuli coordinate the development and maturation of NK cells. Multiple TFs are involved in the development of NK cells in a stage-specific manner. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the understandings of TFs involved in the regulation of NK cell development, maturation, and effector function, in the aspects of their mechanisms, potential targets, and functions.
Differences in the persistency of the North Atlantic Oscillation signal among lakes

Large‐scale climatic fluctuations, such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), are known to influence variability in abiotic site conditions and organism population dynamics in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Here we demonstrate that the influence of the NAO on lake water temperatures—one of the major factors controlling ecological processes in lakes—differs substantially among lake types of different thermal structures and mixing regimes, even under identical climatic forcing. A frequently circulating polymictic lake was found to be least influenced by the winter effects of the NAO, with an effect lasting only into early spring. In contrast, in a deep dimictic lake with stable summer stratification, the NAO signal persisted in the hypolimnion until the following winter. A shallow dimictic lake revealed an intermediate response, as weather conditions both in April and midsummer probably modified the strength and persistency of the NAO signal in the hypolimnion of that lake. Based on these results, it is to be expected that NAO effects on ecological processes vary significantly among lakes. Because the study period (1979–1998) includes a series of uncommonly warm winter and spring seasons, our findings also suggest that the influence of anticipated climate warming will vary substantially among lake types.
Characterization of p-nitrophenol degrading actinomycetes from Hundung limestone deposits in Manipur, India

p-Nitrophenol (PNP), a major nitroaromatic xenobiotic is released into the environment as a result of its widespread use and as a breakdown product of organophosphate (OP) agricultural pesticides such as parathion and methyl parathion. It is highly toxic to soil microflora and other non-target organisms. Of several Microbial Biotechnology Research Laboratory (MBRL) strains isolated from limestone deposits in Ukhrul, Manipur, India, two strains, (HS4-2 and HS6-1) were found to be promising PNP biodegraders, degrading up to 30 mg/L PNP in neutral basal salts medium (BSM, pH 7.0). Higher strength alkaline BSM (5X BSM, pH 8.0) was found to be more favorable for PNP degradation by these strains. Under these more optimal conditions, HS4-2 and HS6-1 could degrade up to 270 and 350 mg/L PNP respectively, remarkably high concentrations as PNP is quite toxic even at low concentrations. Only a few bacterial strains degrading such high concentrations of PNP have been reported. As these strains seem promising, they were subjected to phenotypic and genotypic characterization. The phenotypic characteristics of these strains were typical of actinomycetes. 16S recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) sequence analyses indicated strain HS6-1 to have the highest level of sequence similarity with Rhodococcus triatomae IMMIB RIV-085(T)/AJ854055 (98.28%) and HS4-2 with Brevibacterium casei NCDO2048 (T)/X76564 (99.37%). Strain HS6-1 may possibly be a novel species of Rhodococcus . Further studies on optimization, kinetics and pathways of biodegradation can improve the biodegrading capacities of these actinomycete strains. Keywords: Nitroaromatics, p-nitrophenol, limestone deposits, Hundung, Brevibacterium, Rhodococcus
Corynoplastis japonica gen. et sp. nov. and Dixoniellales ord. nov. (Rhodellophyceae, Rhodophyta) based on morphological and molecular evidence

A new unicellular red alga, Corynoplastis japonica gen. et sp. nov., is described from Tobishima, Japan. Cells are spherical, 18–33 µm in diameter, pale purple to brownish red and surrounded by a mucilaginous sheath. A single chloroplast with many lobes extends from the cell periphery to the cell center. A peripheral thylakoid is present. A pyrenoid occurs at each innermost chloroplast lobe end and one or two thylakoids are present in the pyrenoid matrix. The nucleus is eccentric to peripheral and Golgi bodies are scattered throughout the cell and associated with endoplasmic reticulum. Cells have a slow random gliding motility. The low molecular weight carbohydrate mannitol is present in the cells. Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that this alga is closely related to members of the genus Rhodella. A new order, Dixoniellales, is established for Dixoniella, Neorhodella and Glaucosphaera based on molecular and ultrastructural evidence (Golgi bodies associated only with the nucleus). The redefined order Rhodellales in which Rhodella and Corynoplastis are placed is characterized ultrastructurally by Golgi bodies scattered throughout the cytoplasm and associated with endoplasmic reticulum.
Flower Bud Dormancy, ABA Concentration, and Survival during Frost of Jojoba Genotypes under Water Stress

Additional index words. Simmondsia chinensis, genetic differences Abstract. Flower bud dormancy and anthesis patterns, ABA concentration, and bud survival following frost were studied in eight jojoba (Simmondsia shinensis (Link) Schneider) clones grown under two irrigation regimes (water stress and well irrigated). Several clones broke dormancy in the autumn. Anthesis in the field before winter occurred only in one clone (a male) in the well-irrigated treatment. Buds on water-stresse d plants broke dormancy earlier than those on well-watered plants, but anthesis in the field occurred later in the year. Buds on water-stresse d plants were less affected by a severe frost than those on control plants (43% vs. 10% survival). There were large differences among clones in the amount of frost damage. ABA levels did not correlate with dormancy patterns or with the amount of frost damage. Chemical name used: S-(Z,E)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-methyl-2,4- pentadienoic acid (ABA).
The Rise of the Dynamic Crystals.

The anticipated shift in focal point of interest of solid-state chemists, crystal engineers and crystallographers from structure to properties to function of organic solids parallels the need to apply our accumulated understanding of the intricacies of crystal structure to explaining the related properties, with the ultimate goal of harnessing that knowledge in applications that require soft, light-weight, and/or biocompatible organic solids. In these developments, the adaptive molecular single crystals warrant a particular attention as an alternative choice of materials for light, flexible, and environmentally benign devices, primarily memories, capacitors, sensors, and actuators. Some of the outstanding requirements for application of these dynamic materials as high-efficiency energy storage devices are strongly induced polarization, high switching field, and narrow hysteresis in case of reversible dynamic processes. However, having been studied almost exclusively by chemists, molecular crystals still lack the appropriate investigations that reliably evaluate their reproducibility, scalability, and actuating performance, and some important drawbacks have diverted the interest of engineers from these materials in applications. United under the umbrella term crystal adaptronics, the recent research efforts aim to realistically assess the appositeness of dynamic crystals for applications that require fast, reversible and continuous operation over prolonged periods of time. With the aim to highlight the most recent developments in the research of adaptive molecular crystals, this Perspective article discusses their assets and pitfalls. It also provides some hints on the likely future developments that capitalize on the untapped, sequestered potential for applications of this distinct materials class.
The Role of the Locus Coeruleus and its Effect on Spontaneous Motor Activity in Response to Intraperitoneal Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a group of norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons that shows marked NE depletion when rats are exposed to uncontrollable shock. The depletion of NE in the LC region results in an increase in burst-firing of LC neurons. Evidence indicates that an increase in burst-firing of LC neurons results in a decrease in motor activity. Intraperitoneal (ip) administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, also causes an increase in burst-firing of LC neurons, apparently via the induction of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the brain. Ip LPS also results in a decrease in spontaneous motor activity in rats, a behavior that expressed in “sickness behavior. ” However, a causal relationship between an increase in burst-firing of LC neurons and a decrease in spontaneous motor activity after ip LPS has not yet been established. Therefore, this manuscript examines the effect of IL-1 acting within the LC region on producing an aspect of sickness behavior a decrease in spontaneous motor activity — that is seen after ip LPS. We hypothesize that the decrease in spontaneous motor activity that occurs after an injection of ip LPS is mediated by the induction of IL1 in the LC region. Several experiments conducted measured spontaneous motor activity as affected by 1) ip LPS, 2) LPS infused into the LC region or 3) IL-1 infused into the LC or LC surrounding regions. A final experiment tested whether interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-lra) infused into the LC region would block the decrease in spontaneous motor activity in response to an injection of ip LPS.
Ecological Aspects of Some Mixed-Species Foraging Flocks of Birds

Mixed—species flocks of birds composed of chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers, nuthatches, creepers, kinglets, and wood warblers were studied in several habitats in Louisiana, Maryland, and Maine. Chickadees and titmice usually led these groups. Both the size of the flock and density of birds varied with the habitat. An inverse relation existed between the density of birds in a habitat and the percentage of them that were species participating in flocks. Individuals of species regularly participating in flocks sometimes were found away from them. The tendency for such an individual to be in a flock was inversely related to the density of birds in the habitat. Hostile interactions were infrequent in flocks, being mostly of an intraspecific nature. A dominance hierarchy existed between the different species in flocks. A definite distance was maintained between individuals. As flock size increased the area occupied per individual decreased. The larger flocks were, the faster they usually moved. Each species favored certain parts of the habitat when foraging, though overlap existed between almost all pairs of species. The commonest species (Chickadees, titmice, kinglets) overlapped heavily. Subordinate species foraging in the presence of dominant species changed their areas of foraging, but little or no tendency was seen for subordinates to affect the foraging of dominants. Subordinates might either spread out over alternative foraging areas or concentrate their activities more strongly in a few areas. Most flock members responded markedly to predators; however, few predators were observed during the study. Many of the responses seen were delivered to inappropriate stimuli. Several factors suggest a direct relationship between population density and food supply. Flocking appears to be an effective adaptation to difficult conditions. If a species adjusts its foraging in the presence of another species, possibilities of hostilities should be minimized. Subordinate species usually moved to parts of the habitat to which they were well—adapted. If dominant species are absent, however, opportunism by the subordinate may allow it to take advantage of otherwise unused resources. Dominants may obtain a more predictable portion of the food supply by participating in flocks that if solitary. Constant movement may insure that birds obtain the most readily available food. Large flocks may move rapidly because their individuals are more crowded than those in small flocks. With this restriction either increased speed or more concentrated foraging would be predicted. The low frequency of predators suggests that evasive responses of flock members may have been more advantageous than at present.
Implementing a Feasible Exercise Programme in an Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Setting—Impact on Physical Activity and Fatigue

Physical exercise for patients treated with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has shown positive effects on the quality of life and fatigue in experimental trials. However, there is a need for longitudinal evaluation of exercise programmes implemented in a real-world clinical setting. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the impact of an exercise programme introduced before allo-HSCT on physical activity and fatigue before, during and after in-patient care. A structured exercise programme, including strength and endurance exercises, was implemented at a Swedish university hospital four weeks before transplantation, continuing during in-patient care and after discharge. Between March 2016 and May 2018, 67 adult patients, 33 women and 34 men with a mean age of 55.5 years participated. Fatigue was measured by the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory at four time points. The patients documented their exercises on a checklist each week during the entire study period. The fatigue trajectory differed between various sub-groups, thus individualized supervision and support to maintain motivation is needed. In conclusion, a structured yet realistic exercise programme before admission is beneficial for allo-HSCT patients in order to reduce fatigue and prepare them for transplantation both physically and mentally.
Role of a novel type of double infection in the geminivirus‐induced epidemic of severe cassava mosaic in Uganda

Summary To study the cause of the current epidemic of severe mosaic in Ugandan cassava, PCR analysis was used to detect and identify African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV) and the recently reported recombinant geminivirus (UgV), which is derived from ACMV and EACMV, in leaf extracts from cassava plants grown from cuttings in the glasshouse at Dundee. The cuttings were collected from plants showing symptoms of different severities and growing at different sites in Uganda inside, at the periphery of, and outside, the area affected by the epidemic. ACMV occurred throughout the nine districts sampled but UgV was detected only in the area affected by the epidemic. EACMV was not found in Uganda. Most plants containing ACMV alone expressed mild or moderate mosaic, whereas very severe mosaic developed in most plants containing UgV plus ACMV and a few of those containing UgV only. Very severe mosaic in cassava from southern Sudan was likewise associated with co-infection by UgV and ACMV. The very severe disease was reproduced by graft-inoculating geminivirus-free cassava with UgV plus ACMV; plants inoculated with either UgV or ACMV developed severe or moderate symptoms, respectively. Unlike ACMV, Malawian EACMV did not enhance the severity of symptoms induced by UgV. However, a very severely affected plant from Ukerewe Island, Tanzania, contained ACMV and EACMV but not UgV. UgV attained a much greater concentration in cassava than did ACMV but the opposite occurred in Nicotiana benthamiana. In neither host was total virus antigen concentration affected by co-infection. Factors affecting the genesis, selection and spread of UgV are discussed. The evidence indicates that UgV is probably of relatively recent origin, that such variants do not appear often, and that the current epidemic has resulted from the rapid spread of UgV to infect plants and to invade regions in which ACMV already occurred. The novel type of virus complex so produced, consisting of an interspecific recombinant virus (UgV) and one of its parents (ACMV), typically has even more severe effects than UgV alone.
Effect of Aromatic Plant Essential Oils on Oxidative Stability of Sunflower Oil During Heating and Storage

2 Abstract: Oxidative degradation of lipids is a major factor limiting the shelf life of foods. The free radical reaction of lipid peroxidation is generally responsible for the deterioration of lipid-containing foods. Use of antioxidants during the manufacturing process can minimize the extent of lipid peroxidation. Spices and some herbs have received increased attention as sources of many effective antioxidants. The effect of essential oils extracted from fennel, rosemary and ginger on the oxidative stability of sunflower oil during storage at ambient temperature with light exposure was studied. The effect of heating time on the stability of oil was studied as well. The obtained results showed that the studied essential oil inhibited the formation of primary and secondary oxidation products during heating and storage of sunflower oil. It could be concluded that, essential oils of selected aromatic plants are promising as natural antioxidants.
Evaporative Water Loss from Three South-Eastern Australian Species of Freshwater Turtle

In the chelid turtles Chelodina expansa, C. longicollis and Emydura macquarii, over the temperature range 8-34°C and humidity range 25-60% RH, evaporative water loss (EWL; estimated as weight loss) corrected for differences in body weight was greatest in E. macquarii and least in C. longicollis. Interspecific differences were most pronounced at high temperature and low humidity, but may have been exaggerated by variations in experimental airflow. Under progressive dehydration, EWL declined by about 20% in C. expansa and E. macquarii and over 60% in C. longicollis. Cutaneous water loss greatly exceeded pulmonary loss in all three species, but made up the lowest percentage of total EWL in C. longicollis; dehydration further reduced the relative contribution of cutaneous loss in this species. C, longicollis also demonstrated an ability to take up free water via the cloaca. The water-conserving abilities of C. longicollis are ecologically advantageous, since it commonly migrates over land, occupies ephemeral bodies of water, and is capable of aestivation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

Background: Tyrosinase is a copper-containing monooxygenase responsible for the biosynthesis of melanins and other polyphenolic compounds. Since tyrosinase function lead to the different biological process through animals and its deficiency may cause problems, thus the study of its activation or stabilizations is as important as its inhibition. Method: The thermodynamical stability and inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase (MT) from Agaricus Bisporus were investigated in the presence of gallic acid, naringin, chrisin, quercetin. Therefore, the protein denaturation and thermal scanning was studied. Sigmoid denaturation curves were analysed according to the two models of Pace theory to obtain the Gibbs free energy change of denaturation process. Results and conclusion: In the presence of gallic acid, kinetic assessment of the enzyme activity showed a non-competitive inhibition and the chrysin, naringin and quercetin induced a competitive inhibition. Although these flavonoids induced MT thermal and chemical stability, the ΔG°H2O magnitudes for sole enzyme, in presence of gallic acid, naringin, chrysin and quercetin was obtained 6.39, 7.21, 6.77, 8.56, and 8.04 respectively. Also, the melting points (Tm) of enzyme in above conditions from thermal denaturation were calculated 56.2, 62.62, 59.09, 57.53 and 57.22oC, respectively. So, these flavonoids, induced physico-chemical stability of tyrosinase.