Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Within‐host interactions shape virulence‐related traits of trematode genotypes

Within‐host interactions between co‐infecting parasites can significantly influence the evolution of key parasite traits, such as virulence (pathogenicity of infection). The type of interaction is expected to predict the direction of selection, with antagonistic interactions favouring more virulent genotypes and synergistic interactions less virulent genotypes. Recently, it has been suggested that virulence can further be affected by the genetic identity of co‐infecting partners (G × G interactions), complicating predictions on disease dynamics. Here, we used a natural host–parasite system including a fish host and a trematode parasite to study the effects of G × G interactions on infection virulence. We exposed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) either to single genotypes or to mixtures of two genotypes of the eye fluke Diplostomum pseudospathaceum and estimated parasite infectivity (linearly related to pathogenicity of infection, measured as coverage of eye cataracts) and relative cataract coverage (controlled for infectivity). We found that both traits were associated with complex G × G interactions, including both increases and decreases from single infection to co‐infection, depending on the genotype combination. In particular, combinations where both genotypes had low average infectivity and relative cataract coverage in single infections benefited from co‐infection, while the pattern was opposite for genotypes with higher performance. Together, our results show that infection outcomes vary considerably between single and co‐infections and with the genetic identity of the co‐infecting parasites. This can result in variation in parasite fitness and consequently impact evolutionary dynamics of host–parasite interactions.
Space Use by Eastern Hoolock Gibbons (Hoolock leuconedys) in Nankang, Mt. Gaoligong, Southwest Yunnan, China

To understand the differences in space use by eastern hoolock gibbons (Hoolock leuconedys) for meeting different behavioural needs and adapting to a disturbed environment, an eastern hoolock gibbon family in Nankang, Mt. Gaoligong, China, was observed, and data on their behaviour, spatial position and substrate use were collected through instantaneous scanning from October 2, 2010, to September 15, 2011. Our results suggested that connectivity was a primary factor influencing the movements of eastern hoolock gibbons. However, there were differences between spatial location and substrate use with different behaviours. Sitting and hanging were the main resting behaviours, but spatial position and substrate use for these two postures were different. Because tsaoko cultivation in this area has made understory plants rare, gibbons primarily used long, thin, horizontal branches in the first and second layers of the tree canopy for their movement. Although gibbons can selectively use the habitat and alter their spatial utilisation pattern accordingly, they are facing increased difficulty in movement and risk falling because of increased human disturbance and spread of tsaoko plantations. Therefore, it is important to limit the scope of tsaoko plantation to maintain a suitable habitat for Nankang gibbons.
Neighborhood context and transitions in marijuana use among urban young adults

Abstract Background: In emerging adulthood when many youth are maturing out of marijuana use, Blacks continue to have high rates of use and disorder. Theory suggests that factors tied to neighborhood disadvantage may partially explain this phenomenon but research is limited. Objectives: This study examines the influence of neighborhood physical and social disorder on transitions in marijuana use during emerging adulthood in a low-income urban sample. Methods: 379 primarily Black young adults residing in low-income neighborhoods in Baltimore City were followed-up annually from ages 18 to 21. Neighborhood environment was evaluated using a valid and reliable field-rater assessment of the residential block. Longitudinal latent class and latent transition analyses were performed. Results: Fit indices supported three-classes of marijuana use: no use, infrequent use and frequent use. Between ages 18 and 21, young adults tended to transition toward lower levels of use. However, neighborhood physical disorder was associated with transitioning to increased marijuana use (no use to frequent use; AOR = 2.712; p = .023) while positive neighborhood social activity was associated with a decreased risk (AOR = 0.002; p = .013). Neighborhood social activity was also associated with decreases in use (frequent to infrequent use; AOR = 2.342; p = .020). Conclusions/Importance: These findings demonstrate that physical disorder within the context of a low-income urban neighborhood adversely impacts marijuana use. However, even in the presence of physical disorder, interventions that foster collective efficacy among residents through positive social activity may prevent initiation and progression of marijuana use.
Chromosome 9p21 and cardiovascular disease: the story unfolds.

The middle of 2007 saw what may, with time, turn out to be the single most important discovery in the genetics of cardiovascular diseases. Within a few weeks, 4 independent genomewide association studies reported the association of the same locus on chromosome 9p21 with coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI). 1–4 In fact, of the hundreds of thousands single-nucleotide polymorphisms studied across the genome the same locus showed the strongest association with CAD in all 4 studies, as illustrated by a direct comparison of the data from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium and the Cardiogenics Consortium.4 The finding has led to a plethora of further studies that have largely confirmed the association of the 9p21 locus with CAD and MI in both case–control and cohort studies and in multiple ethnic groups.5–12 9p21 represents the most replicated locus for CAD and MI to date. The risk allele as currently defined, until causal variants are identified, is common (allele frequency of almost 50%) and associated with a 20% to 30% increased risk per copy. The effect of the 9p21 locus on CAD and MI risk is unaltered by adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors5,6 and indeed studies in healthy populations have found no explanatory effect of the 9p21 locus on CAD risk via blood pressure, cholesterol levels, body mass index, or smoking behavior.13 Article see p 85 The chromosome 9p21 locus is intriguing for several reasons. First, it is a region well known in cancer genetics as one of the most common sites of deletions leading to hereditary forms of cutaneous malignant melanoma.14 Second, the association signal for CAD maps to a segment with no known protein coding genes.4 Indeed, the most strongly associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms lie almost a 100 kb from the …
Molecular Implications of Natriuretic Peptides in the Protection from Hypertension and Target Organ Damage Development

The pathogenesis of hypertension, as a multifactorial trait, is complex. High blood pressure levels, in turn, concur with the development of cardiovascular damage. Abnormalities of several neurohormonal mechanisms controlling blood pressure homeostasis and cardiovascular remodeling can contribute to these pathological conditions. The natriuretic peptide (NP) family (including ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide), BNP (brain natriuretic peptide), and CNP (C-type natriuretic peptide)), the NP receptors (NPRA, NPRB, and NPRC), and the related protease convertases (furin, corin, and PCSK6) constitute the NP system and represent relevant protective mechanisms toward the development of hypertension and associated conditions, such as atherosclerosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and renal injury. Initially, several experimental studies performed in different animal models demonstrated a key role of the NP system in the development of hypertension. Importantly, these studies provided relevant insights for a better comprehension of the pathogenesis of hypertension and related cardiovascular phenotypes in humans. Thus, investigation of the role of NPs in hypertension offers an excellent example in translational medicine. In this review article, we will summarize the most compelling evidence regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological and pathological impact of NPs on blood pressure regulation and on hypertension development. We will also discuss the protective effect of NPs toward the increased susceptibility to hypertensive target organ damage.
Cachexia and advanced dementia

Cachexia is a complex metabolic process that is associated with several end‐stage organ diseases. It is known to be also associated with advanced dementia, although the pathophysiologic mechanisms are still largely unknown. The present narrative review is aimed at presenting recent insights concerning the pathophysiology of weight loss and wasting syndrome in dementia, the putative mechanisms involved in the dysregulation of energy balance, and the interplay among the chronic clinical conditions of sarcopenia, malnutrition, and frailty in the elderly. We discuss the clinical implications of these new insights, with particular attention to the challenging question of nutritional needs in advanced dementia and the utility of tube feeding in order to optimize the management of end‐stage dementia.
A Smart Nanovector for Cancer Targeted Drug Delivery Based on Graphene Quantum Dots

Graphene quantum dots (GQD), the new generation members of graphene-family, have shown promising applications in anticancer therapy. In this study, we report the synthesis of a fluorescent and biocompatible nanovector, based on GQD, for the targeted delivery of an anticancer drug with benzofuran structure (BFG) and bearing the targeting ligand riboflavin (RF, vitamin B2). The highly water-dispersible nanoparticles, synthesized from multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) by prolonged acidic treatment, were linked covalently to the drug by means of a cleavable PEG linker while the targeting ligand RF was conjugated to the GQD by π–π interaction using a pyrene linker. The cytotoxic effect of the synthesized drug delivery system (DDS) GQD-PEG-BFG@Pyr-RF was tested on three cancer cell lines and this effect was compared with that exerted by the same nanovector lacking the RF ligand (GQD-PEG-BFG) or the anticancer drug (GQD@Pyr-RF). The results of biological tests underlined the low cytotoxicity of the GQD sample and the cytotoxic activity of the DDS against the investigated cancer cell lines with a higher or similar potency to that exerted by the BFG alone, thus opening new possibilities for the use of this drug or other anticancer agents endowed of cytotoxicity and serious side effects.
The role of selenium in bevacizumab induced cardiotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE We investigated the role of selenium in bevacizumab induced cardiotoxicity and involvement of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels in cardiomyocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS All cells (Human cardiomyocyte cell line) were cultured at 37 °C. We divided the cells into seven groups as control, bevacizumab, bevacizumab + capsazepin, bevacizumab + selenium, bevacizumab + selenium + capsazepin, selenium and selenium + capsazepin groups. Cells in the groups were stimulated with capsaicin and inhibited with capsazepin in related experiments for activation and inactivation of TRPV1 channels, respectively. RESULTS Cytosolic calcium, apoptosis and intracellular ROS production levels were lower in bevacizumab + selenium group than in the bevacizumab group of cardiomyocytes (p ˂ 0.001). Also, values were markedly lower in the bevacizumab + selenium + capsazepine group when compared to the bevacizumab + selenium group (p ˂ 0.001). CONCLUSION We found that cytosolic calcium, apoptosis, intracellular ROS production levels were increased in bevacizumab induced cardiotoxicity and selenium treatment could have beneficial effects on these parameters (Fig. 5, Ref. 51).
An Integrative Systems Perspective on Plant Phosphate Research

The case for improving crop phosphorus-use-efficiency is widely recognized. Although much is known about the molecular and regulatory mechanisms, improvements have been hampered by the extreme complexity of phosphorus (P) dynamics, which involves soil chemistry; plant-soil interactions; uptake, transport, utilization and remobilization within plants; and agricultural practices. The urgency and direction of phosphate research is also dependent upon the finite sources of P, availability of stocks to farmers and reducing environmental hazards. This work introduces integrative systems approaches as a way to represent and understand this complexity, so that meaningful links can be established between genotype, environment, crop traits and yield. It aims to provide a large set of pointers to potential genes and research practice, with a view to encouraging members of the plant-phosphate research community to adopt such approaches so that, together, we can aid efforts in global food security.
Immunosuppression and oxidative stress induced by subchronic exposure to carbosulfan in rat spleen: immunomodulatory and antioxidant role of N-acetylcysteine

Abstract The present study was designed to determine the immunosuppressive effects of carbosulfan (CB) and their relationship with an increased formation of reactive oxygen species in rat. Further, we aimed to evaluate the protective effects of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) against immunopathological changes induced by CB. Carbosulfan (25 mg/kg) and NAC (2 g/l) were given daily to rats during 30 days, via oral gavage and drinking water, respectively. Cell-mediated immune function, cytokines production, biomarkers of cell redox state maintenance, lipid peroxidation and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were measured in the spleen. Our data showed an increase in WBC percent (28.42%), a reduction in spleen CD8 T-lymphocytes (−85.63%) and a decrease in immunosuppressive cytokines production such as INF-gamma and IL-4. There was a switch from Th1-type to Th2-type cytokines with an unbalance toward anti-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, a significant decrease in reduced glutathione (−71.68%) and total thiols (−39.81%) levels were observed in treated rats. Conversely, malondialdehyde level in spleen was increased (−42.3%), while glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were depleted. Our results suggest that subchronic CB administration affects cellular enzyme and non-enzyme-mediated antioxidant defense systems and promotes immunotoxicity in rat. On the other hand, our data showed protective effects of NAC. Indeed, there was a recovery of oxidative stress markers and cytokines production. The use of NAC, in our study, as a therapeutic agent showed interesting results against CB toxicity.
Classifying Biomedical Figures by Modality via Multi-Label Learning

The figures found in biomedical literature are a vital part of biomedical research, education, and clinical decision. The multitude of their modalities and the lack of corresponding metadata constitute search and information, retrieval a difficult task. In this paper, we introduce novel multi-label modality classification approaches for biomedical figures without segmenting the compound figures. In particular, we investigate using both simple and compound figures for training a multi-label model to be used for annotating either all figures or only those predicted as compound by a compound figure detection model. Using data from the medical task of ImageCLEF 2016, we train our approaches with visual features and compare them with the approach involving compound figure separation into sub-figures. Furthermore, we study how multimodal learning, from both visual and textual features affects the tasks of classifying biomedical figures by modality and detecting compound figures. Finally, we present a web application for medical figure retrieval, which is based on one of our classification approaches and allows users to search for figures of PubMed Central from any device and provide feedback about the modality of a figure classified by the system.
The Progress of Glucose Monitoring—A Review of Invasive to Minimally and Non-Invasive Techniques, Devices and Sensors

Current glucose monitoring methods for the ever-increasing number of diabetic people around the world are invasive, painful, time-consuming, and a constant burden for the household budget. The non-invasive glucose monitoring technology overcomes these limitations, for which this topic is significantly being researched and represents an exciting and highly sought after market for many companies. This review aims to offer an up-to-date report on the leading technologies for non-invasive (NI) and minimally-invasive (MI) glucose monitoring sensors, devices currently available in the market, regulatory framework for accuracy assessment, new approaches currently under study by representative groups and developers, and algorithm types for signal enhancement and value prediction. The review also discusses the future trend of glucose detection by analyzing the usage of the different bands in the electromagnetic spectrum. The review concludes that the adoption and use of new technologies for glucose detection is unavoidable and closer to become a reality.
Extracellular vesicles from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells improve nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve transection in rats

Peripheral nerve injury results in limited nerve regeneration and severe functional impairment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a remarkable tool for peripheral nerve regeneration. The involvement of human umbilical cord MSC‐derived extracellular vesicles (hUCMSC‐EVs) in peripheral nerve regeneration, however, remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated functional recovery and nerve regeneration in rats that received hUCMSC‐EV treatment after nerve transection. We observed that hUCMSC‐EV treatment promoted the recovery of motor function and the regeneration of axons; increased the sciatic functional index; resulted in the generation of numerous axons and of several Schwann cells that surrounded individual axons; and attenuated the atrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle. hUCMSC‐EVs aggregated to rat nerve defects, down‐regulated interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β, up‐regulated IL‐10 and modulated inflammation in the injured nerve. These effects likely contributed to the promotion of nerve regeneration. Our findings indicate that hUCMSC‐EVs can improve functional recovery and nerve regeneration by providing a favourable microenvironment for nerve regeneration. Thus, hUCMSC‐EVs have considerable potential for application in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.
It’s how I am . . . it’s what I am . . . it’s a part of who I am: A narrative exploration of the impact of adolescent-onset chronic illness on identity formation in young people

In Western society, identity formation is argued to be one of the key developmental tasks of adolescence. Despite implications for adolescent development, research into chronic illness (CI) onset during this period has been notably sparse. This study aimed to explore how diagnosis impacts on the developmental tasks of adolescence, what role adolescent-onset CI plays in identity formation, and how adolescents incorporate the diagnosis into their identity using a narrative analysis. Individual semi-structured interviews were carried out with eight young people aged 14 to 19years who lived with a diagnosis of a CI diagnosed between the ages of 12 and 16 years. Five core narrative themes emerged: walking a different path, tolerating contradiction, a changed interface with others, locating power and a fluid relationship. Narratives were considered to have been influenced by factors such as the interview context and dominant social narratives concerning health and illness. Adolescent-onset CI was found to have a significant, though not exclusively negative, impact on developmental tasks. The findings are discussed in relation to existing literature and potential clinical implications.
Utilization of the Eμ-Myc Mouse to Model Heterogeneity of Therapeutic Response

Human aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) encompass the continuum between Burkitt lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and display considerable clinical and biologic heterogeneity, most notably related to therapy response. We previously showed that lymphomas arising in the Eμ-Myc transgenic mouse are heterogeneous, mirroring genomic differences between Burkitt lymphoma and DLBCL. Given clinical heterogeneity in NHL and the need to develop strategies to match therapeutics with discrete forms of disease, we investigated the extent to which genomic variation in the Eμ-Myc model predicts response to therapy. We used genomic analyses to classify Eμ-Myc lymphomas, link Eμ-Myc lymphomas with NHL subtypes, and identify lymphomas with predicted resistance to conventional and NF-κB–targeted therapies. Experimental evaluation of these predictions links genomic profiles with distinct outcomes to conventional and targeted therapies in the Eμ-Myc model, and establishes a framework to test novel targeted therapies or combination therapies in specific genomically defined lymphoma subgroups. In turn, this will rationally inform the design of new treatment options for aggressive human NHL. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(12); 3219–29. ©2014 AACR.
Regeneration of Escherichia coli Giant Protoplasts to Their Original Form

The spheroplasts and protoplasts of cell wall-deficient (CWD) bacteria are able to revert to their original cellular morphologies through the regeneration of their cell walls. However, whether this is true for giant protoplasts (GPs), which can be as large as 10 μm in diameter, is unknown. GPs can be prepared from various bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, and also from fungi, through culture in the presence of inhibitors for cell wall synthesis or mitosis. In this report, we prepared GPs from E. coli and showed that they can return to rod-shaped bacterium, and that they are capable of colony formation. Microscopic investigation revealed that the regeneration process took place through a variety of morphological pathways. We also report the relationship between GP division and GP volume. Finally, we show that FtsZ is crucial for GP division. These results indicate that E. coli is a highly robust organism that can regenerate its original form from an irregular state, such as GP.