Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microscopie à deux photons pour l’imagerie cellulaire fonctionnelle : avantages et enjeux : ou Un photon c’est bien… mais deux c’est mieux !

L’observation de la dynamique des evenements moleculaires dans la cellule in situ presente une serie de defis, notamment la capacite de suivre ces evenements avec le maximum de resolution spatiale et temporelle tout en minimisant l’interference avec la biologie du tissu et de la cellule. L’exploitation recente d’approches fondees sur l’optique non-lineaire, telle que la microscopie par balayage laser de fluorescence produite par excitation a deux photons, a permis de faire des progres enormes dans ce domaine, notamment parce qu’elle permet de faire des mesures dans un espace tres confine a l’interieur du tissu intact et a des profondeurs inaccessibles avec la microscopie lineaire conventionnelle. En minimisant l’excitation indesirable du tissu en dehors du point focal, on ameliore la resolution et la sensibilite, on simplifie le systeme optique et on minimise la phototoxicite. Ces avantages sont a la source du succes de la microscopie a deux photons pour l’imagerie cellulaire fonctionnelle. Des percees recentes en optique/photonique permettent d’envisager d’ameliorer davantage la resolution spatiale et temporelle de ce type d’imagerie et la capacite de sonder encore plus profondement dans le tissu pour repousser les limites de la biochimie fonctionnelle et de la biologie cellulaire actuelles.
Rethinking Concepts and Categories for Understanding the Neurodevelopmental Effects of Childhood Adversity

Discovering the processes through which early adverse experiences affect children’s nervous-system development, health, and behavior is critically important for developing effective interventions. However, advances in our understanding of these processes have been constrained by conceptualizations that rely on categories of adversity that are overlapping, have vague boundaries, and lack consistent biological evidence. Here, we discuss central problems in understanding the link between early-life adversity and children’s brain development. We conclude by suggesting alternative formulations that hold promise for advancing knowledge about the neurobiological mechanisms through which adversity affects human development.
Restoration of Native Perennials in a California Annual Grassland after Prescribed Spring Burning and Solarization

Grasslands dominated by exotic annual grasses have replaced native perennial vegetation types in vast areas of California. Prescribed spring fires can cause a temporary replacement of exotic annual grasses by native and non‐native forbs, but generally do not lead to recovery of native perennials, especially where these have been entirely displaced for many years. Successful reintroduction of perennial species after fire depends on establishment in the postfire environment. We studied the effects of vegetation changes after an April fire on competition for soil moisture, a key factor in exotic annual grass dominance. As an alternative to fire, solarization effectively kills seeds of most plant species but with a high labor investment per area. We compared the burn to solarization in a study of establishment and growth of seeds and transplants of the native perennial grass Purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra) and coastal sage species California sagebrush (Artemisia californica). After the fire, initial seed bank and seedling densities and regular percent cover and soil moisture (0–20 cm) data were collected in burned and unburned areas. Burned areas had 96% fewer viable seeds of the dominant annual grass, Ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus), leading to replacement by forbs from the seed bank, especially non‐native Black mustard (Brassica nigra). In the early growing season, B. diandrus dominating unburned areas consistently depleted soil moisture to a greater extent between rains than forbs in burned areas. However, B. diandrus senesced early, leaving more moisture available in unburned areas after late‐season rains. Nassella pulchra and A. californica established better on plots treated with fire and/or solarization than on untreated plots. We conclude that both spring burns and solarization can produce conditions where native perennials can establish in annual grasslands. However, the relative contribution of these treatments to restoration appears to depend on the native species being reintroduced, and the long‐term success of these initial restoration experiments remains to be determined.
NEW SPECIES OF CALONECTRIA AND CYLINDROCLADIUM ISOLATED FROM SOIL IN THE TROPICS

Several Calonectria (Ca.) and Cylindroclad- ium (Cy.) species were recovered from alfalfa-baited soil samples gathered in Colombia and Venezuela. Perithecia of Calonectria naviculata sp. nov. formed in culture when Venezuelan strains of Cy. navicula- tum were crossed with ex-type Brazilian strains. Ca- lonectria gracilipes sp. nov. (anam. Cy. gracilioideum sp. nov.), a homothallic species, was isolated from Co- lombian soils. Cylindrocladium graciloideum, Cy. grac- ile, Cy. pteridis and Cy. pseudogracile form a complex of morphologically similar species characterized by clavate vesicles and primarily 1-septate conidia. Each species could, however, be distinguished using RFLP banding patterns. A key to Calonectria spp. having Cylindrocladium anamorphs with 1-septate conidia is also presented.
Nitric Oxide (NO) and NO Synthases (NOS)-Based Targeted Therapy for Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide and CRC therapy remains unsatisfactory. In recent decades, nitric oxide (NO)—a free-radical gas—plus its endogenous producer NO synthases (NOS), have attracted considerable attention. NO exerts dual effects (pro- and anti-tumor) in cancers. Endogenous levels of NO promote colon neoplasms, whereas exogenously sustained doses lead to cytotoxic functions. Importantly, NO has been implicated as an essential mediator in many signaling pathways in CRC, such as the Wnt/β-catenin and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways, which are closely associated with cancer initiation, metastasis, inflammation, and chemo-/radio-resistance. Therefore, NO/NOS have been proposed as promising targets in the regulation of CRC carcinogenesis. Clinically relevant NO-donating agents have been developed for CRC therapy to deliver a high level of NO to tumor sites. Notably, inducible NOS (iNOS) is ubiquitously over-expressed in inflammatory-associated colon cancer. The development of iNOS inhibitors contributes to targeted therapies for CRC with clinical benefits. In this review, we summarize the multifaceted mechanisms of NO-mediated networks in several hallmarks of CRC. We review the clinical manifestation and limitations of NO donors and NOS inhibitors in clinical trials. We also discuss the possible directions of NO/NOS therapies in the immediate future.
Significance of Autoantibodies in Autoimmune Encephalitis in Relation to Antigen Localization: An Outline of Frequently Reported Autoantibodies with a Non-Systematic Review

Autoantibodies related to central nervous system (CNS) diseases propel research on paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (PNS). This syndrome develops autoantibodies in combination with certain neurological syndromes and cancers, such as anti-HuD antibodies in encephalomyelitis with small cell lung cancer and anti-Yo antibodies in cerebellar degeneration with gynecological cancer. These autoantibodies have roles in the diagnosis of neurological diseases and early detection of cancers that are usually occult. Most of these autoantibodies have no pathogenic roles in neuronal dysfunction directly. Instead, antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes are thought to have direct roles in neuronal damage. The recent discoveries of autoantibodies against neuronal synaptic receptors/channels produced in patients with autoimmune encephalomyelitis have highlighted insights into our understanding of the variable neurological symptoms in this disease. It has also improved our understanding of intractable epilepsy, atypical psychosis, and some demyelinating diseases that are ameliorated with immune therapies. The production and motility of these antibodies through the blood-brain barrier into the CNS remains unknown. Most of these recently identified autoantibodies bind to neuronal and glial cell surface synaptic receptors, potentially altering the synaptic signaling process. The clinical features differ among pathologies based on antibody targets. The investigation of these antibodies provides a deeper understanding of the background of neurological symptoms in addition to novel insights into their basic neuroscience.
Biomassa acima do solo de um ecossistema de "campina" em Roraima, norte da Amazônia brasileira

The aboveground biomass of a "campina" ecosystem was estimated in Roraima, in the northern portion of Brazilian Amazonia. The biomass was determined from a phytosociological inventory (1 ha) and distributed between two categories: (1) grassy-woody, composed of "herbs+lichens" (Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Eriocaulaceae, Cladonia spp), Bromeliaceae, seedlings, fine and coarse litter and, (2) woody, composed of trees and bushes. The grassy-woody category was estimated by the direct method (cutting and weighing) in 10 1-m2 plots, taking advantage of transects of the inventory. The category woody was estimated by the indirect method cutting 98 individuals of different species and diameters. A model was generated to express the relationship among total dry above-ground biomass (kg), base circumference (cm) and total height (m) for the individuals in this category. The equation was applied to the 3,966 ind.ha-1 observed in the inventory. The total biomass was estimated at 15.91 t.ha-1, of which 2.20 ± 0.23 t.ha-1 (13.8%) was in the grassy-woody category and 13.70 ± 7.13 t.ha -1 (86.2%) in woody category. The tree species with the highest biomass was Humiria balsamifera (Aubl.) St. Hill. (8.43 t.ha-1), followed by Pagamea guianensis Aubl. (1.14 t.ha-1). These results are important for refining the calculations of greenhouse-gas emissions from burning and decomposition of above-ground biomass in "campina" ecosystems in the Amazon region.
Gustatory Afferents from the Locust Ovipositor: Integration at the Interneuron Level

Sensory afferents from the ovipositors influence the behaviour of locusts before and during egg-laying. Their contact chemoreceptors have only one terminal porous (basiconic sensilla) and five sensory neurons at their base, with one responding to mechanical contact and the others to different classes of attractant or repellent chemicals. Responses to aqueous solutions of salts (NaCl), sugars (glucose), acids (citric acid), oviposition aggregation pheromones (veratrole and acetophenone), alkaloids (quinine and tomatine), and phenolic compounds (salicin) were seen. Higher order processing occurs in local and ascending interneurones of the terminal abdominal ganglion. They are excited or inhibited when purely aqueous solutions of a single chemical are applied to the ovipositor taste receptors. We focussed on a cluster of interneurons extending in the anterolateral region of the eighth abdominal neuromere. Several have ascending collaterals to more anterior abdominal ganglia. Projecting interneurons respond only to one or two chemical substances (sugars or salts, or salts and acids together). The physiological and morphological differences between the chemosensory interneurons suggest that there is no specific centre for processing taste information in the locust terminal ganglion. [Life Science Journal. 2009; 6(3): 37 – 45] (ISSN: 1097 – 8135).
Screening of Brazilian plants for antimicrobial and dnadamaging activities: I. Atlantic rain forest . Ecological station juréia-itatins

Abstract I. Atlantic Rain For est Œ Ecological S tation JurOia-Itatins) Crude extracts from 88 plant species occurring in SaoPaulo State (Brazil), collected in an Atlantic Forest region, have been screened for antimicrobial and DNA-damagingactivities. Of the 114 extracts assayed for antibacterial activity, only the extracts from leaves and stems of Aspidospermaramiflorum (Apocynaceae) showed a slight activity against Escherichia coli . In the antifungal assay with Candida albicans, no active extract was observed, while in the bioautography assay with Cladosporium sphaerospermu m and C. cladosporioides 12% were active. However , only the extract of Psychotria mapour eoides (Rubiaceae) stems showed a strong inhibition ofboth fungi. The DNA-damaging assay with mutant strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae resulted in 17.5 % of activeextracts. The majority (55 %) of the active extracts showed selectivity for the DNA-repair mechanism of topoisomerase IIand only 20 % showed a selective response for the mechanism of topoisomerase I.
Distribution, classification, and development of Drosophila glial cells in the late embryonic and early larval ventral nerve cord

Received: 22 June 1994 / Accepted in revised form: 10 October 1994 Abstract To facilitate the investigation of glial develop- ment in Drosophila, we present a detailed description of the Drosophila glial cells in the ventral nerve cord. A GAL4 enhancer-trap screen for glial-specific expression was performed. Using UAS-lacZ and UAS-kinesin-lacZ as reporter constructs, we describe the distribution and morphology of the identified glial cells in the fully dif- ferentiated ventral nerve cord of first-instar larvae just after hatching. The three-dimensiona l structure of the glial network was reconstructed using a computer. Using the strains with consistent GAL4 expression during late embryogenesis, we traced back the development of the identified cells to provide a glial map at embryonic stage 16. We identify typically 60 (54-64) glial cells per ab- dominal neuromere both in embryos and early larvae. They are divided into six subtypes under three catego- ries: surface-associat ed glia (16-18 subperineurial glial cells and 6-8 channel glial cells), cortex-associate d glia (6-8 cell body glial cells), and neuropile-associ ated glia (8-10 nerve root glial cells, 14-16 interface glial cells, and 3-4 midline glial cells). The proposed glial classifi- cation system is discussed in comparison with previous insect glial classifications.
Validation of Marker-Less System for the Assessment of Upper Joints Reaction Forces in Exoskeleton Users

This paper presents the validation of a marker-less motion capture system used to evaluate the upper limb stress of subjects using exoskeletons for locomotion. The system fuses the human skeletonization provided by commercial 3D cameras with forces exchanged by the user to the ground through upper limbs utilizing instrumented crutches. The aim is to provide a low cost, accurate, and reliable technology useful to provide the trainer a quantitative evaluation of the impact of assisted gait on the subject without the need to use an instrumented gait lab. The reaction forces at the upper limbs’ joints are measured to provide a validation focused on clinically relevant quantities for this application. The system was used simultaneously with a reference motion capture system inside a clinical gait analysis lab. An expert user performed 20 walking tests using instrumented crutches and force platforms inside the observed volume. The mechanical model was applied to data from the system and the reference motion capture, and numerical simulations were performed to assess the internal joint reaction of the subject’s upper limbs. A comparison between the two results shows a root mean square error of less than 2% of the subject’s body weight.
A “plan bee” for cities: Pollinator diversity and plant-pollinator interactions in urban green spaces

Green infrastructure in cities is considered to serve as a refuge for insect pollinators, especially in the light of an ongoing global decline of insects in agricultural landscapes. The design and maintenance of urban green spaces as key components of green infrastructure play a crucial role in case of nesting opportunities and for foraging insects. However, only few research has explored the impact of urban green space design on flower visitor communities, plant-pollinator interaction and the provision of the ecosystem service of pollination in cities. We investigated the abundance and diversity of pollinator communities in different urban park types in designed, standardized vegetation units, linked the visitation rates to the structural composition of the park types and derived indices for implemented pollination performances. The study was performed in two different structural park elements, flower beds and insect-pollinating trees. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between plants and pollinators, we calculated a plant-pollinator network of the recorded community in the investigation area. Visitation rates at different park types clearly showed, that the urban community gardens in comparison to other urban park types had a significantly higher abundance of pollinator groups, comparable to results found on a rural reference site. Tilia trees contributed significantly to the ecosystem service of pollination in investigated green spaces with a high supply of nectar and pollen during their flowering period. Calculations of pollination performances showed that recreational parks had comparably low visitation rates of pollinators and a high potential to improve conditions for the ecosystem service of pollination. The results indicated the strong potential of cities to provide a habitat for different groups of pollinators. In order to access this refuge, it is necessary to rely on near-natural concepts in design and maintenance, to create a wide range of flower diversity and to use even small green patches. Based on the findings, we encourage an integrated management of urban free spaces to consider parks as key habitats for pollinators in anthropogenic dominated, urban environments.
Post harvest physiology and quality of heliconia inflorescence cv. Golden Torch as influenced by antioxidants

Effects of vase solutions comprising of 8-HQC, sucrose, calcium chloride, α-lipoic acid, sodium benzoate, spermine, citric acid and commercially available surfactant on post harvest quality and life of heliconia inflorescence were investigated. Vase solution treatments, T4 (α-lipoic acid 100 mg/l + 8-HQC 250 mg/l + sucrose 3%) and T6 (Spermine 100 mg/l + 8-HQC 250 mg/l + sucrose 3%) effectively increased water uptake and retained fresh weight of heliconia inflorescence and maintained pigment (carotene) in the bracts. The same treatments also reduced the levels of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) enzymatic activities, decreased the lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS) and improved per cent absolute integrity (PAI) in the bract. Maximum vase-life was recorded in heliconia inflorescence held in vase solution comprising of α-lipoic acid 100 mg/l + 8-HQC 250 mg/l + sucrose 3% followed by spermine 100 mg/l and CaCl2 250 mg/l along with 8-HQC 250 mg/l + sucrose 3%.
Interferon-Induced Transmembrane Protein 1 (IFITM1) Promotes Distant Metastasis of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a severe malignancy associated with early and widespread metastasis. To study SCLC metastasis, we previously developed an orthotopic transplantation model using the human SCLC cell line DMS273. In the model, metastatic foci were found in distant tissues such as bone and the adrenal gland, similarly as observed in patients with SCLC. In this study, we evaluated the differentially expressed genes between orthotopic and metastatic tumors in the model. We isolated tumor cells from orthotopic and metastatic sites, and the tumor cell RNA was analyzed using DNA microarray analysis. We found that 19 genes in metastatic tumors were upregulated by more than 4-fold compared with their expression in orthotopic tumors. One of these genes encodes a transmembrane protein, interferon (IFN)-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1), and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the higher expression of the protein in metastatic sites than in orthotopic sites. IFITM1 was also detected in some SCLC cell lines and lung tumors from patients with SCLC. The overexpression of IFITM1 in DMS273 cells increased their metastatic formation in the orthotopic model and in an experimental metastasis model. Conversely, the silencing of IFITM1 suppressed metastatic formation by DMS273 cells. We also found that IFITM1 overexpression promoted the metastatic formation of NCI-H69 human SCLC cells. These results demonstrate that IFITM1 promotes distant metastasis in xenograft models of human SCLC.
Steroids as Potential Modulators of Thyroid Hormone Activity in Anuran Metamorphosis

SYNOPSIS. Anuran metamorphosis is controlled by the complex interaction of several hormones. Although thyroid hormone is the major stimulatory hormone in metamorphosis and likely regulates all of the metamorphic genes directly, other hormones are involved in regulating thyroid hormone secretion and activity. Corticoids (in particular corticosterone) and the sex steroids (especially 17β estradiol) all potentially regulate thyroid hormone activity both by affecting hypothalamic and pituitary control of thyroid hormone secretion and by interacting with thyroid hormones peripherally. Although there is likely a role for endogenous corticoids in anuran metamorphosis, the role for endogenous estrogens remains to be shown. The role of these “modulators” must be fully understood, if our understanding of hormonal control of metamorphosis is to be complete.
New Proline, Alanine, Serine Repeat Sequence for Pharmacokinetic Enhancement of Anti-VEGF Single-Domain Antibody

Therapeutic fragmented antibodies show a poor pharmacokinetic profile that leads to frequent high-dose administration. In the current study, for the first time, a novel proline, alanine, serine (PAS) repeat sequence called PAS#208 was designed to extend the plasma half-life of a nanosized anti–vascular endothelial growth factor-A single-domain antibody. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering, and electrophoretic light scattering were used to assess the physicochemical properties of the newly designed PAS sequence. The effect of PAS#208 on the biologic activity of a single-domain antibody was studied using an in vitro proliferation assay. The pharmacokinetic parameters, including terminal half-life, the volume of distribution, elimination rate constant, and clearance, were determined in mice model and compared with the native protein and PAS#1(200) sequence. The novel PAS repeat sequence showed comparable physicochemical, biologic, and pharmacokinetic features to the previously reported PAS#1(200) sequence. The PAS#208 increased the hydrodynamic radius and decreased significantly the electrophoretic mobility of the native protein without any change in zeta potential. Surprisingly, the fusion of PAS#208 to the single-domain antibody increased the binding potency. In addition, it did not alter the biologic activity and did not show any cytotoxicity on the normal cells. The PAS#208 sequence improved the terminal half-life (14-fold) as well as other pharmacokinetic parameters significantly. The simplicity as well as superior effects on half-life extension make PAS#208 sequence a novel sequence for in vivo pharmacokinetic enhancement of therapeutic fragmented antibodies. Significance Statement In the current study, a new proline, alanine, serine (PAS) sequence was developed that showed comparable physicochemical, biological, and pharmacokinetic features to the previously reported PAS#1(200) sequence. The simplicity as well as superior effects on half-life extension make PAS#208 sequence a novel sequence for in vivo pharmacokinetic enhancement of recombinant small proteins.