Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Role for Basigin in Toxoplasma gondii Infection

The role of specific host cell surface receptors during Toxoplasma gondii invasion of host cells is poorly defined. Here, we interrogated the role of the well-known malarial invasion receptor, basigin, in T. gondii infection of astrocytes. ABSTRACT The role of specific host cell surface receptors during Toxoplasma gondii invasion of host cells is poorly defined. Here, we interrogated the role of the well-known malarial invasion receptor, basigin, in T. gondii infection of astrocytes. We found that primary astrocytes express two members of the BASIGIN (BSG) immunoglobulin family, basigin and embigin, but did not express neuroplastin. Antibody blockade of either basigin or embigin caused a significant reduction of parasite infectivity in astrocytes. The specific role of basigin during T. gondii invasion was further examined using a mouse astrocytic cell line (C8-D30), which exclusively expresses basigin. CRISPR-mediated deletion of basigin in C8-D30 cells resulted in decreased T. gondii infectivity. T. gondii replication and invasion efficiency were not altered by basigin deficiency, but parasite attachment to astrocytes was markedly reduced. We also conducted a proteomic screen to identify T. gondii proteins that interact with basigin. Toxoplasma-encoded cyclophilins, the protein 14-3-3, and protein disulfide isomerase (TgPDI) were among the putative basigin-ligands identified. Recombinant TgPDI produced in E. coli bound to basigin and pretreatment of tachyzoites with a PDI inhibitor decreased parasite attachment to host cells. Finally, mutagenesis of the active site cysteines of TgPDI abolished enzyme binding to basigin. Thus, basigin and its related immunoglobulin family members may represent host receptors that mediate attachment of T. gondii to diverse cell types.
“Making It Happen”: Supporting the Implementation of Positions for Experts by Experience in Mental Health Education

Abstract Significant changes to mental health policy have positioned consumers of mental health services as active participants in all aspects of service design and delivery, leading to the development and expansion of consumer workforce roles (Experts by Experience [EBE]). Negative attitudes of health professions pose a major limitation to the success of these positions. EBE involvement in mental health education has shown favourable outcomes, particularly enhancing more positive attitudes. Unfortunately, these positions remain limited in number and scope and have largely been supported by individual clinical academic champions (allies). This article presents findings from a qualitative study, involving individual interviews that explored the experiences and perceptions of allies who supported the implementation of academic positions for EBE. Data were analysed thematically. “Making it happen” was the overarching theme identified. It comprised the sub-themes: strategic or opportunistic? ; developing an argument; using evidence; showing what EBE bring; getting buy-in and utilising existing relationships. The articulation of these processes provides a useful guide to other allies interested in supporting the implementation of these positions. The implementation of further positions will ultimately improve the attitudes of other health professionals towards Expert by Experience roles.
Clinical and radiomic features for predicting the treatment response of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in major neurocognitive disorder: Results from a randomized controlled trial

Image‐guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown clinical effectiveness in senior adults with co‐occurring depression and cognitive impairment, yet the imaging markers for predicting the treatment response are less investigated. In this clinical trial, we examined the efficacy and sustainability of 10 Hz rTMS for the treatment of depression and cognitive impairment in major neurocognitive disorder (NCD) patients and tested the predictive values of imaging‐informed radiomic features in response to rTMS treatment. Fifty‐five major NCD patients with depression were randomly assigned to receive a 3‐week rTMS treatment of either active 10 Hz rTMS (n = 27) or sham rTMS (n = 28). Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was the predefined treatment target. Based on individual structural magnetic resonance imaging scans, surface‐based analysis was conducted to quantitatively measure the baseline radiomic features of left DLPFC. Severity of depression, global cognition and the serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level were evaluated at baseline, 3‐, 6‐ and 12‐week follow‐ups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced age, higher baseline cognition and randomized group were associated with the remission of depression. Increased cortical thickness and gyrification in left DLPFC were the significant predictors of clinical remission and cognitive enhancement. A 3‐week course of 10 Hz rTMS is an effective adjuvant treatment for rapid ameliorating depressive symptoms and enhancing cognitive function. Pre‐treatment radiomic features of the stimulation target can predict the response to rTMS treatment in major NCD. Cortical thickness and folding of treatment target may serve as imaging markers to detect the responders. ChiCTR‐IOR‐16008191, registered on March 30, 2016.
Waterlogging priming alleviates the oxidative damage, carbohydrate consumption, and yield loss in soybean (Glycine max) plants exposed to waterlogging.

In this study, we tested whether waterlogging priming at the vegetative stage would mitigate a subsequent waterlogging event at the reproductive stage in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ]. Plants (V3 stage) were subjected to priming for 7days and then exposed to waterlogging stress for 5days (R2 stage) with non-primed plants. Roots and leaves were sampled on the fifth day of waterlogging and the second and fifth days of reoxygenation. Overall, priming decreased the H2O2 concentration and lipid peroxidation in roots and leaves during waterlogging and reoxygenation. Priming also decreased the activity of antioxidative enzymes in roots and leaves and increased the foliar concentration of phenols and photosynthetic pigments. Additionally, priming decreased fermentation and alanine aminotransferase activity during waterlogging and reoxygenation. Finally, priming increased the concentration of amino acids, sucrose, and total soluble sugars in roots and leaves during waterlogging and reoxygenation. Thus, primed plants were higher and more productive than non-primed plants. Our study shows that priming alleviates oxidative stress, fermentation, and carbohydrate consumption in parallel to increase the yield of soybean plants exposed to waterlogging and reoxygenation.
Leptin receptor expression and its change in association with the normalization of EGF profile after seminal plasma treatment in repeat breeder dairy cows

Factors associated with high milk production levels have been linked to alterations in the endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) profile, a cause of reduced fertility in dairy cows. Therefore, we examined the leptin system that connects nutritional status and reproduction in dairy cattle related to reduced fertility in repeat breeder cows. Plasma leptin concentrations were measured in 18 heifers, 20 high-yielding control cows, and 26 repeat breeder cows, showing an altered EGF profile. Then, all repeat breeder cows were infused with seminal plasma (SP) into the vagina at the next estrus to normalize the EGF profile, while heifers and control cows were infused with vehicle alone. All animals were examined for EGF profiles. Eighteen repeat breeder cows, nine heifers, and nine control cows were also determined for leptin receptor (Ob-R) expression levels in the estrous cycle before and after the infusion. SP normalized the EGF profile in 53.8% of the repeat breeder cows. Leptin concentrations were similar in all groups, regardless of the treatment results for the EGF profile. In contrast, Ob-R levels in repeat breeder and control cows were similar and higher than those in heifers before SP treatment. Ob-R in repeat breeders showing a normal EGF profile after treatment decreased to an intermediate level between heifers and control cows and may provide a clue to take measures against repeat breeding in dairy cows.
CRISPR applications for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: From animal models to potential therapies

Abstract CRISPR gene‐editing technology creates precise and permanent modifications to DNA. It has significantly advanced our ability to generate animal disease models for use in biomedical research and also has potential to revolutionize the treatment of genetic disorders. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a monogenic muscle‐wasting disease that could potentially benefit from the development of CRISPR therapy. It is commonly associated with mutations that disrupt the reading frame of the DMD gene that encodes dystrophin, an essential scaffolding protein that stabilizes striated muscles and protects them from contractile‐induced damage. CRISPR enables the rapid generation of various animal models harboring mutations that closely simulates the wide variety of mutations observed in DMD patients. These models provide a platform for the testing of sequence‐specific interventions like CRISPR therapy that aim to reframe or skip DMD mutations to restore functional dystrophin expression. This article is categorized under: Congenital Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics
Translational addition theorems for spherical vector wave functions

Abstract : Translational addition theorems for spherical vector wave functions are derived in a reduced form. The reduction is accomplished by the use of formulas relating the coefficients that arise in expansion of the product of two associated Legendre functions. These addition theorems should be useful in those cases in which spherical vector wave functions are used where the distances of bodies and sources are separated by the order of a few wavelengths.
The joint action of unfolded protein response, circZc3h4, and circRNA Scar in procymidone‐induced testicular injury in adolescent mice

Procymidone (PCM) is a low toxicity fungicide, and an endocrine‐disrupting chemical (EDC) that particularly damages the reproductive system of male vertebrates. In present study, adolescent mice in control, low‐, medium‐, and high‐dose groups were orally administered 0 (equal volume of soybean oil), 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day PCM, respectively, for 21 days. Additionally, a three‐dimensional culture of mouse testes was performed in vitro, and the control, low dose (0.33 × 10−5 M), medium dose (1 × 10−5 M), and high dose (3 × 10−5 M) PCM groups were established. We have found that, under both in vivo and in vitro conditions, all doses of PCM caused damage to mouse testes. Moreover, the levels of circZc3h4 RNA and Zc3h4 decreased while miR‐212 increased in all treatment groups, with a corresponding rise in circRNA Scar and fall in Atp5b, compared to those in the control group, and all the changes showed a dose–response relationship. Besides, we have identified that low doses of PCM could activate the Ire1‐Xbp1 pathway, whereas the medium and high doses activated the Perk‐Elf2α‐Atf4, Ire1‐Xbp1, and Atf6 pathways. And it is, therefore, speculated that the unfolded protein response (UPR), circZc3h4 and circRNA Scar may have taken joint action in testicular injury in adolescent mice induced by PCM at the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL, 100 mg/kg/day) and below NOAEL doses.
African Americans’ Perceptions of PSA Prostate Cancer Screening

Background— In 2012, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a hotly-debated recommendation against prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for all men. The present research examines African Americans’ beliefs about their susceptibility to prostate cancer (PCa) and the effectiveness of PSA testing in the context of the controversy surrounding this recommendation. Methods— This study used a qualitative design to examine perceptions regarding susceptibility along with screening and facilitators of and barriers thereof. Data were collected at a community health center and three predominantly African American churches in North Carolina. Study participants were 46 African American men and women who attended one of four “listening sessions” for pretesting PCa educational materials (average age: 55 years). One-and-a-half-hour listening sessions were conducted to pretest materials; while presenting the materials, researchers probed beliefs and knowledge about PCa screening. The sessions were recorded and transcribed, and the transcripts were qualitatively analyzed using grounded theory. Results— The four emergent themes indicated that participants: (1) cited behavioral, psychosocial, and biological reasons why African American men have higher PCa risk compared to others; (2) knew about the controversy and had varying responses and intentions; (3) believed screening could save lives, so it should be utilized regardless of the 2012 recommendation; and (4) felt that women can help men go to the doctor and make screening decisions. Conclusions— Health education efforts to help community members understand health controversies, screening options, and how to make informed screening decisions are critical.
Inactivation rate of African swine fever virus by a formaldehyde-based product.

African swine fever (ASF) is an important transboundary animal disease with a high mortality rate. The high African swine fever virus (ASFV) titers in the excretion of infected wild boar possibly contaminate the feed ingredient. Once contaminated, it could support persistent residual titer of the ASFV. The chemical inactivation of imported feed ingredient is a precautionary risk management measure to restrict the import risk of ASFV through international trade. The log ASFV titers were linearly reduced as a function of the inactivation time after exposure to 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2% formaldehyde-based product (FBP). A four-log reduction of ASFV titer was achieved after exposure to 0.2% FBP and 0.03-0.1% FBP for 30-min and 60-min inactivation time, respectively. The decimal reduction time or D value is defined as the time required to inactivate the virus titer by 1 log. The ASFV inactivation rate from the independent experiment of FBP concentration was converted to a D value. The observed mean D0.2%, D0.1%, D0.05%, and D0.03% of FBP were 13.4, 44.9, 45.0, and 45.3 min per log reduction of ASFV, respectively. The interpretation of D0.2% of FBP is that the ASFV titer is inactivated by 1 log after being exposed to 0.2% FBP for every 13.4 min. A more effective chemical has a lower D value because of a shorter inactivation time required to achieve the same 1-log reduction. Additionally, the hypothetical inactivation time by any chemical additive is scenario-specific and is calculated by the product of D value (at a certain concentration) and log titers of residual ASFV. This study introduces the concept and application of D value to compare the virucidal activity of chemicals and to determine the hypothetical inactivation time of chemicals depending on the chemical concentration including the virus titer in the feed.
Cyclic hexadepsipeptides from the fermentation of Fusarium sp. DCJ-A and their cytotoxic activities

Abstract Beauvercin H (1), a new cyclic hexadepsipeptide, and two known ones (2 and 3) were isolated from the EtOH extract of the solid culture of Fusarium sp. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques, as well as comparison with literature values. Additionally, compounds 1–3 were tested for their cytotoxic activities. The results showed that all isolated compounds exhibited cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 1.379 to 13.12 μM. Graphical Abstract
Prion Infection of Muscle Cells In Vitro (cid:1)

The prion agent has been detected in skeletal muscle of humans and animals with prion diseases. Here we report scrapie infection of murine C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes in vitro following coculture with a scrapie-infected murine neuroblastoma (N2A) cell line but not following incubation with a scrapie-infected nonneu- ronal cell line or a scrapie brain homogenate. Terminal differentiation of scrapie-infected C2C12 myoblasts into myotubes resulted in an increase in the expression of the disease-speciﬁc prion protein, PrP Sc . The amount of scrapie infectivity or PrP Sc in C2C12 myotubes was comparable to the levels found in scrapie-infected N2A cells, indicating that a high level of infection was established in muscle cells. Subclones of scrapie-infected C2C12 cells produced high levels of PrP Sc in myotubes, and the C-terminal C2 polypeptide fragment of PrP Sc was found based on deglycosylation and PrP Sc -speciﬁc immunoprecipitation of cell lysates. This is the ﬁrst report of a stable prion infection in muscle cells in vitro and of a long-term prion infection in a nondividing, differentiated peripheral cell type in culture. These in vitro studies also suggest that in vivo prion infection of skeletal muscle requires contact with prion-infected neurons or, possibly, nerve terminals. Prion infection of neuronally derived cell lines has provided insightful information on the cell biology of the disease-speciﬁc isoform of the prion protein, intracerebrally inoculated with 30 (cid:2) l of a cell lysate (56-cm 2 culture plate equivalents per three to six mice) from mock- or scrapie-infected N2A cells, C2C12 myoblasts, or C2C12 myotubes. Following inoculation, mice were observed three times per week for the onset of clinical symptoms of scrapie. The time to the onset of scrapie was reported, and the animals were euthanatized during the early stages of clinical disease. All procedures involving animals were approved by the Montana State University Animal Care and Use Committee and were in compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (40).
Design of an Efficient Codec with 100% Hardware Utilization Ratio Using Hcpm Technique for DSRC Applications

: Dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) plays an important role in application for intelligent transportation system. Achieveing maximum hardware efficiency becomes an interesting issue in this. DSRC standards normally employ either FM0 code or Manchester code to improve the reliability of the signal. In this paper, a fully reused VLSI architecture of the codec with a 100% hardware utilization rate (HUR) achieveable technique is proposed. It is done using the half-cycle processing model (HCPM). The HCPM consists of three main sub-techniques: 1) half-cycle logic partition; 2) Boolean function reshaping; 3) reused-based retiming. The improvement of HUR for the codec involving the FMO and Manchester is from 27.33% to 100%. With a design trade-off between HUR and power consumption, this paper still presents a much higher energy efficiency. The experimantal results showcase that this paper presents a challenging output with 100% HUR in comparison with the works that are already in existence.
driven extinction in the wild of the

The Kihansi spray toad, Nectophrynoides asperginis, became extinct in the wild despite population monitoring and conservation management of its habitat in the Kihansi gorge, Tanzania. Previous investigations have indicated human induced habitat modification, predators, pesticides and disease as possible causes of a rapid population decline and the species extirpation. Here, we systematically investigate the role of disease in the extinction event of the wild toad population. The amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis , was detected in spray toads that died during the extinction event and subsequently in other amphibian species in Kihansi Gorge and the adjacent Udagaji Gorge, but not in any toads collected prior to this. Following the population decline, the remnant spray toad population gradually disappeared over a nine-month period. We demonstrate how demographic (rare, low fecundity, high elevation species) and behavioral (congregate in high densities) attributes predisposed the spray toads to chytridiomycosis, due to B. dendrobatidis infection, and how epidemic disease could have been exacerbated by altered environmental conditions in the spray wetlands. Our results show that chytridiomycosis was the proximate cause of extinction in the wild of N. asperginis. This represents the first known case of extinction by disease of an amphibian species in Africa. A captive breeding program in the US and Tanzania ensures the survival of the species and a reintroduction program is underway. However, we caution that chytridiomycosis remains an existing threat that requires a comprehensive mitigation strategy before the desired conservation outcome of an established population of repatriated toads can be achieved. examination of the of
Neonatal Biology Influence of Gestational Age and Parental Education on Executive Functions of Children Born Very Preterm

Background: Children born very preterm (<32 weeks’ gestational age; VPT) and/or very low birth weight (<1500 g; VLBW) are at high risk of deficits in executive functions, namely inhibition, working memory, and shifting. Both, gestational age and socioeconomic factors, such as parental education, are known to influence executive functions, with children born at lower gestational age and with lower educated parents displaying worse executive skills. This study aimed to investigate if maternal and paternal education moderated the relationship between gestational age and executive functions in VPT/VLBW children aged 8-12 years. It was hypothesised that the disadvantageous effect of low gestational age could be buffered more easily in families with higher educational background. Methods: Sixty VPT/VLBW children born in the cohort of 1998-2003 were recruited. All
Membrane model of peritoneal barrier

Peritoneal tissue, which structure is rather complicated, creates a barrier between blood and dialysate for transport of fluid and solutes during peritoneal dialysis. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent peritoneal barrier can be modeled as a semipermeable membrane, which permits the application of thermodynamic description of fluid and solutes transport. Using data from the previous studies it has been demonstrated that peritoneal membrane model proved to be useful in interpretation of clinical and experimental on rats investigation. However, limitations of membrane model of peritoneal barrier have been specified.
The Measles Virus V Protein Binds to p65 (RelA) To Suppress NF- (cid:1) B Activity (cid:1)

Nuclear factor (cid:1) B (NF- (cid:1) B) transcription factors are involved in controlling numerous cellular processes, including inﬂammation, innate and adaptive immunity, and cell survival. Here we show that the immunosup- pressive measles virus (MV; Morbillivirus genus, Paramyxoviridae ) has evolved multiple functions to interfere with canonical NF- (cid:1) B signaling in epithelial cells. The MV P, V, and C proteins, also involved in preventing host cell interferon responses, were found to individually suppress NF- (cid:1) B-dependent reporter gene expression in response to activation of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor, RIG-I-like receptors, or Toll-like receptors. NF- (cid:1) B activity was most efﬁciently suppressed in the presence of V, while expression of P or C resulted in moderate inhibition. As indicated by reporter gene assays involving overexpression of the I (cid:1) B kinase (IKK) complex, which phosphorylates the inhibitor of (cid:1) B to liberate NF- (cid:1) B, V protein targets a downstream step in the signaling cascade. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed that V speciﬁcally binds to the Rel homology domain of the NF- (cid:1) B subunit p65 but not of p50. Notably, the short C-terminal