Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enantioselective Synthesis of Vicinal (R,R)-Diols by Saccharomyces cerevisiae Butanediol Dehydrogenase

ABSTRACT Butanediol dehydrogenase (Bdh1p) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae belongs to the superfamily of the medium-chain dehydrogenases and reductases and converts reversibly R-acetoin and S-acetoin to (2R,3R)-2,3-butanediol and meso-2,3-butanediol, respectively. It is specific for NAD(H) as a coenzyme, and it is the main enzyme involved in the last metabolic step leading to (2R,3R)-2,3-butanediol in yeast. In this study, we have used the activity of Bdh1p in different forms—purified enzyme, yeast extracts, permeabilized yeast cells, and as a fusion protein (with yeast formate dehydrogenase, Fdh1p)—to transform several vicinal diketones to the corresponding diols. We have also developed a new variant of the delitto perfetto methodology to place BDH1 under the control of the GAL1 promoter, resulting in a yeast strain that overexpresses butanediol dehydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase activities in the presence of galactose and regenerates NADH in the presence of formate. While the use of purified Bdh1p allows the synthesis of enantiopure (2R,3R)-2,3-butanediol, (2R,3R)-2,3-pentanediol, (2R,3R)-2,3-hexanediol, and (3R,4R)-3,4-hexanediol, the use of the engineered strain (as an extract or as permeabilized cells) yields mixtures of the diols. The production of pure diol stereoisomers has also been achieved by means of a chimeric fusion protein combining Fdh1p and Bdh1p. Finally, we have determined the selectivity of Bdh1p toward the oxidation/reduction of the hydroxyl/ketone groups from (2R,3R)-2,3-pentanediol/2,3-pentanedione and (2R,3R)-2,3-hexanediol/2,3-hexanedione. In conclusion, Bdh1p is an enzyme with biotechnological interest that can be used to synthesize chiral building blocks. A scheme of the favored pathway with the corresponding intermediates is proposed for the Bdh1p reaction.
Colour Yield in Two Phase Wet Fixation Dyeing of Cotton Cloth with Reactive Dyes as a Function of Time, Temperature and Alkali Concentration

cotton fabrics with relatively good washing fastness. Time, temperature and alkali concentration constitute the most important parameters affecting the fixation process, in other words, the colour yield. Reactive dyes are fixed on cotton through a covalent link formed between the reactive group of the dyestuff and hydroxyl groups of cellulose. It is the aim of this research to present a model for colour yield as a function of these three parameters. For this purpose, two phase wet fixation dyeing trials were carried out for 9 reactive dyestuffs belonging to vinyl sulphone, monocholorotriazine, dichlorotriazine and trichloropyrimidine groups. The samples were padded with dyestuff solution, dried and fixed in fixation baths with conditions according to a matrix of time, temperature and alkali concentraion values. After measuring the reflectance values of these samples, their K/S and FK values were calculated. These values with their related parameters were used to obtain models through regression analysis. From the first set of obtained models for the nine dyestuffs, only one met the necessary conditions. Modification was carried out for the other eight and at the end five other models could be accepted as a representation of the colour yield of the dyes as a function of time, temperature and alkali concentration. Hossein Tavanai, Ali. Zeinal Hamadani, and Massoumeh Valizadeh
Effects of reduced dietary energy and amino acid density on Pectoralis major myopathies in broiler chickens at 36 and 49 days of age1

&NA; Two experiments (Exp) were conducted to determine if reductions in the incidence and severity of wooden breast (WB) and white striping (WS) may be obtained by reducing dietary nutrient density. In each Exp, Yield Plus × Ross 708 male broiler chicks were placed into 63 pens (22 birds/pen). All birds received an identical prestarter diet until 7 d of age, after which time each pen was randomly assigned to 1 of the following 7 dietary treatments (TRT) for the starter (8 to 14 d), grower (15 to 24 d), finisher 1 (Exp 1: 26 to 35 d; Exp 2: 26 to 42 d), and withdrawal (Exp 2: 43 to 48 d) phases: 1) 100% of primary breeder recommendations for digestible amino acid and metabolizable energy density throughout Exp; 2) 95% of TRT 1 until 14 d of age, then as TRT 1; 3) 95% of TRT 1 until 24 d of age, then as TRT 1; 4) 95% of TRT 1 throughout Exp; 5) 90% of TRT 1 until 14 d of age, then as TRT 1; 6) 90% of TRT 1 until 24 d of age, then as TRT 1; 7) 90% of TRT 1 throughout Exp. At 36 d (Exp 1) and 49 d (Exp 2), 18 birds per pen were processed and evaluated for WS and WB. In Exp 1, reduced dietary density in the starter phase (TRT 2 and TRT 5) resulted in increased (P ≤ 0.05) incidences of severe WB (32.9% and 34.7%) relative to TRT 1 (18.2%). In Exp 2, broilers assigned to TRT 7 had reduced (P < 0.01) incidences of severe WB (20.8%) and WS (42.3%) relative to the control (WB: 36.5%; WS: 64.5%). In both Exp, plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase increased (P ≤ 0.05) with increasing scores for WB and WS. Reducing dietary nutrient density from 8 to 14 d may exacerbate fillet myopathies in broilers reared to 35 d of age. Although reducing dietary energy and amino acid density to 90% of recommendations from 1 to 48 d reduced the severity of myopathies, these reductions occurred with compromises in live performance. Altogether, these results indicated that concurrent manipulation of dietary amino acid and energy density is not a viable practical solution for breast myopathies.
Training eldercare workers in mental healthcare.

INTRODUCTION A significant proportion of older persons who require support or care services have mental health concerns. There is a need to equip frontline eldercare workers with the necessary skills in caring for older persons with mental illnesses. The Community Psychogeriatric Programme aims to support community eldercare providers with training and consultation. We sought to measure eldercare workers' perceived levels of stress and knowledge about caring for older persons with mental illness before (pre-workshop), immediately after (post-workshop) and three months after (three-month follow-up) they underwent standardised training workshops on dementia and depression. METHODS Participants who attended two four-hour workshops on dementia and depression were recruited for the study. Their knowledge of topics was evaluated pre-workshop, post-workshop and at three-month follow-up. Perceptions of working with older persons with mental health problems were rated pre-workshop and at three-month follow-up. RESULTS A total of 71 staff members from various eldercare centres participated in the study, of which 51 (71.8%) were women. At three-month follow-up, there was a significant change in most measures on Ryden's Perception Scale (p < 0.05). There were significant improvements in knowledge scores for dementia and depression (p < 0.001). Knowledge gains after the workshop were maintained at three-month follow-up. CONCLUSION Training of eldercare workers in mental healthcare is helpful for knowledge improvement and altering perceptions of caring for older persons. With continued support from mental health professionals, such training could contribute to better care for this vulnerable population.
Anxiety Partially Mediates Cybersickness Symptoms in Immersive Virtual Reality Environments

The use of virtual reality (VR) in psychological treatment is expected to increase. Cybersickness (CS) is a negative side effect of VR exposure and is associated with treatment dropout. This study aimed to investigate the following: (a) if gender differences in CS can be replicated, (b) if differences in anxiety and CS symptoms between patients and controls can be replicated, and (c) whether the relationship between exposure to VR and CS symptoms is mediated by anxiety. A sample (N = 170) of participants with different levels of psychosis liability was exposed to VR environments. CS and anxiety were assessed with self-report measures before and after the VR experiment. This study replicated gender differences in CS symptoms, most of which were present before exposure to VR. It also replicated findings that a significant correlation between anxiety and CS can be found in healthy individuals, but not in patients. In a VR environment, anxiety partially mediated CS symptoms, specifically nausea and disorientation. A partial explanation for the differences found between patients and controls may lie in a ceiling effect for the symptoms of CS. A second explanation may be the partial overlap between CS symptoms and physiological anxiety responses. CS symptoms reported at baseline cannot be explained by exposure to VR, but are related to anxiety. Caution is required when interpreting studies on both CS and anxiety, until the specificity in measurements has been improved. Since anxiety mediated the CS symptoms, CS is expected to decline during treatment together with the reduction of anxiety.
Effects of inspiratory muscle training in professional women football players: a randomized sham-controlled trial

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on respiratory and peripheral muscles oxygenation during a maximal exercise tolerance test and on repeated-sprint ability (RSA) performance in professional women football players. Eighteen athletes were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: SHAM (n = 8) or IMT (n = 10). After a maximal incremental exercise test, all participants performed (on a different day) a time-to-exhaustion (Tlim) test. Peripheral and respiratory muscles oxygenation by near-infrared spectroscopy, breath-by-breath ventilatory and metabolic variables, and blood lactate concentration were measured. The RSA test was performed on a grass field. After a 6 week intervention, all athletes were reevaluated. Both groups showed increases in inspiratory muscles strength, exercise tolerance and RSA performance, however only the IMT group presented lower deoxyhemoglobin and total hemoglobin blood concentrations on intercostal muscles concomitantly to an increased oxyhemoglobin and total hemoglobin blood concentrations on vastus lateralis muscle during Tlim. In conclusion, these results may indicate the potential role of IMT to attenuate inspiratory muscles metaboreflex and consequently improve oxygen and blood supply to limb muscles during high-intensity exercise, with a potential impact on inspiratory muscle strength, exercise tolerance and sprints performance in professional women football players.
Sensory Gating in Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease and Their Biological Children

Research has shown that sensory gating is largely modualted by acetylcholine. Diminished levels of acetylcholine and sensory gating deficits have been reported in research involving Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. However, there has been little investigation into those with a family history (FH+) of AD. The rationale of this study was to determine whether sensory gating impairments could distinguish those with early AD from individuals with increased risk for the disease while replicating previous findings of gating abnormalities in AD patients. Using the paried-click paradigm, evoked potentials were recorded from 4 groups of 20 subjects per group (AD, older controls, FH+, FH-). The results showed that while the AD group demonstrated sensory gating abnormalities, the FH+ group did not when compared to their peers with no family history of the disease (FH-). These results are discussed in relation to previous findings reporting P300 abnormalities in the FH+ group.
The validity of forceplate data as a measure of rapid and targeted volitional movements of the centre of mass in transtibial prosthesis users

Abstract Purpose: To validate outcome variables from the limits of stability protocol that are derived from the center of pressure with those same variables derived from the center of mass during rapid, volitional responses in transtibial prosthesis users. Method: Prosthesis users (n = 21) and matched controls (n = 21) executed movements while force and motion data were collected. Correlation coefficients were used to investigate relationships between center of pressure and center of mass for: x/y coordinates positions, limits of stability outcome variables and muscular reaction times. Results: Significant differences were seen in correlation between x/y coordinate positions toward the intact limb (mean effect size of differences: r = .38). Limits of stability variables were positively correlated (reaction time and maximum excursion range rs: .585–.846; directional control and mean velocity range rs: .307–.472). Muscular reaction times correlated weakly with those from center of pressure (mean rs prosthesis users: .186 and controls: .101). Conclusions: Forceplate measures are valid in describing rapid, volitional movements in unilateral transtibial prosthesis users. Limits of stability outcomes extracted from center of pressure and center of mass are highly correlated, but can be sensitive to direction. Muscular reaction time correlates very little with reaction times extracted from the other variables. Implications for rehabilitation Rehabilitation programs utilizing limits of stability are valid measures of postural control in transtibial prosthesis users. Clinicians interpreting the outcomes from limits of stability need to be aware of their varying validity. Muscular reaction times correlate weakly with other measures of reaction time, highlighting the complexity of rapidly coordinating volitional movements in prosthesis users.
Issues of solid wood biomass development for bioenergy in Latvia.

Nowadays, seeking to replace fossil energy with renewable sources of energy, wood biomass emerges as the oldest renewable energy source, an important substitute for fossils used for heating purposes and to generate electricity. The aim of the study was to evaluate issues of the development of solid wood biomass or fuelwood in Latvia, taking into account limitation restrictions, which may affect the future development. Wood biomass can be used to produce heat or electricity separately or in combined heat and power (CHP) plants. Latvia is among the EU countries with large share of forest area that offers a great potential to develop the production of bioenergy and to meet the ambitious renewable energy targets. Moreover, Latvia also possesses the largest growing stock of forests among the Baltic countries, with growing increment in forests available for wood supply each year. There has been fast development of the production of different solid wood biomass or fuelwood (pellets, briquettes and chips) in Latvia in recent years, but the majority of fuelwood products were exported. Latvia exported 95.8 % of its produced pellets, 77.1 % of briquettes, and 25.4 % of chips in 2013, which makes the country one of the leading exporters of fuelwood in Europe and the world. Despite the rapid development of the production of bioenergy, including fuelwood, the total renewable consumption in Latvia is still below the interim target; thus achieving the set national targets is at the risk. Some negative effects (e.g., losses of GDP; decreasing of biodiversity of birds etc.) have been observed.
Interneuronal mechanisms of hippocampal theta oscillations in a full-scale model of the rodent CA1 circuit

The hippocampal theta rhythm plays important roles in information processing; however, the mechanisms of its generation are not well understood. We developed a data-driven, supercomputer-based, full-scale (1:1) model of the rodent CA1 area and studied its interneurons during theta oscillations. Theta rhythm with phase-locked gamma oscillations and phase-preferential discharges of distinct interneuronal types spontaneously emerged from the isolated CA1 circuit without rhythmic inputs. Perturbation experiments identified parvalbumin-expressing interneurons and neurogliaform cells, as well as interneuronal diversity itself, as important factors in theta generation. These simulations reveal new insights into the spatiotemporal organization of the CA1 circuit during theta oscillations. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.18566. 001
A Cautionary Tale in Comparative Effectiveness Research: Pitfalls and Perils of Observational Data Analysis

: Administrative data such as insurance claims offer a potentially powerful data source to examine the relative benefits and costs of competing drug treatments. Motivated by a 2011 FDA warning about possible side effects of angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs), we analyze the benefits and risks of ARBs compared to other classes of hypertension drugs using Medicare Parts A, B, and D data between 2006 and 2009. We study treatment adherence and crossover as well as non-random treatment assignment in detail and illustrate how different approaches to handling these issues impact our results. We find little evidence that ARBs increase cancer rates and weak evidence that they increase stroke rates, contrary to evidence from randomized controlled trials. Falsification tests raise doubts that any associations are causal. Overall, our results suggest comprehensive, robust analyses are needed in using observational data for comparative effectiveness analysis.
Dynamic changes of the normal B lymphocyte repertoire in CLL in response to ibrutinib or FCR chemo-immunotherapy

ABSTRACT Using next-generation immunoglobulin (IGH) sequencing and flow cytometry, we characterized the composition, diversity and dynamics of non-malignant B cells in patients undergoing treatment with the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib or chemo-immunotherapy with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR). During ibrutinib therapy, non-malignant B cell numbers declined, but patients maintained stable IGH diversity and constant fractions of IGH-mutated B cells. This indicates partial preservation of antigen-experienced B cells during ibrutinib therapy, but impaired replenishment of the normal B cell pool with naïve B cells. In contrast, after FCR we noted a recovery of normal B cells with a marked predominance of B cells with unmutated IGH. This pattern is compatible with a deletion of pre-existing antigen-experienced B cells followed by repertoire renewal with antigen-naïve B cells. These opposite patterns in B cell dynamics may result in different responses towards neoantigens versus recall antigens, which need to be further defined.
3D open-surface shape correspondence for statistical shape modeling: Identifying topologically consistent landmarks

Shape correspondence, which aims at accurately identifying corresponding landmarks from a given population of shape instances, is a very challenging step in constructing a statistical shape model such as the Point Distribution Model. The state-of-the-art methods such as MDL and SPHARM are primarily focused on closed-surface shape correspondence. In this paper we develop a novel method aimed at identifying accurately corresponding landmarks on 3D open-surfaces with a closed boundary. In particular, we enforce explicit topology consistency on the identified landmarks to ensure that they form a simple, consistent triangle mesh to more accurately model the correspondence of the underlying continuous shape instances. The proposed method also ensures the correspondence of the boundary of the open surfaces. For our experiments, we test the proposed method by constructing a statistical shape model of the human diaphragm from 26 shape instances.
Expression of immunoglobulin G in human podocytes, and its role in cell viability and adhesion

Podocyte injury occurs during the initiation and development of numerous forms of glomerular disease, and antibodies targeting podocytes have become a biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring treatment response. Accumulating evidence has suggested that immunoglobulin (Ig) is expressed in non-B lineage cells, including epithelial cancer cells, myeloid cells and several types of normal cells. The main aim of the present study was to ascertain the expression of IgG in human podocytes and to determine its potential role in cellular bioactivity. The present study detected positive staining for IgG heavy chain (Igγ) and its subtype γ4, and the light chains κ and λ in the cytoplasm or on the membrane by immunofluorescence. In addition, positive bands were detected for Igγ, γ1, γ3, γ4, κ and λ in the lysates of a podocyte cell line by western blotting. Mass spectrometry confirmed IgG1 as an intact tetramer in the culture supernatant. Constant region transcripts of Igγ, γ1, γ3, γ4, κ and λ were identified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing of these transcripts revealed 96–99% similarity with Ig mRNAs in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. Compared with the diverse gene rearrangements from B cell-derived Ig, podocyte-derived Ig exhibited conservative V(D)J patterns in the variable regions of Igγ and κ chains. Furthermore, the present study investigated the mechanism underlying IgG production in these cells by examining the expression of recombination activating gene (RAG)1, RAG2 and activation-induced cytidine deaminase. The expression levels of these proteins suggested that podocyte-derived Ig and traditional Ig may be generated in a similar manner. Furthermore, small interfering RNA-mediated downregulation of IgG expression reduced podocyte viability and adhesive capabilities. These findings suggested that IgG is expressed in podocytes and that this expression may be associated with podocyte function. Due to its potential biological and clinical significance, this phenomenon warrants further investigation.
Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus Does Not Affect the Decrease of Decision Threshold during the Choice Process When There Is No Conflict, Time Pressure, or Reward

During a decision process, the evidence supporting alternative options is integrated over time, and the choice is made when the accumulated evidence for one of the options reaches a decision threshold. Humans and animals have an ability to control the decision threshold, that is, the amount of evidence that needs to be gathered to commit to a choice, and it has been proposed that the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is important for this control. Recent behavioral and neurophysiological data suggest that, in some circumstances, the decision threshold decreases with time during choice trials, allowing overcoming of indecision during difficult choices. Here we asked whether this within-trial decrease of the decision threshold is mediated by the STN and if it is affected by disrupting information processing in the STN through deep brain stimulation (DBS). We assessed 13 patients with Parkinson disease receiving bilateral STN DBS six or more months after the surgery, 11 age-matched controls, and 12 young healthy controls. All participants completed a series of decision trials, in which the evidence was presented in discrete time points, which allowed more direct estimation of the decision threshold. The participants differed widely in the slope of their decision threshold, ranging from constant threshold within a trial to steeply decreasing. However, the slope of the decision threshold did not depend on whether STN DBS was switched on or off and did not differ between the patients and controls. Furthermore, there was no difference in accuracy and RT between the patients in the on and off stimulation conditions and healthy controls. Previous studies that have reported modulation of the decision threshold by STN DBS or unilateral subthalamotomy in Parkinson disease have involved either fast decision-making under conflict or time pressure or in anticipation of high reward. Our findings suggest that, in the absence of reward, decision conflict, or time pressure for decision-making, the STN does not play a critical role in modulating the within-trial decrease of decision thresholds during the choice process.