Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lead (Pb)-Resistant Bacteria Improve Brassica chinensis Biomass and Reduce Pb Concentration in Pb-Contaminated Soil

Applications of inorganic fertilisers and pesticides frequently increase lead (Pb) content in the soil and food crops. This study aims to isolate Pb-resistant bacteria and test the isolated bacteria in reducing Pb concentration and increasing biomass production of Brassica chinensis on Pb-contaminated soil. Soil and plant samples were collected from agricultural land in Batu City, East Java, Indonesia. The isolated bacteria were tested for Pb resistance and then characterised according to 16S rRNA Sequence. A pot trial with a completely randomised block design consisting of 9 treatments and 3 replications was set to determine the effect of Pb-resistant bacteria inoculation on Pb residue, plant growth, and soil nutrients. The result showed that the isolated Pb-resistant bacteria were Bacillus wiedmannii and Bacillus altitudinis. The bacteria were resistant to Pb up to 10,000 mg/L PbNO3. Inoculation of the bacteria increased B. chinensis growth and biomass production, namely increasing the number of leaves (12%) and dry weight (35%). Also, the bacteria reduced Pb residue in the soil by up to 88%. Moreover, soil essential nutrients such as total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium increased (12%, 73%, and 200%, respectively) after the application of Pb-resistant bacteria. The bacteria have the potential for bioremediation of Pb-contaminated soils on a large scale due to the bacteria prevent Pb uptake by food crops such as B. chinensis by reducing Pb content in the soil, which is good for food safety and environmental sustainability.
Chromosomal mapping of the human and murine orphan receptors ERRalpha (ESRRA) and ERRbeta (ESRRB) and identification of a novel human ERRalpha-related pseudogene.

The estrogen-related receptors ERRalpha and ERRbeta (formerly ERR1 and ERR2) form a subgroup of the steroid/thyroid/retinoid receptor family. ERRalpha and ERRbeta are homologous to the estrogen receptor and bind similar DNA targets; however, they are unable to activate gene transcription in response to estrogens. We have used interspecific backcross analysis to map the murine Estrra locus to chromosome 19 and Estrrb to mouse chromosome 12. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we have mapped the human ESRRA gene to chromosome 11q12-q13 and the human ESRRB gene to chromosome 14q24.3. In addition, we report the isolation of a processed human ERRalpha pseudogene mapping to chromosome 13q12.1. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of a pseudogene associated with a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily.
Cutaneous vasculitis and renal involvement in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Copyright © 2015 The Korean Association of Internal Medicine This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. pISSN 1226-3303 eISSN 2005-6648 http://www.kjim. org Korean J Intern Med 2015;30:402-405 http://dx.doi. org/10.3904/kjim.2015. 30.3. 402
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Progressively Reduced Nicotine Content Cigarettes on Smoking Behaviors, Biomarkers of Exposure, and Subjective Ratings

Background: The U.S. FDA has the authority to reduce cigarette nicotine content if found to benefit public health. Reduced nicotine content (RNC) cigarette use does not appear to increase harm exposure, but studies have not rigorously assessed smoking behavior or used a comprehensive panel of biomarkers. This study examined the effects of progressively decreasing RNC cigarettes on smoking behaviors, biomarkers of exposure, and subjective ratings. Methods: One hundred and fifty-eight daily, non–treatment-seeking smokers participated in a 35-day randomized, unblinded, parallel study. After a 5-day baseline period, participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 80) that smoked progressively decreasing RNC cigarettes during three 10-day periods, or control group (n = 78) that smoked their own brand throughout the study. Results: Daily cigarette consumption significantly increased for the intermediate RNCs (P's < 0.001) but approached baseline rate for the lowest RNC (P = 0.686); in contrast, puffing behavior significantly decreased at intermediate levels and increased for the lowest RNC (P's < 0.001). Cotinine and NNAL significantly decreased by RNC period (P's ≤ 0.001–0.02), whereas CO boost initially increased (P's = 0.001–0.005). 1-HOP did not change by period (P = 0.109). Conclusions: Smoking behaviors changed by RNC period via CPD and puffing behavior. Biomarkers of exposure generally decreased with nicotine content. Impact: Findings suggest that RNC use does not ubiquitously reduce smoking behaviors or biomarkers, yet the lowest RNC level tested may reduce harm exposure. This emphasizes the importance of using multiple behavioral and biologic measures to address the impact of RNC cigarette smoking. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(7); 1125–33. ©2016 AACR.
The Effect of Islamic Financial Inclusion, Urbanization, Inflation, and GDP on Poverty in Indonesia

This research aims to assess the influence of Islamic financial inclusion, urbanization, inflation, and GDP on the alleviation of poverty in Indonesia. The methodology employed is quantitative, utilizing secondary data in a panel data format spanning the period from 2018 to 2022. A total of 165 samples were gathered, and the data underwent processing through Eviews 10. The findings indicate that individually, the Sharia Financial Inclusion Index (IIKS), inflation, and GDP do not exhibit a significant impact on poverty reduction in Indonesia. Conversely, urbanization has a noteworthy and negative effect on poverty reduction in Indonesia. When considered collectively, the IIKS, urbanization, inflation, and GDP variables jointly exert a substantial influence on poverty reduction in Indonesia, reflected in an Adjusted R-squared value of 98%, while the remaining 2% is attributed to other unexplored factors in this study. For future research endeavors, it is advisable to introduce additional variables for a more comprehensive and profound exploration of this subject.
Multicenter Clinical Evaluation of the Xpert GBS LB Assay for Detection of Group B Streptococcus in Prenatal Screening Specimens

ABSTRACT Neonatal infection with Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus [GBS]) is a leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborns. Recent guidelines have recommended universal screening of all pregnant women to identify those colonized with GBS and administration of peripartum prophylaxis to those identified as carriers to reduce the risk of early-onset GBS disease in neonates. Enriched culture methods are the current standard for prenatal GBS screening; however, the implementation of more sensitive molecular diagnostic tests may be able to further reduce the risk of early-onset GBS infection. We report a clinical evaluation of the Xpert GBS LB assay, a molecular diagnostic test for the identification of GBS from broth-enriched vaginal/rectal specimens obtained during routine prenatal screening. A total of 826 specimens were collected from women undergoing prenatal screening (35 to 37 weeks' gestation) and tested at one of three clinical centers. Each swab specimen was tested directly prior to enrichment using the Xpert GBS assay. Following 18 to 24 h of broth enrichment, each specimen was tested using the Xpert GBS LB assay and the FDA-cleared Smart GBS assay as a molecular diagnostic comparator. Results obtained using all three molecular tests were compared to those for broth-enriched culture as the gold standard. The sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert GBS LB assay were 99.0% and 92.4%, respectively, compared to those for the gold standard culture. The Smart GBS molecular test demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of 96.8% and 95.5%, respectively. The sensitivities of the two broth-enriched molecular methods were superior to those for direct testing of specimens using the Xpert GBS assay, which demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of 85.7% and 96.2%, respectively.
Modeling for temperature compensation and temperature characterizations of BAW resonators at GHz frequencies

This paper deals with the temperature dependence of electrical and physical features of various kinds of solidly mounted resonators (SMR). The presented bulk acoustic wave (BAW) devices are designed for the 2 GHz application. The temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) is determined from measurements well above the temperature range defined for wireless telecommunication system specifications. Therefore, evolution of electromechanical coupling factors and quality factors at resonance and antiresonance are also monitored. Results of characterizations show the trend for a subsequent theoretical temperature compensation study by using analytical modeling. To improve accuracy of modeling, an attempt to extract temperature dependence of dielectric permittivity e33 and piezoelectric coefficient e33 is made. Finally, a well-known analytical model is modified to take into account the temperature dependence of length, density, stiffness coefficient, dielectric permittivity, and piezoelectric coefficient. Modeling highlights the need to deposit a material with positive temperature coefficient of stiffness on the top electrode. Realistic thickness of such a layer is determined. At the same time, it is necessary to adjust piezoelectric and electrode thin film thicknesses for simultaneously keeping a constant antiresonance frequency, reaching a zero temperature coefficient of frequency for antiresonance, and minimizing the decrease in the coupling factor because of the mass-loading deposition.
Mode and Delay-Dependent Adaptive Exponential Synchronization in $p$th Moment for Stochastic Delayed Neural Networks With Markovian Switching

In this brief, the analysis problem of the mode and delay-dependent adaptive exponential synchronization in th moment is considered for stochastic delayed neural networks with Markovian switching. By utilizing a new nonnegative function and the -matrix approach, several sufficient conditions to ensure the mode and delay-dependent adaptive exponential synchronization in th moment for stochastic delayed neural networks are derived. Via the adaptive feedback control techniques, some suitable parameters update laws are found. To illustrate the effectiveness of the -matrix-based synchronization conditions derived in this brief, a numerical example is provided finally.
Disassembly of Lys11 and Mixed Linkage Polyubiquitin Conjugates Provides Insights into Function of Proteasomal Deubiquitinases Rpn11 and Ubp6*

Background: Deconjugation of polyubiquitin is an essential step in preparing substrates for proteolysis by the 26S proteasome. Results: Proteasome-associated DUBs, Rpn11 and Ubp6, process long Lys11- or Lys63-linked polyUb more efficiently than Lys48 linkages. Conclusion: 26S proteasomes can completely disassemble a mixed/branched polyUb conjugate. Significance: These observations call into question what constitutes an efficient signal for proteasome targeting versus proteolysis. Protein homeostasis is largely dependent on proteolysis by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Diverse polyubiquitin modifications are reported to target cellular proteins to the proteasome. At the proteasome, deubiquitination is an essential preprocessing event that contributes to degradation efficiency. We characterized the specificities of two proteasome-associated deubiquitinases (DUBs), Rpn11 and Ubp6, and explored their impact on overall proteasome DUB activity. This was accomplished by constructing a panel of well defined ubiquitin (Ub) conjugates, including homogeneous linkages of varying lengths as well as a heterogeneously modified target. Rpn11 and Ubp6 processed Lys11 and Lys63 linkages with comparable efficiencies that increased with chain length. In contrast, processing of Lys48 linkages by proteasome was inversely correlated to chain length. Fluorescently labeled tetra-Ub chains revealed endo-chain preference for Ubp6 acting on Lys48 and random action for Rpn11. Proteasomes were more efficient at deconjugating identical substrates than their constituent DUBs by roughly 2 orders of magnitude. Incorporation into proteasomes significantly enhanced enzymatic efficiency of Rpn11, due in part to alleviation of the autoinhibitory role of its C terminus. The broad specificity of Rpn11 could explain how proteasomes were more effective at disassembling a heterogeneously modified conjugate compared with homogeneous Lys48-linked chains. The reduced ability to disassemble homogeneous Lys48-linked chains longer than 4 Ub units may prolong residency time on the proteasome.
Analysis of Medications Returned During a Medication Take-Back Event

A medication take-back event was held in Lansing, MI, USA, for four hours in September 2013. The objective was to quantify medication waste by determining the ratio of medication units remaining versus dispensed and to identify therapeutic classes with greater ratios of remaining medication units. Drug name, strength, quantity remaining, quantity dispensed, dispensary source, and brand or generic were recorded from the label of each medication container returned. Out of the over 3600 medication containers collected, this study analyzed 2459 containers, which included 304 controlled substances. On average, 66 percent of the medications dispensed in these containers were unused, and therefore wasted. Immunologic medications had the lowest quantity of waste at 54%, while geriatrics/miscellaneous therapeutic class yielded the highest quantity of waste at 79%. The most common therapeutic classes collected were pain/spasm, cardiovascular, and mental health. Greater emphasis on patient education regarding medication adherence and health care professionals’ judicious prescribing habits is warranted to reduce the frequency of unused medications. The increased accessibility to medication return sites may alleviate the prevalence of medication accumulation, environmental damage, and medication misuse.
Oral sildenafil increases skin hyperaemia induced by iontophoresis of sodium nitroprusside in healthy volunteers

Background and purpose: Sildenafil, a specific inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A), is currently tested as a treatment for severe Raynaud's phenomenon. Here, we tested whether sildenafil, alone or combined with local sodium nitroprusside (SNP) delivered through skin iontophoresis, increased forearm cutaneous blood conductance in healthy volunteers, and to assess how well this combination was tolerated.
Modeling energy performance of C-RAN with optical transport in 5G network scenarios

The deployment of new 5G wireless interfaces based on massive multiantenna transmission and beamforming is expected to have a significant impact on the complexity and power consumption of the transport network. This paper analyzes the energy performance of four radio access network (RAN) architectures, each one utilizing a different option for splitting the baseband processing functions. The radio segment is based on Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G radio access technologies. The transport segment is based on optical wavelength division multiplexing, where coherent and direct detection transmissions are considered. The energy consumption of each RAN architecture is weighted against i) the benefits for the radio segment as a function of the level of centralization of the baseband processing functions and ii) the power consumption levels needed to accommodate the capacity generated at each base station. Results show that, with LTE radio interfaces, the energy consumption of the transport network amounts to only a few percent of the overall network power consumption. As a result, fully centralized LTE radio architectures are a viable option, with energy savings of at least 27% compared with conventional distributed architectures. On the other hand, with advanced 5G radio interfaces, centralized architectures, if not carefully designed, might become impractical due to the excessive energy consumption of the transport network (i.e., as a result of the huge capacity to be accommodated). This aspect can be mitigated via a careful joint design of the radio and the transport network (i.e., leveraging on appropriate optical transmission techniques and compromising where needed on the radio network performance).
Ebony, a Novel Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase for β-Alanine Conjugation with Biogenic Amines in Drosophila*

Using Ebony protein either expressed in Escherichia coli or in Schneider S2 cells, we provide evidence for its substrate specificity and reaction mechanism. Ebony activates β-alanine to aminoacyladenylate by an adenylation domain and covalently attaches it as a thioester to a thiolation domain in a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) related mechanism. In a second reaction, biogenic amines act as external nucleophiles on β-alanyl-S-pantetheine-Ebony, thereby releasing in a fast reaction the dipeptide (peptidoamine) in a process that is novel in higher eucaryotes. Therefore, we define Ebony as a β-alanyl-biogenic amine synthetase. Insight into the reaction mechanism stems from mutational analysis of an invariant serine that disclosed Ebony as a multienzyme with functional analogy to the starting modules of NRPSs. In light of a putative biogenic amine-deactivating capacity, Ebony function in the nervous system must be reconsidered. We propose that in the Drosophila eye Ebony is involved in the transmission process by inactivation of histamine through β-alanyl conjugation.
A Method of Moments Estimator for Random Effect Multivariate Meta‐Analysis

Summary Meta‐analysis is a powerful approach to combine evidence from multiple studies to make inference about one or more parameters of interest, such as regression coefficients. The validity of the fixed effect model meta‐analysis depends on the underlying assumption that all studies in the meta‐analysis share the same effect size. In the presence of heterogeneity, the fixed effect model incorrectly ignores the between‐study variance and may yield false positive results. The random effect model takes into account both within‐study and between‐study variances. It is more conservative than the fixed effect model and should be favored in the presence of heterogeneity. In this paper, we develop a noniterative method of moments estimator for the between‐study covariance matrix in the random effect model multivariate meta‐analysis. To our knowledge, it is the first such method of moments estimator in the matrix form. We show that our estimator is a multivariate extension of DerSimonian and Laird’s univariate method of moments estimator, and it is invariant to linear transformations. In the simulation study, our method performs well when compared to existing random effect model multivariate meta‐analysis approaches. We also apply our method in the analysis of a real data example.
Isoflurane Alters Energy Substrate Metabolism to Preserve Mechanical Function in Isolated Rat Hearts following Prolonged No-Flow Hypothermic Storage

Background Isoflurane enhances mechanical function in hearts subject to normothermic global or regional ischemia. The authors examined the effectiveness of isoflurane in preserving mechanical function in hearts subjected to cardioplegic arrest and prolonged hypothermic no-flow storage. The role of isoflurane in altering myocardial glucose metabolism during storage and reperfusion during these conditions and the contribution of adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium (KATP) channel activation in mediating the functional and metabolic effects of isoflurane preconditioning was determined. Methods Isolated working rat hearts were subjected to cardioplegic arrest with St. Thomas’ II solution, hypothermic no-flow storage for 8 h, and subsequent aerobic reperfusion. The consequences of isoflurane treatment were assessed during the following conditions: (1) isoflurane exposure before and during storage; (2) brief isoflurane exposure during early nonworking poststorage reperfusion; and (3) isoflurane preconditioning before storage. The selective mitochondrial and sarcolemmal KATP channel antagonists, 5-hydroxydecanoate and HMR 1098, respectively, were used to assess the role of KATP channel activation on glycogen consumption during storage in isoflurane-preconditioned hearts. Results Isoflurane enhanced recovery of mechanical function if present before and during storage. Isoflurane preconditioning was also protective. Isoflurane reduced glycogen consumption during storage under the aforementioned circumstances. Storage of isoflurane-preconditioned hearts in the presence of 5-hydroxydecanoate prevented the reduction in glycogen consumption during storage and abolished the beneficial effect of isoflurane preconditioning on recovery of mechanical function. Conclusions Isoflurane provides additive protection of hearts subject to cardioplegic arrest and prolonged hypothermic no-flow storage and favorably alters energy substrate metabolism by modulating glycolysis during ischemia. The effects of isoflurane preconditioning on glycolysis during hypothermic no-flow storage appears to be associated with activation of mitochondrial KATP channels.
Decentralizing Resource Allocation: Early Experiences with District Health Boards in New Zealand

Objectives In New Zealand in 2001, a system of purchasing health services by a centralized purchasing agency was replaced by 21 district health boards (DHBs) which are responsible for both providing health services directly and for purchasing services from non-government providers. This paper describes the processes associated with the allocation of health resources in the decentralized system and considers the extent to which four of the government's stated objectives are likely to be achieved. Methods Two rounds of interviews with national stakeholders and senior DHB personnel plus case studies in five districts which included key informant interviews, observation at board meetings and document analysis. Results The re-structuring of the health sector in New Zealand appears to have simultaneously enhanced and inhibited the achievement of government objectives. Local decisionmaking has encouraged greater local responsiveness and new funding arrangements have allayed concerns about inter-regional equity. The system is less commercially oriented than it was during the 1990s and collaboration between DHBs is improving. However, the combination of increased integration of purchasing and provision within DHBs and the focus on financial deficits in the early years appears to have inhibited the development of partnership relationships between DHBs and non-government providers, and of longer-term funding arrangements for high quality providers. Non-government providers perceive that DHBs have a tendency to favour their own providers when allocating contracts. Conclusions Decentralized decisionmaking is starting to make some inroads towards achieving some of the government's objectives with respect to resource allocation and purchasing.