Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Pyruvate Decarboxylase Knockout on Product Distribution Using Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffii) Engineered for Lactic Acid Production

Lactic acid is the monomer unit of the bioplastic poly-lactic acid (PLA). One candidate organism for lactic acid production is Pichia pastoris, a yeast widely used for heterologous protein production. Nevertheless, this yeast has a poor fermentative capability that can be modulated by controlling oxygen levels. In a previous study, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was introduced into P. pastoris, enabling this yeast to produce lactic acid. The present study aimed to increase the flow of pyruvate towards the production of lactic acid in P. pastoris. To this end, a strain designated GLp was constructed by inserting the bovine lactic acid dehydrogenase gene (LDHb) concomitantly with the interruption of the gene encoding pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC). Aerobic fermentation, followed by micro-aerophilic culture two-phase fermentations, showed that the GLp strain achieved a lactic acid yield of 0.65 g/g. The distribution of fermentation products demonstrated that the acetate titer was reduced by 20% in the GLp strain with a concomitant increase in arabitol production: arabitol increased from 0.025 g/g to 0.174 g/g when compared to the GS115 strain. Taken together, the results show a significant potential for P. pastoris in producing lactic acid. Moreover, for the first time, physiological data regarding co-product formation have indicated the redox balance limitations of this yeast.
Developing Caring Conversations in care homes: an appreciative inquiry

Relationship-centred practice is key to delivering quality care in care homes. Evidence is strong about the centrality of human interaction in developing relationships that promote dignity and compassion. The Caring Conversations framework is a framework for delivering compassionate care based on human interactions that was developed in the acute healthcare setting. The key attributes are: be courageous, connect emotionally, be curious, consider other perspectives, collaborate, compromise and celebrate. This paper reports on a study to explore its relevance to the care home setting and the development of an educational intervention, based on the framework, to enhance development of human interaction. The study used the approach of appreciative inquiry to develop Caring Conversations in the care home setting. Appreciative inquiry has a unique focus on what is working well, understanding why these aspects work well and co-creating strategies to help these good practices happen more of the time. The aim of the study was to celebrate and develop excellent human interaction that promotes dignity between staff, residents and families in care homes. The study took place in 2013-2014 in one care home in Scotland, over 10 months. Participants included staff (n = 37), residents (n = 20) and relatives (n = 18). Data generation methods involving residents, relatives and staff included observation and interviews about experiences of interaction. An iterative process of data analysis involved mapping core themes to the Caring Conversations framework with findings showing how people communicated correlated well with the Caring Conversations framework. Building on knowledge of what works well, staff developed small 'tests of change' that enabled these good practices to happen more of the time. Appreciative inquiry proved a valuable approach to exploring Caring Conversations, developing practice and developing an educational intervention that could be shared across other care settings.
Application of ultrasonics to brecciated dolostones for assessing their mechanical properties

Brecciated dolostones are widely used as construction and building materials, mainly for cladding, flooring and paving. Consequently, the mechanical properties of these rocks are an important characteristic to be taken into account for ensuring that these stones are used correctly in building processes. There are many varieties of brecciated dolostones marketed as commercial marble. These stones belong to Group C of the commercial marble in accordance with the MIA classification. In this study, three of these Spanish varieties have been chosen due to the varying degrees of breccification and their different mechanical properties: Marron Emperador, Beige Serpiente and Amarillo Triana. These varieties correspond to dolostones with varying crystal sizes and a differing number of calcite and dolomite veins. In order to assess the mechanical properties of these varieties of brecciated dolostones, the ultrasonic technique has been used. Four ultrasonic parameters have been obtained from the digital analysis of the transmitted waveform, namely compressive and shear wave velocities, velocity ratio and waveform energy. The mechanical properties determined on core samples of the analysed varieties include uniaxial compressive strength, unitary strain and the Young static elasticity modulus. In order to evaluate the best ultrasonic parameter for estimating mechanical properties, statistical tools of multivariate analysis have been applied (scatter diagrams, principal components and cluster analysis). The results reveal a strong logarithmic relationship between wave velocities and compressive strength in the studied brecciated dolostones. Moreover, a relatively new relationship has been defined between waveform energy and uniaxial compressive strength logarithms. Effective porosity has a clear influence on most of the calculated parameters. This study confirms the suitability of the ultrasonic test as an effective non-destructive technique to assess the mechanical properties of these kinds of materials.
Results of a 10‐year survey of workload for 10 treatment vaults at a high‐throughput comprehensive cancer center

&NA; The workload for shielding purposes of modern linear accelerators (linacs) consists of primary and scatter radiation which depends on the dose delivered to isocenter (cGy) and leakage radiation which depends on the monitor units (MUs). In this study, we report on the workload for 10 treatment vaults in terms of dose to isocenter (cGy), monitor units delivered (MUs), number of treatment sessions (Txs), as well as, use factors (U) and modulation factors (CI) for different treatment techniques. The survey was performed for the years between 2006 and 2015 and included 16 treatment machines which represent different generations of Varian linear accelerators (6EX, 600C, 2100C, 2100EX, and TrueBeam) operating at different electron and x‐ray energies (6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 MeV electrons and, 6 and 15 MV x‐rays). An institutional review board (IRB) approval was acquired to perform this study. Data regarding patient workload, dose to isocenter, number of monitor units delivered, beam energies, gantry angles, and treatment techniques were exported from an ARIA treatment management system (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, Ca.) into Excel spreadsheets and data analysis was performed in Matlab. The average (± std‐dev) number of treatment sessions, dose to isocenter, and number of monitor units delivered per week per machine in 2006 was 119 ± 39 Txs, (300 ± 116) × 102 cGys, and (78 ± 28) × 103 MUs respectively. In contrast, the workload in 2015 was 112 ± 40 Txs, (337 ± 124) × 102 cGys, and (111 ± 46) × 103 MUs. 60% of the workload (cGy) was delivered using 6 MV and 30% using 15 MV while the remaining 10% was delivered using electron beams. The modulation factors (MU/cGy) for IMRT and VMAT were 5.0 (± 3.4) and 4.6 (± 1.6) respectively. Use factors using 90° gantry angle intervals were equally distributed (˜0.25) but varied considerably among different treatment techniques. The workload, in terms of dose to isocenter (cGy) and subsequently monitor units (MUs), has been steadily increasing over the past decade. This increase can be attributed to increased use of high dose hypo‐fractionated regimens (SBRT, SRS) and the increase in use of IMRT and VMAT, which require higher MUs per cGy as compared to more conventional treatment (3DCRT). Meanwhile, the patient workload in terms of treatment sessions per week remained relatively constant. The findings of this report show that variables used for shielding purposes still fall within the recommendation of NCRP Report 151.
The involvement of coordinative interactions in the binding of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase to titanium dioxide—Localization of a putative binding site

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely used in orthodontic and orthopedic implants by virtue to their high biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and high resistance to corrosion. Biointegration of the implants with the tissue requires strong interactions, which involve biological molecules, proteins in particular, with metal oxide surfaces. An exocellular high‐affinity titanium dioxide (TiO2)–binding protein (TiBP), purified from Rhodococcus ruber, has been previously studied in our lab. This protein was shown to be homologous with the orthologous cytoplasmic rhodococcal dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (rhDLDH). We have found that rhDLDH and its human homolog (hDLDH) share the TiO2‐binding capabilities with TiBP. Intrigued by the unique TiO2‐binding properties of hDLDH, we anticipated that it may serve as a molecular bridge between Ti‐based medical structures and human tissues. The objective of the current study was to locate the region and the amino acids of the protein that mediate the protein‐TiO2 surface interaction. We demonstrated the role of acidic amino acids in the nonelectrostatic enzyme/dioxide interactions at neutral pH. The observation that the interaction of DLDH with various metal oxides is independent of their isoelectric values strengthens this notion. DLDH does not lose its enzymatic activity upon binding to TiO2, indicating that neither the enzyme undergoes major conformational changes nor the TiO2 binding site is blocked. Docking predictions suggest that both rhDLDH and hDLDH bind TiO2 through similar regions located far from the active site and the dimerization sites. The putative TiO2‐binding regions of both the bacterial and human enzymes were found to contain a CHED (Cys, His, Glu, Asp) motif, which has been shown to participate in metal‐binding sites in proteins.
Nimotuzumab enhances radiation sensitivity of NSCLC H292 cells in vitro by blocking epidermal growth factor receptor nuclear translocation and inhibiting radiation-induced DNA damage repair

Background The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway plays a significant role in radiation resistance. There is evidence that EGFR nuclear translocation is associated with DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) repair. Nimotuzumab has shown the effect of radiosensitization in various cancer cells, but little is known about the relationship between nimotuzumab and EGFR nuclear translocation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. In this study, we selected two NSCLC cell lines, namely, H292 (with high EGFR expression) and H1975 (with low EGFR expression) and explored the mechanisms underlying radiation sensitivity. Methods MTT assay, clonogenic survival assay, and flow cytometry were performed separately to test cell viability, radiation sensitivity, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis. Protein γ-H2AX, DNA-PK/p-DNA-PK, and EGFR/p-EGFR expression were further compared both in the cytoplasm and the nucleus with the western blot. Results Nimotuzumab reduced the viability of H292 cells and sensitized H292 cells to ionizing radiation. The radiation sensitivity enhancement ratio (SER) was 1.304 and 1.092 for H292 and H1975 cells, respectively. H292 cells after nimotuzumab administration were arrested at the G0/G1 phase in response to radiation. Apoptosis was without statistical significance in both cell lines. γ-H2AX formation in the combination group (nimotuzumab and radiation) increased both in the cytoplasm and the nucleus along with the decreased expression of nuclear EGFR/p-EGFR and p-DNA-PK in H292 cells (P<0.05) that was more significant than that in H1975 cells. Conclusion Our research revealed a possible mechanism to explain the radiosensitivity in H292 cells. Nimotuzumab decreased the radiation-induced activation of DNA-PK by blocking EGFR nuclear translocation and impairing DNA DSB repair, thus enhancing radiosensitivity in H292 cells. Because these results represent early research, the matters of how γ-H2AX and DNA-PK dynamically change simultaneously with nuclear EGFR and the best time to administer nimotuzumab will require further exploration.
New perspective on the regionalization of the anterior forebrain in Osteichthyes

In the current model, the most anterior part of the forebrain (secondary prosencephalon) is subdivided into the telencephalon dorsally and the hypothalamus ventrally. Our recent study identified a new morphogenetic unit named the optic recess region (ORR) between the telencephalon and the hypothalamus. This modification of the forebrain regionalization based on the ventricular organization resolved some previously unexplained inconsistency about regional identification in different vertebrate groups. The ventricular‐based comparison also revealed a large diversity within the subregions (notably in the hypothalamus and telencephalon) among different vertebrate groups. In tetrapods there is only one hypothalamic recess, while in teleosts there are two recesses. Most notably, the mammalian and teleost hypothalami are two extreme cases: the former has lost the cerebrospinal fluid‐contacting (CSF‐c) neurons, while the latter has increased them. Thus, one to one homology of hypothalamic subregions in mammals and teleosts requires careful verification. In the telencephalon, different developmental processes between Sarcopterygii (lobe‐finned fish) and Actinopterygii (ray‐finned fish) have already been described: the evagination and the eversion. Although pallial homology has been long discussed based on the assumption that the medial‐lateral organization of the pallium in Actinopterygii is inverted from that in Sarcopterygii, recent developmental data contradict this assumption. Current models of the brain organization are largely based on a mammalian‐centric point of view, but our comparative analyses shed new light on the brain organization of Osteichthyes.
Non-equilibrium electron transport induced by terahertz radiation in the topological and trivial phases of Hg1−xCdxTe

Terahertz photoconductivity in heterostructures based on n-type Hg1−xCdxTe epitaxial films both in the topological phase (x < 0.16, inverted band structure, zero band gap) and the trivial state (x > 0.16, normal band structure) has been studied. We show that both the positive photoresponse in films with x < 0.16 and the negative photoconductivity in samples with x > 0.16 have no low-energy threshold. The observed non-threshold positive photoconductivity is discussed in terms of a qualitative model that takes into account a 3D potential well and 2D topological Dirac states coexisting in a smooth topological heterojunction.
Factors Influencing the Daylight Photodegradation of Nylon 66, Nylon 6, and Polyester in Commercial Fabrics

Nylon 66, nylon 6, antistatic nylon 66, and polyester yarns of various lusters were made into commercial warp-knitted fabrics using some dyes that retarded and others that promoted photodegradation. These fabrics, together with undyed ones, were exposed under glass and by direct weather in Florida to determine the relative contribution of the various factors to reduced fabric performance on exposure to light. The interaction of seasonal daylight changes with the fiber and dye variants was also investigated. Strength retention and abrasion resistance were used to characterize fabric deterioration. Reasons for the differences found are postulated.
Electric dipole moment of a BPS monopole

Monopole ``superpartner'' solutions are constructed by acting with finite, broken supersymmetry transformations on a bosonic $N=2 \mathrm{BPS}$ monopole. The terms beyond first order in this construction represent the back reaction of the fermionic zero-mode state on the other fields. Because of the quantum nature of the fermionic zero modes, the superpartner solution is necessarily operator valued. We extract the electric dipole moment operator and show that it is proportional to the fermion zero-mode angular momentum operator with a gyroelectric ratio $g=2. $ The magnetic quadrupole operator is shown to vanish identically on all states. We comment on the usefulness of the monopole superpartner solution for a study of the long-range spin-dependent dynamics of BPS monopoles.
Pharmacological treatment of osteopenia induced by gastrectomy or ovariectomy in young female rats

Background Both gastrectomy (GX) and ovariectomy (OVX) induce osteopenia in man and experimental animals. The present study addresses the question – can alendronate, estrogen or parathyroid hormone (PTH) be used to treat established GX- or OVX -evoked osteopenia? Methods Rats were GX-, OVX- or SHAM-operated 8 weeks before starting the treatment with drugs. Each group was then treated for 8 weeks with 50 µg/kg/day alendronate, 10 µg/kg/day estrogen or 75 µg/kg/day PTH(1–84); n=8 rats/group. Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT) was used to measure trabecular bone mineral density (BMD) and various cortical bone parameters.Results At killing, 16 weeks after surgery, GX and OVX rats had a greatly reduced trabecular BMD in the metaphysis of the distal femur (GX −44% and OVX −55%). Alendronate increased the trabecular BMD by 44% in GX rats and by 64% in OVX rats, while PTH increased it by 51% and 115%, respectively. However, estrogen increased the trabecular BMD in GX rats (35%), but not in OVX rats (15%, not significant). Cortical bone parameters were adversely (but moderately) affected by GX, but not by OVX or by treatment with the three drugs.Interpretation Alendronate, estrogen and PTH restored the trabecular bone loss in rats with an established GX-evoked osteopenia. In contrast, alendronate and PTH, but not estrogen, restored the trabecular bone loss after OVX. Hence, the mechanism underlying GX-evoked bone loss differs from that underlying OVXevoked bone loss. The ability of alendronate, estrogen and PTH to reverse the GX-evoked osteopenia in the rat may be of clinical interest when dealing with bone loss in humans after GX.
A Comprehensive in Silico Analysis of Regulatory SNPs of Human CLEC7A Gene and Its Validation as Genotypic and Phenotypic Disease Marker in Recurrent Vulvovaginal Infections

Recurrent Vulvovaginal infections (RVVI) are the commonly reported microbiological syndrome affecting millions of women globally. Various molecules of innate immune system are instrumental in clearance of these microbial pathogens, thus suggested as one of the most important contributing factor in determining the disease outcome. Dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1 (Dectin-1) is an important molecule of innate immunity that is primarily known for its role in antifungal defenses. However, role of dectin-1 in recognition of other pathogens is also documented. The intracellular expression of dectin-1 was shown to be up-regulated by Mannose Binding Lectin (MBL)-mediated opsonophagocytosis of pathogens. Dectin-1 is encoded by CLEC7A, postulated to be a candidate gene in modulating risk of developing RVVI. In this study, we identified CLEC7A causal variants using in silico analysis. To assess their impact on susceptibility to RVVI, these causal variants along with serum dectin-1 levels (sDectin-1) were investigated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) and Enzyme Linked Immnosorbent Assay (ELISA) respectively, under a case-control design. Furthermore, effect of these polymorphisms was also assessed on sMBL levels. In silico analysis revealed 9 putative functional conserved SNPs of CLEC7A. Association analysis revealed a significantly lower risk of developing RVVI and its types in carriers of CLEC7A rs3901533 G allele and its homozygous genotypes (p < 0.05). The heterozygous genotype was associated with significant protection against RVVI (p = 0.004). Haplotypes GGG and GTA showed significant protection against RVVI (p < 0.0001; p = 0.0003), Bacterial Vaginosis (p = 0.03; p = 0.002), Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (p = 0.03; p = 0.01) and Mixed Infections (p = 0.007; p = 0.04). Mean sDectin-1 levels were significantly high in RVVI and its types compared to controls (p < 0.05). Further, genotype-phenotype stratification showed significant differences within/between cases groups and controls. The CLEC7A rs3901533 polymorphism was also found to be associated with sMBL levels. The present study contributed novel insights into the role of dectin-1 in RVVI. CLEC7A rs3901533 polymorphism and high sDectin-1 levels along with low sMBL levels were found to be associated with RVVI susceptibility. Thus, screening of women with RVVI for these novel associations may lead to better diagnosis and treatment. Also genotyping method used in this study constitutes a simple and reliable assay, which can be confidently, used as a cheaper alternative for genotyping these variants in clinical settings. Finally, new restorative markers for other infectious diseases might be found by exploring nine functionally identified CLEC7A SNPs.
Novel Chitosan-based pH Sensitive Micro-networks for the Controlled Release of 5-Fluorouracil

Polymeric micro-networks architecture (PMNs) based on chitosan and its graft copolymer with acrylamidoglycolic acid (AGA) by precipitation and cross-linking methods for the controlled release of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is described. The chitosan and its graft copolymers are cross-linked with different ratios of ureaformaldehyde (UF) in the presence of acidic alcohol media at room temperature. The networks are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction studies. The physicochemical characteristics (i.e., encapsulation efficiency, density, particle size distribution, in vitro release) of the PMNs are reported. The extent of cross-linking is studied in terms of size of PMNs as well as their release characteristics. Extent of drug loading on the encapsulation efficiency of the microparticles is investigated to prove their linear relationship. The in vitro release performed in 1.2 pH solution followed by 7.4 pH buffer media, has been analyzed with an empirical equation to understand the diffusion nature of drug solution through the PMNs. The study of 5-FU loaded PMNs shows that the extended release rates are noticed from the conventional dosage release duration beyond 18 h.
Analysis of Sesame Marketing Chain in Case of Gimbi Districts, Ethiopia

This study was aimed at marketing chain of sesames in Gimbi Woredas of Oromia Region with specific objectives of identifying marketing channels and factors affecting outlet choice decisions of farm households. The data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data for this study were collected from 127 farmers, 17 traders and 22 consumers through application of appropriate statistical procedures. The study result showed that sesame producers are faced with lack of improved seed variety and high diseases and pests. On marketing side, limited access to market, low price of product, lack of storage, lack of transport and low quality of product are the major problems. The multinomial logit model results indicated that the probability to choose the collector outlet was significantly affected by Land, Market price of sesame, Membership to any Cooperatives, Credit Access, and Owning Transport Facility compared to wholesale outlet. Similarly, the probability of choosing cooperatives marketing outlet was affected by land and Quantity of sesame produced compared to wholesale outlet. Therefore, policy aiming at increasing farmers’ access to modern inputs, developing and improving infrastructure, gender consideration, cooperative development and improving extension system are recommended to accelerate the chain’s development. Keywords: Gimbi, Marketing Channel, Outlet, Sesame