Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypothesis Iron Catalysis at the Origin of Life Eloi Camprubi

Iron–sulphur proteins are ancient and drive fundamental processes in cells, notably electron transfer and CO2 fixation. Iron– sulphur minerals with equivalent structures could have played a key role in the origin of life. However, the ‘iron–sulphur world’ hypothesis has had a mixed reception, with questions raised especially about the feasibility of a pyrites-pulled reverse Krebs cycle. Phylogenetics suggests that the earliest cells drove carbon and energy metabolism via the acetyl CoA pathway, which is also replete in Fe(Ni)S proteins. Deep differences between bacteria and archaea in this pathway obscure the ancestral state. These differences make sense if early cells depended on natural proton gradients in alkaline hydrothermal vents. If so, the acetyl CoA pathway diverged with the origins of active ion pumping, and ancestral CO2 fixation might have been equivalent to methanogens, which depend on a membrane-bound NiFe hydrogenase, energy converting hydrogenase. This uses the proton-motive force to reduce ferredoxin, thence CO2. The mechanism suggests that pH could modulate reduction potential at the active site of the enzyme, facilitating the difficult reduction of CO2 by H2. This mechanism could be generalised under abiotic conditions so that steep pH differences across semi-conducting Fe(Ni)S barriers drives not just the first steps of CO2 fixation to C1 and C2 organics such as CO, CH3SH and CH3COSH, but a series of similar carbonylation and hydrogenation reactions to form longer chain carboxylic acids such as pyruvate, oxaloacetate and a-ketoglutarate, as in the incomplete reverse Krebs cycle found in methanogens. We suggest that the closure of a complete reverse Krebs cycle, by regenerating acetyl CoA directly, displaced the acetyl CoA pathway from many modern groups. A later reliance on acetyl CoA and ATP eliminated the need for the proton-motive force to drive most steps of the reverse Krebs cycle. VC 2017 The Authors IUBMB Life published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 00(0):000–000, 2017
Review: Electronic Health Records and the Reliability and Validity of Quality Measures: A Review of the Literature

Previous reviews of research on electronic health record (EHR) data quality have not focused on the needs of quality measurement. The authors reviewed empirical studies of EHR data quality, published from January 2004, with an emphasis on data attributes relevant to quality measurement. Many of the 35 studies reviewed examined multiple aspects of data quality. Sixty-six percent evaluated data accuracy, 57% data completeness, and 23% data comparability. The diversity in data element, study setting, population, health condition, and EHR system studied within this body of literature made drawing specific conclusions regarding EHR data quality challenging. Future research should focus on the quality of data from specific EHR components and important data attributes for quality measurement such as granularity, timeliness, and comparability. Finally, factors associated with poor or variability in data quality need to be better understood and effective interventions developed.
Prevalence of dental caries and influencing factors, time trends over a 30-year period in an adult population. Epidemiological studies between 1983 and 2013 in the county of Dalarna, Sweden

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dental caries in an adult population using four different cross-sectional studies over a 30-year period and to assess its possible associations with socio-economic and socio-behavioural factors. Materials and methods: Four cross-sectional epidemiological studies were performed in the county of Dalarna, Sweden, in 1983, 2003, 2008 and 2013. Random samples of 1012–2244 individuals, aged 20–85 years, who answered a questionnaire about socio-economic and socio-behavioural factors, were radiographically and clinically examined. Results: The proportion of individuals with at least one decayed surface (DS) was 58% in 1983 and significantly lower, 34% in 2008 (p < 0.05) and 33% in 2013; the mean number of DS was 2.0 in 1983 and 1.1 in 2013 in the age group 35–75 (p < 0.05). In the age group 85, the mean number of DS was 1.2 in 2008 and 2.4 in 2013. Adjusted for age and number of teeth, irregular dental visits, limited financial resources for dental care, smoking, education below university, male gender, daily medication and single living were positively and statistically associated with manifest caries. Conclusion: The declining trend in the prevalence of manifest caries seems to be broken. In the oldest age group mean number of DS was higher in 2013 compared with 2008, indicating a possible beginning of an increase. This needs special attention as this group increases in the population, retaining natural teeth high up in age. Manifest caries was found to be associated with socio-economic and socio-behavioural factors.
Transgenic and gene disruption techniques in the study of neurocarcinogenesis

Transgenic technologies have come of age, and the field of carcinogenesis has profited extensively from the availability of these methods. Both the inappropriate expression of dominant oncogenes in specific tissues and the ability to “knock out” tumor suppressor genes in mammalian organisms have enabled substantial advancements of our understanding of development and progression of the neoplastic phenotype. In the first part of this article, we review the most popular techniques for modification of the mammalian genome in vivo, i.e. microinjection of fertilized eggs, retrovirus‐mediated gene transfer, and targeted gene deletion through homologous recombination. Subsequently, we attempt a critical evaluation of the available models of neurocarcinogenesis, and discuss their impact and future potential for the study of cancer in the nervous system. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nuclear‐Cytosolic Transport of COMMD1 Regulates NF‐κB and HIF‐1 Activity

Copper metabolism MURR1 domain1 (COMMD1) is a novel inhibitor of the transcription factors NF‐κB and HIF‐1, which play important roles in inflammation and tumor growth, respectively. In this study, we identified two highly conserved nuclear export signals (NESs) in COMMD1 and revealed that these NESs were essential and sufficient to induce maximal nuclear export of COMMD1. Inhibition of CRM1‐mediated nuclear export by Leptomycin B resulted in nuclear accumulation of COMMD1. In addition, low oxygen concentrations induced the active export of COMMD1 from the nucleus in a CRM1‐dependent manner. Disruption of the NESs in COMMD1 increased the repression of COMMD1 in transcriptional activity of NF‐κB and HIF‐1. In conclusion, these data indicate that COMMD1 undergoes constitutive nucleocytoplasmic transport as a novel mechanism to regulate NF‐κB and HIF‐1 signaling.
Fungal-Induced Deterioration of Mural Paintings: In Situ and Mock-Model Microscopy Analyses

Abstract Fungal deterioration of frescoes was studied in situ on a selected Serbian church, and on a laboratory model, utilizing standard and newly implemented microscopy techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray confirmed the limestone components of the plaster. Pigments used were identified as carbon black, green earth, iron oxide, ocher, and an ocher/cinnabar mixture. In situ microscopy, applied via a portable microscope ShuttlePix P-400R, proved very useful for detection of invisible micro-impairments and hidden, symptomless, microbial growth. SEM and optical microscopy established that observed deterioration symptoms, predominantly discoloration and pulverization of painted layers, were due to bacterial filaments and fungal hyphal penetration, and formation of a wide range of fungal structures (i.e., melanized hyphae, chlamydospores, microcolonial clusters, Cladosporium-like conidia, and Chaetomium perithecia and ascospores). The all year-round monitoring of spontaneous and induced fungal colonization of a “mock painting” in controlled laboratory conditions confirmed the decisive role of humidity level (70.18±6.91% RH) in efficient colonization of painted surfaces, as well as demonstrated increased bioreceptivity of painted surfaces to fungal colonization when plant-based adhesives (ilinocopie, murdent), compared with organic adhesives of animal origin (bone glue, egg white), are used for pigment sizing.
Erythrocyte membrane fatty acids profile in colorectal cancer patients: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND/AIM The study of fatty acid composition of the erythrocytes' membrane can be considered an appropriate biomarker for investigating the relations of the pattern of fatty acids metabolism to a specific disease. The aim of the present study was to analyze the fatty acid profile in red blood cell membranes of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirteen patients with CRC and 13 patients with no malignant disease were enrolled in the study. Fatty acids were extracted from erythrocytes' membranes and quantified by gas chromatography. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS Patients with CRC showed significantly lower mean percentage of n-3 polynunsatured fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) than controls (5.1% vs. 8.0%, respectively). This finding was reflected in the higher ratio n-6-PUFA/n-3-PUFA observed in cancer patients. CONCLUSION Lipidomic analysis of erythrocyte membranes confirmed the presence of an altered fatty acid profile in patients with CRC.
Creatine enhances survival of glutamate‐treated neuronal/glial cells, modulates Ras/NF‐κB signaling, and increases the generation of reactive oxygen species

The protective effects of creatine against glutamate cytotoxicity have been demonstrated in neuronal cells and animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. The mechanisms underlying creatine neuroprotection against glutamate‐induced cell death are understood poorly. For the first time, we demonstrate a correlation between the protective effect of creatine and the modulation of Ras‐mediated redox‐dependent signaling pathways, which involve nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In primary cerebrocortical cultures of mixed neurons and glia, creatine significantly reduced glutamate‐induced cell death. The increase in cell survival was accompanied by increased generation of oxygen radicals and decreased levels of farnesylated Ras and IκB, an inhibitor of NF‐κB. Non‐farnesylated Ras and ROS‐dependent activation of NF‐κB have been shown to promote neuronal survival. Our data suggest that creatine may enhance survival signaling via activation of the Ras/NF‐κB system. Possible mechanisms underlying the protective effect of creatine are discussed, including normalization of cellular GTP levels. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cancer prevention by adult‐onset calorie restriction after infant exposure to ionizing radiation in B6C3F1 male mice

Children are especially sensitive to ionizing radiation and chemical carcinogens, and limiting their cancer risk is of great public concern. Calorie restriction (CR) is a potent intervention for suppressing cancer. However, CR is generally not appropriate for children. This study, therefore, examined to see if adult‐onset CR influences the lifetime cancer risk in mice after early‐life exposure to ionizing radiation. Infant male mice (1‐week‐old) were exposed to 3.8 Gy X‐rays, fed a control 95 kcal/week or CR 65 kcal/week diet from 7 weeks of age (adult stage), and their lifespan and tumor development were assessed. Irrespective of CR, X‐rays shortened lifespan by 38%, and irrespective of irradiation CR extended lifespan by 20%. Thymic lymphoma (TL) and early‐occurring non‐TL were induced by radiation. The liver and Harderian gland were more susceptible to radiation‐induced tumors than the lungs and non‐thymic lymphoid tissues (late occurring). CR reduced the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, late‐occurring non‐TL, lung tumor, Harderian tumor, and hemangioma but had less impact on TL and early‐occurring non‐TL. Most notably, the effects of X‐rays on induction of lung tumors, late‐occurring non‐TL and hemangioma were essentially canceled by CR. The ability of CR to prevent late‐occurring tumors was the same for non‐irradiated and irradiated mice, indicating that the mechanism by which CR influences cancer is independent of irradiation. Our results indicate that adult‐onset CR significantly inhibits late‐occurring tumors in a tissue‐dependent manner regardless of infant radiation exposure.
Measuring Unbound Versus Total Vancomycin Concentrations in Serum and Plasma: Methodological Issues and Relevance

Background: Studies on the unbound fraction (fu) of vancomycin report highly variable results. Great controversy also exists about the correlation between unbound and total vancomycin concentrations. As differences in (pre-)analytic techniques may explain these findings, we investigated the impact of the procedure used to isolate unbound vancomycin in serum/plasma on fu and the correlation between total and unbound concentrations. Methods: Patient samples (n = 39) were analyzed for total and unbound vancomycin concentrations after ultrafiltration (UF, Centrifree at 4°C and 37°C) or equilibrium dialysis (ED, using a Fast Micro-Equilibrium Dialyzer at 37°C) on an Architect i2000SR. To investigate correlations with potential binding proteins, total protein, albumin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and IgA concentrations were also measured. Results: The median fu after ED was 72.5% [interquartile range (IQR), 68.7%–75.0%]. Ultrafiltration at 4°C and 37°C resulted in a median fu of 51.6% (IQR, 48.6%–54.8%) and 75.2% (IQR, 69.3%–78.6%), respectively, with no significant difference between unbound vancomycin concentrations after ED and UF at 37°C (P = 0.13). Unbound concentrations obtained through ED and UF correlated linearly (4°C: r = 0.9457; 37°C: r = 0.9478; both P < 0.0001). Linear mixed-model regression showed that total vancomycin as such was the predominant determinant for the unbound concentration, allowing a reliable prediction (mean bias ± SD, 5.0% ± 7.6%). The studied protein concentrations were of no added value in predicting the unbound concentration. Conclusions: Vancomycin fu after UF at 4°C was on average 30.6% lower than that after UF at 37°C, demonstrating the importance of temperature during UF. Ultrafiltration at 37°C resulted in unbound vancomycin concentrations equivalent with ED. As the unbound concentration could be reliably predicted based on total vancomycin concentrations as such, measurement of unbound vancomycin concentrations has little added value over measurements of total vancomycin concentrations.
Decreased Linezolid Serum Concentrations in Three Critically Ill Patients: Clinical Case Studies of a Potential Drug Interaction between Linezolid and Rifampicin

Linezolid is a valuable treatment option for treating infections caused by multi-resistant gram-positive pathogens. Lack of effective linezolid levels due to the co-administration of rifampicin has been described in healthy subjects. However, the clinical significance of this potential drug interaction (DI) for critically ill patients is still unclear. This was a retrospective analysis of 3 critically ill patients with the combination therapy of linezolid and rifampicin or rifampicin pre-treatment. Despite increasing the dose of linezolid, the majority of observed linezolid trough concentrations in all 3 patients were below 2 mg/l. Furthermore, linezolid trough concentrations remained below 2 mg/l after discontinuation of rifampicin. This potential DI between linezolid and rifampicin could lead to treatment failure. Therefore, we strongly recommend that linezolid serum concentrations be monitored in patients with rifampicin co-administration or rifampicin pretreatment.
Heavy metals concentrations in vegetables grown in the vicinity of the closed dumpsite

Levels of heavy metals cadmium, lead, chromium, zinc and copper in five different edible vegetables, Amaranthus blitum, Vigna unguiculata, Ipomea batata, Solanum nigrum and Cucurbita maxima grown along the slopes of the closed dumpsite were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The extraction of heavy metals from the vegetables was done by dry ashing methods and data were analysed using Statistical Programme for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Excel computer packages. Results obtained for five heavy metals in vegetables ranged between 0.28 and 1.50 mg/kg dw for cadmium; 0.49 and 20.65 mg/kg dw for lead; 1.15 and 29.39 mg/kg dw for chromium; 18.61 and 122.88 mg/kg dw for zinc and 3.96 and 22.47 mg/kg dw for copper. The levels of Zn, Cr, Pb and Cd were above the permissible levels of heavy metals in food as per FAO/WHO guidelines and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) standards. This implies that vegetables grown along the closed Mtoni dumpsite are not suitable for human consumption. This study highlights the potential risks involved in the cultivation and consumption of vegetables on plots along the dumpsites and irrigated with water contaminated with leachates effluents, a practice which may place at risk the health of the urban population who consume these vegetables.
Bracing can reduce high degree curves and improve aesthetics immediately after the end of growth. Final results of a retrospective case series.

INTRODUCTION Recently it has been shown that idiopathic scoliosis (IS) curves can be reduced with bracing, and it has been proposed that this could be useful in non-surgically treated high degree curves even after Risser 3. Moreover, bracing has been shown to be able to improve aesthetics, and this could be another reason to treat some patients with cosmetic needs. Our aim is to preliminary check if results can be obtained in IS patients after Risser 3. METHODS Design. Retrospective uncontrolled cohort study. Inclusion criteria. All IS patients treated on a voluntary basis for aesthetic reasons and/or for curve reduction; Risser 4-5 at start; end of treatment reached. Population. 34 females and 2 males, age 16.2±1.6 years, Cobb angle 27.6°±8.9°. Treatment. Lyon or SPoRT braces 18 to 24 hours/day, specific SEAS exercises, rapid weaning (2-3 hours every 6 months). Outcome criteria: SRS (unchanged; worsened over 6°; over 45° at the end of treatment; surgically treated), radiographic and clinical. Statistics. ANOVA and chi-test. RESULTS The reported compliance during the 2.8 ± 1.1 treatment years was 95.1%, while residual growth was 0.9 ± 1.1 cm. Improvements were found in 39% of this cohort, (46% in curves over 30°). Only 1 patient progressed 6°. We found highly statistically significant reductions of maximal (-4.4°), thoracic (-6.0°) and thoracolumbar (-6.6°) curves. Statistically significant improvements were found for Aesthetic Index. CONCLUSION Before 20 years of age, even in skeletally mature patients, it is possible to reach radiographic and aesthetic improvements, although not as good as during growth. Correction is based on bone growth, but ligaments and neuromuscular control of posture can also be involved.
Successful Treatment of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium Meningitis with Linezolid: Case Report and Literature Review

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are a rare cause of meningitis, occurring primarily in patients who have undergone neurosurgical procedures. We describe the first reported case of VRE meningitis successfully treated with linezolid. A 56-y-old female with subarachnoid hemorrhage underwent ventriculostomy and embolization of cerebral aneurysms. Her postoperative course was complicated by multiple infections needing repeated antibiotic courses, culminating in the development of VRE meningitis. She was treated with 600 mg of i.v. linezolid (MIC < 0.75 microg/ml) every 12 h for 6 weeks. After the fourth dose, peak and trough linezolid concentrations were 11.45 and 0.14 microg/ml in serum and 3.19 and 2.39 microg/ml in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). On Day 19 of linezolid therapy, serum and CSF trough concentrations were 1.53 and 2.98 microg/ml, respectively. Linezolid achieved sufficient CSF concentrations to bring about clinical and bacteriological cure. We conclude that i.v. linezolid may be a useful option for treating VRE meningitis. We also present findings of a literature review, which identified 11 cases of VRE meningitis treated with other pharmacologic agents with mixed success.
Axial form factor of the nucleon at large momentum transfers

Motivated by the emerging possibilities to study threshold pion electroproduction at large momentum transfers at Jefferson Laboratory following the 12 GeV upgrade, we provide a short theory summary and an estimate of the nucleon axial form factor for large virtualities in the ${Q}^{2}=1\char21{}10\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{GeV}}^{2}$ range using next-to-leading-order light-cone sum rules.
Data-driven interpretable fuzzy controller design through mult-objective genetic algorithm

This paper considers the problem of data-driven fuzzy controller (FC) design with the objectives of not only high control accuracy but also high interpretability in the control rules. Because the tradeoff between the two objectives, a multi-objective genetic algorithm is employed to find a set of Pareto-optimal FCs. The optimization is based on an initial FC structure online generated through clustering of input data with the input space flexibly partitioned. A constrained objective function is defined to measure fuzzy set transparency and optimization of which improves FC interpretability. Since the dimension of each FC in the parameter solution population changes with the generation of a new rule, a new solution update method is proposed in this paper. The data-driven interpretable fuzzy control approach is applied to control a nonlinear plant in simulation to verify its performance.
A self-adaptive distance correction localisation algorithm based on RSSI-LQI for WSNs

For the problem of wireless location error caused by the effects of environmental factors on received signal strength indication (RSSI) and link quality indicator (LQI), this paper put forward a new self-adaptive distance correction algorithm, which adopted Gaussian model to sift RSSI and LQI. Besides, a direction correction factor and a distance threshold were defined in the improved trilateration localisation algorithm and the improved distance difference correction localisation algorithm. This algorithm with the advantages of short locating time, low hardware spending and little power consumption can effectively improve the location accuracy. The simulation results proved that its location precision was more than 97.3%, which is quite practical for wireless location.