Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Versatile Functional Porous Cobalt-nickel Phosphide-carbon Cocatalyst Derived from Metal-Organic Framework for Boosting the Photocatalytic Activity of Graphitic Carbon Nitride.

Metal-organic framework-templated g-C3N4-NiCoP2-porous carbon (PC) ternary hybrid nanomaterials was designed for taking full advantage of the MOF derivative in photocatalytic reaction for the first time. The MOF-templated porous structure could prevent the stacking of the carbon nitride nanosheet, and the carefully designed NiCoP2, possessing low electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) overpotential and flat band potential, could improve the separation as well as utilization efficiency of photo-generated electron-hole pairs. Moreover, the ligand-templated porous carbon, acting as the interface mediator between g-C3N4 and NiCoP2 cocatalyst, could boost the charge carriers transport. Consequently, the optimal ternary g-C3N4-NiCoP2-PC heterostructure exhibited enhanced photocatalytic HER performance, and considerable H2-evolution performance of 5.8 μmol/h under UV-visible light with stoichiometric H2O2 production even in pure water. This work took the full advantage of MOF derivative for promoting the photocatalytic reaction activity, and provided a hopeful method for the design novel high-performance catalyst for the solar conversion.
The Airn lncRNA does not require any DNA elements within its locus to silence distant imprinted genes

Long non-coding (lnc) RNAs are numerous and found throughout the mammalian genome, and many are thought to be involved in the regulation of gene expression. However, the majority remain relatively uncharacterised and of uncertain function making the use of model systems to uncover their mode of action valuable. Imprinted lncRNAs target and recruit epigenetic silencing factors to a cluster of imprinted genes on the same chromosome, making them one of the best characterized lncRNAs for silencing distant genes in cis. In this study we examined silencing of the distant imprinted gene Slc22a3 by the lncRNA Airn in the Igf2r imprinted cluster in mouse. Previously we proposed that imprinted lncRNAs may silence distant imprinted genes by disrupting promoter-enhancer interactions by being transcribed through the enhancer, which we called the enhancer interference hypothesis. Here we tested this hypothesis by first using allele-specific chromosome conformation capture (3C) to detect interactions between the Slc22a3 promoter and the locus of the Airn lncRNA that silences it on the paternal chromosome. In agreement with the model, we found interactions enriched on the maternal allele across the entire Airn gene consistent with multiple enhancer-promoter interactions. Therefore, to test the enhancer interference hypothesis we devised an approach to delete the entire Airn gene. However, the deletion showed that there are no essential enhancers for Slc22a2, Pde10a and Slc22a3 within the Airn gene, strongly indicating that the Airn RNA rather than its transcription is responsible for silencing distant imprinted genes. Furthermore, we found that silent imprinted genes were covered with large blocks of H3K27me3 on the repressed paternal allele. Therefore we propose an alternative hypothesis whereby the chromosome interactions may initially guide the lncRNA to target imprinted promoters and recruit repressive chromatin, and that these interactions are lost once silencing is established.
Functional Architecture and Encoding of Tactile Sensorimotor Behavior in Rat Posterior Parietal Cortex

The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in rodents is reciprocally connected to primary somatosensory and vibrissal motor cortices. The PPC neuronal circuitry could thus encode and potentially integrate incoming somatosensory information and whisker motor output. However, the information encoded across PPC layers during refined sensorimotor behavior remains largely unknown. To uncover the sensorimotor features represented in PPC during voluntary whisking and object touch, we performed loose-patch single-unit recordings and extracellular recordings of ensemble activity, covering all layers of PPC in anesthetized and awake, behaving male rats. First, using single-cell receptive field mapping, we revealed the presence of coarse somatotopy along the mediolateral axis in PPC. Second, we found that spiking activity was modulated during exploratory whisking in layers 2–4 and layer 6, but not in layer 5 of awake, behaving rats. Population spiking activity preceded actual movement, and whisker trajectory endpoints could be decoded by population spiking, suggesting that PPC is involved in movement planning. Finally, population spiking activity further increased in response to active whisker touch but only in PPC layers 2–4. Thus, we find layer-specific processing, which emphasizes the computational role of PPC during whisker sensorimotor behavior. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is thought to merge information on motor output and sensory input to orchestrate interaction with the environment, but the function of different PPC microcircuit components is poorly understood. We recorded neuronal activity in rat PPC during sensorimotor behavior involving motor and sensory pathways. We uncovered that PPC layers have dedicated function: motor and sensory information is merged in layers 2–4; layer 6 predominantly represents motor information. Collectively, PPC activity predicts future motor output, thus entailing a motor plan. Our results are important for understanding how PPC computationally processes motor output and sensory input. This understanding may facilitate decoding of brain activity when using brain–machine interfaces to overcome loss of function after, for instance, spinal cord injury.
Mutation of Respiratory Syncytial Virus G Protein’s CX3C Motif Attenuates Infection in Cotton Rats and Primary Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Despite being a high priority for vaccine development, no vaccine is yet available for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A live virus vaccine is the primary type of vaccine being developed for young children. In this report, we describe our studies of infected cotton rats and primary human airway epithelial cells (pHAECs) using an RSV r19F with a mutation in the CX3C chemokine motif in the RSV G protein (CX4C). Through this CX3C motif, RSV binds to the corresponding chemokine receptor, CX3CR1, and this binding contributes to RSV infection of pHAECs and virus induced host responses that contribute to disease. In both the cotton rat and pHAECs, the CX4C mutation decreased virus replication and disease and/or host responses to infection. Thus, this mutation, or other mutations that block binding to CX3CR1, has the potential to improve a live attenuated RSV vaccine by attenuating both infection and disease pathogenesis.
Fatty Acid Profile and Cardiometabolic Markers in Relation with Diet Type and Omega-3 Supplementation in Spanish Vegetarians

Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular, and scientific information concerning the nutritional status in this population is needed. This study determined the fatty acid profile of Spanish lacto-ovo vegetarians (LO-vegetarians) and vegans. Participants were 104 healthy adults, LO-vegetarians (n = 49) and vegans (n = 55). Lifestyle habits and consumption of food and omega-3 supplements were estimated by questionnaires. BMI, blood pressure, and abdominal and body fat were determined. Serum was collected to analyze fatty acids, glucose, lipids, homocysteine, insulin, and leptin. Volunteers were classified according to serum omega-6 to omega-3 (n-6/n-3) ratio into three groups: n-6/n-3 < 10, n-6/n-3 ≥ 10 to 20, and n-6/n-3 > 20. Results showed low cardiovascular risk and high insulin sensitivity with negligible differences between diet types. Linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) was the major serum fatty acid, followed by oleic (C18:1n-9) and palmitic (C16:0) acids. In contrast, serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) were (median, interquartile range) 0.27, 0.18% and 1.59, and 0.93%, respectively. Users of n-3 supplements (<10% of total vegetarians) had significantly higher EPA than non-users, while frequent consumption of flax-seeds was associated with increased α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3). However, neither n-3 supplementation nor food consumption affected DHA levels in this vegetarian population.
A Combined Offline and Online Algorithm for Real-Time and Long-Term Classification of Sheep Behaviour: Novel Approach for Precision Livestock Farming

Real-time and long-term behavioural monitoring systems in precision livestock farming have huge potential to improve welfare and productivity for the better health of farm animals. However, some of the biggest challenges for long-term monitoring systems relate to “concept drift”, which occurs when systems are presented with challenging new or changing conditions, and/or in scenarios where training data is not accurately reflective of live sensed data. This study presents a combined offline algorithm and online learning algorithm which deals with concept drift and is deemed by the authors as a useful mechanism for long-term in-the-field monitoring systems. The proposed algorithm classifies three relevant sheep behaviours using information from an embedded edge device that includes tri-axial accelerometer and tri-axial gyroscope sensors. The proposed approach is for the first time reported in precision livestock behavior monitoring and demonstrates improvement in classifying relevant behaviour in sheep, in real-time, under dynamically changing conditions.
Image Compressed Sensing Using Convolutional Neural Network

In the study of compressed sensing (CS), the two main challenges are the design of sampling matrix and the development of reconstruction method. On the one hand, the usually used random sampling matrices (e.g., GRM) are signal independent, which ignore the characteristics of the signal. On the other hand, the state-of-the-art image CS methods (e.g., GSR and MH) achieve quite good performance, however with much higher computational complexity. To deal with the two challenges, we propose an image CS framework using convolutional neural network (dubbed CSNet) that includes a sampling network and a reconstruction network, which are optimized jointly. The sampling network adaptively learns the sampling matrix from the training images, which makes the CS measurements retain more image structural information for better reconstruction. Specifically, three types of sampling matrices are learned, i.e., floating-point matrix, {0, 1}-binary matrix, and {−1, +1}-bipolar matrix. The last two matrices are specially designed for easy storage and hardware implementation. The reconstruction network, which contains a linear initial reconstruction network and a non-linear deep reconstruction network, learns an end-to-end mapping between the CS measurements and the reconstructed images. Experimental results demonstrate that CSNet offers state-of-the-art reconstruction quality, while achieving fast running speed. In addition, CSNet with {0, 1}-binary matrix, and {−1, +1}-bipolar matrix gets comparable performance with the existing deep learning-based CS methods, outperforms the traditional CS methods. Experimental results further suggest that the learned sampling matrices can improve the traditional image CS reconstruction methods significantly.
Abalone Collagen Extracts Potentiate Stem Cell Properties of Human Epidermal Keratinocytes

Stem cell activities in human tissues are critical for tissue integrity and function. Maintaining keratinocyte stem cells (KSCs) stemness helps sustain healthy skin by supporting keratinocyte renewal, involving the formation of epidermal barriers. In this study, abalone collagen (AC) extracts with molecular weights of 3 kDa (AC 1) and 300 kDa (AC 2) were compared to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) for their effects on cell proliferation, cell migration (wound healing), spheroid formation, and the expression level of stem cell markers on human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cell proliferation was quantified by ATP and DNA content analysis and Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays. Cell migration assay was determined using the scratch wound healing test. Spheroid formation was evaluated and the expression level of stem cell markers was investigated by western blot analysis. The results showed that AC 1 at the concentration of 100 µg/mL could stimulate HaCaT cell proliferation, migration, spheroid formation, and the expression level of stem cell markers (keratin 19, β-catenin, ALDH1A1) compared to the control. In conclusion, a smaller molecular weight of abalone collagen extract exhibits a better effect on keratinocytes proliferation, migration, and stemness, which could be a potential active ingredient in cosmeceutical products.
A Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonist Does Not Antagonize Glucagon at Its Receptor but May Act as a Biased Agonist at the GLP-1 Receptor

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are important regulators of metabolism, making their receptors (GLP-1R and GIPR) attractive targets in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). GLP-1R agonists are used clinically to treat T2DM but the use of GIPR agonists remains controversial. Recent studies suggest that simultaneous activation of GLP-1R and GIPR with a single peptide provides superior glycemic control with fewer adverse effects than activation of GLP-1R alone. We investigated the signaling properties of a recently reported dual-incretin receptor agonist (P18). GLP-1R, GIPR, and the closely related glucagon receptor (GCGR) were expressed in HEK-293 cells. Activation of adenylate cyclase via Gαs was monitored using a luciferase-linked reporter gene (CRE-Luc) assay. Arrestin recruitment was monitored using a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay. GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon displayed exquisite selectivity for their receptors in the CRE-Luc assay. P18 activated GLP-1R with similar potency to GLP-1 and GIPR with higher potency than GIP. Interestingly, P18 was less effective than GLP-1 at recruiting arrestin to GLP-1R and was inactive at GCGR. These data suggest that P18 can act as both a dual-incretin receptor agonist, and as a G protein-biased agonist at GLP-1R.
Polyphenolic and Physicochemical Properties of Simple-Spined Num-Num (Carissa edulis) Fruit Harvested at Ripe Stage of Maturation

Wildly grown in most regions of the world, Carissa edulis is a highly underutilised fruit with significant antioxidant characteristics. The phyto and physicochemical properties of C. edulis berries at different stages of ripening are evaluated in this work. Total flavonoids (TF), total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity were determined spectrophotometrically, while concentration of polyphenols was determined using liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Results showed that antioxidant activity was lowest (18.36 ± 0.12 mmol TE/g) in RS3 and decreased with TPC upon increased ripening. Conversely, TF increased with ripening progression with TF found to be highest in RS3 (5.92 ± 0.03 mg CE/g). Identified phenolic acids in C. edulis were quinic acid, protocatechuoyl-hexose, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid and dicaffeoylquinic acid. Identified flavonoids included rutin, catechin, procyanidin dimer, procyanidin trimer, quercetin-3-O-glucosyl-xyloside, quercetin-3-O-robinobioside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside and quercetin-3-OH-3-methylglutaryl-glucoside. Physicochemical properties of C. edulis varied among samples with sugar/acid ratio of C. edulis ranging from 25.70 for RS1 to 50.36 for RS3. Ripening stage of C. edulis undoubtedly affects the phyto and physicochemical properties of C. edulis.
NMR and crystallographic structural studies of the extremely stable monomeric variant of human cystatin C with single amino acid substitution

Human cystatin C (hCC), a member of the superfamily of papain‐like cysteine protease inhibitors, is the most widespread cystatin in human body fluids. This small protein, in addition to its physiological function, is involved in various diseases, including cerebral amyloid angiopathy, cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, and dementia. Physiologically active hCC is a monomer. However, all structural studies based on crystallization led to the dimeric structure formed as a result of a three‐dimensional exchange of the protein domains (3D domain swapping). The monomeric structure was obtained only for hCC variant V57N and for the protein stabilized by an additional disulfide bridge. With this study, we extend the number of models of monomeric hCC by an additional hCC variant with a single amino acid substitution in the flexible loop L1. The V57G variant was chosen for the X‐ray and NMR structural analysis due to its exceptional conformational stability in solution. In this work, we show for the first time the structural and dynamics studies of human cystatin C variant in solution. We were also able to compare these data with the crystal structure of the hCC V57G and with other cystatins. The overall cystatin fold is retained in the solute form. Additionally, structural information concerning the N terminus was obtained during our studies and presented for the first time.
Diet-Induced Rabbit Models for the Study of Metabolic Syndrome

Simple Summary In recent years, obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have become more prevalent owing to increased unhealthy habits and sedentary lifestyles, becoming public health problems. Experimental studies have allowed us to explore the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiological processes related to MetS. Several research protocols can be carried out with minimal staff, maintenance, and resources in animals such as rabbits. High-fat diets enriched with other components, mainly cholesterol and sugars, result in the rapid development of hypercholesterolemia and vascular alterations as a response to dietary manipulation. Furthermore, other experimental models, including transgenic rabbits with altered expression of specific genes, have been used to decrease the duration of experimental studies and increase the response to diet. Abstract Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have become a growing problem for public health and clinical practice, given their increased prevalence due to the rise of sedentary lifestyles and excessive caloric intake from processed food rich in fat and sugar. There are several definitions of MetS, but most of them describe it as a cluster of cardiovascular and metabolic alterations such as abdominal obesity, reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, glucose intolerance, and hypertension. Diagnosis requires three out of these five criteria to be present. Despite the increasing prevalence of MetS, the understanding of its pathophysiology and relationship with disease is still limited. Indeed, the pathological consequences of MetS components have been reported individually, but investigations that have studied the effect of the combination of MeS components on organ pathological remodeling are almost nonexistent. On the other hand, animal models are a powerful tool in understanding the mechanisms that underlie pathological processes such as MetS. In the first part of the review, we will briefly overview the advantages, disadvantages and pathological manifestations of MetS in porcine, canine, rodent, and rabbit diet-induced experimental models. Then, we will focus on the different dietary regimes that have been used in rabbits to induce MetS by means of high-fat, cholesterol, sucrose or fructose-enriched diets and their effects on physiological systems and organ remodeling. Finally, we will discuss the use of dietary regimes in different transgenic strains and special rabbit breeds.
Myelodysplastic syndrome Risk of disease progression in low-risk MDS is linked to distinct epigenetic subtypes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) present with aberrant promoter DNA hypermethylation, the extent of which correlates with disease aggressiveness [1, 2]. Yet, it is unclear whether extensive epigenetic abnormalities seen in more aggressive forms of MDS are present from the early stages of the disease, or whether they simply represent a consequence of disease progression. Low-risk MDS patients often require only supportive care with growth factor stimulation or red blood cell transfusions [3]; however, some present with a rapidly progressive form of the disease, resulting in worsening cytopenias, increased transfusion requirement, or a spike in their bone marrow (BM) blasts without AML transformation, while others remain much longer in a relatively stable cytopenic phase. Currently, the Low Risk Prognostic Scoring System (LR-PSS) is the only prognostic scoring system specifically designed for low-risk MDS [4]. Notably, when Bejar and colleagues later validated this scoring system, they determined that mutational status of EZH2, an epigenetic modifier, was an independent risk factor and that combining this information with the LRPSS identified patients with poor prognosis [5]. We sought to determine whether epigenetic profiles present on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB MNC) at diagnosis are correlated with clinical outcome, and whether there is accompanying epigenetic progression at the time of clinical progression. The study’s ultimate goal was to determine whether this type of easily accessible samples, which do not require invasive studies or complex cell isolation strategies, could be harnessed for future development of clinical biomarkers to improve risk-stratification of low-risk MDS. We studied a cohort of 20 patients, including 13 with stable MDS (no clinical or laboratory progression within 18 months of diagnosis) and 7 with progressive MDS (presenting with worsening cytopenias or increased transfusion requirement within 18 months of diagnosis), for which we had paired diagnostic and follow-up samples. There were no significant differences between the two groups with the exception of hemoglobin levels, which at diagnosis were on average ~1 g/dl higher in MDS patients with stable disease (11.7 vs. 10.4 g/dl, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, p < 0.01), a difference which accentuated at the time of progression (11.3 vs. 9.6 g/dl, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, p < 0.01) (Supplementary Table 1 and Supplementary Figure 1). To fully characterize our cohort, we performed targeted sequencing of a panel of 59 genes frequently mutated at >5% frequency in myeloid malignancies. TET2 and RUNX1 were the most frequently mutated genes in our cohort. While the study was not powered to identify * Maria E. Figueroa mef162@miami.edu