Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kinetics of growth, substrate utilization and sulfide toxicity for propionate, acetate, and hydrogen utilizers in anaerobic systems

Batch reactors and serum bottles were used to determine kinetics of growth, substrate utilization, and sulfide inhibition [dissolved sulfide (DS) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)] in anaerobic systems fed propionate and sulfate. Thermodynamic analyses indicated six major groups of organisms were active in such systems: incomplete propionate oxidation by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), propionate fermentation to acetate and hydrogen, acetate-oxidizing SRB, aceticlastic methanogenesis, hydrogenotrophic SRB, and hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Kinetic parameters determined for each of these groups were bacterial yield, decay coefficient, maximum specific substrate utilization coefficient, half-velocity constant, and inhibition coefficient (uncompetitive). Results indicated that the kinetic and thermodynamic advantages of acetate-utilizing SRB were erased by their sensitivity to sulfide toxicity. In addition, propionate fermenters were also very sensitive to sulfide toxicity. These results help to explain why methanogenesis from complex substrates occurs even in the presence of high concentrations of DS and H2S.
Chemical composition of red tide phytoplankton.

赤潮プランクトン(Chattenella antiqua,Chattonella marina,Heterosigma akashiwe, Gymnodiniumnagasaki, Gymnodinium nelsoni)中にご存在する脂肪酸,色素,アミノ酸,炭水化物の組成を明らかにするため,GC,GC-MSおよびHPLC分析を行なった。 その結果,各赤潮プランクトン中の特徴的な有機物組成は脂肪酸(C20の不飽和酸),炭水化物(熱水可溶部にD-マンノース,D-ガラクトース,D-グルコースを主成分とした分子量1500から2500の多糖類),アミノ酸(ヒスチジン)と色素(フコキサンチン,ペリジニン)であった。
Effects of temperature on nutrient removal performance of a pilot-scale ABR/MBR combined process for raw wastewater treatment

AbstractFor the purpose of achieving relatively high efficiency, low energy demands, and easy maintenance for nutrient removal, the performance of a pilot-scale biological nutrient removal process consisting of anaerobic baffled reactor and membrane bioreactor has been evaluated for 301 d in treating two kinds of raw wastewaters. The results showed that the process enabled a relatively stable and high performance in both organics and nutrient removals, and high quality effluent was achieved under temperature of 25 ± 5°C. When the ambient temperature were 10 ± 5 and 35 ± 5°C, average COD, -N, TN, and TP removal efficiencies of both kinds wastewaters were more than 88, 87, 70, and 75%, respectively. Analysis of the results by fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, and phosphorus-accumulating organisms were always the enriched micro-organisms in the process during the change of temperature, ensuring the efficient nutrient removal under ambient e.
HPLC for Determination of Hyperoside in Rats Plasma and Its Application in Pharmacokinetics Study

OBJECTIVE To establish a HPLC for the determination of hyperoside (3-0-galactose-quercetin) in rats plasma and to study the pharmacokinetics of hyperoside in rats. METHODSBlood samples were collected via eyeball veniplex at different time intervals after injection of hyperoside through tail vein to rats at the doses of 12 mg·kg-1. The plasma protein was first precipitated directly with methanol and then the plasma concentrations of the hyperoside were analyzed by HPLC.A Shimadzu ODS column(4.6 mm×150 mm,5 μm)was used with a mobile phase consisting of methanol-water (40∶60). The detection wavelength was set at 360 nm. The mobile phase was run at a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1. The temperature of column was 25 ℃. Acetanilide was elected as the internal standard. RESULTSHyperoside and acetanilide were successfully separated. The linear range was 20-4 888 ng·mL-1, the regression equation of hyperoside was Y=132.539X-8.736,r=0.999 6. The precision of intra-assay and inter-assay was 0.1%-2.9% and 1.5%-7.3%. The average extraction recovery was 90.1% with RSD 0.9%. The results showed that the concentration-time curve of Hyperoside in rat plasma could be fitted to three-compartment open model and its pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: t1/2(p)was (1.62±0.54)min,t1/2(a) was (18.67±2.48)min, t1/2(b) was (660.15±155.56)min, AUC was (200 229±4 397.63)ng·min·mL-1. CONCLUSIONThe HPLC method is simple and efficient with excellent specificity,sensitivity,precision,recovery and can be applied to pharmacokinetic investigation.
Single-Particle Tracking Reveals Anti-Persistent Subdiffusion in Cell Extracts

Single-particle tracking (SPT) has become a powerful tool to quantify transport phenomena in complex media with unprecedented detail. Based on the reconstruction of individual trajectories, a wealth of informative measures become available for each particle, allowing for a detailed comparison with theoretical predictions. While SPT has been used frequently to explore diffusive transport in artificial fluids and inside living cells, intermediate systems, i.e., biochemically active cell extracts, have been studied only sparsely. Extracts derived from the eggs of the clawfrog Xenopus laevis, for example, are known for their ability to support and mimic vital processes of cells, emphasizing the need to explore also the transport phenomena of nano-sized particles in such extracts. Here, we have performed extensive SPT on beads with 20 nm radius in native and chemically treated Xenopus extracts. By analyzing a variety of distinct measures, we show that these beads feature an anti-persistent subdiffusion that is consistent with fractional Brownian motion. Chemical treatments did not grossly alter this finding, suggesting that the high degree of macromolecular crowding in Xenopus extracts equips the fluid with a viscoelastic modulus, hence enforcing particles to perform random walks with a significant anti-persistent memory kernel.
The Role of Psychologic Stress in Cancer Initiation: Clinical Relevance and Potential Molecular Mechanisms

The hypothesis that the physiologic response to psychologic stress influences the initiation of cancer is highly controversial. The link between initiating stressors, the psychologic stress response, and disease is plausible, considering that the stress response is associated with defined physiologic outcomes and molecular mechanisms. In light of this, we review the clinical relevance of psychologic stress on the risk of cancer, and we propose potential molecular pathways that may link the stress response to early stages of malignant cell transformation.
Role of NMDA Receptors in Adult Neurogenesis and Normal Development of the Dentate Gyrus

Abstract The NMDA receptors are a type of glutamate receptors, which is involved in neuronal function, plasticity and development in the mammalian brain. However, how the NMDA receptors contribute to adult neurogenesis and development of the dentate gyrus is unclear. In this study, we investigate this question by examining a region-specific knock-out mouse line that lacks the NR1 gene, which encodes the essential subunit of the NMDA receptors, in granule cells of the dentate gyrus (DG-NR1KO mice). We found that the survival of newly-generated granule cells, cell proliferation and the size of the granule cell layer are significantly reduced in the dorsal dentate gyrus of adult DG-NR1KO mice. Our results also show a significant reduction in the number of immature neurons and in the volume of the granule cell layer, starting from three weeks of postnatal age. DG-NR1KO mice also showed impairment in the expression of an immediate early gene, Arc, and behavior during the novelty-suppressed feeding and open field test. These results suggest that the NMDA receptors in granule cells have a role in adult neurogenesis in the adult brain and contributes to the normal development of the dentate gyrus.
Modulation of PTZ-induced convulsions in rats using topiramate alone or combined with low dose gamma irradiation: involving AKT/m-TOR pathway

Abstract The current study evaluates the anticonvulsant effect low dose whole body gamma irradiation (LDR) alone or combined with topiramate against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsions. Male Wister rats received either saline or PTZ (75 mg/kg i.p.). The other three groups were pretreated with single low dose radiation (0.5 Gy), topiramate (50 mg/kg, p.o., seven days) and TPM with LDR respectively before PTZ injection. Racine’ score, latency, and duration of the convulsions were assessed. Glutamate and GABA were measured. AKT/m-TOR signaling pathway including AKT (protein kinase B), mammalian target of rapamycin (m-TOR), protein S6, and caspase 3 were also assessed. Measurements of markers of oxidative stress including malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO) were carried out. Histological examinations of hippocampi were done. PTZ produced behavioral changes (high Racine score, short latency, and long duration). It elevated MDA and NO contents, while reduced GSH content. TPM treatment alone or combined with LDR ameliorated the PTZ-induced convulsions and caused significant improvement in behavioral changes, brain mediators, m-TOR pathway, oxidative stress, and histological pictures in hippocampal regions. Histopathological examinations of the normal group showed normal structure with intact cells, while PTZ-treated rats exhibited necrosis, pyknosis, and atrophy of pyramidal cells. The histological findings corroborated with the amendment of biochemical parameters. The positive effects of LDR could offer a possible contributor in management of convulsions due to modulation of AkT/m-TOR signaling pathway, reduction of oxidative stress and modulation of brain amino acids. LDR improved the oxidative stress side effects of topiramate.
Influences of Thoracic Spinal Deformity on Exercise Performance and Pulmonary Function

In this prospective study we included 168 patients with AIS and analyzed the correlation of radiological measurements, exercise performance and physical activity level. Patients with severe thoracic curve had tachypneic breathing pattern and reduction of ventilatory reserve during exercise, but those with higher physical activity level had better exercise performance. Study Design. A prospective study. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) measurements in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Summary of Background Data. Patients with AIS display restrictive pulmonary dysfunction on pulmonary function testing (PFT). It remains unknown whether thoracic spinal deformity affects exercise performance. Methods. One hundred and sixty-eight patients with AIS from January 2014 to December 2019 were included. They underwent preoperative spinal radiological assessment, PFT, and CPET. The effects of the thoracic curve magnitude, body mass index, physical activity level and history of bracing on pulmonary function and exercise performance were analyzed. The Student t test and two-tailed Pearson test were used in data analysis. Results. We found significantly reduced forced expiratory volume in 1second (FEV1) in patients with a larger magnitude of the proximal thoracic curve (P < 0.001) and the main thoracic curve (P < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between forced vital capacity (FVC) and the magnitude of the main thoracic curve (P < 0.001) and thoracic hypokyphosis (P < 0.001). In CPET, exercise capacity indicators such as the work rate, peak oxygen intake, and heart rate were not affected by the thoracic curve magnitude. Patients with moderate or severe pulmonary dysfunction had decreased tidal volume (P = 0.01) and ventilatory reserve (P < 0.001), as well as increased respiratory frequency at maximal exercise (P = 0.01). Patients with a moderate or high physical activity level had better exercise capacity, which was reflected by a higher work rate (P = 0.009) and oxygen intake (P < 0.001). Conclusion. There was no significant correlation between radiographic parameters and exercise capacity indicators. When the thoracic curve increased, patients had restrictive ventilatory dysfunction, which led to a tachypneic breathing pattern and reduction of ventilatory reserve during exercise. A physiological change of improved peak oxygen intake was demonstrated in patients with a moderate or high physical activity level. Level of Evidence: 3
Incidence of bone stress injury is greater in competitive female distance runners with menstrual disturbances independent of participation in plyometric training

ABSTRACT Bone stress injury (BSI) is prevalent in female distance runners. Menstrual disturbances are associated with impaired bone health in endurance athletes. This study aimed to investigate the association between menstrual function and BSI and explore whether plyometric training may protect against BSI in individuals with menstrual disturbances. Competitive female distance runners (n = 183) aged 18–40 years were surveyed for training habits, menstrual function, and BSI, during the previous 12 months. Oligo/amenorrhoea during the previous 12 months (<9 menses) was deemed to indicate menstrual disturbance; hormonal contraceptive users and those previously diagnosed with a pathology that impacted menstrual function were excluded. BSI incidence rate was 2.25 (p = 0.02, 95% CI: 1.14–4.41) times greater in oligo/amenorrhoeic than eumenorrhoeic runners. BSI incidence rate was similar in oligo/amenorrhoeic and eumenorrhoeic runners that did plyometric training, but 3.78 (p = 0.001, 95% CI: 1.68–8.5) times greater in oligo/amenorrhoeic versus eumenorrhoeic runners that did not. However, the effect of plyometrics was non-significant (menstrual function × plyometric training interaction, p = 0.06; main effect, p = 0.89). Conventional plyometric training may not reduce BSI incidence in female distance runners, but menstrual disturbances and prolonged periods of low energy availability should be avoided.
Recent advances in clinical practice: epidemiology of autoimmune liver diseases

Autoimmune liver diseases are chronic inflammatory hepatobiliary disorders that when classically defined encompass three distinctive clinical presentations; primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Meaningful changes in disease epidemiology are reported, with increasing incidence and prevalence of AIH and PSC in Europe, and rising prevalence of PBC across Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. However, there appears to be very significant global variation with contemporary incidence rates of disease per 100 000 ranging from 0.84 to 2.75 for PBC, 0.1 to 4.39 for PSC and 0.4 to 2.39 for AIH. Prevalence corresponds, and per 100 000 estimates for PBC range from 1.91 to 40.2, for PSC between 0.78 and 31.7 and for AIH from 4.8 to 42.9. Population-based studies and multicentre observational cohort series provide improved understanding of the clinical course that patients experience, highlighting variations in presenting phenotypes geographically and temporally. Collectively, while autoimmune liver diseases are rare, the clinical burden is disproportionately high relative to population incidence and prevalence. Age, sex and race also impact clinical outcomes, and patient morbidity and mortality are reflected by high need for gastroenterology, hepatology and organ transplant services.
Posttraumatic stress disorder and death anxiety among Iraqi civilians exposed to a suicide car bombing: the role of religious coping and attachment

Abstract Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of a bombing has been studied in the literature. Limited studies have focused attention on PTSD following a suicide car bombing. However, more research is needed to explore the risk factors for this psychological response. Aims To examine a hypothesised model that death anxiety would be associated with PTSD and psychiatric comorbidity following a suicide car bombing, and that attachment styles and religious coping would influence the impact of this anxiety on distress outcomes. Methods 185 Iraqi civilians exposed to the first suicide car bombing completed questionnaires measuring PTSD, psychiatric comorbidity, death anxiety, religious coping, and attachment experiences. Results 82% met diagnostic criteria for PTSD, the remainder did not. Path analysis showed that death anxiety was significantly correlated with psychiatric comorbidity; it was also correlated with attachment, which was correlated with psychiatric comorbidity. Death anxiety was also significantly correlated with religious coping, which was correlated with both distress outcomes. Conclusions Although Iraqi civilians reported increased death anxiety following a suicide car bombing, those who used religion to cope with the traumatic experience and had functional attachment experiences in the past reported low levels of psychological distress.
Hyperglycemia in acute ischemic stroke: physiopathological and therapeutic complexity

Diabetes mellitus and associated chronic hyperglycemia enhance the risk of acute ischemic stroke and lead to worsened clinical outcome and increased mortality. However, post-stroke hyperglycemia is also present in a number of non-diabetic patients after acute ischemic stroke, presumably as a stress response. The aim of this review is to summarize the main effects of hyperglycemia when associated to ischemic injury in acute stroke patients, highlighting the clinical and neurological outcomes in these conditions and after the administration of the currently approved pharmacological treatment, i.e. insulin. The disappointing results of the clinical trials on insulin (including the hypoglycemic events) demand a change of strategy based on more focused therapies. Starting from the comprehensive evaluation of the physiopathological alterations occurring in the ischemic brain during hyperglycemic conditions, the effects of various classes of glucose-lowering drugs are reviewed, such as glucose-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors and sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, in the perspective of overcoming the up-to-date limitations and of evaluating the effectiveness of new potential therapeutic strategies.
Tyramine 1 Receptor Distribution in the Brain of Corbiculate Bees Points to a Conserved Function

Sucrose represents an important carbohydrate source for most bee species. In the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) it was shown that individual sucrose responsiveness correlates with the task performed in the colony, supporting the response threshold theory which states that individuals with the lowest threshold for a task-associated stimuli will perform the associated task. Tyramine was shown to modulate sucrose responsiveness, most likely via the tyramine 1 receptor. This receptor is located in brain areas important for the processing of gustatory stimuli. We asked whether the spatial expression pattern of the tyramine 1 receptor is a unique adaptation of honeybees or if its expression represents a conserved trait. Using a specific tyramine receptor 1 antibody, we compared the spatial expression of this receptor in the brain of different corbiculate bee species, including eusocial honeybees, bumblebees, stingless bees, and the solitary bee Osmia bicornis as an outgroup. We found a similar labeling pattern in the mushroom bodies, the central complex, the dorsal lobe, and the gnathal ganglia, indicating a conserved receptor expression. With respect to sucrose responsiveness this result is of special importance. We assume that the tyramine 1 receptor expression in these neuropiles provides the basis for modulation of sucrose responsiveness. Furthermore, the tyramine 1 receptor expression seems to be independent of size, as labeling is similar in bee species that differ greatly in their body size. However, the situation in the optic lobes appears to be different. Here, the lobula of stingless bees is clearly labeled by the tyramine receptor 1 antibody, whereas this labeling is absent in other species. This indicates that the regulation of this receptor is different in the optic lobes, while its function in this neuropile remains unclear.
Production of Zirconia from Zircon by Thermal Reaction with Calcium Oxide

Thermal reaction of Zircon with lime is studied within the temperature range 1200-1500°C for periods up to 4h. The heating products are examined physically, chemically and mineralogically. The extent of reaction is determined from the solubilized silica obtained by leaching the sintered products in hydrochloric acid. A product assaying -91% ZrO2 in monoclinic form is obtained by HCl acid leaching of the product fired at 1400°C for 2h in presence of 1.2 stoichiometry calcium oxide. The thermal reaction of decomposition at the aforementioned temperature seem to follow a diffusion kinetic model in the form of x+(1-x)In(1-x)=kt, where x is the extent of solubilized silica in time t and k is the rate constant. The apparent activation energy of the process was calculated and found to be 205kJ/mole.
Facile Low Temperature Hydrothermal Synthesis of Magnetic Mesoporous Carbon Nanocomposite for Adsorption Removal of Ciprofloxacin Antibiotics

A new magnetic mesoporous carbon composite (Fe3O4/C) was synthesized and characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, FT-IR, TG, ζ potential, SEM, and TEM. The performance of using Fe3O4/C composite as an adsorbent for removal of antibiotics using ciprofloxacin (CIP) as a model was investigated. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm was applicable to fit the removal process. Kinetics of the CIP removal was found to follow a pseudo-second-order rate equation. The solution pH is critical for the adsorption of CIP on Fe3O4/C, and the maximum adsorption of CIP could be reached under neutral conditions. In addition, the Fe3O4/C adsorbent showed high magnetization and operational stability, and it could be readily separated from solution by applying an external magnetic field. After 10 recycle runs, over 85% of the adsorption capacity was retained. The high performance, low cost, and easily recyclable Fe3O4/C composite may become a promising adsorbent for water treatment.
Brain insulin resistance: an early risk factor for Alzheimer's disease development in Down syndrome

Down syndrome (DS) is the most frequent chromosomal abnormality that causes intellectual disability, resulting from the presence of an extra complete or segment of chromosome 21 (HSA21) (Tramutola et al., 2020; Lanzillotta et al., 2021). Every year, approximately 6000 children are born with DS and most of them do not have an autonomous life. Thanks to the advancement in medical care, DS individuals live long and often outlive their parents (Lott and Head, 2019). As a consequence, individuals with DS are now experiencing a high incidence of age-associated health problems, especially Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia (Lott and Head, 2019). In particular, by the age of 40 years, virtually all individuals with DS show AD neuropathology (Lott and Head, 2019). The link between AD and DS is thought to be mainly related to the triplication of the amyloid precursor gene (APP), which is encoded on HSA21. However, trisomy of HSA21 results in increased gene dosage for other genes in addition to APP, which may also be involved in AD development. These include superoxide dismutase 1, which is involved in redox metabolism; adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette subfamily G member 1, which is involved in cholesterol metabolism; cystatin B, betasecretase 2, and synaptojanin 1 involved in beta-amyloid (Aβ) processing and clearance; the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylationregulated kinase-1A, which is involved in Tau phosphorylation; regulator of calcineurin, w h i c h i s i nv o l v e d i n m i t o c h o n d r i a l dysfunction; S100B involved in inflammatory responses (Lott and Head, 2019).