Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selective Maternal Seeding and Rearing Environment From Birth to Weaning Shape the Developing Piglet Gut Microbiome

The acquisition and development of the mammalian microbiome early in life are critical to establish a healthy host-microbiome symbiosis. Despite recent advances in understanding microbial sources in infants, the relative contribution of various microbial sources to the colonization of the gut microbiota in pigs remains unclear. Here, we longitudinally sampled the microbiota of 20 sow-piglet pairs (three piglets per sow) reared under identical conditions from multiple body sites and the surrounding weaning environment from birth to 28 days postpartum (1,119 samples in total). Source-tracking analysis revealed that the contribution of various microbial sources to the piglet gut microbiome gradually changed over time. The neonatal microbiota was initially sparsely populated, and the predominant contribution was from the maternal vaginal microbiota that increased gradually from 69.0% at day 0 to 89.3% at day 3 and dropped to 0.28% at day 28. As the piglets aged, the major microbial community patterns were most strongly associated with the sow feces and slatted floor, with contributions increasing from 0.52 and 9.6% at day 0 to 62.1 and 33.8% at day 28, respectively. The intestinal microbial diversity, composition, and function significantly changed as the piglets aged, and 30 age-discriminatory bacterial taxa were identified with distinctive time-dependent shifts in their relative abundance, which likely reflected the effect of the maternal and environmental microbial sources on the selection and adaptation of the piglet gut microbiota. Overall, these data demonstrate that the vaginal microbiota is the primary source of the gut microbiota in piglets within 3 days after birth and are gradually replaced by the sow fecal and slatted floor microbiota over time. These findings may offer novel strategies to promote the establishment of exogenous symbiotic microbes to improve piglet gut health.
Synthesis and characterization of N-[4-(chlorocarbonyl)phenyl]maleimide functionalized graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide

ABSTRACT Functionalization of graphene oxide leads improvement in thermal stability and flame retardancy. Acid chloride terminated N-[4-(chlorocarbonyl)phenyl]maleimide (Cl-CPMI) was synthesized to decorate hydroxyl group in graphene oxide (GEO) and glycine-reduced GEO (RGEO). Structural characterization of the materials was performed using FTIR, 13C NMR and Raman spectroscopic methods. Interlayer distance and surface morphology were also studied using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic methods, respectively. The absence of the band for C-Cl and shortening of the O-H band in the FTIR and peak in 13C NMR spectra confirm the functionalization of alcoholic group on the graphitic plane with Cl-CPMI. The ratio, ID/IG computed from Raman study, the nature of XRD pattern and interlayer distance between the adjacent graphitic layers were not affected by the functionalization of GEO and RGEO using Cl-CPMI. The tagging of maleimide unit with the graphitic plane was also confirmed by the cloudy appearance in the SEM images.
Chemical Characteristics, and Effect of Inulin Extracted from Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) Root on Biochemical Properties of Synbiotic Yogurt at the End of Fermentation

The aim of this study was to produce synbiotic yogurt using different inulin levels (0, 1 and 2%) and probiotic bacteria. Inulin in two forms commercial and extracted from artichoke root was prepared, and chemical and sensory evaluation were performed. The results of inulin analysis showed that pH, dry matter, degree of polymerization, purity, appearance and taste for the inulin extracted from the artichoke root were 6.39, 92.8%, 30.5, 88.5%, white powder and neutral, whereas these parameters for commercial inulin were 6.14, 97.8%, 23, 92.3%, white powder and neutral, respectively. In the following, the production of synbiotic yogurt was carried out at 42°C until pH reached 4.5±0.02. The results of biochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics at the end of fermentation showed that probiotic yogurt containing 2% (w/w) commercial inulin (ABY-Ch (2%)) had a faster acidity increase, shorter incubation time and greater final titrable acidity than other yogurt samples. Although inulin extracted from artichoke increased the viability of probiotic bacteria in yogurt, but ABY-Ch (2%) yogurt had the ever greatest viability of probiotics.the highest lightness (L*) is related to ABY-Ch (1%) and ABY-Ch (2%) yogurt samples, and ABY-C (2%) yogurt (yogurt containing 2% (w/w) artichoke root inulin) exhibited more unpleasant flavor compared to ABY yogurt (control) and had the lowest flavor score.
Microbiological analysis of contact lens cases and effective health behaviors

Introduction: Contact lenses are increasingly being used for cosmetic or therapeutic purposes, followed by subsequent contamination and complications such as keratitis. The lens case is one of the most common places to find the cause of contamination. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the health behaviors affecting the lens case contamination and its relationship with the result of lens case culture which can help in prevention of complications. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study that was performed in northwest of Iran, 150 asymptomatic participants were assessed for health behaviors affecting the lens case contamination and their lens cases were sampled for culture and antibiogram. Data were analyzed with SPSS-16 software. Results: The frequency of positive microbial culture in medical and cosmetic contact lens cases was 30.7% and 66.8%, respectively and 32.7% in general. Among the isolated bacteria observed in positive cultures, Alcaligenes,Enterobacter aerogenes, gram-positive Diphtheroid bacilli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the most common microorganisms, respectively. Conclusion: A significant proportion of contact lens cases, especially those used for cosmetic purposes had bacterial contamination. Failure to replace the lens case for more than 9 months and the mismatch of the lens solution brand with its storage case will increase bacterial contamination. Washing the lens case with soap and water, and drying it after washing, will reduce bacterial contamination.
Susceptibility of Cyclin-dependent Kinase Inhibitor-1–deficient Mice to Rheumatoid Arthritis From IL-1β–induced Inflammation

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disorder whose progression is modulated by fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs). Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor 1 (p21) regulates the activation of other CDKs, and we recently reported that p21 deficiency induces susceptibility to osteoarthritis. Here, we focused on joint inflammation to determine the mechanisms associated with p21 function in synovial and cartilage tissues in RA.Methods: p21-knockout (p21-/-) mice and wild-type C57BL/6 (WT p21+/+) mice were used to establish a collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) model. The severity of arthritis was evaluated visually, and histological and immunohistological analyses performed 7, 14, and 28 days after injection with a cocktail of five monoclonal antibodies that recognize conserved epitopes on various species of type II collagen. The response of p21 siRNA-treated human RA FLSs to IL-1β stimulation was also determined.Results: Arthritis scores were higher in p21-/- mice than those in p21+/+ mice. More severe and prolonged synovitis of the knee joints and earlier loss of staining and cartilage destruction were observed in p21-/- mice than in p21+/+ mice. p21-/- mice expressed higher levels of IL-1β, F4/80, p-IKKα/β, and MMPs in cartilage and synovial tissues at each time point, except for before injection of the monoclonal antibodies, via IL-1β-induced NF-kB signaling. IL-1β stimulation significantly increased MMP expression and enhanced IKKα/β phosphorylation in human FLSs.Conclusion: p21-deficient CAIA mice are susceptible to alterations in the RA phenotype, including joint cartilage destruction and severe synovitis, via IL-1β-induced inflammation. Therefore, p21 regulation may constitute a possible strategy for RA treatment.
Use of differential absorbance to estimate concentrations of chlorinated disinfection by-product in drinking water: Critical review and research needs

ABSTRACT Differential UV absorbance (ΔA) has been proposed as a method for estimating disinfection by-products (DBP) concentrations in drinking water at a lower cost and at higher frequencies than the sampling programs required by regulations. Various equations developed in laboratory settings between individual DBP concentrations and ΔA272 have been reported in the literature. Although the form of the DBP–ΔA relationships (linear or exponential) is shared by most published studies, the fitting parameters vary and must be calibrated for each site. This is usually explained by differences in the nature of the natural organic matter (NOM) reacting with free chlorine. This literature review suggests that future research should first focus on improving our understanding of the reaction between NOM moieties and chlorine, and its impact on UV absorbance spectra, and second on overcoming the challenges of applying ΔA for estimating DBPs in full-scale facilities.
Effect of cooking on the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in grains cowpea cultivars.

The present study evaluated the effect of cooking on the levels of bioactives compounds and antioxidant activity in grains cowpea cultivars. The analysis were performed on the raw samples and after cooking in pressure cooker. Regarding the bioactive compounds present, the grain cultivar BRS Arace exhibited the highest levels of total phenolic compounds (mg/100 g) both before and after cooking, 205.10 ± 2.89 and 150.62 ± 2.64, respectively. Spermine and spermidine were identified in the cultivars (mg/kg) BRS Milenio in the amount of 120.5 in crude and 50.4 in cooked grain, in the BRS Tumucumaque in the amount of 116.2 in crude and 47.9 in cooked grain, exhibited significant losses of these compounds after cooking. It was not detected the presence of anthocyanins and flavonoids in the grain cultivars. For the antioxidant activity were observed different behaviors for each grain cultivar in the two methods evaluated. The grain cultivar BRS Arace presented the highest antioxidant activity before cooking according to both methods tested (μmol TEAC/100 g), 614.7 ± 5.43 (DPPH) and 660.1 ± 7.98 (ABTS). The grain cultivar BRS Xiquexique 419.8 ± 6.80 exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and the grain cultivar BRS Milenio 552.1 ± 4.78 after cooking. A strong correlation between the antioxidant activity and phenolic content and total flavonoid was found. It is concluded that the grains cultivars maintained important nutritional and functional characteristics following processing, recommending that the cowpea consumption with broth cooking for retaining compounds with antioxidant properties.
Autoignition of isooctane beyond RON and MON conditions

The present study experimentally examines the low temperature autoignition area of isooctane within the in-cylinder pressure – incylinder temperature map. Experiments were run with the help of a CFR engine. The boundaries of this engine were extended so that experiments could be performed outside the domain delimited by RON and MON traces. Since HCCI combustion is governed by kinetics, the rotation speed for all the experiments was set at 600 rpm to allow time for low temperature heat release (LTHR). All the other parameters (intake pressure, intake temperature, compression ratio and equivalence ratio), were scanned, such as the occurrence of isooctane combustion. The principal results showed that LTHR for isooctane occurs effortlessly under high intake pressure (1.3 bar) and low intake temperature (25 °C). Increasing the intake temperature leads to the loss of the LTHR, and therefore to a smaller domain on the pressuretemperature trace. In such a case, the LTHR domain is restricted from 20 to 50 bar in pressure and from 600 to 850 K in temperature. By slightly decreasing the intake pressure, the LTHR domain remains unchanged, but the LTHR tends to disappear, and finally, at 1.0 bar, the LTHR domain ceases to exist. When the equivalence ratio is moved from 0.3 to 0.4, the LTHR domain is delimited in the same range of pressure and temperature, but the start of combustion occurs slightly earlier for the same pressure-temperature trace. Similar conclusions were drawn regarding the variation of both intake pressure and temperature, except that few LTHR points were observed under 1.0 bar intake.
Effect of potassium nutrition on yield, quality and economics in groundnut (Arachis hpogaea L.) in a Vertisol

A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2016 at the Main Agricultural Research Station, Farm, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The experiment was laid with twelve treatments replicated thrice in Randomized Block Design. The soil reaction was near neutral and electrical conductivity was under safer limit with clay texture. Pod yield in groundnut was not significantly influenced by different potassium nutrition treatments. However, split application of 150 per cent recommended dose of potassium (RDK) through muriate of potash in combination with 2 per cent foliar spray of potassium sulphate on 60 DAS recorded higher pod yield (3617 kg ha-1) closely followed by basal application of 150 per cent RDK along with 2 per cent foliar spray of potassium sulphate. The control with recommended package of practices recorded the lowest pod yield (3009 kg ha-1). Split application of 150 per cent RDK along with foliar spray of SOP at 2.0 per cent significantly enhanced oil (47.84 %) and protein (37.98 %) contents in kernel closely followed by the application of basal dose of 150 per cent RDK plus 2 per cent foliar spray. RPP recorded the lower values (oil45.10%, protein35.53%). The treatment with 150 per cent RDK through muriate of potash in split (half as basal + half at 30 DAS) plus 1 per cent foliar spray through potassium sulphate at 60 DAS (T8 ) recorded higher B:C ratio (2.65) whereas control recorded the lowest B:C ratio (2.28).
Informe de Calidad de Vida de Medellín, 2016-2019

El objetivo del Informe es presentar los resultados de nuestro analisis para el periodo 2016-2019 en sectores como pobreza, desigualdad, educacion, salud, empleo, desempeno economico y competitividad, seguridad y convivencia, vivienda, servicios publicos, movilidad, espacio publico, medio ambiente y finanzas publicas.
Platinum-grade soybean reference genome facilitates characterization of genetic underpinnings of traits

BackgroundCultivated soybean (Glycine max) is an important source for protein and oil. Each soybean strain has its own genetic diversity, and the availability of more soybean genomes may enhance comparative genomic analysis of soybean.ResultsIn this study, we constructed a high-quality de novo assembly of an elite soybean cultivar Jidou 17 (JD17) with high contiguity, completeness, and accuracy. We annotated 59,629 gene models and reconstructed 235,109 high-quality full-length transcripts. We have molecularly characterized the genotypes of some important agronomic traits of JD17 by taking advantage of these newly established genomic resources.ConclusionsWe reported a high-quality genome and annotations of a wide range of cultivars, and used them to analyze the genotypes of genes related to important agronomic traits of soybean in JD17. We have demonstrated that high-quality genome assembly can serve as a valuable reference for soybean genomics and breeding research community.
A novel extraction-based procedure for the determination of cadmium in marine macro-algae using HR-CS GF AAS

This work proposes a simple method for the determination of Cd in macro-algae by high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. An acid digestion procedure in a thermostatic bath has been developed using only small volumes of HNO3 and H2O2. The acid and oxidant concentrations as well as the bath time have been optimized using multivariate analysis, aiming at a total extraction of the analyte without spending much time with sample preparation. Ir has been employed as the permanent chemical modifier for improving performance and sensitivity. The accuracy of the proposed method has been evaluated by comparison with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after microwave-assisted acid digestion, showing results without statistical difference (based on a t-test with a confidence interval of 95%). The results were also compared with a certified reference material, BCR 679 (white cabbage), and the value obtained with the proposed method did not show any statistical difference with the certified one. The limit of detection of the method was 7.5 ng g−1 Cd. The proposed procedure can be described as safe, reliable, fast, accurate and low-cost, mainly when compared with microwave-assisted digestion, which demands a relatively large volume of acids, specific instrumentation and significantly more time.
Joint Modeling in Detecting Predictors of Cd4 Cell Count and Status of Tuberculosis Among HIV Infected Patients Under HAART at Felege Hiwot Teaching and Specialized Hospital, North-west Ethiopia

Background: Globally, the number of TB patients who had been diagnosed with HIV status reached 2.1 million, which is equivalent to 34 % of notified cases of TB. This research was conducted with the objective to identify potential predictors for the status of TB and CD4 cell count for adult HIV patients at Felege Hiwot Teaching and Specialized Hospital North-west Ethiopia.Methods: A retrospective repeated measures were taken from a sample of 226 HIV patients. Separate and joint models were conducted for data analysis of CD4 cell count and TB status of HIV infected patients. Results: The descriptive statistics indicates that among the HIV patients under HAART, 26.6% had additional TB cases. Hence, the expected number of CD4 cell count of HIV patients who were co-infected with TB was decreased by 2.34 as compared to HIV patients who were free from TB. In joint analysis, age, opportunistic infectious disease, adherence to medication, body mass index and social supports were significantly associated with CD4 cell count and TB status. In addition, one-way interaction terms (time * educational level) was also associated with both outcomes. As patients’ age increased by one year, the expected number of CD4 cell count was decreased by 0.025 cells per/mm3 keeping the other variables constant. The expected number of CD4 cell count for patients whose status were ambulatory was decreased by 3.95 as compared to working status. Both separate and joint modeling approach revealed consistent results for significant predictors. However, joint models were more adequate and efficient. Conclusions: Among the predictors of CD4 cell count and TB status, WHO stages, age of patients, functional status of patients, hemoglobin level and residence area were significant predictors for the variable of interests. More attention should be given for HIV/TB co- infected ambulatory and bedridden patients.
The Three-Dimensional Morphology of the Patellofemoral Joint and the Normal Predicted Value of Tibial Tuberosity-Trochlear Groove Distance In Chinese Population

Our objective was to obtain normal patellofemoral measurements so as to provide a reference for prosthetic design. Besides, the absolute values and indices of TT-TG distances are still controversial in clinical application. A better method to enable precise clinical applications is still needed.Methods:78 knees of 78 subjects without knee pathologies were included in this cross-sectional study. A CT scan was obtained from all subjects and three-dimensional knee models were constructed using Mimics and SolidWorks software. We measured and analyzed 19 parameters including TT-TG distance and dimensions and shapes of patella, femur, tibia, and trochlea. LASSO regression was used to predict the normal TT-TG distances.Results:The dimensional indexes, TT-TG distance, and femoral aspect ratio of the males were significantly larger than those of females (all P values <0.05). However, after controlling the bias from age, height, and weight, there were no significant differences in TT-TG distances, PAL, and anterior-posterior dimensions between genders (all P values >0.05). The Pearson correlation coefficients between the AFO and other indexes were consistently below 0.3, indicating a none or weak relationship. Similar results were observed for the SA and the Wiberg index. Using LASSO regression, we obtained four parameters to predict TT-TG distance (R2=0.5612, P<0.01) to achieve the optimal accuracy and convenience. Conclusion:The anterior-posterior dimensions of the females were thicker than those of males for the same medial-lateral dimensions. More attention should be paid to not only gender differences but individual differences, especially the anterior condyle and trochlea. Besides, this study provided a new method of predicting TT-TG distance to enable precise clinical diagnoses and guide the medial transfer of the tibial tuberosity.
Vibrational Decihertz (dHz), Centihertz (cHz), Millihertz (mHz), Microhertz (μHz), Nanohertz (nHz), Picohertz (pHz), Femtohertz (fHz), Attohertz (aHz), Zeptohertz (zHz) and Yoctohertz (yHz) Imaging and Spectroscopy Comparative Study on Malignant and Benign Human Cancer Cells and Tissues under Synchr

In the current study, we have experimentally and computationally presented vibrational decihertz (dHz), centihertz (cHz), millihertz (mHz), microhertz (μHz), nanohertz (nHz), picohertz (pHz), femtohertz (fHz), attohertz (aHz), zeptohertz (zHz) and yoctohertz (yHz) imaging and spectroscopy comparative study on malignant and benign human cancer cells and tissues under synchrotron radiation. It can be concluded that malignant human cancer cells and tissues have gradually transformed to benign human cancer cells and tissues under synchrotron radiation with the passing of time. (International Journal of Biomedicine. 2017;7(4):335-340. )