Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TbpBY167A-Based Vaccine Can Protect Pigs against Glässer’s Disease Triggered by Glaesserella parasuis SV7 Expressing TbpB Cluster I

Glaesserella parasuis is the etiological agent of Glässer’s disease (GD), one of the most important diseases afflicting pigs in the nursery phase. We analyzed the genetic and immunological properties of the TbpB protein naturally expressed by 27 different clinical isolates of G. parasuis that were typed as serovar 7 and isolated from pigs suffering from GD. All the strains were classified as virulent by LS-PCR. The phylogenetic analyses demonstrated high similarity within the amino acid sequence of TbpB from 24 clinical strains all belonging to cluster III of TbpB, as does the protective antigen TbpBY167A. Three G. parasuis isolates expressed cluster I TbpBs, indicating antigenic diversity within the SV7 group of G. parasuis. The antigenic analysis demonstrated the presence of common epitopes on all variants of the TbpB protein, which could be recognized by an in vitro analysis using pig IgG induced by a TbpBY167A-based vaccine. The proof of concept of the complete cross-protection between clusters I and III was performed in SPF pigs immunized with the TbpBY167A-based vaccine (cluster III) and challenged with G. parasuis SV7, strains LM 360.18 (cluster I). Additionally, pigs immunized with a whole-cell inactivated vaccine based on G. parasuis SV5 (Nagasaki strain) did not survive the challenge performed with SV7 (strain 360.18), demonstrating the absence of cross-protection between these two serovars. Based on these results, we propose that a properly formulated TbpBY167A-based vaccine may elicit a protective antibody response against all strains of G. parasuis SV7, despite TbpB antigenic diversity, and this might be extrapolated to other serovars. This result highlights the promising use of the TbpBY167A antigen in a future commercial vaccine for GD prevention.
Intermittently Scanned and Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring for People With Diabetes

Continuous glucose monitoring is a method of glucose testing in which a sensor is inserted into the skin and continuously monitors interstitial glucose concentrations. Real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) systems automatically measure glucose and display a recent glucose value. Intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) systems require the person using the system to scan the sensor to display glucose information. The evidence of the comparative effectiveness of isCGM versus rtCGM for improving time in range, time above range, A1C, and quality of life in people with type 1 diabetes is uncertain. Evidence from some studies suggested there was a significant benefit favouring rtCGM versus isCGM for these outcomes, whereas other studies found no significant differences between treatment groups. Evidence suggested that people with type 1 diabetes using rtCGM spent significantly less time below range/time in hypoglycemia than those using isCGM. The evidence of the comparative safety of isCGM versus rtCGM in people with type 1 diabetes is limited and uncertain. Evidence from 1 study suggested that severe hypoglycemic events were more frequent in those using isCGM. In other studies, there were no severe hypoglycemic events in either treatment group. No studies were identified that evaluated the comparative effectiveness of isCGM versus rtCGM in people living with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes.
A Skin Substitute Reepithelialization Calculator for Natural, Synthetic, and Composite Skin Cell Scaffolds

Tissue engineering is a rapidly advancing field. Researchers around the globe have been working on novel ways to replicate the natural properties of tissues and organs. While new technologies enable increasingly complex therapeutics few of them have been found to be acceptable for clinical use. The skin is an excellent test bed for the techniques necessary for organ replacement. Skin is naturally regenerative, easily accessible and not as metabolically active as many other organs. This study analyzes published work to compare the epithelial wound repair rates of natural, synthetic, and hybrid tissue engineered skin substitutes to develop a wound repair calculator. Over 1,000 data points were utilized from 232 papers, linear regression produced a wound repair rate equal to the amount of wound repair per hour for each therapeutic class. Repair rates varied widely both within and across different therapeutics. Precision tests of the calculator’s accuracy using 30 papers produced little concordance. The data reported in the tissue engineering papers examined here vary too greatly for accurate predictions of reepithelialization suggesting that the driving force in wound repair is not being effectively accounted for within the published works.
Assessment of Natural Transmission of Bovine Leukemia Virus in Dairies from Southern Chile

Simple Summary A longitudinal study was conducted to describe the frequency and epidemiological association of risk management practices related to new cases of BLV in cattle on dairy farms in Southern Chile. Animal information was obtained from the records of each farm, as well as blood and milk samples that, tested by commercial blocking ELISA to assess the infection status of animals. A higher number of new cases was found in adult animals that were related to practices, such as rectal palpation, artificial insemination, and injections. However, it is important to carry out other studies that establish the role of management practices in the spreading of BLV to improve the control of disease. Abstract Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a retrovirus that affects cattle worldwide. A longitudinal study was conducted with the aim to (a) estimate the incidence rate of the BLV infection of dairy farms in the regions of Los Ríos and Los Lagos (Chile), and (b) describe the frequency and epidemiological association of risk management practices related to new cases in cattle on dairy farms in Southern Chile. Infection status was based on commercial blocking ELISA results, on serum and milk. Individual information on animals and management practices was extracted from farm records, and then the most likely date of infection for new cases was estimated. The number of new infections was used to calculate the within-herd incidence rate. Adult animals had an incidence rate of 1.16 (95% CI 0.96; 1.20) cases per 100 cow-months at risk, while for young animals it was 0.64 (95% CI 0.44; 1.00) cases per 100 animal-months at risk. Rectal palpation, artificial insemination, and injections were the most common practices related to infection. Further studies are needed to determine if these are the only practices that facilitate spreading or if there are other practices that can be handled better in order to reduce the spread of BLV.
Disentangling Unusual Catalytic Properties and the Role of the [4Fe-4S] Cluster of Three Endonuclease III from the Extremophile D. radiodurans

Endonuclease III (EndoIII) is a bifunctional DNA glycosylase with specificity for a broad range of oxidized DNA lesions. The genome of an extremely radiation- and desiccation-resistant bacterium, Deinococcus radiodurans, possesses three genes encoding for EndoIII-like enzymes (DrEndoIII1, DrEndoIII2 and DrEndoIII3), which reveal different types of catalytic activities. DrEndoIII2 acts as the main EndoIII in this organism, while DrEndoIII1 and 3 demonstrate unusual and no EndoIII activity, respectively. In order to understand the role of DrEndoIII1 and DrEndoIII3 in D. radiodurans, we have generated mutants which target non-conserved residues in positions considered essential for classic EndoIII activity. In parallel, we have substituted residues coordinating the iron atoms in the [4Fe-4S] cluster in DrEndoIII2, aiming at elucidating the role of the cluster in these enzymes. Our results demonstrate that the amino acid substitutions in DrEndoIII1 reduce the enzyme activity without altering the overall structure, revealing that the residues found in the wild-type enzyme are essential for its unusual activity. The attempt to generate catalytic activity of DrEndoIII3 by re-designing its catalytic pocket was unsuccessful. A mutation of the iron-coordinating cysteine 199 in DrEndoIII2 appears to compromise the structural integrity and induce the formation of a [3Fe-4S] cluster, but apparently without affecting the activity. Taken together, we provide important structural and mechanistic insights into the three EndoIIIs, which will help us disentangle the open questions related to their presence in D. radiodurans and their particularities.
A Strategy for Identification and Structural Characterization of Compounds from Plantago asiatica L. by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Combined with Ion Mobility Spectrometry

Plantago asiatica L. (PAL) as a medicinal and edible plant is rich in chemical compounds, which makes the systematic and comprehensive characterization of its components challenging. In this study, an integrated strategy based on three-dimensional separation including AB-8 macroporous resin column chromatography, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF MS), and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with ion-mobility spectrometry (UHPLC-IM-MS) was established and used to separate and identify the structures of compounds from PAL. The extracts of PAL were firstly separated into three parts by AB-8 macroporous resin and further separated and identified by UHPLC-Q-TOF MS and UHPLC-IM-MS, respectively. Additionally, UHPLC-IM-MS was used to identify isomers and coeluting compounds, so that the product ions appearing at the same retention time (RT)can clearly distinguish where the parent ion belongs by their different drift times. UNIFI software was used for data processing and structure identification. A total of 86 compounds, including triterpenes, iridoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, guanidine derivatives, organic acids, and fatty acids, were identified by using MS information and fragment ion information provided by UHPLC-Q-TOF MS and UHPLC-IM-MS. In particular, a pair of isoforms of plantagoside from PAL were detected and identified by UHPLC-IM-MS combined with the theoretical calculation method for the first time. In conclusion, the AB-8 macroporous resin column chromatography can separate the main compounds of PAL and enrich the trace compounds. Combining UHPLC-IM-MS and UHPLC-Q-TOF MS can obtain not only more fragments but also their unique drift times and RT, which is more conducive to the identification of complex systems, especially isomers. This proposed strategy can provide an effective method to separate and identify chemical components, and distinguish isomers in the complex system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Corporate Governance Mechanisms and Tax Sheltering; Evidence from Quoted Tax Aggressive Firms in Nigeria

This study empirically examined the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and tax sheltering of publicly traded tax aggressive companies in Nigeria. To determine the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and tax sheltering, corporate governance mechanisms were measured with CEO share ownership, directors' remuneration, board independence and board diligence, while tax sheltering was proxy using effective tax rate. The hypotheses formulated to guide the study and the statistical testing of the parameter estimates were worked out using the OLS regression model using STATA V.15. The ex post facto design was adopted and the data for the study was sourced from the published annual financial reports of all tax aggressive companies classified under ICT Sector, Health Care Sector and Oil & Gas Sector of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGL) covering from 2013-2021. The results indicate that corporate governance mechanisms having significant and positive association with tax sheltering of listed tax aggressive companies in the country. The study concludes that corporate governance mechanisms ensure tax sheltering for tax aggressive companies. The study however suggests that firms’ board should consider the percentage and proportion of CEO’s share ownership concentration, pay higher remuneration to the board members, increasing the number of independent directors in their board and also consider in composition of the board of directors, their level of expertness, expertise, intelligence and proficiency as these led to tax sheltering among the quoted firms in Nigeria.
Fixed-Time Circular Impact-Time Guidance with Look Angle Constraint

A fixed-time nonlinear circular guidance law that satisfies the impact time constraint is proposed. By utilizing the geometric principle that the length of a circular arc connecting the missile and the target can be analytically calculated, the exact expression of time-to-go is obtained. Thus, the impact time error can be shaped to zero, and the missile can intercept the target at the desired time, which is crucial in a salvo attack. The settling time of the impact time error is proved to be bounded by a fixed time, which does not depend on initial conditions, but is only determined by two guidance parameters. Moreover, the criteria for choosing the guidance parameters values are established analytically, rather than by trial-and-error or empirically, which can provide valuable guidelines for guidance law designers. To address the look angle constraint, deviated pure pursuit (DPP) is employed, and switching logic between guidance laws is provided. Unlike many existing impact time control guidance laws, the formulation of the one proposed is based on nonlinear engagement kinematics, and the implementation does not execute numerical calculations, which can improve the guidance accuracy and reduce computation burdens on the guidance system. A series of nonlinear simulations are implemented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed guidance law.
Characteristics and risk factors of infections in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: a retrospective study

Background Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome characterized by acute decompensation, organ failures, and high short-term mortality whose main cause in China is the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Moreover, one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in HBV-ACLF patients is bacterial infection. Therefore, we investigate the clinical features, risk factors, prophylaxis and management of infections in patients with HBV-ACLF. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 539 patients with HBV-ACLF in Wuhan Tongji Hospital from October 2015 to May 2018. Differences among groups were compared with Student’s t test, Mann–Whitney U test, χ2 test, or Fisher exact test as appropriate. Univariate and Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for modeling the relationship between infection and clinical characteristics of HBV-ACLF. Results In total 58.81% (317/539) of patients with HBV-ACLF became complicated with infections, and the most common types were spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, urinary tract infection and pulmonary infection. Additionally, 32.18% (102/317) of patients suffered multi-organ infections, and 95.73% (516/539) of patients received anti-infective therapy. We detected a total of 202 isolates in all infected patients, and Escherichia coli (36.14%, 73/202) was the most common causative organism. Moreover, antibiotic susceptibility test patterns showed that 52.97% (107/202) of pathogens were MDR bacteria and 4.95% (10/202) were XDR bacteria. Univariate analysis indicated that patients with infection had a higher proportion of females, taking alcohol, diuretics, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), hepatorenal syndrome (HS), cirrhosis, a long-time in bed and mechanical ventilation, lower prothrombin activity (PTA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, total cholesterol (TC), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin (Hb) and platelet (PLT) and higher age, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores and ACLF grade than patients without infection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that taking alcohol, HE, HS, cirrhosis, albumin and eGFR were risk factors for the development of infection. Conclusions Bacterial infections were very common in patients with HBV-ACLF. Taking alcohol, the occurrence of complications (HE, HS and cirrhosis), hypoalbuminemia and poor renal function often predict the higher prevalence of infections in patients with HBV-ACLF. It is important to focus on exploring the early recognition of infection and early intervention of those risk factors in patients with HBV-ACLF.
Optical Sensor for Monitoring Leakage Current and Weather Conditions in a 500-kV Transmission Line

The leakage current (LC) caused by the surface contamination of insulators, together with environmental variables, is one of the most basic online monitoring parameters for insulator status. However, the impact of weather conditions such as temperature, air humidity, and dew point on the LC has not been deeply studied until now. In this paper, based on meteorological data obtained online and LC obtained with an optical fiber sensor, installed in 500-kV insulator strings of a transmission line, the impact of weather conditions was studied. Results indicate that the LCs follow a specific pattern, according to weather conditions. The system has been continuously monitoring LC, humidity, temperature, and dew point uninterrupted for three years, sending the acquired data to a web page; therefore, it has been demonstrated to be robust, reliable, and repetitive. The sensor features the broadband response and acquisition capabilities of partial discharge pulses in high-voltage insulators, allowing the detection of high-frequency pulses. When comparing the LC measured in this work with those from other works, our measurements are substantially higher; this is due to the type of pollution found in this specific situation, which includes iron oxide powder, producing a conductive layer over the insulator surface that, unlike sea salt, does not depend on humidity to conduct an LC. One of the conclusions reached in this work is that partial discharge surges are caused when the local temperature reaches the dew point and not simply from the presence of high humidity, as stated in many works dealing with LCs. The monitored LC can be used as an indicative parameter of a possible flashover, enabling the proper planning of insulator predictive maintenance, either by jet-washing the surface or even changing the insulators when they are damaged.
Dating and geochemistry of zircon and apatite from rhyolite at the UNESCO geosite Rupnica (Mt. Papuk, northern Croatia) and the relationship to the Sava Zone

The Rupnica geosite, a key locality of the UNESCO-protected Papuk Geopark in northern Croatia, is well-known for an excellent exposure of columnar jointing in volcanic rock. This rock is defined as an albite rhyolite that comprises almost pure albite phenocrysts within a fine-grained matrix composed of microphenocrysts of albite, quartz and devitrified volcanic glass. Primary accessory minerals are clinopyroxene, apatite, zircon and magnetite. Haematite, apatite and anatase were found as inclusions in zircon. The albite rhyolite is characterized by a highly siliceous, peraluminous, oxidized (ferroan), dry, alkali-calcic to alkalic composition, with low CaO, MgO, and MnO contents and high FeOT/(FeOT+MgO) ratios. Normalized trace element contents display positive anomalies of K, Pb, and Zr as well as negative anomalies of Nb, P, Ti, Ba and Eu, together with an enrichment of light rare-earth elements (REE) relative to heavy REE. Zircon from the rhyolite of Rupnica is characterized by ratios of Th/U=1.13 and Zr/Hf=55 and contents of HfO2=1.04 wt. % typical for an early-stage igneous zircon crystallized from a dry high-temperature magma in a deep magma chamber. Apatite REE patterns show enrichment of light REE over heavy REE and a pronounced Eu anomaly, typical for apatite from granitoids formed in an oxidizing environment. The magma is of A-type and was generated at high temperatures at 800–900 °C by partial melting of lower- to mid-crustal rocks. The age of the albite rhyolite of Rupnica is Late Cretaceous at 80.8±1.8 (2σ) Ma, according to U-Pb dating of zircon, coeval with geochemically similar igneous rocks of Mt. Požeška Gora and Mt. Kozara within the Sava Zone.
The Desmoplastic Stroma of Pancreatic Cancer: Multilayered Levels of Heterogeneity, Clinical Significance, and Therapeutic Opportunities

Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant disease with treatment resistance to standardized chemotherapies. In addition, only a small fraction of patients with pancreatic cancer has, to date, actionable genetic aberrations, leading to a narrow therapeutic window for molecularly targeted therapies or immunotherapies. A lot of preclinical and translational studies are ongoing to discover potential vulnerabilities to treat pancreatic cancer. Histologically, human pancreatic cancer is characterized by abundant cancer-associated fibrotic stroma, called “desmoplastic stroma”. Recent technological advances have revealed that desmoplastic stroma in pancreatic cancer is much more complicated than previously thought, playing pleiotropic roles in manipulating tumor cell fate and anti-tumor immunity. Moreover, real-world specimen-based analyses of pancreatic cancer stroma have also uncovered spatial heterogeneity and an intertumoral variety associated with molecular alterations, clinicopathological factors, and patient outcomes. This review describes an overview of the current efforts in the field of pancreatic cancer stromal biology and discusses treatment opportunities of stroma-modifying therapies against this hard-to-treat cancer. Abstract Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies and is becoming a dramatically increasing cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Abundant desmoplastic stroma is a histological hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Emerging evidence suggests a promising therapeutic effect of several stroma-modifying therapies that target desmoplastic stromal elements in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment. The evidence also unveils multifaceted roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in manipulating pancreatic cancer progression, immunity, and chemotherapeutic response. Current state-of-the-art technologies, including single-cell transcriptomics and multiplexed tissue imaging techniques, have provided a more profound knowledge of CAF heterogeneity in real-world specimens from pancreatic cancer patients, as well as in genetically engineered mouse models. In this review, we describe recent advances in the understanding of the molecular pathology bases of pancreatic cancer desmoplastic stroma at multilayered levels of heterogeneity, namely, (1) variations in cellular and non-cellular members, including CAF subtypes and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins; (2) geographical heterogeneity in relation to cell–cell interactions and signaling pathways at niche levels and spatial heterogeneity at locoregional levels or organ levels; and (3) intertumoral stromal heterogeneity at individual levels. This review further discusses the clinicopathological significance of desmoplastic stroma and the potential opportunities for stroma-targeted therapies against this lethal malignancy.