Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization of wheat debranning using laboratory equipment for ethanol production

Abstract: Ethanol production from starchy cereal grains is increasing rapidly due to increasing demand for alternative fuels. In Canada, wheat is the primary feedstock in ethanol plants. To improve the productivity of the ethanol plants in terms of product quality and yield, debranning of wheat grains may be employed. Debranning is advantageous in two ways. Firstly, bran removal increases the starch content of the feedstock, improving the fermentation efficiency of the ethanol plants. Secondly, bran, a valuable co-product can be used as an animal feed ingredient. In this study, experiments to optimize the debranning process were carried out using two kinds of abrasive equipment, the Satake and the TADD (tangential abrasive dehulling device) mills. Wheat samples (30 and 200 g) were debranned in the Satake mill at 1 215, 1 412, and 1 515 r/min rotational speeds, 30, 36, and 40 grit sizes, and 30, 60, and 90 s retention times, and in the TADD mill at 900 r/min rotational speed, 30, 36, 50, and 80 grit sizes, and 120, 180, 240, and 300 s retention times. In addition to debranning efficiency, the starch separation efficiencies of the two mills were calculated in different debranning conditions. In the Satake mill, the 30 g and 200 g sample size, 1 412 r/min and 1 515 r/min rotational speeds, all grit sizes, and 60 s of retention time demonstrated the highest debranning efficiency. Correspondingly, optimal results in the TADD mill were obtained with 200 g sample size, 900 r/min rotational speed, 50 and 80 grit sizes, and 180 s and 240 s retention times. However, based on the experimental results, Satake mill provided better debranning values compared to the TADD mill. The starch separation efficiency values supported these results. Keywords: wheat debranning, ethanol production, Satake mill, tangential abrasive dehulling device, grit size, retention time, rotational speed, starch separation efficiency DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe. 20140706.008 Citation: George E, Rentsen B, Tabil L G, Meda V. Optimization of wheat debranning using laboratory equipment for ethanol production. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2014; 7(6): 54－66.
Unveiling the World of Circulating and Exosomal microRNAs in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary Liquid biopsies have emerged as a new tool for early diagnosis. In renal cell carcinoma, this need is also evident and may represent an improvement in disease management. Hence, in this review we discuss the most updated advances in the assessment of miRNAs in liquid biopsies. Moreover, we explore the potential of circulating or exosome miRNAs in renal cell carcinoma to overcome the tissue biopsies limitations. Abstract Renal cell carcinoma is the third most common urological cancer. Despite recent advances, late diagnosis and poor prognosis of advanced-stage disease remain a major problem, entailing the need for novel early diagnosis tools. Liquid biopsies represent a promising minimally invasive clinical tool, providing real-time feedback of tumor behavior and biological potential, addressing its clonal evolution and representing its heterogeneity. In particular, the study of circulating microRNAs and exosomal microRNAs in liquid biopsies experienced an exponential increase in recent years, considering the potential clinical utility and available technology that facilitates implementation. Herein, we provide a systematic review on the applicability of these biomarkers in the context of renal cell carcinoma. Issues such as additional benefit from extracting microRNAs transported in extracellular vesicles, use for subtyping and representation of different histological types, correlation with tumor burden, and prediction of patient outcome are also addressed. Despite the need for more conclusive research, available data indicate that exosomal microRNAs represent a robust minimally invasive biomarker for renal cell carcinoma. Thus, innovative research on microRNAs and novel detection techniques are likely to provide clinically relevant biomarkers, overcome current clinical challenges, and improve patient management.
Prion Infectivity and PrPBSE in the Peripheral and Central Nervous System of Cattle 8 Months Post Oral BSE Challenge

After oral exposure of cattle with classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (C-BSE), the infectious agent ascends from the gut to the central nervous system (CNS) primarily via the autonomic nervous system. However, the timeline of this progression has thus far remained widely undetermined. Previous studies were focused on later time points after oral exposure of animals that were already 4 to 6 months old when challenged. In contrast, in this present study, we have orally inoculated 4 to 6 weeks old unweaned calves with high doses of BSE to identify any possible BSE infectivity and/or PrPBSE in peripheral nervous tissues during the first eight months post-inoculation (mpi). For the detection of BSE infectivity, we used a bovine PrP transgenic mouse bioassay, while PrPBSE depositions were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and by protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA). We were able to show that as early as 8 mpi the thoracic spinal cord as well as the parasympathetic nodal ganglion of these animals contained PrPBSE and BSE infectivity. This shows that the centripetal prion spread starts early after challenge at least in this age group, which represents an essential piece of information for the risk assessments for food, feed, and pharmaceutical products produced from young calves.
The effects of leg preference and leg dominance on static and dynamic balance performance in highly-trained tennis players

In this study, 90 (51 males, 39 females) tennis players performed single-leg quiet stance and single-leg landing tasks. For the static standing task, center-of pressure (CoP) velocities, amplitudes, frequency and area were calculated. For the landing tasks, time to stabilization as well as dynamic postural stability index were considered. The analysis of differences between the legs was done based on two methods for a priori determination of leg preference, one based on the preference of kicking a ball and one based on the preference for single-leg jumping. An additional analysis was done based on the leg dominance (determined post hoc), based on the observed performance of the tasks. In case of the classification based on kicking a ball, there was a statistically significantly lower CoP anterior-posterior velocity and anterior-posterior amplitude in static balance task (p ≤ 0.017; 0.17 ≤ d ≤ 0.28) for the preferred leg. The CoP frequency was higher in the preferred leg for both directions (p ≤ 0.002; 0.10 ≤ d ≤ 0.22). For the landing task, CoP medial-lateral time to stabilization was statistically significantly shorter for the preferred leg (0.28 ± 0.38 s) compared to the non-preferred leg (0.47 ± 0.60 s) (p = 0.012; d = 0.38). There were no differences between the legs for the landing task. Moreover, there were no differences between the legs when we used the preference based on jumping for either of the tasks (d ≤ 0.14). The differences between legs in terms of observed dominance were larger than the differences based on the preference, which stresses the need for clear distinction of limb preference and limb dominance in research and practice. Regarding the effect of leg preference, small differences in static balance may exist between the legs (when the preference is based on kicking a ball).
Masaoka-Koga and TNM Staging System in Thymic Epithelial Tumors: Prognostic Comparison and the Role of the Number of Involved Structures

Simple Summary Thymic epithelial tumors were originally staged using the Masaoka–Koga staging system, even if recently the adoption of the tumor node metastases staging system was recommended. However, it remains controversial as to which staging system is the most effective in prognosis prediction for these patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic effectiveness of these staging systems and to verify a possible improvement. Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Masaoka–Koga and the tumor node metastases (TNM) staging system in thymic epithelial tumors (TET) considering possible improvements. Methods: We reviewed the data of 379 patients who underwent surgical resection for TET from 1 January 1985 to 1 January 2018, collecting and classifying the pathological report according to the Masaoka–Koga and the TMN system. The number of involved organs was also considered as a possible prognostic factor and integrated in the two staging systems to verify its impact. Results: Considering the Masaoka–Koga system, 5- and 10-year overall survival (5–10YOS) was 96.4% and 88.9% in stage I, 95% and 89.5% in stage II and 85.4% and 72.8% in stage III (p = 0.01), with overlapping in stage I and stage II curves. Considering the TNM system, 5–10YOS was 95.5% and 88.8% in T1, 84.8% and 70.7% in T2 and 88% and 76.3% in T3 (p = 0.02), with overlapping T2–T3 curves. Including the number of involved structures, in Masaoka–Koga stage III, patients with singular involved organs had a 100% and 76.6% vs. 87.7% 5–10YOS, which was 76.6% in patients with multiple organ infiltration. Considering the TNM, T3 patients with singular involved structures presented a 5–10YOS of 100% vs. 62.5% and 37.5% in patients with multiple organ involvement (p = 0.07). Conclusion: The two staging systems present limitations due to overlapping curves in early Masaoka–Koga stages and in advanced T stages for TNM. The addition of the number of involved organs seems to be a promising factor for the prognosis stratification in these patients.
Do racial and ethnic disparities in following stay-at-home orders influence COVID-19 health outcomes? A mediation analysis approach

Racial/ethnic disparities are among the top-selective underlying determinants associated with the disproportional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human mobility and health outcomes. This study jointly examined county-level racial/ethnic differences in compliance with stay-at-home orders and COVID-19 health outcomes during 2020, leveraging two-year geo-tracking data of mobile devices across ~4.4 million point-of-interests (POIs) in the contiguous United States. Through a set of structural equation modeling, this study quantified how racial/ethnic differences in following stay-at-home orders could mediate COVID-19 health outcomes, controlling for state effects, socioeconomics, demographics, occupation, and partisanship. Results showed that counties with higher Asian populations decreased most in their travel, both in terms of reducing their overall POIs’ visiting and increasing their staying home percentage. Moreover, counties with higher White populations experienced the lowest infection rate, while counties with higher African American populations presented the highest case-fatality ratio. Additionally, control variables, particularly partisanship, median household income, percentage of elders, and urbanization, significantly accounted for the county differences in human mobility and COVID-19 health outcomes. Mediation analyses further revealed that human mobility only statistically influenced infection rate but not case-fatality ratio, and such mediation effects varied substantially among racial/ethnic compositions. Last, robustness check of racial gradient at census block group level documented consistent associations but greater magnitude. Taken together, these findings suggest that US residents’ responses to COVID-19 are subject to an entrenched and consequential racial/ethnic divide.
Natural Disaster and Natural Selection

In this paper, we investigate whether natural selection works for firm exit after a massive natural disaster. By using a unique data set of more than 84,000 firms after the Tohoku Earthquake, we examined the impact of firm efficiency on firm bankruptcy both inside and outside of the earthquake-affected areas. We find that more efficient firms are less likely to go bankrupt both inside and outside of the affected areas, which indicates the existence of natural selection. However, we also find that firms located inside the earthquake-affected areas are less likely to go bankrupt than those located outside of the areas. We also applied the same methodology to the case of the Kobe Earthquake, and find qualitatively similar results.
The Pseudokinase TRIB3 Negatively Regulates the HER2 Receptor Pathway and Is a Biomarker of Good Prognosis in Luminal Breast Cancer

Simple Summary Breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer in women. More than 70% of these tumors belong to the so-called luminal subtype which has, in general, a good prognosis. However, a fraction of patients with luminal breast cancer progress to an advanced or metastatic disease, which remains a major clinical and social problem. Therefore, it is crucial to identify novel biomarkers that help to predict the progression of the disease and to develop more efficacious therapeutic approaches to fight advanced luminal breast cancer. In this work we found that the increased expression of the protein tribbles pseudokinase 3 (TRIB3) is associated with a good prognosis and a better response to therapy in luminal breast cancer patients. We also found that this effect is at least in part due to the ability of TRIB3 to inhibit the activity of the oncogene HER2. Abstract Background: Tribbles pseudokinase 3 (TRIB3) has been proposed to both promote and restrict cancer generation and progression. However, the precise mechanisms that determine this dual role of TRIB3 in cancer remain to be understood. In this study we aimed to investigate the role of TRIB3 in luminal breast cancer, the most frequent subtype of this malignancy. Methods: We genetically manipulated TRIB3 expression in a panel of luminal breast cancer cell lines and analyzed its impact on cell proliferation, and the phosphorylation, levels, or subcellular localization of TRIB3 and other protein regulators of key signaling pathways in luminal breast cancer. We also analyzed TRIB3 protein expression in samples from luminal breast cancer patients and performed bioinformatic analyses in public datasets. Results: TRIB3 enhanced the proliferation and AKT phosphorylation in luminal A (HER2-) but decreased them in luminal B (HER2+) breast cancer cell lines. TRIB3 negatively regulated the stability of HER2 in luminal B breast cancer cell lines. TRIB3 expression was associated with increased disease-free survival and a better response to therapy in luminal breast cancer patients. Conclusions: Our findings support the exploration of TRIB3 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in luminal breast cancer.
Role of caveolin-1 as a biomarker for radiation resistance and tumor aggression in lung cancer

Radiation therapy plays a major role in the treatment of lung cancer patients. However, cancer cells develop resistance to radiation. Tumor radioresistance is a complex multifactorial mechanism which may be dependent on DNA damage and repair, hypoxic conditions inside tumor microenvironment, and the clonal selection of radioresistant cells from the heterogeneous tumor site, and it is a major cause of treatment failure in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present investigation caveolin-1 (CAV-1) has been observed to be highly expressed in radiation resistant A549 lung cancer cells. CRISPR-Cas9 knockout of CAV-1 reverted the cells to a radio sensitive phenotype. In addition, CAV-1 overexpression in parental A549 cells, led to radiation resistance. Further, gene expression analysis of A549 parental, radiation resistant, and caveolin-1 overexpressed cells, exhibited overexpression of DNA repair genes RAD51B, RAD18, SOX2 cancer stem cell marker, MMPs, mucins and cytoskeleton proteins in resistant and caveolin-1 over expressed A549 cells, as compared to parental A549 cells. Bioinformatic analysis shows upregulation of BRCA1, Nuclear Excision DNA repair, TGFB and JAK/STAT signaling pathways in radioresistant and caveolin-1 overexpressed cells, which may functionally mediate radiation resistance. Immunohistochemistry data demonstrated heterogeneous expression of CAV-1 gene in human lung cancer tissues, which was analogous to its enhanced expression in human lung cancer cell line model and mouse orthotopic xenograft lung cancer model. Also, TCGA PanCancer clinical studies have demonstrated amplification, deletions and missense mutation in CAV-1 gene in lung cancer patients, and that CAV-1 alteration has been linked to poor prognosis, and poor survival in lung cancer patients. Interestingly, we have also optimized ELISA assay to measure caveolin-1 protein in the blood of A549 radiation resistant human xenograft preclinical mouse model and discovered higher level of caveolin-1 (950 pg/ml) in tumor bearing animals treated with radiation, as compared to xenograft with radiosensitive lung cancer cells (450 pg/ml). Thus, we conclude that caveolin-1 is involved in radio-resistance and contributes to tumor aggression, and it has potential to be used as prognostic biomarker for radiation treatment response, and tumor progression for precision medicine in lung cancer patients.
Estimation of linkage disequilibrium levels and allele frequency distribution in crossbred Vrindavani cattle using 50K SNP data

The objective of this study was to calculate the extent and decay of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in 96 crossbred Vrindavani cattle genotyped with Bovine SNP50K Bead Chip. After filtering, 43,821 SNPs were retained for final analysis, across 2500.3 Mb of autosome. A significant percentage of SNPs was having minor allele frequency of less than 0.20. The extent of LD between autosomal SNPs up to 10 Mb apart across the genome was measured using r2 statistic. The mean r2 value was 0.43, if pairwise distance of marker was less than10 kb and it decreased further to 0.21 for 25–50 kb markers distance. Further, the effect of minor allele frequency and sample size on LD estimate was investigated. The LD value decreased with the increase in inter-marker distance, and increased with the increase of minor allelic frequency. The estimated inbreeding coefficient and effective population size were 0.04, and 46 for present generation, which indicated small and unstable population of Vrindavani cattle. These findings suggested that a denser or breed specific SNP panel would be required to cover all genome of Vrindavani cattle for genome wide association studies (GWAS).
Association of professional pre-qualifications, study success in medical school and the eligibility for becoming a physician: A scoping review

Background Literature, individual experiences and common considerations suggest that prior professional qualification can be an advantage for later career development. For instance, in Germany, professional pre-qualification has been honored by medical faculties in selection procedures for several years. However, a systematic evaluation of this relationship lacks. This scoping review summarizes existing literature and addresses the role of prior professional pre-qualifications on objective or subjective study success and the choice of a specialization. Methods The scoping review was performed oriented on the PRISMA guidelines. PsycINFO and PubMed databases were searched for relevant studies that included data of medical students with and without professional pre-qualifications. To answer the underlying research questions, this scoping review also includes studies that examine professional pre-qualifications in association with non-cognitive "soft" criteria. Results and further directions 1055 items were identified and reviewed by two independent reviewers with final 11 studies were included for this scoping review. The results of identified studies that report possible effects of prior pre-professional qualifications are inconclusive but suggest that prior professional qualifications tend not to have rather an advantage on study success. Medical school success for students with prior professional qualifications tended to be below average in the preclinical setting, and there were no differences in the clinical setting compared with students without prior professional qualifications. The influence of professional pre-qualifications has not yet been adequately studied without the moderator variable “waiting time” and “A-levels grade”. The scoping review indicates insufficient number of articles stating a co-relation of prior pre-qualifications and subjective data. Again, the results found are not sufficient to state a clear relationship between professional pre-qualifications and the choice of a specific speciality preference. However, professional pre-qualifications, both in medicine and as "practical experience in rural areas", tend to be beneficial for the choice of becoming a rural physician. Large-scale cross-sectional and longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the influence of professional pre-qualifications on different study trajectory parameters.
Psychological Factors, Leisure Activities, and Satisfaction during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Eleven Spanish-Speaking Countries

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of millions of people worldwide. This study aimed to analyze the effects of several psychological factors (self-esteem, self-control, and emotional stability) over lifestyle-related variables (time spent on leisure activities) and the levels of satisfaction (family, friends, work, and leisure satisfaction) experienced during the COVID-19 outbreak. Data for this article were retrieved as part of a cross-sectional international study conducted in eleven Spanish-speaking countries between March and September 2020. The analyses were conducted using the responses of 9500 persons (65.95% women, 34.05% men). Structural equation modeling was used to test the direct and indirect effects of the psychological variables on satisfaction variables mediated by the time engaged in leisure activities. Our model indicated that psychological factors significantly predicted the amount of time spent in leisure activities and satisfaction. Overall, results indicate that self-esteem is a relevant psychological factor to consider in the development of psychological interventions directed at promoting healthy lifestyles. Nevertheless, further research is needed to validate the direction of the associations found in this study.