Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lesion Area in the Cerebral Cortex Determines the Patterns of Axon Rewiring of Motor and Sensory Corticospinal Tracts After Stroke

The corticospinal tract (CST) is an essential neural pathway for reorganization that recovers motor functions after brain injuries such as stroke. CST comprises multiple pathways derived from different sensorimotor areas of the cerebral cortex; however, the patterns of reorganization in such complex pathways postinjury are largely unknown. Here we comprehensively examined the rewiring patterns of the CST pathways of multiple cerebral origins in a mouse stroke model that varied in size and location in the sensorimotor cortex. We found that spared contralesional motor and sensory CST axons crossed the midline and sprouted into the denervated side of the cervical spinal cord after stroke in a large cortical area. In contrast, the contralesional CST fibers did not sprout in a small stroke, whereas the ipsilesional axons from the spared motor area grew on the denervated side. We further showed that motor and sensory CST axons did not innervate the projecting areas mutually when either one was injured. The present results reveal the basic principles that generate the patterns of CST rewiring, which depend on stroke location and CST subtype. Our data indicate the importance of targeting different neural substrates to restore function among the types of injury.
Unethical Leadership and Employee Extra-Role Behavior in Information Technology Sector: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, enterprises were obliged to employ social media and digital tools to complete ordinary work. The pandemic has created a series of complexities and challenges, which have hampered harmonic contact between leaders and followers. The indirect relationship between unethical leadership and extra-role behavior (EXB) via psychological empowerment (PYE) is investigated in this study. We also look into the role of perceived organizational support (POS) as a moderator in the link between unethical leadership and PYE, as well as the indirect link between unethical leadership and EXB. Data were obtained from 258 supervisor–employee dyads from various small- and mid-sized information technology (IT) enterprises using time lag data. Unethical leadership has an impact on employee psychological empowerment as well as EXB. The findings of this study indicated that POS also mitigated the negative consequences of unethical leadership on employee psychological empowerment. Similarly, the role of psychological empowerment as a mediator in the link between unethical leadership and employee EXB is influenced by POS. This study will also benefit researchers and practitioners interested in human resource practices in the IT industry.
Higher Urine Exosomal miR-193a Is Associated With a Higher Probability of Primary Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and an Increased Risk of Poor Prognosis Among Children With Nephrotic Syndrome

Background: In children, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the most common primary glomerular diseases leading to end-stage renal disease. Exosomes facilitate communication between cells by transporting proteins and microRNAs. We aimed to investigate the utility of urine exosomal miR-193a for diagnosis and prognosis estimation among patients with primary FSGS, and preliminarily explore the regulation mechanism of exosome secretion from podocytes. Methods: Specimens of urine were obtained from patients with primary FSGS, minimal change nephropathy (MCN) and IgA nephropathy (IgAN), followed by exosome isolation. We quantified urine exosomal miR-193a based on quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and evaluated its applicability using area-under-receiver-operating-characteristics curves (AUROCs). The semiquantitative glomerulosclerosis index (GSI) was used to evaluate the degree of glomerulosclerosis according to the method of Raij et al. We further used FAM-labeled miR-193a-5p to examine exosome shuttling using confocal microscopy for visualization, and explored the regulation mechanism of exosomes release from podocytes using Fluo-3AM dye. Results: Urine exosomal miR-193a levels were significantly higher in patients with primary FSGS than those with MCN and IgAN. The AUROCs for discriminating between primary FSGS and MCN or IgAN were 0.85 and 0.821, respectively. Urine exosomal miR-193a levels positively correlated with GSI in patients with primary FSGS. We further found that kidney tissues from these patients had increased CD63 expression involving podocytes in non-sclerotic tufts. Exosomes from cultured podocytes could transport miR-193a-5p to recipient cells, potentially through a calcium-dependent release mechanism. Conclusion: Urine exosomal miR-193a might be harnessed as a non-invasive marker for diagnosis and outcome assessment among patients with primary FSGS. Exosomes were potential vehicles for miRNAs shuttling between podocytes, and released from podocytes in a calcium-dependent manner.
Tumor-Derived Exosomal Non-Coding RNAs: The Emerging Mechanisms and Potential Clinical Applications in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignancy and is ranking the leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. At present, BC is still an intricate challenge confronted with high invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and recurrence rate. Exosomes are membrane-enclosed extracellular vesicles with the lipid bilayer and recently have been confirmed as significant mediators of tumor cells to communicate with surrounding cells in the tumor microenvironment. As very important orchestrators, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are aberrantly expressed and participate in regulating gene expression in multiple human cancers, while the most reported ncRNAs within exosomes in BC are microRNAs (miRNAs), long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). Notably, ncRNAs containing exosomes are novel frontiers to shape malignant behaviors in recipient BC cells such as angiogenesis, immunoregulation, proliferation, and migration. It means that tumor-derived ncRNAs-containing exosomes are pluripotent carriers with intriguing and elaborate roles in BC progression via complex mechanisms. The ncRNAs in exosomes are usually excavated based on specific de-regulated expression verified by RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, and PCR experiments. Here, this article will elucidate the recent existing research on the functions and mechanisms of tumor-derived exosomal miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA in BC, especially in BC cell proliferation, metastasis, immunoregulation, and drug resistance. Moreover, these tumor-derived exosomal ncRNAs that existed in blood samples are proved to be excellent diagnostic biomarkers for improving diagnosis and prognosis. The in-depth understanding of tumor-derived exosomal ncRNAs in BC will provide further insights for elucidating the BC oncogenesis and progress and exploring novel therapeutic strategies for combating BC.
Modification and characterization of NaY molecular sieve by Cr3+ and its adsorptive denitrogenation from model fuel

Abstract The CrY, which was modified by Cr3+ from NaY, was confirmed by characterization with FT-IR, XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, and it was used to adsorb quinoline from model fuel. The suitable modification conditions were modified twice by 0.5 mol/L cobalt nitrate solution at 40 °C. The FT-IR spectra indicated the disappearance of 1147 cm−1 peak and the blue shift of 1024 cm−1, implying that Cr3+ had exchanged Na+ and successfully incorporated into the framework of NaY. The static denitrogenation experimental results indicated that the adsorption between quinoline and CrY was the coordination adsorption and π complex adsorption. The suitable conditions were 30 min at room temperature and the adsorption temperature had minor effect on denitrogenation. The kinetic model of CrY adsorbing quinoline belonged to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption model.
Activation of Cellulose via Cooperative Hydroxyl-Catalyzed Transglycosylation of Glycosidic Bonds

The thermal activation of cellulose by initial glycosidic bond cleavage determines the overall rate of conversion to organic products for energy applications. Here, the kinetics of ether scission by transglycosylation of β-1,4-glycosidic bonds was measured using the “pulse-heated analysis of solid reactions” (PHASR) method from 400 to 500 °C. Levoglucosan (LGA) formation from cellulose was temporally resolved over the full extent of conversion, which was interpreted via a coupled reactant–product evolution model to determine an apparent barrier of LGA formation of 27.9 kcal mol–1. In parallel, LGA formation from the glucose monomer of cellobiosan was measured at temperatures between 380 and 430 °C by isotopically labeling the 13C1 carbon; an apparent activation energy of LGA formation was measured as 26.9 ± 1.9 kcal mol–1. The unusually low activation barrier for LGA formation at lower temperature is in agreement with previous PHASR studies for cellulose breakdown and is indicative of catalytic rather tha.
Gut bacterial fermentation of food by-products

This thesis addressed some of the challenges modern society faces. This was done by studying the use of food by-products (food processing waste) in the context of modulating the gut microbiota in obesity to obtain health benefits. In this manner, deaths associated with obesity (and T2D, CVD) would be reduced. The results showed the suitability of the tested by-products being used as functional foods for humans, and that the use of food by-products can lead to a healthier profile of the gut microbiota, especially the microbiota originating from obese individuals.
Effect of Freeze Dried Protein Hydrolysate from Yellowstripe Scad (Selaroides Leptolepis) in Reducing Oil Uptake in Fried Seafood Product

Fried products are widely preferred by consumer for appealing crust formation, colour, texture and flavour, but the product is less healthy due to high oil uptake as well as high calorie level. Protein is used to study oil reduction due to the ability in film forming and thermal gelation properties. The objective of this paper is to determine the effect of freeze dried protein hydrolysate from Yellowstripe Scad (Selaroides leptolepis) in reducing oil uptake in fried seafood product. Protein hydrolysate was produced using potassium buffer, 2% Alcalase and 2h of hydrolysis time. Protein hydrolysate was incorporated at different percentage (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) in the batter. Oil uptake was conducted using Soxhlet method, while moisture content was conducted using gravimetric method according to AOAC, 2000. Result depicts that the reduction of oil uptake in fried seafood showed an increasing trend (6% to 32%) as the amount of incorporated protein hydrolysate was increased. However, the acceptable amount of incorporated protein hyrolysate was 10%. The water retained in the sample in 5% and 10% of incorporation were 33.5% and 32.9% while 15% and 20% incorporation had 16% and -5.15%, respectively.
Impact of sugar beet seed priming on molasses components, sugar content and technological white sugar yield

The impact of non-treated and primed seeds on molasses components, sugar content and technological white sugar yield of the same cultivar of sugar beet root was investigated. The study was conducted in 2012–2014 at the Experiment Field Station of Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW in Skierniewice (51°97'N, 20°19'E) in the central region of Poland. The use of primed seeds resulted in a higher technological white sugar yield with higher sugar content and lower content of α-amino nitrogen in the roots. Also, seed priming increased the technological value of the roots by a lower share in the root yield fractions of the root weight less than 300 g, characterized by lower sugar content and a higher content of α-amino nitrogen.
Synthesis, Characterization and CO Tolerance Evaluation in PEMFCs of Pt2RuMo Electrocatalysts

Pt2RuMo/C catalysts were synthesized by the modified polyol method in the presence and absence of Li(C2H5)3BH (LBH), annealed at 600 °C under H2 atmosphere to improve the reduction of Pt and Ru to provide stronger interactions between Mo and another metals. LBH affected the physico-chemical characteristics of Pt2RuMo, that is, in the presence of LBH an increment of Mo(IV) amount and a decrease in the PtRu alloying degree were observed. The catalytic activity for hydrogen oxidation in the presence and absence of CO (CO tolerance) of the Pt2RuMo/C catalysts as anodes in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) was compared to that of a commercial PtRu/C catalyst. The results indicated that the CO tolerance increased with an increase in Mo(IV) content, but the stability increased with an increment of the amount of Ru oxides in the catalysts.
Socio-demographic factors associated with early antenatal care visits among pregnant women in Malawi: 2004-2016

INTRODUCTION: In 2016, the WHO published recommendations increasing the number of recommended antenatal care (ANC) visits per pregnancy from four to eight. Prior to the implementation of this policy, coverage of four ANC visits has been suboptimal in many low-income settings. In this study we explore socio-demographic factors associated with early initiation of first ANC contact and attending at least four ANC visits (ANC4+) in Malawi using the Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) data collected between 2004 and 2016, prior to the implementation of new recommendations. METHODS: We combined data from the 2004/5, 2010 and 2015/16 MDHS using Stata version 16. Participants included all women surveyed between the ages of 15-49 who had given birth in the five years preceding the survey. We conducted weighted univariate, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis of the effects of each of the predictor variables on the binary endpoint of the woman attending at least four ANC visits and having the first ANC attendance within or before the four months of pregnancy (ANC4+). To determine whether a factor was included in the model, the likelihood ratio test was used with a statistical significance of P< 0.05 as the threshold. RESULTS: We evaluated data collected in surveys in 2004/5, 2010 and 2015/6 from 26386 women who had given birth in the five years before being surveyed. The median gestational age, in months, at the time of presenting for the first ANC visit was 5. The proportion of women initiating ANC4+ increased from 21.3% in 2004-5 to 38.8% in 2015-16. From multivariate analysis, there was increasing trend in ANC4+ from women aged 20-24 years to women aged 45-49 years compared to those aged 15-19 years. Women from richest socio-economic position were more likely to demonstrate ANC4+ than those from low socio-economic position. Additionally, women who had completed secondary and tertiary education were more likely to report having ANC4+ than those with no formal education. Conversely increasing parity was associated with a reduction in likelihood of ANC4+ with women who had previously delivered 2-3, 4-5 or greater than 6 children being less likely to demonstrate ANC4+. CONCLUSION: The proportion of women reporting ANC4+ and of key ANC interventions in Malawi have increased significantly since 2004. However, we found that most women did not access the recommended number of ANC visits in Malawi, prior to the 2016 WHO policy change which may mean that women are less likely to undertake the 2016 WHO recommendation of 8 contacts per pregnancy. Additionally, our results highlighted significant variation in coverage according to key socio-demographic variables which should be considered when devising national strategies to ensure that all women access the appropriate frequency of ANC visits during their pregnancy.
Cardiovascular Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemics in a Large Brazilian City: A Comprehensive Analysis

Introduction: The impact of COVID-19 pandemics on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) may be caused by health system reorganization and/or collapse, or from changes in the behaviour of individuals. In Brazil, municipalities were empowered to define regulatory measures, potentially resulting in diverse effects on CVD morbimortality. Objective: To analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on CVD outcomes in Belo Horizonte (BH), the 6th greater capital city in Brazil, including: mortality, mortality at home, hospitalizations, intensive care unit utilization, and in-hospital mortality; and the differential effect according to sex, age range, social vulnerability, and pandemics phase. Methods: Ecological study analysing data from the Mortality and Hospital Information System of BH residents aged [≥]30 years. CVD was defined as in Chapter IX from ICD-10. Social vulnerability was classified by a composite socioeconomic index as high, medium and low. The observed age-standardized rates for epidemiological weeks 10-48, 2020, were compared to the expected rates (mean of 2015-2019). Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to test differences, and risk ratios with their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. National demographic estimates was used to calculate rates. Results: We found no changes in CVD mortality rates (RiR 1.01, 95%CI 0.96-1.06). However, CVD deaths occurred more at homes (RiR 1.32, 95%CI 1.20-1.46) than in hospitals (RiR 0.89, 95%CI 0.79-0.99), as a result of a substantial decline in hospitalization rates, even though proportional in-hospital deaths increased. The rise in home deaths was greater in older adults and in had an increasing gradient in those more socially vulnerable (RiR 1.45); for high (RiR 1.45), medium (RiR 1.32) and low vulnerability (RiR 1.21). Conclusion: The greater occurrence of CVD deaths at home, in parallel with lower hospitalization rates, suggests that CVD care was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemics, which more adversely affected older and more socially vulnerable individuals, exacerbating health inequities in BH.
Effect of resveratrol on drug resistance in colon cancer chemotherapy

To investigate the effects of resveratrol on the drug resistance of 5-FU in the colon cancer chemotherapy, an MTT assay was used to detect the effects of 5-FU and resveratrol combined with 5-FU on the proliferation of the LoVo and SW480 cell lines. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of 5-FU combined with resveratrol on the survival rate of the LoVo and SW480 cells. A western blot was used to detect the expression levels of the proteins associated with colon cancer. After flow sorting, the percentage of the SW480 and the LoVo cell line CD133+ was 97.5% and 95.8%, respectively. The cells cultured in vitro showed more rapid cell proliferation and differentiation. The MTT assay showed that as compared with the survival rate of the blank group LoVo and CD133+ LoVo cells, the survival rate of the cells containing the 5-FU group was lower (P < 0.05). When 5-FU was used in combination with different concentrations of resveratrol, the abovementioned phenomenon was more prominent. The sorted colon cancer cells have dry stem cells, and the sorted CD133+ cells are more resistant to drugs; the combination of resveratrol and 5-FU has the best effect on the colon cancer cells. Preliminary studies on the mechanism of action of the drug show that a combination of 5-FU and resveratrol regulates apoptosis in CD133+ colon cancer stem cells by regulating the BAX gene; however, more complex mechanisms may also be involved.
On-demand cellular uptake of cysteine conjugated gadolinium based mesoporous silica nanoparticle with breast cancer-cells

Design, synthesis, and conjugation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with biomolecules is a matter of growing interest to enhance selective uptake of contrast agents like gadolinium (Gd3+) by cancer cells. Here, by targeting xc-cystine/glutamate antiporter system in breast cancer cells, conjugation of MSN-Gd3+ with cysteine is used to enhance cancer cellular uptake of Gd3+. Reactions designed to make different covalent bonds between MSNs and cysteine to investigate impact of cysteine conjugation of MSNs-Gd3+ on uptake of Gd3+ by breast cancer cells. Cysteine amino acids were attached to the surface of MSNs via its three functional groups using three different conjugation methods. Therefore, the external surface of MSNs were first modified by three different linkers to create amine, epoxy, and isocyanate groups on the surface of MSNs, then pores loaded with Gd3+ complexes and reacted with toile, epoxy, and amine groups of cysteine, respectively (nanoprobe A, B and C). The nanoprobes were characterized using different techniques, including (scanning electron microscope) SEM, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller BET, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The intracellular uptake of nanoprobes by human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) was investigated using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). Results demonstrated that accumulation of Gd3+ in cancer cells is highly related to method of cysteine conjugation. The amount of Gd3+ was taken by cancer cells increased 7 folds, when thiol group of cysteine was responsible to make covalent bond with MSNs, in other words when the zwitterionic form of cysteine was on the surface (nanoprobe B). The average intracellular uptake of Gd3+ by cancer cells was 0.5±0.09 pg/cell. On the other hand, uptake of Gd3+ delivered by nanoprobe B into cancer cells was up to 4.7 times higher than normal cells. No appreciable cytotoxicity was seen using HDF and MCF-7 cell lines. This study provides MRI nanoprobes using suitable conjugation of Gd3+ based MSNs with cysteine for next studies about MR imaging of cancer. Conflicts of Interest: Declared None Funding: Iran University of Medical Sciences
Synthesizing and Characterizing Sawdust
Biochar/Fe3O4 Nanocomposites and its Potential
Application in Textile Wastewater Treatment

The present research deals with the synthesis and viability of Sawdust biochar/Fe3O4 nanocomposite toward textile waste water treatment. The structure, functionality, and morphology of the nanocomposite were determined by FT-IR, powder XRD, and SEM. Removal of the textile dye Reactive Blue 21 (RB21) was almost 75% under optimum conditions. The value of Langmuir dimensionless separation factor RL indicated a favorable adsorption (0<RL<1). Langmuir constant (KL, i.e., 0.15) symbolizes that there is high affinity of the adsorbent for the adsorbate. The value of Freundlich constant was found to be 2.78 (n>1), hence denoting favorable sorption. The negative values for free energy indicated a spontaneous reaction. Positive value for enthalpy suggested the endothermic nature of adsorption. The kinetic data showed a pseudo first-order kinetic model. The calculated value of qt agreed with the experimental value of qt at equilibrium. The results depicted that sawdust biochar/Fe3O4 nanocomposites are efficient adsorbents for removing RB21 and has potential application in treatment of textile wastewater.
Archaeoastronomical Analysis of the Roman Colonia Marciana Ulpia Traiana Thamugadi (Timgad), Founded at the Sunrise of Trajan’s Birthday

It was told that the Roman Colonia Marciana Ulpia Traiana Thamugadi (Timgad in Algeria), founded in 100 AD, had been oriented to the sunrise on the day of Trajan’s birthday, given as September 18. This Gregorian date corresponds to September 17 of the Julian Calendar. Here we use software such as CalSKY and Stellarium to investigate the sunrise azimuth and compare it to the direction of the decumanus of the Roman town. After the archaeoastronomical analysis we can conclude that the assertion concerning the orientation of Timgad to the sunrise of the day of Trajan’s birthday could be true.