Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CARACTERIZAÇÃO FÍSICO-QUÍMICA DO CREME DE LEITE UHT COMERCIALIZADO NO BRASIL

The objective of this study was to characterize the UHT cream milk sold in Brazil regarding their physicochemical and rheological properties, looking for correlation between attributes, in order to provide an overview of the technology UHT of cream milk available in the country. On 27 samples of nine different brands, there were analyzed the levels of fat, protein, total solids and total solids without fat, as well as pH, viscosity, consistency, phase separation, reference factor (RF) and factor fat-protein. It was possible to obtain an average composition of the products market, with value of 2732 Pa.s for the viscosity, 9.5 cm/10s of consistency, 20.3% w/w of fat, 2.39% w/w of protein, 28.53%w/w of total solids, 8.18%w/w of total solids without fat, pH 6.58, 2.63 for RF, 3.88g of phase separation and 22.74%w/w factor fat-protein. There was not correlation between the composition and rheological behavior of the viscosity and consistency of the product, since the application of biological polymers as used as a stabilizer and thickener it suggests a greater influence on the aspect of molecular interaction components evaluated. Correlations between physical chemical and rheological parameters weren´t find, probably because the presence of biological polymers in this products.
The Effect of Rural Residence on Cancer-Related Self-Efficacy With UK Cancer Survivors Following Treatment.

PURPOSE To examine rural and urban differences in cancer-related self-efficacy with UK cancer survivors following treatment. METHODS A cross-sectional postal survey with posttreatment cancer survivors in the East Midlands of England. The survey collected data on demographics and cancer-related self-efficacy using the Cancer Survivors Self-Efficacy Scale. Rural-urban residence was determined using Office for National Statistics classifications. Linear Regression models were developed using a Directed Acyclic Graph that determined confounding variables. When the model deviated from normal the outcome variable was transformed using the Box-Cox transformation. FINDINGS Of those surveyed, 227 responded, of whom 58% were female and 45% lived in a rural area. A linear regression model showed a significant increase in cancer-related self-efficacy in cancer survivors living in rural areas compared to urban residents (0.76, 95% CI: 0.25-1.27), although the residual plot deviated from a normal distribution. A model of the effect of rural living on a Box-Cox transformed outcome variable confirmed an increased cancer-related self-efficacy score in rural regions (9.06, 95% CI: 2.97-15.14). Rural living remained significant (7.98, 95% CI: 1.78-14.19) after adjustment for the respondents' income. Similarly adjusting for deprivation led to a significant increase in cancer-related self-efficacy in rural regions (8.64, 95% CI: 2.48-14.79). CONCLUSION This study has important implications when considering the impact of location of residence on cancer-related self-efficacy in cancer survivorship. The role of deprivation had some impact for sample respondents in both the urban and rural environment and merits further analysis.
Ranking alien species based on their risks of causing environmental impacts: A global assessment of alien ungulates

For an efficient allocation of the limited resources to alien species management, the most damaging species should be prioritised. Comparing alien species based on their impacts is not straightforward, as the same species can cause different types and magnitudes of impacts when introduced to different contexts, making it difficult to summarise its overall impact. The Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) systematically summarises and compares detrimental impacts caused by alien populations to native biota and has been adopted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. For each alien species, all reported impacts to native populations within the introduced range are classified into five levels of severity, from negligible impact to irreversible local extinction. Currently, EICAT only compares alien species based on their highest impact, thereby ignoring variation in impact magnitudes. Here, we used information on the variation in impact magnitudes of alien species to estimate their risks to cause high impacts if introduced to a novel environment. We demonstrate the usefulness of this approach by classifying the global impacts of alien ungulates. We found impact reports for 27 of the 66 alien ungulate species established worldwide, highlighting substantial knowledge gaps in invasion science. We classified a total of 441 impacts to native fauna and flora caused by these 27 species. Twenty‐six of the species were found to cause harmful impacts (native population declines or local extinctions). Mouflon (Ovis orientalis, Gmelin, 1774) and dromedary (Camelus dromedarius, Linnaeus, 1758) had a higher risk of causing local extinctions if introduced to a novel environment than sika deer (Cervus nippon, Temminck, 1838) and goats (Capra hircus, Linnaeus, 1758). Including risk of high impacts allows to discriminate among species with the same EICAT classification and improves alien species prioritisation for management.
Clinical Correlates of the NR3C1 Gene Methylation at Various Stages of Psychosis

Abstract Background Dysregulation of epigenetic processes might account for alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis observed in patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) gene in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, individuals at familial high risk of schizophrenia (FHR-P), and healthy controls with respect to clinical manifestation and a history of psychosocial stressors. Methods We recruited 40 first-episode psychosis patients, 45 acutely relapsed schizophrenia (SCZ-AR) patients, 39 FHR-P individuals, and 56 healthy controls. The level of methylation at 9 CpG sites of the NR3C1 gene was determined using pyrosequencing. Results The level of NR3C1 methylation was significantly lower in first-episode psychosis patients and significantly higher in SCZ-AR patients compared with other subgroups of participants. Individuals with FHR-P and healthy controls had similar levels of NR3C1 methylation. A history of adverse childhood experiences was associated with significantly lower NR3C1 methylation in all subgroups of participants. Higher methylation of the NR3C1 gene was related to worse performance of attention and immediate memory as well as lower level of general functioning in patients with psychosis. Conclusions Patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders show altered levels of NR3C1 methylation that are significantly lower in first-episode psychosis patients and significantly higher in SCZ-AR patients. Higher methylation of the NR3C1 gene might be related to cognitive impairment observed in this clinical population. The association between a history of adverse childhood experiences and lower NR3C1 methylation is not specific to patients with psychosis. Longitudinal studies are needed to establish causal mechanisms underlying these observations.
Quasifreestanding single-layer hexagonal boron nitride as a substrate for graphene synthesis

We demonstrate that freeing a single-atom thick layer of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) from tight chemical bonding to a Ni(111) thin film grown on a W(110) substrate can be achieved by intercalation of Au atoms into the interface. This process has been systematically investigated using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, x-ray photoemission, and absorption techniques. It has been demonstrated that the transition of the h-BN layer from the "rigid" into the "quasifreestanding" state is accompanied by a change in its lattice constant. Using chemical vapor deposition, graphene has been successfully synthesized on the insulating, quasifreestanding h-BN monolayer. We anticipate that the in situ synthesized weakly interacting graphene/h-BN double layered system could be further developed for technological applications and may provide perspectives for further inquiry into the unusual electronic properties of graphene. (Less)
Carvone Enantiomers Differentially Modulate IgE-Mediated Airway Inflammation in Mice

Carvone is a monoterpene found in nature in the form of enantiomers (S- and R-). While previous research has demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of carvone, the influence of carvone enantiomeric composition on its anti-allergic activity remains to be investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-allergic activity of carvone enantiomers in a murine model of airway allergic inflammation induced by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). The oral treatment with R-carvone or S-carvone 1 h before each challenge inhibited the number of leukocytes and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). R-carvone inhibited leukocyte infiltration and mucus production in the lung, which was correlated with decreased production of OVA-specific IgE in the serum and increased concentrations of IL-10 in the BAL. On the other hand, the administration of S-carvone had little inhibitory effect on inflammatory infiltration and mucus production in the lung, which might be associated with increased production of IFN-γ in the BAL. When administered 1 h before each sensitization, both enantiomers inhibited eosinophil recruitment to the BAL but failed in decreasing the titers of IgE in the serum of allergic mice. Our data indicate that carvone enantiomers differentially modulated IgE-mediated airway inflammation in mice. In conclusion, unlike S-carvone, R-carvone has the potential to be used in anti-allergic drug development.
Introducing novel protein functionality using unnatural amino acids

This thesis examines the tolerance and effects of unnatural amino acid (Uaa) incorporation into proteins in Escherichia coli using an expanded genetic code. Uaa incorporation was used to alter or install new properties in the target proteins, superfolder Green Fluorescent Protein (sfGFP) and cytochrome b562. Chapter 3 deals with the technical aspects of Uaa incorporation including orthogonality of the machinery and yield. Substitution of residues in sfGFP for unnatural analogues of tyrosine was shown to be a valuable way of altering the properties of the protein. Variants were generated with red-shifted fluorescence and altered excitation spectra. The majority of this work focused on the Uaa, p-azido-L-phenylalanine (azPhe) as it has a number of properties that would be desirable for use in proteins such as photoreactivity and selective reactivity with alkynes. By incorporating azPhe into key residues of sfGFP, variants were created that could be controlled using light (Chapter 4). Light-dependant fluorescence activation, deactivation and switching were demonstrated in vitro and in live cells. The molecular basis for these changes was investigated by a combination of spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography in Chapter 5. The photoreactivity of azPhe was exploited for a different purpose in Chapter 6. Proteins were used as an alternative to synthetic cages for studying low temperature phenyl azide photochemistry. Here, two radicals (anilino and triplet phenyl nitrene) were successfully caged and detected on photolysis, with the radical observed dependant on the protein environment. Finally, in Chapter 7 the selective reactivity of azPhe was used to create proteins capable of site-specific modification (via Click chemistry). The position of azPhe on the protein surface was shown to have a significant effect on reaction yield and kinetics. Modification was used to install proteins with novel properties such as red-shifted fluorescence emission and the ability to bind to non-biological materials like graphene.
Diagnostic value of cfDNA and long fragment DNA in patients with breast cancer.

To investigate the diagnostic value of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and long fragment DNA in breast cancer patients.Female patients with breast cancer (n = 80) were recruited over one year for this study, and served as an observation group. The control group consisted of 50 normal, healthy females. Plasma levels of cfDNA and long fragment DNA were determined a day before treatment, 7 days after treatment, and on the 20th day of treatment. The levels of cfDNA and long fragment DNA in breast cancer patients before treatment were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.05). Patients cfDNA and long fragment DNA levels 7 days after treatment were not significantly different from the corresponding values at 1 day before treatment (p>0.05), but they decreased significantly on the 20th day of treatment, when compared with levels before treatment (p<0.05). Before treatment, the optimal cut-off point for cfDNA in patients' peripheral blood, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 12.25ng/mL, 79.12%, 86.15%, and 73.32%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.865 (95% CI = 0.754-0.903). Close monitoring of cfDNA levels in peripheral blood of breast cancer patients in real-time can be used for early diagnosis of the disease.
Transcriptomic Leaf Profiling Reveals Differential Responses of the Two Most Traded Coffee Species to Elevated [CO2]

As atmospheric [CO2] continues to rise to unprecedented levels, understanding its impact on plants is imperative to improve crop performance and sustainability under future climate conditions. In this context, transcriptional changes promoted by elevated CO2 (eCO2) were studied in genotypes from the two major traded coffee species: the allopolyploid Coffea arabica (Icatu) and its diploid parent, C. canephora (CL153). While Icatu expressed more genes than CL153, a higher number of differentially expressed genes were found in CL153 as a response to eCO2. Although many genes were found to be commonly expressed by the two genotypes under eCO2, unique genes and pathways differed between them, with CL153 showing more enriched GO terms and metabolic pathways than Icatu. Divergent functional categories and significantly enriched pathways were found in these genotypes, which altogether supports contrasting responses to eCO2. A considerable number of genes linked to coffee physiological and biochemical responses were found to be affected by eCO2 with the significant upregulation of photosynthetic, antioxidant, and lipidic genes. This supports the absence of photosynthesis down-regulation and, therefore, the maintenance of increased photosynthetic potential promoted by eCO2 in these coffee genotypes.
NAD+ auxotrophy is bacteriocidal for the tubercle bacilli

The human tubercle bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis can synthesize NAD+ using the de novo biosynthesis pathway or the salvage pathway. The salvage pathway of the bovine tubercle bacillus Mycobacterium bovis was reported defective due to a mutation in the nicotinamidase PncA. This defect prevents nicotinic acid secretion, which is the basis for the niacin test that clinically distinguishes M. bovis from M. tuberculosis. Surprisingly, we found that the NAD+de novo biosynthesis pathway (nadABC) can be deleted from M. bovis, demonstrating a functioning salvage pathway. M. bovisΔnadABC fails to grow in mice, whereas M. tuberculosisΔnadABC grows normally in mice, suggesting that M. tuberculosis can acquire nicotinamide from its host. The introduction of M. tuberculosis pncA into M. bovisΔnadABC is sufficient to fully restore growth in a mouse, proving that the functional salvage pathway enables nicotinamide acquisition by the tubercle bacilli. This study demonstrates that NAD+ starvation is a cidal event in the tubercle bacilli and confirms that enzymes common to the de novo and salvage pathways may be good drug targets.
Preparing for the interviewing process during Coronavirus disease-19 pandemic: Virtual interviewing experiences of applicants and interviewers, a systematic review

Purpose Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has forced upon all academic institutions to conduct virtual interviewing (VI) instead of face-to-face interviewing (FTFI) this interviewing cycle. The purpose of this systematic review was to understand the process of VI, its effectiveness as an alternative to FTFI, and the experiences of applicants and institutions with VI. We also share best practice strategies for applicants and institutions in VI preparation. Method PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus and CINAHL databases were searched through May 2020. Articles in English evaluating the effectiveness of VI were included, without applying any date limits. Two reviewers selected articles and extracted data. Results Of the 934 articles screened, 22 articles underwent full-text article analysis to include 15 studies. There were 4 studies that reported the use of VI as a screening tool. 11 studies completely replaced FTFI with VI. Most applicants could appropriately convey themselves through VI. Most applicants and interviewing programs expressed reservations about VI’s use as an alternative to FTFI. Conclusion There is dearth of evidence supporting the efficacy of VI. There is an opportunity for potential research at multi-institutional level to gain better understanding of the efficacy of VI. The knowledge obtained from this systematic review has the potential of helping applicants and institutions in preparing for VI process. Additionally, authors propose supportive strategies to help prepare applicants and institutions for VI.
A current review of the safety of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulators

Treatment with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators has led to improved clinical outcomes and an increase in lifespans of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. As CF patients continue to live longer, they are at risk for developing adverse drug reactions associated with polypharmacy and CFTR modulators.
Insulin Modulates the Bioenergetic and Thermogenic Capacity of Rat Brown Adipocytes In Vivo by Modulating Mitochondrial Mosaicism

The effects of insulin on the bioenergetic and thermogenic capacity of brown adipocyte mitochondria were investigated by focusing on key mitochondrial proteins. Two-month-old male Wistar rats were treated acutely or chronically with a low or high dose of insulin. Acute low insulin dose increased expression of all electron transport chain complexes and complex IV activity, whereas high dose increased complex II expression. Chronic low insulin dose decreased complex I and cyt c expression while increasing complex II and IV expression and complex IV activity. Chronic high insulin dose decreased complex II, III, cyt c, and increased complex IV expression. Uncoupling protein (UCP) 1 expression was decreased after acute high insulin but increased following chronic insulin treatment. ATP synthase expression was increased after acute and decreased after chronic insulin treatment. Only a high dose of insulin increased ATP synthase activity in acute and decreased it in chronic treatment. ATPase inhibitory factor protein expression was increased in all treated groups. Confocal microscopy showed that key mitochondrial proteins colocalize differently in different mitochondria within a single brown adipocyte, indicating mitochondrial mosaicism. These results suggest that insulin modulates the bioenergetic and thermogenic capacity of rat brown adipocytes in vivo by modulating mitochondrial mosaicism.
The Role of Hydrogen Bonds in the Pressure-Induced structural Distortion of 4-Hydroxyacetanilide Crystals

Results of X-ray diffraction and IR-specroscopy studies of the role of hydrogen bonds in the structural distortion of the monoclinic and the orthorhombic polymorphs of paracetamol induced by hydrostatic pressure (up to 4-5 GPa) are analyzed. Two groups of phenomena were studied: (i) the anisotropic structural distortion of the same polymorph, (ii) transitions between the polymorphs induced by pressure. The bulk compressibilities of the two polymorphs are practically equal. The anisotropy of pressure-induced structural distortion is qualitatively different. Lattice expansion in particular crystallographic directions was observed for the monoclinic polymorph. With increasing pressure the intermolecular NH.O and OH.O hydrogen bonds contracted and the intramolecular angles between the planes of the phenyl ring and the acetamide group decreased. Pressure-induced transitions between the polymorphs were poorly reproducible and limited by nucleation of the new polymorph.
Estimation of kinetic parameters of heterotrophic biomass under aerobic conditions and characterization of wastewater for activated sludge modeling

To predict the behaviour of biological wastewater treatment plants, the Activated Sludge Model No. 1 is often used. For the application of this model kinetic parameters and wastewater composition must be known. A simple method to estimate kinetic parameters of heterotrophic biomass and COD wastewater fractions is presented. With three different types of batch-tests these parameters and fractions can be determined by measuring oxygen respiration. Our measurements showed that the maximum specific growth rate µ max of heterotrophic biomass depends on temperature, reactor configuration and SRT. In typical wastewater treatment plants of Switzerland the amount of readily biodegradable substrate was generally small (about 9 % of the COD in primary effluent). The same method can also be used to determine kinetic parameters of nitrifying biomass.
Honey Bees and Neonicotinoid‐Treated Corn Seed: Contamination, Exposure, and Effects

Most corn (Zea mays) seeds planted in the United States in recent years are coated with a seed treatment containing neonicotinoid insecticides. Abrasion of the seed coating generates insecticide‐laden planter dust that disperses through the landscape during corn planting and has resulted in many “bee‐kill” incidents in North America and Europe. We investigated the linkage between corn planting and honey bee colony success in a region dominated by corn agriculture. Over 3 yr we consistently observed an increased presence of corn seed treatment insecticides in bee‐collected pollen and elevated worker bee mortality during corn planting. Residues of seed treatment neonicotinoids, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, detected in pollen positively correlated with cornfield area surrounding the apiaries. Elevated worker mortality was also observed in experimental colonies fed field‐collected pollen containing known concentrations of corn seed treatment insecticides. We monitored colony growth throughout the subsequent year in 2015 and found that colonies exposed to higher insecticide concentrations exhibited slower population growth during the month of corn planting but demonstrated more rapid growth in the month following, though this difference may be related to forage availability. Exposure to seed treatment neonicotinoids during corn planting has clear short‐term detrimental effects on honey bee colonies and may affect the viability of beekeeping operations that are dependent on maximizing colony size in the springtime. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1212–1221. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.