Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Copper-Induced Expression of a Transmissible Lipoprotein Intramolecular Transacylase Alters Lipoprotein Acylation and the Toll-Like Receptor 2 Response to Listeria monocytogenes

The induction of lipoprotein N-terminal remodeling in response to environmental copper in Gram-positive bacteria suggests a more general role in bacterial cell envelope physiology. N-terminal modification by lyso formation, in particular, simultaneously modulates the TLR2 response in direct comparison to their diacylglycerol-modified precursors. Thus, use of copper as a frontline antimicrobial control agent and ensuing selection raises the potential of diminished innate immune sensing and enhanced bacterial virulence. ABSTRACT Bacterial lipoproteins are globular proteins anchored to the extracytoplasmic surfaces of cell membranes through lipidation at a conserved N-terminal cysteine. Lipoproteins contribute to an array of important cellular functions for bacteria, as well as being a focal point for innate immune system recognition through binding to Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) heterodimer complexes. Although lipoproteins are conserved among nearly all classes of bacteria, the presence and type of α-amino-linked acyl chain are highly variable and even strain specific within a given bacterial species. The reason for lyso-lipoprotein formation and N-acylation variability in general is presently not fully understood. In Enterococcus faecalis, lipoproteins are anchored by an N-acyl-S-monoacyl-glyceryl cysteine (lyso form) moiety installed by a chromosomally encoded lipoprotein intramolecular transacylase (Lit). Here, we describe a mobile genetic element common to environmental isolates of Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus spp. encoding a functional Lit ortholog (Lit2) that is cotranscribed with several well-established copper resistance determinants. Expression of Lit2 is tightly regulated, and induction by copper converts lipoproteins from the diacylglycerol-modified form characteristic of L. monocytogenes type strains to the α-amino-modified lyso form observed in E. faecalis. Conversion to the lyso form through either copper addition to media or constitutive expression of lit2 decreases TLR2 recognition when using an activated NF-κB secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase reporter assay. While lyso formation significantly diminishes TLR2 recognition, lyso-modified lipoprotein is still predominantly recognized by the TLR2/TLR6 heterodimer. IMPORTANCE The induction of lipoprotein N-terminal remodeling in response to environmental copper in Gram-positive bacteria suggests a more general role in bacterial cell envelope physiology. N-terminal modification by lyso formation, in particular, simultaneously modulates the TLR2 response in direct comparison to their diacylglycerol-modified precursors. Thus, use of copper as a frontline antimicrobial control agent and ensuing selection raises the potential of diminished innate immune sensing and enhanced bacterial virulence.
Chestnut Wood Mud as a Source of Ellagic Acid for Dermo-Cosmetic Applications

Ellagic acid (EA) has long been recognized as a very active antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agent. However, its low bioavailability has often hampered its applications in health-related fields. Here, we report a phospholipid vesicle-based controlled release system for EA, involving the exploitation of chestnut wood mud (CWM), an industrial by-product from chestnut tannin production, as a largely available and low-cost source of this compound. Two kinds of CWM with different particle size distributions, indicated as CWM-A and CWM-B (<100 and 32 µm, respectively), containing 5 ± 1% w/w EA, were incorporated into transfersomes. The latter were small in size (~100 nm), homogeneously dispersed, and negatively charged. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assays indicated up to three-fold improvement in the antioxidant properties of CWM upon incorporation into transfersomes. The kinetics of EA released under simulated physiological conditions were evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and HPLC analysis. The best results were obtained with CWM-B (100% of EA gradually released after 37 days at pH 7.4). A stepwise increase in the antioxidant properties of the released material was also observed. Cell-based experiments confirmed the efficacy of CWM-B transfersomes as antioxidant agents in contrasting photodamage.
How Does Income Heterogeneity Affect Future Perspectives on Food Consumption? Empirical Evidence from Urban China

China is undergoing a rapid dietary transition as well as a changing income distribution. In this paper, we examine the impacts of income heterogeneity on the prediction of food consumption using a dataset that covered 22,210 urban households in China’s 6 provinces. The two-stage Exact Affine Stone Index Implicit Marshallian Demand System (EASI demand system) model, which deals with the problem of censoring and endogeneity, is applied to estimate demand elasticity across income strata. Additionally, a dynamic simulation method considering income heterogeneity is conducted to predict future food consumption trends. The results reveal that income elasticity follows a decreasing trend with income growth. Furthermore, the results show that the consumption of major food items in the 15th period will increase by 7.9% to 42.0% over the base period. The growth potential of low-income groups is significantly higher than that of middle- and high-income groups. However, the prediction results may be overestimated if the differences in consumer behavior across income groups and the dynamic simulation procedure are not taken into account. Our study indicates that the consumption features of different income groups need to be included in food consumption forecasts. Moreover, the government should formulate food policies for different income groups to promote a sustainable food system transformation.
Research on the Optimization Technology of Mechanical Product Design Plan Based on Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Analysis Method

In the scheme design stage of mechanical products, several design solutions need to be evaluated so that the best design solution can be selected from them. Because the evaluation of mechanical product scheme design is a multilevel, multiattribute and contains many fuzzy models, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation becomes an advantageous model for the evaluation of mechanical product scheme design. In this article, a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is constructed, and a combination of the subjectivity of determining weights by hierarchical analysis method and the objectivity of determining weights by entropy value method is used to calculate the weights of evaluation indexes, and a combined assignment method is established to improve the reliability of the evaluation method. Then, the best solution is selected by calculating the comprehensive evaluation value of each product design solution. Finally, the validity, reasonableness, and feasibility of the evaluation model are verified through the evaluation and selection of three design solutions for a gearbox reducer, which also provides a new method for the evaluation and selection of other product design solutions.
Genomic Analyses of Bifidobacterium moukalabense Reveal Adaptations to Frugivore/Folivore Feeding Behavior

Despite the essential role of Bifidobacterium in health-promoting gut bacteria in humans, little is known about their functions in wild animals, especially non-human primates. It is difficult to determine in vivo the function of Bifidobacterium in wild animals due to the limited accessibility of studying target animals in natural conditions. However, the genomic characteristics of Bifidobacterium obtained from the feces of wild animals can provide insight into their functionality in the gut. Here, we analyzed the whole genomes of 12 B. moukalabense strains isolated from seven feces samples of wild western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), three samples of wild central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) and two samples of wild forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon. In addition, we analyzed the fecal bacterial communities of six wild western lowland gorillas by meta 16S rRNA gene analyses with next generation sequencing. Although the abundance of the genus Bifidobacterium was as low as 0.2% in the total reads, a whole genome analysis of B. moukalabense suggested its contribution digestion of food and nutrition of frugivore/folivore animals. Specifically, the whole genome analysis indicated the involvement of B. moukalabense in hemicellulose degradation for short chain fatty acid production and nucleic acid utilization as nitrogen resources. In comparison with human-associated Bifidobacterium spp. , genes for carbohydrate transport and metabolism are not conserved in these wild species. In particular the glycosidases, which are found in all 12 strains of B. moukalabense, were variably detected, or not detected, in human-associated species.
Two patients with cerebral lesions: is it tumor or multiple sclerosis? Illustrative cases

BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, usually presenting with multiple small white matter lesions. In some rare cases, it can present as a singular tumefactive white matter plaque. OBSERVATIONS The patient in case 1 was a 33-year-old woman presenting with a restriction of fine motor skills. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a singular round lesion in the left frontal lobe with ring enhancement and moderate perilesional edema. Assuming the diagnosis of a neoplasm, total resection was performed. Histological examination showed an early active inflammatory demyelinating process. A final diagnosis of MS was made. The patient in case 2 was a 65-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with MS 10 years earlier and was experiencing moderate left hemiparesis. She was found to have a progressive right thalamic lesion with contrast enhancement, perilesional edema, and space-occupying effect. Stereotactic biopsy of the lesion was performed. Histological examination revealed a glioblastoma multiforme World Health Organization grade IV, and concomitant chemoradiation was recommended. LESSONS On the one hand, tumefactive MS can be a diagnostic challenge because it mimics neoplasms or abscesses. On the other hand, a new lesion in patients with a diagnosis of long-standing demyelinating disease may not necessarily be a new demyelinating lesion and should be closely monitored.
Ammunition Reliability Against the Harsh Environments During the Launch of an Electromagnetic Gun: A Review

Electromagnetic railguns have an advantage over traditional chemical propulsion weapons, in that the projectile can be accelerated to extremely high speeds and effective damage can be achieved. However, during the launch from an electromagnetic railgun, the ammunition will be subject to a harsh environment, including very strong and violently changing electromagnetic fields, high-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$g$ </tex-math></inline-formula> acceleration impact, high temperatures, and so on; and thus, the reliability of the fuze is threatened, and the safety and damage effectiveness of the ammunition will be seriously degraded. In this paper, the harsh environment during the launch process is first reviewed, including the experimental data, the modeling, and simulation of the multiphysics fields. In particular, the coupling effect of these multiphysics fields are revealed, which aggravates the extreme environment. Furthermore, this paper reviews the protection of fuzes against strong magnetic fields and high-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$g$ </tex-math></inline-formula> impacts from three aspects, namely, materials, devices, and systems, and presents prospects for future research. This review will guide studies on the protection of fuzes and the stability of ammunition, as well as promote the effectiveness of electromagnetic railguns.
Sub-mW 30GHz Variable-Gain LNA in 22nm FDSOI CMOS for Low-Power Tapered mm-Wave 5G/6G Phased-Array Receivers

Next-generation cellular systems require low-power mm-wave phased-array ICs. Variable-gain LNAs (VG-LNAs) are key blocks enabling reduced hardware complexity, performance improvement and added functionalities. This paper reports a low-power 30GHz VG-LNA for mm-wave 5G/6G phased-array ICs, with a gain control of 8 dB for 18dB Taylor taper in a 30GHz 8×8 antenna array. The VG-LNA exhibits a peak gain of 16 dB in the high-gain state, consumes less than 1 mW and occupies an area of 0.20×0.22 mm2,
Evidence for evaluations of knowledge prior to belief

We investigate the relationship between evaluations of knowledge and belief in human adult theory of mind, and provide evidence that evaluations of knowledge are made without prior evaluations of belief. Our studies find that (1) people can accurately evaluate others’ knowledge before they evaluate their beliefs; (2) this pattern cannot be not explained by pragmatic differences; (3) it occurs cross-linguistically and unlikely to be accounted for by differences in word frequency, and (4) it also generalizes to the larger class of factive and non-factive attitudes (to which knowledge and belief respectively belong). Together, these studies demonstrate that human adults can ascribe knowledge without first ascribing a belief state. More generally, they lend support to the view that knowledge representations are a distinctive and basic way in which we make sense of others’ minds.
Quality and Functional Parameters of Fermented Milk Obtained from Goat Milk Fed with Broccoli and Artichoke Plant By-Products

Large amount of vegetal by-products are generated during production and processing steps. Introducing silage from vegetable by-products into dairy goat feed would be of great interest from the point of view of reducing costs and supporting the circular economy. The aim of this research was to study the effect of 40% inclusion of silage broccoli by-products and artichoke plant by-products in the diet of Murciano-Granadina goats throughout the lactation to establish milk suitability for fermented milks production. The novelty of this study is the use of milk from goats fed for a long term with a high inclusion of silages from artichoke plant and broccoli by-products, being the first one on broccoli inclusion. Two starter cultures thermophilic (YO-MIXTM300), and, mesophilic (MA400) were used and fermented milks were analyzed at two storage times after fermentation. Fermentation enhances antioxidant properties of fermented milks from all diets (p < 0.05), especially when mesophilic starter cultures are used. The main findings are that long term inclusion of 40% silage from broccoli and artichoke plant by-products in balanced diets of dairy goats yields milk suitable for fermentation by yogurt and cheese cultures, the inclusion of broccoli silage enhances antioxidant properties (p < 0.05), and, the inclusion of plant artichoke enhances fatty acids health indexes (p < 0.05).
Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) Therapy for Solid Tumor Treatment: Progressions and Challenges

Simple Summary Over the past decade, cell-based immunotherapy has become a powerful strategy in solid cancer therapy. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are a group of intratumor lymphocytes. With the development of new technologies, the isolation and generation of TILs from tumor tissues have improved. Clinical use of TILs for solid tumor treatment showed good efficacy. In this review, we summarize the current strategies and challenges of TIL generation. We highlight the clinical trials where TIL therapy is used independently and in combination with other therapies for solid tumor treatment. Finally, the limitations, future potential, and directions of TIL therapy for solid tumor treatment are also discussed. Abstract Over the past decade, immunotherapy, especially cell-based immunotherapy, has provided new strategies for cancer therapy. Recent clinical studies demonstrated that adopting cell transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for advanced solid tumors showed good efficacy. TIL therapy is a type of cell-based immunotherapy using the patient’s own immune cells from the microenvironment of the solid tumor to kill tumor cells. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the current strategies and challenges in TIL isolation and generation. Moreover, the current clinical experience of TIL therapy is summarized and discussed, with an emphasis on lymphodepletion regimen, the use of interleukin-2, and related toxicity. Furthermore, we highlight the clinical trials where TIL therapy is used independently and in combination with other types of therapy for solid cancers. Finally, the limitations, future potential, and directions of TIL therapy for solid tumor treatment are also discussed.
Comparing the Financial Performance of Islamic Banks in 10 Countries: New Evidence using Entropy and WASPAS Methods

This research aims to determine the most crucial financial performance indicators for Islamic banks and to rank Islamic countries according to their financial performance. In line with the purpose of the research, entropy and Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) methods were used to examine 10 selected Islamic countries (Turkey, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, and the UAE) using annual data for the 2013–2020 period. The results of the entropy method showed that the financial performance of Islamic banking is mostly affected by the net non-performing loans ratio and profitability ratios. The results of the WASPAS method indicated that the country with the highest financial performance was Bangladesh. It was followed by Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuwait, and Nigeria, respectively. The lowest financial performance was that of Oman. A low non-performing loan ratio leads to higher financial performance and is of greater importance than profitability ratios, as expected. This study offers a way for the managers of Islamic banks to enhance their financial performance by determining effective financial performance indicators. It also reveals the differences among the selected Islamic countries in terms of financial ratios. The research represents a preliminary study that provides evidence for a selected country group using entropy and WASPAS methods.
Aggregation-Induced Ignition of Near-Infrared Phosphorescence of Non-Symmetric [Pt(C^N*N’^C’)] Complex in Poly(caprolactone)-based Block Copolymer Micelles: Evaluating the Alternative Design of Near-Infrared Oxygen Biosensors

In the present work, we described the preparation and characterization of the micelles based on amphiphilic poly(ε-caprolactone-block-ethylene glycol) block copolymer (PCL-b-PEG) loaded with non-symmetric [Pt(C^N*N’^C’)] complex (Pt1) (where C^N*N’^C’: 6-(phenyl(6-(thiophene-2-yl)pyridin-2-yl)amino)-2-(tyophene-2-yl)nicotinate). The obtained nanospecies displayed the ignition of near-infrared (NIR) phosphorescence upon an increase in the content of the platinum complexes in the micelles, which acted as the major emission component at 12 wt. % of Pt1. Emergence of the NIR band at 780 nm was also accompanied by a 3-fold growth of the quantum yield and an increase in the two-photon absorption cross-section that reached the value of 450 GM. Both effects are believed to be the result of progressive platinum complex aggregation inside hydrophobic poly(caprolactone) cores of block copolymer micelles, which has been ascribed to aggregation induced emission (AIE). The resulting phosphorescent (Pt1@PCL-b-PEG) micelles demonstrated pronounced sensitivity towards molecular oxygen, the key intracellular bioanalyte. The detailed photophysical analysis of the AIE phenomena revealed that the NIR emission most probably occurred due to the excimeric excited state of the 3MMLCT character. Evaluation of the Pt1@PCL-b-PEG efficacy as a lifetime intracellular oxygen biosensor carried out in CHO-K1 live cells demonstrated the linear response of the probe emission lifetime towards this analyte accompanied by a pronounced influence of serum albumin on the lifetime response. Nevertheless, Pt1@PCL-b-PEG can serve as a semi-quantitative lifetime oxygen nanosensor. The key result of this study consists of the demonstration of an alternative approach for the preparation of NIR biosensors by taking advantage of in situ generation of NIR emission due to the nanoconfined aggregation of Pt (II) complexes inside the micellar nanocarriers.
Invasive-noninvasive sequential ventilation for the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND To evaluate the efficacy and safety of invasive-noninvasive sequential ventilation versus invasive ventilation in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). METHOD PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Wanfang, CNKI, VIP database were searched by the index words to identify the qualified RCTs, and relevant literature sources were also searched. The latest research was done in the June 2017. Relative risks (RR), mean difference (MD) along with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to analyze the main outcomes. RESULT Twenty-nine RCTs were involved in this analysis with 1061 patients in the invasive-noninvasive sequential ventilation group (In-non group) and 1074 patients in the invasive ventilation group (In group). The results indicated that compared with the invasive ventilation, invasive-noninvasive sequential ventilation would significantly decrease the incidence of VAP (RR:0.20, 95%CI: 0.16-0.26), mortality (RR:0.38, 95%CI: 0.26-0.55), reintubation (RR:0.39, 95%CI: 0.27-0.55); and statistically reduced the duration of invasive ventilation (MD:-9.23, 95%CI: -10.65, -7.82), the total duration of mechanical ventilation (MD:-4.91, 95%CI: -5.99, -3.83), the length of stay in ICU (MD:-5.10, 95%CI: -5.43, -4.76). CONCLUSION The results demonstrated that application of noninvasive sequential ventilation after invasive ventilation at the pulmonary infection control window has significant influence on VAP incidence, mortality, length of stay in ICU and so on, but further well-designed, adequately powered RCTs are required to validate the conclusion.