Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why are ACE2 binding coronavirus strains SARS‐CoV/SARS‐CoV‐2 wild and NL63 mild?

Coronaviruses are responsible for several epidemics, including the 2002 SARS, 2012 MERS, and COVID‐19. The emergence of recent COVID‐19 pandemic due to SARS‐CoV‐2 virus in December 2019 has resulted in considerable research efforts to design antiviral drugs and other therapeutics against coronaviruses. In this context, it is crucial to understand the biophysical and structural features of the major proteins that are involved in virus‐host interactions. In the current study, we have compared spike proteins from three strains of coronaviruses NL63, SARS‐CoV, and SARS‐CoV, known to bind human angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), in terms of sequence/structure conservation, hydrophobic cluster formation and importance of binding site residues. The study reveals that the severity of coronavirus strains correlates positively with the interaction area, surrounding hydrophobicity and interaction energy and inversely correlate with the flexibility of the binding interface. Also, we identify the conserved residues in the binding interface of spike proteins in all three strains. The systematic point mutations show that these conserved residues in the respective strains are evolutionarily favored at their respective positions. The similarities and differences in the spike proteins of the three viruses indicated in this study may help researchers to deeply understand the structural behavior, binding site properties and etiology of ACE2 binding, accelerating the screening of potential lead molecules and the development/repurposing of therapeutic drugs.
A Pathway toward a New Era of Open-Cell Polyurethane Foams—Influence of Bio-Polyols Derived from Used Cooking Oil on Foams Properties

In order to create greener polyurethane (PUR) foams, modified used cooking oils (UCO) were applied as starting resources for the synthesis of bio-polyols. The bio-polyols were produced using transesterification of UCO with diethylene glycol (UCO_DEG) and triethanolamine (UCO_TEA). Next, open-cell PUR foams were synthesized by replacing 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% of the petrochemical polyol with the bio-polyol UCO_DEG or UCO_TEA. It was observed that an increasing bio-polyol content (up to 60%) led to an increase of the closed cell content. However, a further increase in the bio-polyol content up to 100% resulted in foam cell opening. The bio-foams obtained in the experiment had an apparent density of 13–18 kg/m3. The coefficient of thermal conductivity was determined at three different average temperatures: 10, 0 and −10 °C. The PUR bio-foams modified with bio-polyol UCO_TEA had lower values of thermal conductivity, regardless of the average temperature (35.99–39.57 mW/m·K) than the foams modified with bio-polyol UCO_DEG (36.95–43.78 mW/m·K). The compressive strength of most of the bio-foams was characterized by a higher value than the compressive strength of the reference material (without bio-polyol). Finally, it was observed that the bio-materials exhibited dimensional stability at 70 °C.
Topical 0.5% Timolol Maleate Significantly Enhances Skin‐Barrier Restoration After Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment for Acne Scars

Skin barrier is often compromised following ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser (AFCO2) therapy for acne scarring. The resultant downtime, even of a few days' duration, can be of significant concern to patients. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of topical 0.5% timolol maleate (TM) for its role in short‐term restoration of the skin's biophysical properties after laser treatments.
MiR155 modulates vascular calcification by regulating Akt‐FOXO3a signalling and apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells

microRNA‐155 (miR155) is pro‐atherogenic; however, its role in vascular calcification is unknown. In this study, we aim to examine whether miR155 regulates vascular calcification and to understand the underlying mechanism. Quantitative real‐time PCR showed that miR155 is highly expressed in human calcific carotid tissue and positively correlated with the expression of osteogenic genes. Wound‐healing assay and TUNEL staining showed deletion of miR155 inhibited vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and apoptosis. miR155 deficiency attenuated calcification of cultured mouse VSMCs and aortic rings induced by calcification medium, whereas miR155 overexpression promoted VSMC calcification. Compared with wild‐type mice, miR155−/− mice showed significant resistance to vitamin D3 induced vascular calcification. Protein analysis showed that miR155 deficiency alleviated the reduction of Rictor, increased phosphorylation of Akt at S473 and accelerated phosphorylation and degradation of FOXO3a in cultured VSMCs and in the aortas of vitamin D3‐treated mice. A PI3K inhibitor that suppresses Akt phosphorylation increased, whereas a pan‐caspase inhibitor that suppresses apoptosis reduced VSMC calcification; and both inhibitors diminished the protective effects of miR155 deficiency on VSMC calcification. In conclusion, miR155 deficiency attenuates vascular calcification by increasing Akt phosphorylation and FOXO3a degradation, and thus reducing VSMC apoptosis induced by calcification medium.
Persistence of Positive RT-PCR Results for Over 70 Days in Two Travelers with COVID-19

Abstract The relation of continuing to test positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to infectivity remains unclear, with numerous consequences. This report describes 2 patients with persistent viral detection by RT-PCR for 77 and 72 days, respectively, longer than other reported case-patients who were otherwise healthy.
Effect of Nitrogen Gas Packing and gamma-Oryzanol Treatment on the Shelf Life of Yukwa(Korean Traditional Snack)

This study examined the effect of nitrogen gas packing and treatment on the shelf life of Yukwa(Korean traditional snack). Yukwa were stored with gas packing(AN), gas packing with treatment(ANA), and PE film packing with air(PE) for 20 days at . They were evaluated by POV, AV, conjugated diene, hexanal, color and sensory characteristics. The POV, AV and conjugated diene content increased abruptly in PE and AN, but increased slowly in ANA with prolonged storage. Higher sensory scores for Yukwa were found in ANA as compared to those in PE and AN. Hexanal content, yellowness and redness in AN were higher than those in ANA and PE. The moisture content, which is supposed to be related with browning of Yukwa, was 3 times higher in AN than that in PE. Oxygen content of each Yukwa pack, even in gas packing, increased remarkably as storage period increased because their highly porous, fragile and syrup-coated structure resulted in incomplete degassing before gas was flushed into package. Consequently, gas packing was inefficient, but gas packing combined with antioxidant(such as ) treatment was effective for the extension of shelf life of Yukwa.
Task Engagement Improves Neural Discriminability in the Auditory Midbrain of the Marmoset Monkey

While task-dependent changes have been demonstrated in auditory cortex for a number of behavioral paradigms and mammalian species, less is known about how behavioral state can influence neural coding in the midbrain areas that provide auditory information to cortex. We measured single-unit activity in the inferior colliculus (IC) of common marmosets of both sexes while they performed a tone-in-noise detection task and during passive presentation of identical task stimuli. In contrast to our previous study in the ferret IC, task engagement had little effect on sound-evoked activity in central (lemniscal) IC of the marmoset. However, activity was significantly modulated in noncentral fields, where responses were selectively enhanced for the target tone relative to the distractor noise. This led to an increase in neural discriminability between target and distractors. The results confirm that task engagement can modulate sound coding in the auditory midbrain, and support a hypothesis that subcortical pathways can mediate highly trained auditory behaviors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT While the cerebral cortex is widely viewed as playing an essential role in the learning and performance of complex auditory behaviors, relatively little attention has been paid to the role of brainstem and midbrain areas that process sound information before it reaches cortex. This study demonstrates that the auditory midbrain is also modulated during behavior. These modulations amplify task-relevant sensory information, a process that is traditionally attributed to cortex.
Evaluation of the relationship of neutrophil‐to lymphocyte ratio and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio with in‐hospital mortality in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) has the highest mortality rate and medical costs. The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte (PLR) ratio are inflammatory markers that have been recently linked to the AECOPD severity and patient outcome.
A Novel Capacitive Step Sensor to Trigger Stimulation on Functional Electrical Stimulators Devices for Drop Foot

Drop foot is a typical clinical condition associated with stroke. According to the World Health Organization, fifteen million people suffer a stroke per year, and one of three people’s survival gets drop foot. Functional Electrical Stimulation systems are applied over the peroneal motor nerve to achieve the drop foot problem’s dorsiflexion. An accurate and reliable way to identify in real–time the gait phases to trigger and finish the stimulation is needed. This paper proposes a new step sensor with a custom capacitive pressure sensors array located under the heel to detect a gait pattern in real-time to synchronize the stimulation with the user gait. The step sensor uses a capacitive pressure sensors array and hardware, which acquire the signals, execute an algorithm to detect the start and finish of the swing phase in real–time, and send the synchronization signal wirelessly. The step sensor was tested in two ways: 10 meters walk test and walking in a treadmill for 2 minutes. These two tests were performed with two different walk velocities and with thirteen healthy volunteers. Thus, all the 1342 steps were correctly detected. Compared to an inertial sensor located in the lower–back, the proposed step sensor achieves a mean error of 27.60±0.03 [ms] for the detection of the start of the swing phase and a mean error of 20.86±0.02 [ms] for the detection of the end of the swing phase. The results show an improvement in time error (respect to others pressure step sensors), sensibility and specificity (both 100%), and comfortability.
Toxic Effects of Purified Microcystins from Soil Blue-Green Alga Oscillatoria pseudogeminata on Tomato Plant Lycopersicon esculentum

The current study included the isolation, purification and cultivation of blue-green alga Oscillatoria pseudogeminata G.Schmidle from soil using the BG-11liquid culture medium for 60 days of cultivation. The growth constant (k) and generation time (G) were measured which (K=0.144) and (G=2.09 days). Microcystins were purified and determined qualitatively and quantitatively from this alga by using the technique of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa Kits). The alga showed the ability to produce microcystins in concentration reached 1.47 µg/L for each 50 mg DW. Tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) aged two months were irrigated with three concentrations of purified microcystins 0.5 , 3.0 and 6.0 µg/L for 24 days. The results showed that the highest bioaccumulation of these toxins was found in the plant group treated with concentration 6.0 μg/L, with an average of 12.278 µg/L in the entire plant body, with a daily accumulation rate of 0.511 µg/day compared with control group and other treatments (p≤0.05). The highly accumulation of toxin was found in roots followed in descending order by stems and leaves respectively and were directly proportional to the increased concentration of purified microcystins. The study indicated that there were significant changes (p≤0.05) in the plant height, length of roots and surface area of the leaves and the leaves appeared pale green in color, which increased with increasing the concentration of purified toxin. The obtained results also showed a significant decrease in the concentration of carbohydrates and chlorophylls by increasing concentrations of purified toxins.
Lipidic Cubic-Phase Nanoparticles (Cubosomes) Loaded with Doxorubicin and Labeled with 177Lu as a Potential Tool for Combined Chemo and Internal Radiotherapy for Cancers

Lipid liquid-crystalline nanoparticles (cubosomes) were used for the first time as a dual-modality drug delivery system for internal radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. Monoolein (GMO)-based cubosomes were prepared by loading the anticancer drug, doxorubicin and a commonly used radionuclide, low-energy beta (β−)-emitter, 177Lu. The radionuclide was complexed with a long chain derivative of DOTAGA (DOTAGA-OA). The DOTAGA headgroup of the chelator was exposed to the aqueous channels of the cubosomes, while, concerning OA, the hydrophobic tail was embedded in the nonpolar region of the lipid bilayer matrix, placing the radioactive dopant in a stable manner inside the cubosome. The cubosomes containing doxorubicin and the radionuclide complex increased the cytotoxicity measured by the viability of the treated HeLa cells compared with the effect of single-drug cubosomes containing either the DOX DOTAGA-OA or DOTAGA-OA-177Lu complex. Multifunctional lipidic nanoparticles encapsulating the chemotherapeutic agent together with appropriately complexed (β−) radionuclide are proposed as a potential strategy for effective local therapy of various cancers.
Patterns and mechanisms of spatial variation in tropical forest productivity, woody residence time, and biomass.

Tropical forests vary widely in biomass carbon stocks and fluxes even after controlling for forest age. A mechanistic understanding of this variation is critical to accurately predicting responses to global change. We review empirical studies of spatial variation in tropical forest biomass, productivity, and woody residence time, focusing on mature forests. Woody productivity and biomass decrease from wet to dry forests and with elevation. Within lowland forests, productivity and biomass increase with temperature in wet forests, but decrease with temperature where water becomes limiting. Woody productivity increases with soil fertility, whereas residence time decreases, and biomass responses are variable, consistent with an overall unimodal relationship. Areas with higher disturbance rates and intensities have lower woody residence time and biomass. These environmental gradients all involve both direct effects of changing environments on forest carbon fluxes and shifts in functional composition - including changing abundances of lianas -- that substantially mitigate or exacerbate direct effects. Biogeographic realms differ significantly and importantly in productivity and biomass even after controlling for climate and biogeochemistry, further demonstrating the importance of plant species composition. Capturing these patterns in global vegetation models requires better mechanistic representation of water and nutrient limitation, plant compositional shifts, and tree mortality.
An overview of the sandfly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) followed by the detection of Leishmania DNA and blood meal identification in the state of Acre, Amazonian Brazil

BACKGROUND In Acre state, Brazil, the dissemination of cutaneous leishmaniasis has increased in recent years, with limited knowledge of the potential Leishmania spp. vectors involved. OBJECTIVES Here, data concerning the sandfly fauna of Brasiléia municipality, Leishmania DNA-detection rates and the identification of blood meal sources of insects captured in 2013-2015 are presented. METHODS Parasite detection in female sandflies was performed individually by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (Leishmania kDNA/sandfly cacophony-gene), with the identification of Leishmania spp. by hsp70-PCR and sequencing. The identification of blood gut-content from fed females was performed by cyt b-PCR and sequencing. FINDINGS A total of 4,473 sandflies were captured. A subgroup of 864 non-blood-fed females evaluated for the presence of Leishmania DNA showed 2.9% positivity for Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and L. (V.) guyanensis. The identification of blood meal sources was performed in 96 blood-fed females, allowing the identification of 13 vertebrate species. In nine/96 fed females, DNA from L. (V.) shawi, L. (V.) guyanensis, L. (V.) braziliensis and Endotrypanum sp. was detected. MAIN CONCLUSIONS In Brumptomyia sp. and Evandromyia termitophila, the first report of Leishmania DNA-detection is provided in Acre; Nyssomyia shawi is implicated as potential vector of L. (V.) braziliensis and L. (V.) guyanensis for the first time in Brazil.
Reproducibility of liver iron concentration estimates in MRI through R2* measurement determined by least‐squares curve fitting

Abstract Measuring transverse relaxation rate (R2* = 1/T2*) via MRI allows for noninvasive evaluation of multiple clinical parameters, including liver iron concentration (LIC) and fat fraction. Both fat and iron contribute to diffuse liver disease when stored in excess in the liver. This liver damage leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis with an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver iron concentration is linearly related to R2* measurements using MRI. A phantom was constructed to assess R2* quantification variability on 1.5 and 3 T MRI systems. Quantification was executed using least‐squares curve fitting techniques. The phantom was created using readily available, low‐cost materials. It contains four vials with R2* values that cover a clinically relevant range (100 to 420 Hz at 1.5 T). Iron content was achieved using ferric chloride solutions contained in glass vials, each affixed in a three‐dimensional (3D)‐printed polylactide (PLA) structure, surrounded by distilled water, all housed in a sealed acrylic cylinder. Multiple phantom stands were also 3D‐printed using PLA for precise orientation of the phantom with respect to the direction of the static magnetic field. Acquisitions at different phantom angles, across multiple MRI systems, and with different pulse sequence parameters were evaluated. The variability between any two R2* measurements, taken in the same vial under these various acquisition conditions, on a 1.5 T MRI system, was <7% for each of the four vials. For 3 T MRI systems, variability was less than 14% in all cases. Variability was <6% for both 1.5 and 3 T acquisitions when unchanged pulse sequence parameters were used. The phantom can be used to mimic a range of clinically relevant levels of R2* relaxation rates, as measured using MRI. These measurements were found to be reproducible relative to the gold‐standard method, liver biopsy, across several different image acquisition conditions.
Inhibiting calpain 1 and 2 in cyclin G associated kinase–knockout mice mitigates podocyte injury

Evidence for reduced expression of cyclin G associated kinase (GAK) in glomeruli of patients with chronic kidney disease was observed in the Nephroseq human database, and GAK was found to be associated with the decline in kidney function. To examine the role of GAK, a protein that functions to uncoat clathrin during endocytosis, we generated podocyte-specific Gak-knockout mice (Gak-KO), which developed progressive proteinuria and kidney failure with global glomerulosclerosis. We isolated glomeruli from the mice carrying the mutation to perform messenger RNA profiling and unearthed evidence for dysregulated podocyte calpain protease activity as an important contributor to progressive podocyte damage. Treatment with calpain inhibitor III specifically inhibited calpain-1/-2 activities, mitigated the degree of proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis, and led to a striking increase in survival in the Gak-KO mice. Podocyte-specific deletion of Capns1, essential for calpain-1 and calpain-2 activities, also improved proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis in Gak-KO mice. Increased podocyte calpain activity–mediated proteolysis of IκBα resulted in increased NF-κB p65–induced expression of growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible 45 beta in the Gak-KO mice. Our results suggest that loss of podocyte-associated Gak induces glomerular injury secondary to calcium dysregulation and aberrant calpain activation, which when inhibited, can provide a protective role.
First trimester screening for aneuploidy: may combined test and fetal DNA work together?

Abstract Introduction The purpose of the study was to evaluate the screening performance of combined test (based on the measurement of nuchal translucency, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, free β-human chorionic gonadotropin, and maternal age) and fetal DNA screening (NIPS) for trisomies 21 (T21), 18 (T18), and 13 (T13). Material and methods Women who accepted screening had a first-trimester combined test (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, free β-human chorionic gonadotropin, nuchal translucency interpreted with maternal age) and fetal DNA. Results Among 302 women screened (including 4 with affected pregnancies), our study demonstrated that DNA screening for trisomies 21, 18, and 13 achieved a detection rate of 100% with a false-positive rate of 0.02%, overcoming the traditional combined test with 75% of sensitivity and 4.7% of false-positive rate. In particular, fetal DNA may be useful in case of intermediate risk, in order to avoid invasive diagnostic procedures such villocentesis and amniocentesis. Because of fetal DNA costs, it can be used in clinical practice as a second step screening in case of intermediate or high risk at combined test. Conclusion Fetal DNA screening may be successfully implemented in routine care, achieving a high detection rate, low false-positive rate, and, consequently, greater safety with fewer invasive diagnostic tests than other methods of screening.
Evaluation of Reproductive Parameters in Men with Solitary Testis.

PURPOSE To evaluate reproductive parameters of men with solitary testis compared to men with bilateral testes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional case control study comparing infertility evaluation parameters in men with solitary testis to men with two testes. Men presenting for fertility consultation with semen analysis data collected within 90 days of clinical and hormonal assessment were included. Differences in semen and hormonal levels were characterized using descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis on matched semen parameters and evaluation of hypogonadism subtypes. RESULTS A total of 837 men were identified. After applying exclusion criteria, we analyzed 29/39 (74%) men with solitary testis and compared them to 656/798 (82%) men with two testes. A 1:1 match on sperm concentration and motility showed FSH in men with solitary testis (13.9 [5.8-24.2] mIU/ml) was more elevated than FSH in men with bilateral testes (5.0 [3.4-9.8] mIU/ml), p=0.009. Men with bilateral testes were uniformly azoospermic after an FSH of 25.0 mIU/ml, whereas men with solitary testis had some sperm in the ejaculate at FSH levels as high as 54.6 mIU/ml. Testosterone levels were similar between men with solitary (381 [248-500] ng/dL) and two testes (387 [296-507] ng/dL). The prevalence of compensated hypogonadism (high LH and normal testosterone) was higher in men with solitary testis than in men with bilateral testes, 8/29 (28%) and 54/656 (8.2%) respectively, p=0.002. CONCLUSIONS Men with solitary testis have compensated pituitary strain as indicated by higher serum FSH and LH levels for the same testosterone and semen parameters as compared to men with bilateral testes. Follow up is needed to evaluate any detrimental consequences of this compensated state that may lead to pituitary burnout and decreased testicular function.