Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensorimotor Cortical Neuroplasticity in the Early Stage of Bell's Palsy

Neuroplasticity is a common phenomenon in the human brain following nerve injury. It is defined as the brain's ability to reorganize by creating new neural pathways in order to adapt to change. Here, we use task-related and resting-state fMRI to investigate neuroplasticity in the primary sensory (S1) and motor cortex (M1) in patients with acute Bell's palsy (BP). We found that the period directly following the onset of BP (less than 14 days) is associated with significant decreases in regional homogeneity (ReHo), fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF), and intrinsic connectivity contrast (ICC) values in the contralateral S1/M1 and in ReHo and ICC values in the ipsilateral S1/M1, compared to healthy controls. The regions with decreased ReHo, fALFF, and ICC values were in both the face and hand region of S1/M1 as indicated by resting-state fMRI but not task-related fMRI. Our results suggest that the early stages of BP are associated with functional neuroplasticity in both the face and hand regions of S1/M1 and that resting-state functional fMRI may be a sensitive tool to detect these early stages of plasticity in patient populations.
Topoisomerase I‐mediated cleavage at unrepaired ribonucleotides generates DNA double‐strand breaks

Ribonuclease activity of topoisomerase I (Top1) causes DNA nicks bearing 2′,3′‐cyclic phosphates at ribonucleotide sites. Here, we provide genetic and biochemical evidence that DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) can be directly generated by Top1 at sites of genomic ribonucleotides. We show that RNase H2‐deficient yeast cells displayed elevated frequency of Rad52 foci, inactivation of RNase H2 and RAD52 led to synthetic lethality, and combined loss of RNase H2 and RAD51 induced slow growth and replication stress. Importantly, these phenotypes were rescued upon additional deletion of TOP1, implicating homologous recombination for the repair of Top1‐induced damage at ribonuclelotide sites. We demonstrate biochemically that irreversible DSBs are generated by subsequent Top1 cleavage on the opposite strand from the Top1‐induced DNA nicks at ribonucleotide sites. Analysis of Top1‐linked DNA from pull‐down experiments revealed that Top1 is covalently linked to the end of DNA in RNase H2‐deficient yeast cells, supporting this model. Taken together, these results define Top1 as a source of DSBs and genome instability when ribonucleotides incorporated by the replicative polymerases are not removed by RNase H2.
Carbon dots in zeolites: A new class of thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials with ultralong lifetimes

A facile “dots-in-zeolites” strategy is developed to synthesize a new class of CD-based TADF materials with ultralong lifetimes. Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials are inspiring intensive research in optoelectronic applications. To date, most of the TADF materials are limited to metal-organic complexes and organic molecules with lifetimes of several microseconds/milliseconds that are sensitive to oxygen. We report a facial and general “dots-in-zeolites” strategy to in situ confine carbon dots (CDs) in zeolitic matrices during hydrothermal/solvothermal crystallization to generate high-efficient TADF materials with ultralong lifetimes. The resultant CDs@zeolite composites exhibit high quantum yields up to 52.14% and ultralong lifetimes up to 350 ms at ambient temperature and atmosphere. This intriguing TADF phenomenon is due to the fact that nanoconfined space of zeolites can efficiently stabilize the triplet states of CDs, thus enabling the reverse intersystem crossing process for TADF. Meanwhile, zeolite frameworks can also hinder oxygen quenching to present TADF behavior at air atmosphere. This design concept introduces a new perspective to develop materials with unique TADF performance and various novel delayed fluorescence–based applications.
Dengue Virus 2 American-Asian Genotype Identified during the 2006/2007 Outbreak in Piauí, Brazil Reveals a Caribbean Route of Introduction and Dissemination of Dengue Virus in Brazil

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most widespread arthropod-borne virus, and the number and severity of outbreaks has increased worldwide in recent decades. Dengue is caused by DENV-1, DENV- 2, DENV-3 and DENV-4 which are genetically distant. The species has been subdivided into genotypes based on phylogenetic studies. DENV-2, which was isolated from dengue fever patients during an outbreak in Piaui, Brazil in 2006/2007 was analyzed by sequencing the envelope (E) gene. The results indicated a high similarity among the isolated viruses, as well as to other DENV-2 from Brazil, Central America and South America. A phylogenetic and phylogeographic analysis based on DENV-2E gene sequences revealed that these viruses are grouped together with viruses of the American-Asian genotype in two distinct lineages. Our results demonstrate the co-circulation of two American-Asian genotype lineages in northeast Brazil. Moreover, we reveal that DENV-2 lineage 2 was detected in Piauí before it disseminated to other Brazilian states and South American countries, indicating the existence of a new dissemination route that has not been previously described.
Chitosan, the Deacetylated Form of Chitin, Is Necessary for Cell Wall Integrity in Cryptococcus neoformans

ABSTRACT Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The fungal cell wall is an excellent target for antifungal therapies as it is an essential organelle that provides cell structure and integrity, it is needed for the localization or attachment of known virulence factors, including the polysaccharide capsule, melanin, and phospholipase, and it is critical for host-pathogen interactions. In C. neoformans, chitosan produced by the enzymatic removal of acetyl groups from nascent chitin polymers has been implicated as an important component of the vegetative cell wall. In this study, we identify four putative chitin/polysaccharide deacetylases in C. neoformans. We have demonstrated that three of these deacetylases, Cda1, Cda2, and Cda3, can account for all of the chitosan produced during vegetative growth in culture, but the function for one, Fpd1, remains undetermined. The data suggest a model for chitosan production in vegetatively growing C. neoformans where the three chitin deacetylases convert chitin generated by the chitin synthase Chs3 into chitosan. Utilizing a collection of chitin/polysaccharide deacetylase deletion strains, we determined that during vegetative growth, chitosan helps to maintain cell integrity and aids in bud separation. Additionally, chitosan is necessary for maintaining normal capsule width and the lack of chitosan results in a “leaky melanin” phenotype. Our analysis indicates that chitin deacetylases and the chitosan made by them may prove to be excellent antifungal targets.
Quantifying multivariate redundancy with maximum entropy decompositions of mutual information

Williams and Beer (2010) proposed a nonnegative mutual information decomposition, based on the construction of redundancy lattices, which allows separating the information that a set of variables contains about a target variable into nonnegative components interpretable as the unique information of some variables not provided by others as well as redundant and synergistic components. However, the definition of multivariate measures of redundancy that comply with nonnegativity and conform to certain axioms that capture conceptually desirable properties of redundancy has proven to be elusive. We here present a procedure to determine nonnegative multivariate redundancy measures, within the maximum entropy framework. In particular, we generalize existing bivariate maximum entropy measures of redundancy and unique information, defining measures of the redundant information that a group of variables has about a target, and of the unique redundant information that a group of variables has about a target that is not redundant with information from another group. The two key ingredients for this approach are: First, the identification of a type of constraints on entropy maximization that allows isolating components of redundancy and unique redundancy by mirroring them to synergy components. Second, the construction of rooted tree-based decompositions of the mutual information, which conform to the axioms of the redundancy lattice by the local implementation at each tree node of binary unfoldings of the information using hierarchically related maximum entropy constraints. Altogether, the proposed measures quantify the different multivariate redundancy contributions of a nonnegative mutual information decomposition consistent with the redundancy lattice.
A Modest Proposal: A Robust, Cost-Effective Design for High-Level Waste Packages

An alternative waste-package design for the geological disposal of high-level waste (HLW) glass is presented. In conventional designs, a massive buffer of compacted bentonite is placed around a thick-walled, mild-steel overpack; in the revised design, a much thinner buffer is placed within a thin-walled, mild-steel overpack. This simple expedient eliminates certain performance concerns in existing waste-package designs, while not necessitating the study of any new materials. This integrated waste package (IWP) design has comparable release-rate performance as current package designs for HLW. In addition, the 1WP design requires far-less rock excavation, permits significantly higher temperatures for longer periods, leads to a 20-50% reduction in repository area, and is more cost efficient than previous designs.
Three new elemanolides from the seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica

Abstract Three new elemanolides, named vernonilides D (1), E (2), and F (3), along with four known sesquiterpenoids, including two elemanolides (4, 5), a guaianolide (6), and a germacranolide (7) were isolated from the seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica. The structures of them were elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR experiments and comparison with published data. Cytotoxicity of the compounds against four human tumor cell lines was assayed. 6 showed strongly inhibitory effect against HCT-15 and PC-3 cell lines with IC50 values of 0.56 and 0.69 μM, respectively. The new compounds showed moderate cytotoxicity against four cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 9.1 to 28.1 μM.
Influence of middle-distance running on muscular micro RNAs

Abstract A specific subset of micro RNAs (miRs), including miR-133 and miR-206, is specifically expressed in muscle tissue, so that they are currently defined as muscular miRs (myomiRs). To further elucidate the role of myomiRs in muscle biology, we measured miR-133a and miR-206 in plasma of 28 middle-age recreational athletes. The study population consisted of 28 middle aged, recreation athletes (11 women and 17 men; mean age, 46 years) who completed a 21.1 km, half-marathon. The plasma concentration of miR-133a and miR-206, the serum concentration of creatine kinase (CK) and high-sensitivity (HS) cardiac troponin T (cTnT), as well as capillary lactate, were measured before and immediately after the run. The median serum concentration of total CK (257 versus 175 U/L; p < .001), cTnT (17.8 versus 5.6 ng/L; p < .001), and the plasma values of both miR-133a (4.22 versus 0.64 × 10−4; p < .001) and miR-206 (1.36 versus 0.63 × 10−4; p = .001) were considerably increased immediately after the half-marathon run. In multivariate analysis only post-exercise capillary lactate was found to be independently associated with running time. A significant and independent correlation was observed between plasma variations of the two miRs, but not with other physiological or laboratory parameters. The results of this study suggest that the biological significance of miR-133a and 206 variation after middle-distance running parallels but not overlaps the release of biomarkers of nonspecific tissue damage. Enhanced plasma values of these myomiRs may hence reflect a physiological response to high-intensity and/or prolonged exercise rather than tissue injury.
Comparison of Topical Chlorhexidine and Mupirocin for the Prevention of Exit-Site Infection in Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

♦ Objective: Prevention of exit-site infection (ESI) is of paramount importance to peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chlorhexidine in the prevention of ESI in incident PD patients compared with mupirocin. ♦ Methods: This retrospective, pre-test/post-test observational study included all incident PD patients at Singapore General Hospital from 2012 to 2015. Patients received daily topical exit-site application of either mupirocin (2012 – 2013) or chlorhexidine (2014 – 2015) in addition to routine exit-site cleaning with 10% povidone-iodine. The primary outcome was ESI rate during the 2 time periods. Secondary outcomes were peritonitis rate, times to first ESI and peritonitis, hospitalization rate, and infection-related catheter removal. Event rates were analyzed using Poisson regression, and infection-free survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression survival analyses. ♦ Results: The study included 162 patients in the mupirocin period (follow-up 141.5 patient-years) and 175 patients in the chlorhexidine period (follow-up 136.9 patient-years). Compared with mupirocin-treated patients, chlorhexidine-treated patients experienced more frequent ESIs (0.22 vs 0.12 episodes/patient-year, p = 0.048), although this was no longer statistically significant following multivariable analysis (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98 – 3.26, p = 0.06). No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups with respect to time to first ESI (p = 0.10), peritonitis rate (p = 0.95), time to first peritonitis (p = 0.60), hospitalization rate (p = 0.21) or catheter removal rate (0.03 vs 0.04/patient-year, p = 0.56). ♦ Conclusions: Topical exit-site application of chlorhexidine cream was associated with a borderline significant, higher rate of ESI in incident PD patients compared with mupirocin cream.
A New Phylogeographic Pattern of Endemic Bufo bankorensis in Taiwan Island Is Attributed to the Genetic Variation of Populations

Aim To comprehend the phylogeographic patterns of genetic variation in anurans at Taiwan Island, this study attempted to examine (1) the existence of various geological barriers (Central Mountain Ranges, CMRs); and (2) the genetic variation of Bufo bankorensis using mtDNA sequences among populations located in different regions of Taiwan, characterized by different climates and existing under extreme conditions when compared available sequences of related species B. gargarizans of mainland China. Methodology/Principal Findings Phylogenetic analyses of the dataset with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop gene (348 bp) recovered a close relationship between B. bankorensis and B. gargarizans, identified three distinct lineages. Furthermore, the network of mtDNA D-loop gene (564 bp) amplified (279 individuals, 27 localities) from Taiwan Island indicated three divergent clades within B. bankorensis (Clade W, E and S), corresponding to the geography, thereby verifying the importance of the CMRs and Kaoping River drainage as major biogeographic barriers. Mismatch distribution analysis, neutrality tests and Bayesian skyline plots revealed that a significant population expansion occurred for the total population and Clade W, with horizons dated to approximately 0.08 and 0.07 Mya, respectively. These results suggest that the population expansion of Taiwan Island species B. bankorensis might have resulted from the release of available habitat in post-glacial periods, the genetic variation on mtDNA showing habitat selection, subsequent population dispersal, and co-distribution among clades. Conclusions The multiple origins (different clades) of B. bankorensis mtDNA sequences were first evident in this study. The divergent genetic clades found within B. bankorensis could be independent colonization by previously diverged lineages; inferring B. bankorensis originated from B. gargarizans of mainland China, then dispersal followed by isolation within Taiwan Island. Highly divergent clades between W and E of B. bankorensis, implies that the CMRs serve as a genetic barrier and separated the whole island into the western and eastern phylogroups.
Apple intake and cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Abstract Objective Conflicting results on the association between fruit consumption and cancer risk have been reported. Little is known about the cancer preventive effects of different fruit types. The present meta-analysis investigates whether an association exists between apple intake and cancer risk. Design Relevant observational studies were identified by literature search (PubMed, Web of Science and Embase). A random-effect model was used to estimate the cancer risk in different anatomical sites. Between-study heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using adequate statistical tests. Results Twenty case–control (three on lung, five on colorectal, five on breast, two on oesophageal, three on oral cavity, two on prostate and one each on pancreas, bladder, larynx, ovary, kidney and brain cancer) and twenty-one cohort (seven on lung, two on colorectal, three on breast and one each on oesophageal, pancreas, bladder, kidney, endometrial, head–neck, urothelial and stomach cancer) studies met the inclusion criteria. Comparing the highest v. lowest level of apple consumption, the reduction of lung cancer risk was statistically highly significant in both case–control (OR=0·75; 95% CI 0·63, 0·88; P=0·001, I 2=0 %) and cohort studies (relative risk=0·89; 95% CI 0·84, 0·94; P<0·001, I 2=53 %). Instead, in the case of colorectal (OR=0·66; 95% CI 0·54, 0·81; P<0·001, I 2=55%), breast (OR=0·79; 95% CI 0·73, 0·87; P<0·001, I 2=1 %) and overall digestive tract (OR=0·50; 95% CI 0·36, 0·69; P<0·001, I 2=90 %) cancers a significant preventive effect of apples was found only in case–control studies while prospective studies indicated no effect. No evidence of publication bias could be detected for colorectal, oral cavity, oesophageal and breast cancer. However, some confounding effects may be present and related to the consumption of other fruit which have not been considered as adjusting factors. Conclusions The present meta-analysis indicates that consumption of apples is associated with a reduced risk of cancer in different anatomical sites.
Heat-resistant Mechanism of Heat-resistant Aluminum Alloy Conductor and Its Application in Transmission Line

The heat-resistant aluminum alloy conductor is a kind of special conductor with good properties and economy, whose comprehensive cost is much lower than that of common conductors. Its popularization in transmission line projects should have obvious economical and social benefits. More and better domestic heat-resistant aluminum alloy conductors are expected to come out and also more attention and assistance from concerned government department are expected.
Statistical mechanical model of gas adsorption in porous crystals with dynamic moieties

Significance Some nanoporous, crystalline materials possess dynamic/flexible constituents, for example, a ligand that can rotate. Much like the induced-fit model of enzyme–substrate binding in biology, these dynamic moieties often change conformation when gas molecules adsorb. Such flexible constituents may endow nanoporous materials with enhanced properties for gas storage and separations, chemical sensing, drug delivery, and catalysis. We developed and solved a statistical mechanical model of gas adsorption in a porous material with a rotating ligand that is shared between cages. Our model contributes a more intimate understanding of gas adsorption in nanoporous materials with moving parts and lends insights into how to harness these dynamic constituents for adsorption-based processes. Some nanoporous, crystalline materials possess dynamic constituents, for example, rotatable moieties. These moieties can undergo a conformation change in response to the adsorption of guest molecules, which qualitatively impacts adsorption behavior. We pose and solve a statistical mechanical model of gas adsorption in a porous crystal whose cages share a common ligand that can adopt two distinct rotational conformations. Guest molecules incentivize the ligands to adopt a different rotational configuration than maintained in the empty host. Our model captures inflections, steps, and hysteresis that can arise in the adsorption isotherm as a signature of the rotating ligands. The insights disclosed by our simple model contribute a more intimate understanding of the response and consequence of rotating ligands integrated into porous materials to harness them for gas storage and separations, chemical sensing, drug delivery, catalysis, and nanoscale devices. Particularly, our model reveals design strategies to exploit these moving constituents and engineer improved adsorbents with intrinsic thermal management for pressure-swing adsorption processes.
Deactivation kinetics of acid-sensing ion channel 1a are strongly pH-sensitive

Significance The response from every type of neurotransmitter-gated ion channel (NGIC) decays within a proscribed time when its agonist is removed. NGICs that decay faster are more involved in higher frequency signals, whereas slower channels promote cell excitability and plasticity. Here, we find that certain acid-sensing ion channels have the flexibility to convey either very rapid or quite slow signals, depending on the ambient pH over a very narrow range. This ability may allow these receptors to aid in synaptic plasticity, and hence learning and memory. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are trimeric cation-selective ion channels activated by protons in the physiological range. Recent reports have revealed that postsynaptically localized ASICs contribute to the excitatory postsynaptic current by responding to the transient acidification of the synaptic cleft that accompanies neurotransmission. In response to such brief acidic transients, both recombinant and native ASICs show extremely rapid deactivation in outside-out patches when jumping from a pH 5 stimulus to a single resting pH of 8. Given that the resting pH of the synaptic cleft is highly dynamic and depends on recent synaptic activity, we explored the kinetics of ASIC1a and 1a/2a heteromers to such brief pH transients over a wider [H+] range to approximate neuronal conditions better. Surprisingly, the deactivation of ASICs was steeply dependent on the pH, spanning nearly three orders of magnitude from extremely fast (<1 ms) at pH 8 to very slow (>300 ms) at pH 7. This study provides an example of a ligand-gated ion channel whose deactivation is sensitive to agonist concentrations that do not directly activate the receptor. Kinetic simulations and further mutagenesis provide evidence that ASICs show such steeply agonist-dependent deactivation because of strong cooperativity in proton binding. This capacity to signal across such a large synaptically relevant bandwidth enhances the response to small-amplitude acidifications likely to occur at the cleft and may provide ASICs with the ability to shape activity in response to the recent history of the synapse.