Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Highly diverse fungal communities in carbon-rich aquifers of two contrasting lakes in Northeast Germany

Fungi are an important component of microbial communities and are well known for their ability to degrade refractory, highly polymeric organic matter. In soils and aquatic systems, fungi play an important role in carbon processing, however, their diversity, community structure and function as well as ecological role, particularly in groundwater, are poorly studied. The aim of this study was to examine the fungal community composition, diversity and function of 16 groundwater boreholes located in the vicinity of two lakes in NE Germany that are characterized by contrasting trophic status. The analysis of 28S rRNA gene sequences amplified from the groundwater revealed high fungal diversity and clear differences in community structure between both aquifers. Most sequences were assigned to Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, but members of Chytridiomycota, Cryptomycota, Zygomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Glomeromycota and Neocallmastigomycota were also detected. In addition, 27 species of fungi were successfully isolated from the groundwater wells and tested for their ability to degrade complex organic polymers – the predominant carbon source in the wells. Most isolates showed positive activities for at least one of the tested polymer types, with three strains, belonging to the genera Gibberella, Isaria and Cadophora, being able to degrade all tested substrates. Our results highlight the high diversity of fungi in groundwater, and point to their important ecological role in breaking down highly polymeric organic matter in these isolated microbial habitats.
Pathophysiology of Acute Lung Injury

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening syndrome that may occur in any patient without any predisposition and that is mostly triggered by underlying processes such as sepsis, pneumonia, trauma, multiple transfusions, and pancreatitis. ARDS is defined by (1) acute onset, (2) bilateral infiltrates in chest x-rays, (3) absence of left ventricular failure, and (4) severe arterial hypoxemia with a PaO2/FiO2 ratio less than 200 mmHg. Still, ARDS is feared (mortality 30-40%) and relatively frequent (incidence between 13.5 per 100,000 to 75 per 100,000). Acute lung injury (ALI) describes a similar, but less severe, clinical condition, with PaO2/FiO2 values between 200 and 300 mmHg. Despite ongoing and intensive scientific research in this area, the mechanisms underlying ALI/ARDS are still not completely understood, and until recently, there were no studies demonstrating any beneficial effect of a single treatment modality in ARDS. The recent report that a specific approach to ventilatory support can significantly reduce mortality in ARDS underscores the need for better understanding of the pathophysiological events occurring in this syndrome. This review therefore summarizes the current pathophysiological concepts underlying the evolution of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and focuses on: (1) possible reasons for the development of ALI/ARDS; (2) cellular and humoral mediator responses leading to a sustained and self-perpetuating inflammation of the lung; (3) consequences with regard to fluid balance, pulmonary perfusion, ventilation, and efficiency of gas exchange; and (4) mechanisms underlying the aggravating complications commonly seen in ARDS, especially ventilator-associated lung injury, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and lung fibrosis.
Modeling Thermomechanical Stress with H13 Tool Steel Material Response for Rolling Die under Hot Milling

For the extreme pressure and temperature arising in the hot rolling process, thermomechanical (TM) models are used to predict the residual stresses on the surface of the die because a quantification of the TM stresses allows a prediction of the life span of the rolling die. As the accuracy and consistency of models developed in this area show a large variation due to the considered parameters, conditions, and assumptions, the capability of the developed models needs to be verified for a particular set of circumstances. In this study, new constitutive equations are proposed and a model consisting of five sub-models that computes temperature distribution, thermal stresses, mechanical stresses, and thermomechanical stress for the rolling die under continuous casting application has been developed and presented in this paper. The first sub-model describes the temperature distribution on the rolling die surface by accounting for the effects of different process parameters such as the initial temperature of the slab, reduction ratio, and the rolling speed, while the second and the third sub-models describe the thermal cyclic stress and the elasticity deformation of mechanical stress, respectively. Furthermore, the fourth sub-model describes the TM stress generation through inheriting numerical approaches, and the last sub-model is developed for the H13 tool material response at a high temperature. To verify the developed analytical models, a finite element simulation and the experimental data are considered. The analytical models are computed using Python, and the ABAQUS software has been used for the finite element simulations. The results show a good agreement with the finite element simulation and experimental data.
The role of envelope glycoprotein processing in murine leukemia virus infection

The murine leukemia virus envelope protein is synthesized as a precursor molecule, Pr85env, which is proteolytically cleaved at an arginine residue to produce two mature envelope proteins, gp70 and p15(E). The results presented here indicate that mutation to lysine of the arginine found at the envelope precursor cleavage site results in a precursor which is cleaved with an efficiency at least 10-fold lower than the efficiency with which the wild-type protein is cleaved. This mutation has been used to investigate the requirement for envelope protein processing in various aspects of retroviral infection. Viruses produced by cells transfected with mutant proviral clones are approximately 10-fold less infectious than wild-type viruses. Mutant viruses are incapable of inducing XC cell syncytium formation and are 100-fold less efficient than wild-type viruses at rendering cells resistant to superinfection. Envelope glycoproteins bearing the lysine mutation are found in reduced amounts on the surface of infected cells, and as a result mutant virions contain significantly less envelope protein than do wild-type virions. The phenotypic effects of the processing mutation described here are most likely the result of this paucity of envelope glycoproteins in virions carrying the mutation.
Research on the Development Direction of Online Business Support System1

This study aims to check the government tasks and to make the support plan in order to build an online service system (G4B) in the corporate sector. This research used the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) analysis in order to examine the priorities of policy tasks for G4B development. The survey was conducted by 27 people who are made up academics, public officials, public agencies, and the expert groups in private companies. The results of AHP surveys show that improvement of online public administration services and enhancement of propulsion system are the most important and urgent policy challenges.
Hepatocellular carcinoma which metastasized to the auricle.

We report a case of a 67-year-old Japanese man with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatitis which was diagnosed at the age of 57 years old. The patient declined the appropriate antiviral regimen, including interferon and ribavirin therapy. He was under observation at another hospital, but was referred to our hospital and admitted in early May 2002 due to fever and abdominal bloating. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) examination revealed hepatocirrhosis, ascites, and a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of 8 cm in Segment 8 and 6 cm in Segment 6. In accordance with the patient and his family’s request, he was observed without undergoing any operation or any hepatic arterial embolization or hepatic infusion therapy. A grain-sized tumor mass that first appeared in the left auricle in May 2003 started growing rapidly from July onwards.
Genotyping and Bio-Sensing Chemosensory Proteins in Insects

Genotyping is the process of determining differences in the genetic make-up of an individual and comparing it to that of another individual. Focus on the family of chemosensory proteins (CSPs) in insects reveals differences at the genomic level across various strains and biotypes, but none at the level of individuals, which could be extremely useful in the biotyping of insect pest species necessary for the agricultural, medical and veterinary industries. Proposed methods of genotyping CSPs include not only restriction enzymatic cleavage and amplification of cleaved polymorphic sequences, but also detection of retroposons in some specific regions of the insect chromosome. Design of biosensors using CSPs addresses tissue-specific RNA mutations in a particular subtype of the protein, which could be used as a marker of specific physiological conditions. Additionally, we refer to the binding properties of CSP proteins tuned to lipids and xenobiotic insecticides for the development of a new generation of biosensor chips, monitoring lipid blood concentration and chemical environmental pollution.
CTCF-dependent co-localization of canonical Smad signaling factors at architectural protein binding sites in D. melanogaster

The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathways transduce extracellular signals into tissue-specific transcriptional responses. During this process, signaling effector Smad proteins translocate into the nucleus to direct changes in transcription, but how and where they localize to DNA remain important questions. We have mapped Drosophila TGF-β signaling factors Mad, dSmad2, Medea, and Schnurri genome-wide in Kc cells and find that numerous sites for these factors overlap with the architectural protein CTCF. Depletion of CTCF by RNAi results in the disappearance of a subset of Smad sites, suggesting Smad proteins localize to CTCF binding sites in a CTCF-dependent manner. Sensitive Smad binding sites are enriched at low occupancy CTCF peaks within topological domains, rather than at the physical domain boundaries where CTCF may function as an insulator. In response to Decapentaplegic, CTCF binding is not significantly altered, whereas Mad, Medea, and Schnurri are redirected from CTCF to non-CTCF binding sites. These results suggest that CTCF participates in the recruitment of Smad proteins to a subset of genomic sites and in the redistribution of these proteins in response to BMP signaling.
Osteoprotegerin Plasma Levels are Strongly Associated with Polymorphisms in Human Homologue of the Mouse Progressive Ankylosis (ANKH) Gene

Osteoprotegerin inhibits osteoclastogenesis and plays an important role in the control of bone resorption. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying regulation of OPG levels are currently not fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the ANKH gene, which plays a central role in bone mineralization, contributes to the genetic regulation of OPG levels. A family‐based association study used a sample of 159 ethnically homogeneous nuclear families, comprising 556 apparently healthy individuals. Statistical analyses included family aggregation analysis of OPG variation and four types of transmission disequilibrium tests. Each individual was genotyped for 11 SNPs in the ANKH gene. Four TDTs consistently showed a highly significant association between OPG levels and the intronic SNP rs875525 located between exons 6 and 7. The combined p‐value for four tests to reject the null hypothesis of no association was 0.0003. Furthermore, haplotypes generated between rs875525 and two additional neighbouring SNPs (rs2291943 and rs2288474) also revealed a significant association with OPG plasma levels (p < 10−4‐10−3). ANKH genetic polymorphisms in the area between SNP rs2291943 and rs2288474 are strongly associated with OPG plasma levels. The molecular mechanism underlying this association is not obvious, and therefore these results should be regarded cautiously until they are confirmed in independent studies.
Chronic diseases as predictors of labour market attachment after participation in subsidised re-employment programme: a 6-year follow-up study

Background Little is known about the work patterns of re-employed people. We investigated the labour market attachment trajectories of re-employed people and assessed the influence of chronic diseases on these trajectories. Methods The study was based on register data of 18 944 people (aged 18–60 years) who participated in a subsidised re-employment programme in Finland. Latent class growth analysis with zero-inflated Poisson was used to model the labour market attachment trajectories over a 6-year follow-up time. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the associations between chronic diseases and labour market attachment trajectories, adjusting for age, gender, educational level, size of town and calendar year in subsidised re-employment programme. Results We identified four distinct labour market attachment trajectories, namely: strengthening (a relatively stable attachment throughout the follow-up time; 77%), delayed (initial weak attachment increasing later; 6%), leavers (attachment declined with time; 10%) and none-attached (weak attachment throughout the study period; 7%). We found that severe mental problems strongly increased the likelihood of belonging in the leavers (OR 3.61; 95% CI 2.23 to 5.37) and none-attached (OR 3.41; 95% CI 1.91 to 6.10) trajectories, while chronic hypertension was associated with none-attached (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.77) trajectory. The associations between other chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, asthma and arthritics) and labour market attachment trajectories were less evident. Conclusions Re-employed people appear to follow distinct labour market attachment trajectories over time. Having chronic diseases, especially mental disorders appear to increase the risk for relatively poor labour market attachment.
The potential of statistical shape modelling for geometric morphometric analysis of human teeth in archaeological research

This paper introduces statistical shape modelling (SSM) for use in osteoarchaeology research. SSM is a full field, multi-material analytical technique, and is presented as a supplementary geometric morphometric (GM) tool. Lower mandibular canines from two archaeological populations and one modern population were sampled, digitised using micro-CT, aligned, registered to a baseline and statistically modelled using principal component analysis (PCA). Sample material properties were incorporated as a binary enamel/dentin parameter. Results were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively using anatomical landmarks. Finally, the technique’s application was demonstrated for inter-sample comparison through analysis of the principal component (PC) weights. It was found that SSM could provide high detail qualitative and quantitative insight with respect to archaeological inter- and intra-sample variability. This technique has value for archaeological, biomechanical and forensic applications including identification, finite element analysis (FEA) and reconstruction from partial datasets.
Estrogen anti‐inflammatory activity on human monocytes is mediated through cross‐talk between estrogen receptor ERα36 and GPR30/GPER1

Estrogens are known modulators of monocyte/macrophage functions; however, the underlying mechanism has not been clearly defined. Recently, a number of estrogen receptor molecules and splice variants were identified that exert different and sometimes opposing actions. We assessed the expression of estrogen receptors and explored their role in mediating estrogenic anti‐inflammatory effects on human primary monocytes. We report that the only estrogen receptors expressed are estrogen receptor‐α 36‐kDa splice variant and G‐protein coupled receptor 30/G‐protein estrogen receptor 1, in a sex‐independent manner. 17‐β‐Estradiol inhibits the LPS‐induced IL‐6 inflammatory response, resulting in inhibition of NF‐κB transcriptional activity. This is achieved via a direct physical interaction of ligand‐activated estrogen receptor‐α 36‐kDa splice variant with the p65 component of NF‐κB in the nucleus. G‐protein coupled receptor 30/G‐protein estrogen receptor 1, which also physically interacts with estrogen receptor‐α 36‐kDa splice variant, acts a coregulator in this process, because its inhibition blocks the effect of estrogens on IL‐6 expression. However, its activation does not mimic the effect of estrogens, on neither IL‐6 nor NF‐κB activity. Finally, we show that the estrogen receptor profile observed in monocytes is not modified during their differentiation to macrophages or dendritic cells in vitro and is shared in vivo by macrophages present in atherosclerotic plaques. These results position estrogen receptor‐α 36‐kDa splice variant and G‐protein coupled receptor 30 as important players and potential therapeutic targets in monocyte/macrophage‐dependent inflammatory processes.
Effects of shading on current, voltage and power output of total cross-tied photovoltaic array configuration

The Philippines, being a tropical country, has a high photovoltaic (PV) energy generation potential that can help meet demand due to impending power supply shortage in the coming years. One factor that limits solar PV generation is nonuniform illumination or partial shading. Partial shading causes voltage and current mismatch which affect the performance of PV arrays. Partially shaded PV systems cannot operate at maximum efficiency because of shadows cast by the surrounding structures, foliage and cloud cover. In this study, the researchers observed the effects of partial shading on the voltage, current and power output of the total cross-tied (TCT) array configuration using 16 shading patterns. Results show that the TCT configuration has the ability to balance out the effects of uneven irradiance on the PV modules. This results in higher power output. However, this effect optimizes the power output most if shaded modules complete columns. Such cases minimize current mismatch among the rows in the array.
The offensive subtype of Taijin-kyofu-sho in New York City: the phenomenology and treatment of a social anxiety disorder.

BACKGROUND Taijin-kyofu-sho (TKS) is thought to be a common, culture-bound disorder of social anxiety in Japan and Korea. Its phenomenology has been noted to overlap with that of social phobia. The "offensive type" of TKS, which has no direct parallel in Western classification, is characterized by a fear of offending others in social situations, which leads to social avoidance. There has been only one case of offensive-type TKS reported in the United States, and this case was not regarded as a variant of social phobia. METHOD The phenomenology and treatment of six patients who presented to New York City anxiety disorders research clinic psychiatrists with the offensive type of TKS are described. Features of TKS are compared with those of social phobia, as described in Western countries. Treatment outcomes for four patients are discussed and compared with TKS treatment experience in Japan and Korea and with treatment outcome in social phobia. RESULTS In this anxiety clinic sample, features of the offensive type of TKS showed much overlap with symptoms of social phobia. Only two of four treated patients in this TKS sample received adequate trials of medication known to be effective for social phobia, and one of the two improved significantly. CONCLUSION The offensive type of TKS may not be as culture-bound as previously thought. Further study is needed to determine whether such cases respond to medications and to cognitive-behavioral approaches that are effective for social phobia. How to classify the offensive type of TKS is uncertain, but social phobia should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Short hairpin RNA system to inhibit human p16 in squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE To develop short hairpin RNA (shRNA) vectors and virions to trigger RNA interference against human p16. DESIGN AND INTERVENTIONS A modular vector-based shRNA system was used to construct multiple distinct shRNA vectors against the unique exon 1alphaof p16. Target sequences were designed using rigid criteria for length and GC content, along with basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) evaluation to ensure targeting specificity. Individual shRNA-p16 cassettes were then cotransfected with a p16 expression vector and evaluated by Western blot. Cassettes showing a high level of p16 repression were used to construct shRNA-p16 expressing adenoviral and retroviral vectors and tested in a human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma line expressing endogenous and exogenous p16. RESULTS Adenoviral and retroviral transfer of shRNA-p16 significantly reduced p16 protein levels, while control constructs left p16 expression unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Although p16 is a common target of inactivation in head and neck cancer, its biological role remains ill defined. RNA interference is rapidly becoming the standard to target selected genes of interest for inactivation. We have successfully inhibited p16 expression using shRNA cassettes with strong activity against human p16 and integrated these constructs into adenoviral and retroviral vectors for transient and integrated expression in human cells. Application of this novel modular system to primary human cells will allow the biological consequences of p16 loss to be examined both in vitro and in vivo.
Central poststroke pain

Objective: To correlate MRI and sensory changes in patients with spontaneous lesions in the cerebral "pain pathway. " Methods: The authors used MRI and quantitative somatosensory testing in 73 patients with central poststroke pain (CPSP) and in 13 patients with pain-free stroke with sensory deficit. Results: Lesions in any part of the discriminatory somatosensory pathway may or may not produce CPSP. Most CPSP patients have multiple lesions, many probably unrelated to pain. Ventroposterior thalamic nuclear lesions are more likely to produce half-body pain than lesions elsewhere (including the brainstem). In supratentorial lesions, the greatest pain is more likely to be in an extremity, and in infratentorial lesions, the greatest pain is likely to be in the face. Supratentorial CPSP patients have a deficit of sharpness and cold (peripherally mediated by Aδ fibers) than pain-free stroke patients, whereas patients with infratentorial CPSP additionally have a deficit of C-fiber-mediated warmth and hot pain. Burning pain is more common than nonburning pain in younger patients. Warmth and cold, but not hot pain, exhibiting central convergence (spatial summation) are more affected in CPSP patients with burning than nonburning pain. Allodynic CPSP patients had a significantly greater deficit for warmth than patients without allodynia. Conclusions: Different stroke sites produce different patterns of sensory deficit. The progression from painless sensory deficit to CPSP is not purely quantitative.