Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Associations between adipocytokines and severity of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in well-controlled type 2 diabetes and prediabetes

Background It is thought that adipocytokines contribute to autonomic dysfunction and cardiovascular risks in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM, respectively). We aimed to identify adipocytokines that are associated with the severity of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in patients with well-controlled T2DM and prediabetes. Methods The complete cardiovascular autonomic function and biomarkers were assessed for each patient. The severity of CAN was assessed using both the composite autonomic scoring scale (CASS) and the cardiac autonomic reflex tests (CARTs) score. Biomarkers included adipocytokines (leptin, chemerin, adiponectin, and vaspin), oxidative stress (thiols and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance [TBARS]), endothelial dysfunction (sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1), and insulin resistance (triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] ratio and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] index). Results A total of 107 patients were included in this study: 90 with diabetes and 17 with prediabetes. Stepwise logistic regression showed that diabetes duration and leptin level were independently associated with the presence of CAN. Leptin level was positively correlated with body mass index (r = 0.588, P < 0.0001), waist circumference (r = 0.504, P < 0.0001), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (r = 0.351, P = 0.001), hs-CRP (r = 0.291, P = 0.006), TBARS (r = 0.259, P = 0.008), triglyceride/HDL-C ratio (r = 0.346, P < 0.0001), and HOMA-IR index (r = 0.304, P = 0.008) but negatively correlated with thiols (r=-0.25, P = 0.011) level. The leptin level was strongly associated with the CASS (r = 0.36, P < 0.0001) and CARTs (r = 0.356, P < 0.0001) scores. Stepwise linear regression analysis also showed that the leptin level was significantly associated with the CASS and CARTs scores, respectively. Conclusions As the leptin level is considered a prognostic factor in CAN, a longitudinal study is needed to confirm the association between a decrease in obesity and reduced leptin levels and CAN progression.
Fabrication of HA/PEI-functionalized carbon dots for tumor targeting, intracellular imaging and gene delivery

Carbon quantum dots (CDs) as emerging carbon nano-materials have attracted tremendous attention in biomedical fields due to unique properties. In this study, hyaluronate (HA) and polyethylenimine (PEI) functionalized carbon dots (HP-CDs) were synthesized by a facile bottom-up method for tumor targeting and gene delivery. After HA modification, the HP-CDs exhibited superior dispersibility in water and good biocompatibility and were internalized readily into the cytoplasm of cancer via HA-receptor mediated endocytosis. Meanwhile, the HP-CDs with PEI functionalization were shown to have excellent gene condensation capability via electrostatic attraction and protective capacity by preventing nuclease degradation. By virtue of good photoluminescence properties, the HP-CDs as a gene carrier were successfully applied to intracellular imaging and gene delivery. Taken together, the resultant HP-CDs displayed great potential in tumor targeting, intracellular imaging and gene delivery.
Magnetic nanoparticles of Ni/NiO nanostructured in film form synthesized by dead organic matrix of yeast

An innovative sustainable protocol of nanobiotechnology has been developed to synthesize Ni/NiO magnetic nanoparticles, nanostructured in film form, through a dead organic matrix of the yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, which was isolated from the Amazon region. It is a synergistic strategy that utilizes green technology, thus minimizing environmental impact and reducing costs. The best conditions for the adsorption of the metal through the dead organic matrix and subsequent synthesis of the nanoparticles were monitored by analyzing the biosorption of nickel by the yeast. The structural characteristics of the film-forming nanoparticles were investigated via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The magnetic properties of the nanoparticles produced by the dead organic matrix were determined in a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Results indicate that the Ni/NiO nanoparticles are mainly spherical, with an average size of 5.5 nm, present magnetic properties, synthesized extracellularly and involve the proteins of the yeast, which probably confer organization in the film form. Such natural bioprocess suggests a rational protocol strategy as a template for the industrial-scale synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles of metals from the dead organic matrix of yeast and also provides a possible green system of nanobioremediation of metals from wastewater.
Hydrate Formation in Water-in-Crude Oil Emulsions Studied by Broad-Band Permittivity Measurements

To develop more cost-effective and environmentally friendly strategies to prevent the formation of gas hydrate plugs in oil production pipelines, a better understanding of the mechanisms of plug formation is needed. This paper presents broad-band permittivity measurements of hydrate formation in water-in-oil emulsions. The experiments were conducted at atmospheric pressure using dead crude oil and diesel fuel, with cyclopentane as hydrate former. However, the use of dielectric probes employed in this work can be extended to more realistic systems, as they are able to withstand high pressures and harsh chemical environments. The results show that broad-band permittivity measurements can be used to detect hydrate agglomeration and formation of hydrate deposits in oil-dominated systems. By applying existing dielectric mixing models, the fractions of oil, water, and hydrates can be estimated.
Effect of low‐temperature biochar derived from pig manure and poultry litter on mobile and organic matter‐bound forms of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn in sandy soil

Numerous studies conducted so far have shown that biochar has a significant effect on physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. Biochar can be used to alleviate the effects of soil contamination with organic and inorganic compounds, for instance, to reduce the mobility of heavy metals. The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of pig manure and poultry litter, as well as biochars produced from these materials at a temperature of 300 °C on Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn contents in mobile and organic matter‐bound forms in soil. The research was conducted under laboratory conditions. The materials were introduced into sandy acid soil in doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% w/w. The application of pig manure‐derived biochar (BPM) and poultry litter‐derived biochar (BPL), depending on the amount added, reduced the mobility of copper from 28 to 69%, from 77 to 100% in the case of cadmium, from 94 to 99% in the case of lead, and from 15 to 97% in the case of zinc. The 2% amendment of pig manure (PM) and poultry litter (PL) caused an increase in the content of Cu extracted with NH4NO3 in comparison with the control treatment. A similar situation was observed in the case of zinc after the application of 0.5 and 1% amendments of pig manure (PM). Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn contents extracted with 0.025 mol C10H22N4O8 were higher than contents of these elements extracted with 1 m NH4NO3, mainly due to different extraction force of the extractants. The obtained results indicate that, compared with the content determined in soil from the control treatment, 1 and 2% amendments of both unconverted and thermally converted materials to the soil had a greater effect on contents of Cu, Pb and Zn in the organic matter‐bound fraction than the 0.5% amendment. The organic materials applied did not affect the content of cadmium in organic matter‐bound fraction.
A model for the simulation of relaxation phenomena in dielectrics

A simulation of the behavior in a polymeric material of the complex dielectric constant as a function of the frequency is presented. Starting from experimental data and taking into account the distribution of the relaxation times, an electrical equivalent circuit for each material considered is established. The model is used to analyze some insulating systems. The curves are calculated for stratified insulation and for a single material subjected to chemical degradation. <<ETX>>
Transcription Factor Runx1 Activates Opn to Promote Tumor Progression in Head and Neck Cancer

Background:Metastatic progression remains a major burden for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1)has been reported to be associated with an aggressive phenotype in several cancers. However, the precise roles of RUNX1 underlying the metastaticprogression of HNSCC remain largely unknown.Methods:RUNX1 expression levels in HNSCC cells and tissues were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), Western blottingand immunohistochemistry (IHC). In vitro and in vivo assays were performed to investigate the function of RUNX1 in the metastatic phenotype and the tumorigenic capability of HNSCC cells. Luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR assays were performed to determine the underlying mechanism of RUNX1-mediated HNSCC aggressiveness.Results:RUNX1 was increased with disease progression in patients withHNSCC.Furthermore, we found that silencing ofRUNX1 significantly decelerated the malignant progression of HNSCC cells and reduced Osteopontin (OPN) expression in vitro, and weakened the tumorigenicityof HNSCC cells in vivo. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that RUNX1 played an important role in activating MAPK signaling by directly binding to the promoter of OPN.Conclusions: Our results provide new insight into the mechanisms underlying the facilitate metastasisability of RUNX1and reveal the therapeutic potential of targeting RUNX1 in HNSCC.
Unlocking the COVID-19 Lockdown: Work from Home and Its Impact on Employees

The present pandemic caused by COVID-19 has caused unprecedented turmoil in human lives. Invoking the typology of crises, we classify COVID-19 as an intractable crisis that necessitated nations to impose lockdowns. As national economies and businesses got a severe blow with this closure, organizations encouraged employees to work from home. Drawing upon the employee isolation literature, we aimed to examine the impact of work from home on employees during the lockdown. This investigation would help us learn about the nature and quality of work in the context of the current crisis. Towards this, we conducted in-depth interviews with 24 middle and senior-level managers across manufacturing and technology-enabled service sectors in India and analyzed the data using MAXQDA software. Employees reported an increase in working hours, major changes in their roles, reduced levels of productivity, and increased levels of stress. Besides these findings, we discovered sparks of creativity among employees during this isolation period. These creative steps were either towards nurturing oneself for career growth or towards solving long-pending organizational issues. Interestingly, the creativity was self-initiated. Our findings have key implications for organizations and their leaders who need to revisit work-from-home policies for the future workforce. We highlight our theoretical contributions and outline the scope for future research.
Technical Efficiency of Teff Farms Controlling for Neighborhood effects in Ethiopia

Teff can be called the lifeblood of the majority of Ethiopians. However, Teff production is constrained by farmers’ own and neighbor farmers’ socioeconomic, demographic, intuitional, and farm characteristics that decrease Teff productivity. To fill this gap, a combination of modern technologies with a better level of farm efficiency becomes indispensable. Hence, this study aims to examine the technical efficiency of Teff farms controlling for neighborhood effects in Ethiopia using 858 Teff farmers. The stochastic frontier translog production and Spatial Lagged Explanatory (SLX) models are estimated using two waves of panel data from the Ethiopian socioeconomic survey. The unobserved heterogeneity has been controlled for by a correlated random effect estimation. The results show that the average technical efficiency of Teff farm is 78.5%, indicating that farmers have about 21.5% likelihood for improving their Teff farm efficiency, averagely. Besides, the estimated correlated random effect of the spatial lagged explanatory model indicates that gender, age, education, family size, community participation, planting method, average neighbors' community participation, average neighbors' planting method, average neighbors' mineral fertilizer application, and average neighbors' use of improved seed were found to significantly affect the level of technical efficiency of Teff farms in the study area. Moreover, we show that controlling for the neighborhood effects in the estimation of technical efficiency of Teff production statistically and significantly changes the inferences. Therefore, neighborhood effects can be the best alternative platform for farm knowledge transmission and use as a development actor if properly managed and organized.
Identification of novel loci and candidate genes for resistance to cucumber powdery mildew using GWAS

Background Powdery mildew (PM) is one of the most serious diseases in cucumber and causes huge yield loss. Multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for PM resistance have been detected in previous studies, however, none of these studies used the approach of genome-wide association analysis (GWAS). In this study, a cucumber core germplasm (CG) consisting of 109 resequenced lines was evaluated for PM resistance in three seasons. Results twelve loci (pmG1.1, pmG2.1, pmG2.2, pmG3.1, pmG4.1, pmG4.2, pmG5.1, pmG5.2, pmG5.3, pmG5.4, pmG6.1 and pmG6.2) associated with PM resistance were detected on all chromosomes except for Chr.7 using GWAS. Among these loci, pmG2.1, pmG4.1 and pmG6.1 were the novel ones that have not been reported in previous studies. The loci of pmG2.1, pmG5.2, pmG5.3 showed stronger signal in three seasons, for which three candidate genes Csa2G022790, Csa5G484620 and Csa5G604330 were respectively predicted using pairwise LD correlation and qRT-PCR analysis. Further, Csa4G022270 in pmG4.1, Csa6G022350 and Csa6G022370 in pmG6.1 might be the candidate genes based on the annotation of homologous genes in Arabidopsis. Conclusion Twelve Loci related to powdery mildew resistance in cucumber were detected by genome-wide association analysis, three of which namely pmG2.1, pmG4.1 and pmG6.1 are novel. Three candidate genes within the genomic region of locus pmG2.1, pmG5.2 and pmG5.3 were identified, respectively. These results provide targets for gene cloning and genetic breeding of PM resistance in cucumber.
Mental distress among frontline healthcare workers outside the central epidemic area during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in China:A cross-sectional study

Background and aim:At the initial stage of the fight against COVID-19, a large number of medical staff and materials were dispatched to Wuhan City and Hubei Province to contain the outbreak quickly and effectively. The national infection prevention and control strategy posed a challenge to the physical and psychological resilience of frontline healthcare workers(HCWs) outside the central epidemic area.This study aims to survey frontline HCWs outside the central epidemic area in China to understand their levels of perceived stress, anxiety, and depression during the initial stage of the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: From February 11 to February14, 2020, an online survey was conducted in Jinzhong, Shanxi Province using snowball sampling techniques. The survey consisted of two parts, namely, demographic data and psychological screening. Demographic information included gender, age, hospital classification, working department, profession type, and working experience. Perceived stress was assessed by Chinese simple Perceived Stress Scale 10, general anxiety was assessed by the General Anxiety Disorder Scale, and depression was evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Results: A total of 1,315 HCWs were included, of which 646(49.1%) reported a moderate to severe stress (scores≥14), 141(10.7%) reported moderate to severe anxiety (score≥10), and 164(12.4%) reported a major depression (score≥10). Female gender was significantly associated with high levels of perceived stress, anxiety, and depression (P<0.05), and working time was negatively correlated with the level of perceived stress, anxiety, and depression (P<0.05). Statistical difference was observed in perceived stress score among different age groups, levels of hospital group, and working departments (P<0.05). Conclusion: During the initial stage of the fight against COVID-19 in China, more than half of the frontline HCWs outside the central epidemic area rated perceived stress as moderate to severe, and nearly 23% of them reported moderate to severe anxiety or depression. Female gender, low hospital level, and emergency department were associated with a high level of perceived stress.
Inhibition Mechanism of Caffeine in Tea Pathogenic Fungi Botryosphaeria Dothidea and Colletotrichum Gloeosporioides

Background Caffeine acts as an antifungal agent; however, its underlying inhibition mechanism remains unclear. To investigate variations in caffeine antifungal activity, this study was evaluate the inhibition mechanisms of caffeine on phytopathogens Botryosphaeria dothidea and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides through transcriptomic analysis, which causes leaf necrosis and anthracnose on tea leaves, respectively.Results Our in vitro results shows that the antifungal activity of caffeine quite different between B. dothidea and C. gloeosporioides. Furthermore, microscopic observation and bioactivity assay results proved that caffeine destroyed the fungal protective layers (cell wall and cell membrane) and subcellular organelles. The transcriptomes of these two fungi exposed to different caffeine concentrations were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing and the results showed that caffeine repressed gene expression involved in the pathways of mRNA surveillance, ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, etc. Particularly, caffeine affected gene expression in melanin biosynthesis in C. gloeosporioides, resulting in the disturbances of melanin production and fungal pathogenicity. Manually infected tea leaves showed melanin pigment was important to appressorium development and fungal infection by histopathological observation and fungal biomass quantification. Besides, C. gloeosporioides successfully enters into the host tissue even plant could build multilayer defenses against the fungus, this might be due to the variation in pathogen targets and quantities of secondary metabolites by the host cells.Conclusions Overall, our findings indicate that caffeine in the environment can reduce the fungal growth and physiological activities. However, the genome-wide expression showed different transcriptional profiles between these fungal isolates. Thus, we believe that target of the caffeine varied among isolates and melanin may play a major role in fungus caffeine tolerance. Further in-depth research required to conclude this hypothesis.
Effects of Prosthetic Design Parameters on Running of Unilateral Transfemoral Amputee

Carbon fiber running-specific prostheses (RSP) are widely used among lower-limb amputee runners. However, which prosthesis provides the best performance for a runner remains as an unanswered question. In this purpose, a computational model of the human body with prosthesis was created and the effect of prosthetic parameters on performance was investigated. Firstly, motion capture systems were used to collect data from the amputee running motion. Marker data and force plate data were obtained to create a digital human model. Kinematic data such as length of limbs, joint angles, etc. were calculated by using marker data. Then, inertial properties were estimated to conduct forward and inverse dynamic analyses. After building a computational model of amputee sprinting, joint positions and ground reaction forces (GRF) were compared with experimental results. The design parameters of the prosthesis were introduced to understand the effect of prosthesis on motion and performance. Response surface method was used to express motion adaption regarding geometry and stiffness of the prosthesis. Hip and knee sagittal joint angles were updated based on the response surface method to simulate joint motion adaptations of prosthesis worn. Then, average horizontal velocity, horizontal velocity change over one period, vertical and horizontal impulse was considered as performance functions. An evaluation parameter was proposed to generalize the idea of performance. Prosthetic knee moment and closest point of the prosthesis to the ground during the swing phase were defined as design constraints to consider knee-buckling and tripping of the prosthetic leg, respectively. The effect of design parameters on the performance and constraint functions was investigated. A method to determine and design suitable prostheses for an individual was proposed. It was revealed that the selection and design of prostheses holds an important place to increase performance.
Molecular Characterization of Rhizobacteria (Isolate EO-4) as Potential Solvent of Phosphate in-vitro from the Mangrove Ecosystem of Teluk Awur, Jepara-Indonesia

Rejuvenation and conservation of mangrove ecosystems, especially the Teluk Awur mangrove ecosystem, Jepara Regency, can be done by using bacteria that are capable of supporting plant growth or called Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). One of the mechanisms that support plant growth by the PGPR group is phosphate dissolving activity, because the phosphate in the soil is in the form of a compound that is difficult for plants to absorb. This study aims to determine the character of Rhizobacter isolates as a superior phosphate solvent in dissolving phosphates in-vitro from the Teluk Awur mangrove ecosystem, namely isolates coded EO-4. These isolates have similar microbiological and biochemical characters to the genus Enterobacter. Molecular characterization of isolates was carried out using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method - 16S rRNA sequence analysis (comparing with 16S rRNA sequences in gene banks). The results showed that the phosphate-solubilizing rhizobacteria that were isolated had the same base pair percentage of 48% with Enterobacter pyrinus (access number NR_028875).