Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early Onset Neurocirculatory Response to Static Handgrip is Associated with Greater Blood Pressure Variability in Women with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric illness that is more prevalent in women and accumulating evidence suggests a link between PTSD and future development of cardiovascular disease. The underlying mechanisms are unclear but augmented sympathetic reactivity to daily stressors may be involved. We measured muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate responses in 14 women with PTSD and 14 healthy women (controls) during static handgrip (SHG) exercise to fatigue at 40% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Two min of post-exercise circulatory arrest (PECA) was followed immediately after SHG to fatigue. MVC and the time to fatigue during SHG did not differ between groups (both P>0.05). At the first 30 sec of SHG, women with PTSD showed augmented sympathetic neural (mean±SD, ∆MSNA burst frequency (BF): 5±4 vs. 2±3 bursts/30sec, P=0.02 and ∆MSNA total activity (TA): 82±58 vs. 25±38 a.u. /30sec, P=0.004) and pressor (∆systolic BP: 10±5 vs. 4±3 mmHg, P=0.003) responses compared with controls. However, MSNA and BP responses at fatigue and during PECA were not different between groups. More interestingly, the augmented initial neural and pressor responses to SHG were associated with greater awake systolic BP variability during ambulation in women with PTSD (MSNA BF: r=0.55, MSNA TA: r=0.62, and SBP: r=0.69, all P<0.05). These results suggest that early onset exercise pressor response in women with PTSD may be attributed to enhanced mechano- rather than metabo-reflexes and it might contribute to the mechanisms underlying the link between PTSD and cardiovascular risk.
Altered Genome-Wide DNA Methylation in Peripheral Blood of South African Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Increasing evidence implicate altered DNA methylation in the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This exploratory study probed the association between GDM and peripheral blood DNA methylation patterns in South African women. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling was conducted in women with (n = 12) or without (n = 12) GDM using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylationEPIC BeadChip array. Functional analysis of differentially methylated genes was conducted using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. A total of 1046 CpG sites (associated with 939 genes) were differentially methylated between GDM and non-GDM groups. Enriched pathways included GDM-related pathways such as insulin resistance, glucose metabolism and inflammation. DNA methylation of the top five CpG loci showed distinct methylation patterns in GDM and non-GDM groups and was correlated with glucose concentrations. Of these, one CpG site mapped to the calmodulin-binding transcription activator 1 (CAMTA1) gene, which have been shown to regulate insulin production and secretion and may offer potential as an epigenetic biomarker in our population. Further validation using pyrosequencing and conducting longitudinal studies in large sample sizes and in different populations are required to investigate their candidacy as biomarkers of GDM.
Nanophotonic Cell Lysis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with Gravity-Driven Cell Enrichment for Rapid Detection of Pathogens.

Rapid and precise detection of pathogens is a critical step in the prevention and identification of emergencies related to health and biosafety, as well as the clinical management of community-acquired urinary tract infections or sexually transmitted diseases. However, a conventional culture-based pathogen diagnostic method is time-consuming, permitting physicians to use antibiotics without ample clinical data. Here, we present a nanophotonic Light-driven Integrated cell lysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on chip with Gravity-driven cell enrichment Health Technology (LIGHT) for rapid precision detection of pathogens (< 20 minutes). We create the LIGHT, which has the triple functions of (1) selective enrichment filtering, (2) photothermal cell lysis, and (3) photonic PCR. We design the gravity-driven cell enrichment via a nanoporous membrane on chip that allows an effective bacterial enrichment of 40,000-fold from 1 ml sample in 2 minutes. We establish a light-driven photothermal lysis of preconcentrated bacteria within 1 minute by designing the network of nanoplasmonic optical antenna on chip for ultrafast light-to-heat conversion. We accomplish the nanoplasmonic optical antennas network-based ultrafast photonic PCR on chip and identify Escherichia coli (E. coli). Finally, we demonstrate the end-point detection of up to 103 CFU/ml of E. coli in 10 minutes. We believe that our nanophotonic LIGHT will provide rapid and precision identification of pathogens in both developing and developed countries.
A Plasmid-Encoded Putative Glycosyltransferase Is Involved in Hop Tolerance and Beer Spoilage in Lactobacillus brevis

Lactobacillus brevis is a member of the lactic acid bacteria and is often reported as the causative agent of food or beverage spoilage, in particular, that of beer. Bacterial spoilage of beer may result in product withdrawal or recall, with concomitant economic losses for the brewing industry. A very limited number of genes involved in beer spoilage have been identified and primarily include those involved in hop resistance, such as horA, hitA, and horC. However, since none of these genes are universal, it is clear that there are likely (many) other molecular players involved in beer spoilage. Here, we report on the importance of a plasmid-encoded glycosyltransferase associated with beer spoilage by L. brevis that is involved in hop tolerance. The study highlights the complexity of the genetic requirements to facilitate beer spoilage and the role of multiple key players in this process. ABSTRACT Lactobacillus brevis beer-spoiling strains harbor plasmids that contain genes such as horA, horC, and hitA which are known to confer hop tolerance. The L. brevis beer-spoiling strain UCCLBBS124, which possesses four plasmids, was treated with novobiocin, resulting in the isolation of UCCLBBS124 derivatives exhibiting hop sensitivity and an inability to grow in beer. One selected derivative was shown to have lost a single plasmid, here designated UCCLBBS124_D, which harbors the UCCLBBS124_pD0015 gene, predicted to encode a glycosyltransferase. Hop tolerance and growth in beer were restored when UCCLBBS124_pD0015 was introduced in one of these hop-sensitive derivatives on a plasmid. We hypothesize that this gene modifies the surface composition of the polysaccharide cell wall, conferring protection against hop compounds. Furthermore, the introduction of this gene in trans in L. brevis UCCLB521, a strain that cannot grow in and spoil beer, was shown to furnish the resulting strain with the ability to grow in beer, while its expression also conferred phage resistance. This study underscores how the acquisition of certain mobile genetic elements plays a role in hop tolerance and beer spoilage for strains of this bacterial species. IMPORTANCE Lactobacillus brevis is a member of the lactic acid bacteria and is often reported as the causative agent of food or beverage spoilage, in particular, that of beer. Bacterial spoilage of beer may result in product withdrawal or recall, with concomitant economic losses for the brewing industry. A very limited number of genes involved in beer spoilage have been identified and primarily include those involved in hop resistance, such as horA, hitA, and horC. However, since none of these genes are universal, it is clear that there are likely (many) other molecular players involved in beer spoilage. Here, we report on the importance of a plasmid-encoded glycosyltransferase associated with beer spoilage by L. brevis that is involved in hop tolerance. The study highlights the complexity of the genetic requirements to facilitate beer spoilage and the role of multiple key players in this process.
Influence of Ripening Stage and Cultivar on Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Compositions of Aronia Grown in South Korea

The present study investigated the fruits of aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) across different stages of maturity and analyzed their physicochemical properties, antioxidant compositions, and activities. The selected aronia cultivars (‘Viking’, ‘McKenzie’, and ‘Kingstar K1’ were categorized based on maturity into the immature stage (red tip), intermediary stage (red), and mature stage (dark purple). The key sugar components of aronia fruits were fructose, glucose, and sorbitol, while the main organic acid was found to be malic acid. The antioxidant content and activity of all three aronia cultivars showed significantly higher values for the red tip stage than the red or dark purple stages. However, the total anthocyanin content of aronia was the highest at the dark purple stage in three cultivars. The main polyphenols in aronia fruits were found to be catechol and chlorogenic acid, with a decreasing tendency as maturation progressed. As a result, the red tip stage of aronia fruits contains comparatively more abundant flavonoids, phenolic compounds and polyphenols than the dark purple stage, with higher antioxidant activity.
Theta‐alpha Oscillations Characterize Emotional Subregion in the Human Ventral Subthalamic Nucleus

Therapeutic outcomes of STN‐DBS for movement and psychiatric disorders depend on electrode location within the STN. Electrophysiological and functional mapping of the STN has progressed considerably in the past years, identifying beta‐band oscillatory activity in the dorsal STN as a motor biomarker. It also has been suggested that STN theta‐alpha oscillations, involved in impulse control and action inhibition, have a ventral source. However, STN local field potential mapping of motor, associative, and limbic areas is often limited by poor spatial resolution.
Health‐Related Quality of Life and Cognitive Functioning in Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) research remains somewhat of a Cinderella pursuit despite a good quality of life being one of the most valued attributes of human existence. Studies reporting HRQOL and that other important entity cognitive function remain somewhat rare, partly because HRQoL is a subjective, concept which is difficult to define and quantify, and also because the number and range of tools for measuring HRQOL makes comparison between groups of patients difficult and meta-analysis almost impossible.
Low-latency single channel real-time neural spike sorting system based on template matching

Recent technical advancements in neural engineering allow for precise recording and control of neural circuits simultaneously, opening up new opportunities for closed-loop neural control. In this work, a rapid spike sorting system was developed based on template matching to rapidly calculate instantaneous firing rates for each neuron in a multi-unit extracellular recording setting. Cluster templates were first generated by a desktop computer using a non-parameter spike sorting algorithm (Super-paramagnetic clustering) and then transferred to a field-programmable gate array digital circuit for rapid sorting through template matching. Two different matching techniques–Euclidean distance (ED) and correlational matching (CM)–were compared for the accuracy of sorting and the performance of calculating firing rates. The performance of the system was first verified using publicly available artificial data and was further confirmed with pre-recorded neural spikes from an anesthetized Mongolian gerbil. Real-time recording and sorting from an awake mouse were also conducted to confirm the system performance in a typical behavioral neuroscience experimental setting. Experimental results indicated that high sorting accuracies were achieved for both template-matching methods, but CM can better handle spikes with non-Gaussian spike distributions, making it more robust for in vivo recording. The technique was also compared to several other off-line spike sorting algorithms and the results indicated that the sorting accuracy is comparable but sorting time is significantly shorter than these other techniques. A low sorting latency of under 2 ms and a maximum spike sorting rate of 941 spikes/second have been achieved with our hybrid hardware/software system. The low sorting latency and fast sorting rate allow future system developments of neural circuit modulation through analyzing neural activities in real-time.
The MIR 2018 Exam: Psychometric Study and Comparison with the Previous Nine Years

Background and Objectives: The aim of the present research is to study the questions used in the 2018 MIR exam (a test that allows access to specialized medical training in Spain), describe their psychometric properties, and evaluate their quality. Materials and Methods: This analysis is performed with the help of classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT). The answers given to the test questions by a total of 3868 physicians are analyzed. Results: According to CTT, the average difficulty index for all of the test questions was 0.629, which falls into the acceptable category. The average difficulty index with correction for random effects was 0.515, which corresponds to a value within the optimal range. The mean discrimination index was 0.277, which is in the good category, while the mean point biserial correlation coefficient, with a value of 0.275 fits in the regular category. The values of difficulty and discrimination calculated according to the model of two parameters of the IRT seem adequate with average values of −0.389 and 0.677. The Cronbach alpha score obtained for the overall test was 0.944. This value is considered as very good. Conclusions: A decrease was observed in the average values of discrimination in the last three calls, which may be related to the greater proportion of Spanish graduates that take the exam in the same year of finalization of their studies in Medicine.
Circ‐TCF4.85 silencing inhibits cancer progression through microRNA‐486‐5p‐targeted inhibition of ABCF2 in hepatocellular carcinoma

The current study aimed to explore the role of the circular RNA circ‐TCF4.85 and its downstream target microRNA‐486‐5p (miR‐486‐5p) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Circ‐TCF4.85 was detected to be highly expressed in HCC tissues. Next, we found that silencing of circ‐TCF4.85 repressed HCC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, while enhancing apoptosis. In addition, biotin‐coupled probe pull‐down and miRNA capture assays, as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization, confirmed that circ‐TCF4.85 could bind to miR‐486‐5p. In rescue experiments, miR‐486‐5p had the potential to eliminate the tumor‐suppressive effects of circ‐TCF4.85 knockdown in HCC. Moreover, miR‐486‐5p was shown to target ABCF2 gene, which was positively regulated by circ‐TCF4.85. Finally, nude mice subcutaneously injected with si‐circ‐TCF4.85‐transfected HCC cells presented with inhibited xenograft tumor formation in vivo. Taken together, our results reveal that silencing of circ‐TCF4.85 suppresses HCC progression via miR‐486‐5p‐targeted inhibition of ABCF2.
Recent Advances in Liquid Chromatographic Methods for the Determination of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) and Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI).

Depression is now the second largest public health burden throughout the world. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) have replaced older antidepressants to become first-line medications to treat this disease with increased remission rates and markedly decreased incidence of severe adverse events. Traditional and modern bioanalytical strategies for SSRI and SNRI determination are being continuously improved. There has also been a recent increase in the use of unconventional sample preparation methods. This review critically evaluates the development of SSRI and SNRI liquid chromatographic analytical methods published between 2014 and mid-2019, with special attention to novel sample preparation methods.
Disruption of Arabidopsis neutral ceramidases 1 and 2 results in specific sphingolipid imbalances triggering different phytohormone-dependent plant cell death programs.

Sphingolipids act as regulators of programmed cell death (PCD) and the plant defense response. The homeostasis between long-chain base (LCB) and ceramide (Cer) seems to play an important role in executions of PCD. Therefore, deciphering the role of neutral ceramidases (NCER) is crucial to identify the sphingolipid compounds that trigger and execute PCD. We performed comprehensive sphingolipid and phytohormone analyses of Arabidopsis ncer mutants, combined with gene expression profiling and microscopic analyses. While ncer1 exhibited early leaf senescence (developmentally-controlled PCD - dPCD) and an increase in hydroxyceramides, ncer2 showed spontaneous cell death (pathogen-triggered PCD-like - pPCD) accompanied by an increase in LCB t18:0 at 35 days, respectively. Loss of NCER1 function resulted in accumulation of jasmonoyl-isoleucine (JA-Ile) in the leaves, whereas disruption of NCER2 was accompanied by higher levels of salicylic acid (SA) and increased sensitivity to Fumonisin B1 (FB1 ). All mutants were also found to activate plant defense pathways. These data strongly suggest that NCER1 hydrolyses ceramides whereas NCER2 functions as a ceramide synthase. Our results reveal an important role of neutral ceramidases in the regulation of both dPCD and pPCD via a tight connection between the phytohormone and sphingolipid levels in these two processes.
Extensive free-energy simulations identify water as the base in nucleotide addition by DNA polymerase

Significance The microscopic chemical mechanism of adding a base to a growing strand of DNA during DNA replication is unknown. The chemistry requires multiple proton transfers in a complex active site, and experimental probes have been unable to distinguish among the many plausible reaction pathways. This work uses an efficient computational approach to systematically survey the many plausible chemical mechanisms for the reaction and concludes that a water molecule in the active site plays a crucial role. The work also clarifies the catalytic role played by a controversial third metal cation that appeared in the active site during crystallographic studies. The new mechanistic understanding will guide studies of medically and technologically vital questions on DNA replication, gene expression, and gene editing. Transphosphorylation of nucleotide triphosphates is the central reaction in DNA replication by DNA polymerase as well as many other biological processes. Despite its importance, the microscopic chemical mechanism of transphosphorylation of nucleotide triphosphates is, in most cases, unknown. Here we use extensive simulations of DNA polymerase η to test mechanistic hypotheses. We systematically survey the reactive space by calculating 2D free-energy surfaces for 10 different plausible mechanisms that have been proposed. We supplement these free-energy surfaces with calculations of pKa for a number of potentially acidic protons in different states relevant to the catalytic cycle. We find that among all of the conditions that we test, the smallest activation barrier occurs for a reaction where a Mg2+-coordinated water deprotonates the nucleophilic 3′-OH, and this deprotonation is concerted with the phosphoryl transfer. The presence of a third Mg2+ in the active site lowers the activation barrier for the water-as-base mechanism, as does protonation of the pyrophosphate leaving group, which is consistent with general acid catalysis. The results demonstrate the value of simulations, when used in conjunction with experimental data, to help establish a microscopic chemical mechanism in a complex environment.
Occupational Stress among Sanitary Workers: A Comparative Analysis

This descriptive research attempts to analyse and compare sources of occupational stress of sanitary workers working in both multi speciality and single speciality hospitals, to compare the impact of occupational stress and to examine coping strategies being followed by them. The study has analysed sources of stress under four dimensions namely rank role and motivation related stressors, work sift and working hour related stressors, organization related stressors and sanitary workers’ specific stressors. Impact of stress has been discussed under two dimensions namely individual life especially at work place and health and family and social life of the sanitary workers. The study has sampled 120 sanitary workers (60 from single speciality and 60 from multi speciality hospitals) from 40 leading (20 single and 20 multi speciality) private hospitals using convenient and judgement sampling techniques. The primary data have been collected by schedule method. Percentage method has been used to describe the demographic variables of the respondents. Weighted average method has been employed to analyse and rank the stressors, impact of stress and coping strategies. Mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation have been administered to rank dimensions of stressors and impact of stress. Chi square test have been used to test hypotheses of the study. The secondary data for the study have been collected from books, journals and websites. The analysis of the data has identified that almost majority of stressors of all dimensions of source of stress and impact of stress on individual and family and social life are equally experienced by sanitary workers of both types of hospitals. Hypotheses of the study have explained that demographic variables (sex and marital status) have not significant relationship with dimensions of sources of stress.
Transcriptome Analysis and Identification of Insecticide Tolerance-Related Genes after Exposure to Insecticide in Sitobion avenae

Aphids cause serious losses to the production of wheat. The grain aphid, Sitobion avenae, which is the dominant species of aphid in all wheat regions of China, is resistant to a variety of insecticides, including imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos. However, the resistance and mechanism of insecticide tolerance of S. avenae are still unclear. Therefore, this study employed transcriptome analysis to compare the expression patterns of stress response genes under imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos treatment for 15 min, 3 h, and 36 h of exposure. S. avenae adult transcriptome was assembled and characterized first, after which samples treated with insecticides for different lengths of time were compared with control samples, which revealed 60–2267 differentially expressed unigenes (DEUs). Among these DEUs, 31–790 unigenes were classified into 66–786 categories of gene ontology (GO) functional groups, and 24–760 DEUs could be mapped into 54–268 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Finally, 11 insecticide-tolerance-related unigenes were chosen to confirm the relative expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in each treatment. Most of the results between qRT-PCR and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) are well-established. The results presented herein will facilitate molecular research investigating insecticide resistance in S. avenae, as well as in other wheat aphids.