Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lumbopelvic motor control function between patients with chronic low back pain and healthy controls: a useful distinguishing tool

Abstract Although lumbopelvic stability exercise improves lumbopelvic motor control function in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), the difference in lumbopelvic motor control function between the patients with CLBP and the healthy controls is unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare lumbopelvic motor control function between patients with CLBP and healthy controls and to determine the prevalence of CLBP according to core stability function. For this study, 278 participants were recruited, including patients with CLBP (n = 137) and healthy controls (n = 141). The participants performed a core stability function test and were classified to either the low or high core stability function group according to their core stability function for CLBP prevalence analysis. Lumbopelvic motor control was significantly higher in the healthy controls than in patients with CLBP. Of the patients in the low lumbopelvic motor control function group, 65.9% had CLBP, whereas 36.8% of the patients in the high lumbopelvic motor control function group had CLBP. Lumbopelvic motor control function demonstrated a significant difference between the patients with CLBP and the healthy controls. The lumbopelvic motor control function test was demonstrated to be an effective diagnostic tool for distinguishing CLBP. This information can be applied in assessments and interventions for CLBP in clinical settings.
Chimeric Antigen Receptors Targeting Human Cytomegalovirus.

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen that causes significant morbidity in some vulnerable populations. Individualized adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded CMV-specific CD8+ T cells has provided proof-of-concept that immunotherapy can be highly effective, but a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) approach would provide a feasible method for broad application. We created eight novel CARs using anti-CMV neutralizing antibody sequences, which were transduced via lentiviral vector into primary CD8+ T cells. All CARs were expressed. Activity against CMV-infected target cells was assessed by release of cytokines (interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α), upregulation of surface CD107a, proliferation, cytolysis of infected cells, and suppression of viral replication. While some CARs showed varying functional activity across these assays, one CAR based on antibody 21E9 was consistently superior in all measures. These results support development of a CMV-specific CAR for therapeutic use against CMV and potentially other applications harnessing CMV-driven immunotherapies.
Work status and work ability after radical prostatectomy or active surveillance for prostate cancer

Abstract Objective: Being able to work is important for health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and little is known about work life after radical treatment for prostate cancer (PCa). The aim was to investigate work status (WS) and work ability (WA) after radical prostatectomy (RP) or active surveillance (AS) for PCa, and to identify factors associated with reduced WA. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of 606 men treated with RP (n = 442) or AS (n = 164) at two Norwegian general hospitals. In 2017, they were asked to complete questionnaires measuring adverse effects (AE), HRQoL, aspects of work life and psychological factors at a median of 4.1 (range 1.3–8.1) years after diagnosis. Clinical data were retrieved from medical records. WS was categorized into employed, unemployed or retired. WA was rated using the Work Ability Index. Regression analyses were performed to find factors associated with reduced WA. Results: WS was similar for the RP and AS groups at diagnosis and survey. There was a small reduction in WA from diagnosis to survey and the difference between the RP and AS groups was non-significant. Older age, poorer self-rated health, poorer incontinence score, more chronic fatigue, and increased anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with reduced WA, while treatment method, urinary bother and use of pads were not. Conclusion: The impact of RP and AS on WS and WA was almost similar. Age and psychological variables were more strongly associated with reduced WA than cancer-related variables.
Mechanisms of Action of Prebiotics and Their Effects on Gastro-Intestinal Disorders in Adults

In recent years, research has focused on the use of dietary fibers and prebiotics, since many of these polysaccharides can be metabolized by intestinal microbiota, leading to the production of short-chain fatty acids. The metabolites of prebiotic fermentation also show anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capabilities, suggesting an interesting role in the treatment of several pathological conditions. Galacto-oligosaccharide and short- and long-chain fructans (Fructo-oligosaccharides and inulin) are the most studied prebiotics, even if other dietary compounds seem to show the same features. There is an increasing interest in dietary strategies to modulate microbiota. The aim of this review is to explore the mechanisms of action of prebiotics and their effects on the principal gastro-intestinal disorders in adults, with a special focus on Galacto-oligosaccharides, Fructo-oligosaccharides, lactulose and new emerging substances which currently have evidence of prebiotics effects, such as xilooligosaccharides, soybean oligosaccharides, isomaltooligosaccharides, lactobionic acid, resistant starch and polyphenols.
Similar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and genotoxicity profiles of atmospheric particulate matter from cities on three different continents

The extractable organic material (EOM) from atmospheric total suspended particles (TSP) contains several organic compounds including non‐substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkyl‐PAHs, and nitro‐PAHs. These chemicals seem to be among the key drivers of TSP genotoxicity. We have shown previously that the mutagenic potencies of the EOM from Limeira, Stockholm, and Kyoto, cities with markedly different meteorological conditions and pollution sources are similar. Here we compare the profiles of non‐substituted PAHs (27 congeners), alkyl‐PAHs (15 congeners), and nitro‐PAHs (7 congeners) from the same EOM samples from these cities. We also compared the genotoxicity profiles using comet and micronucleus assays in human bronchial epithelial cells. The profiles of PAHs, as well as the cytotoxic and genotoxic potencies when expressed in EOM, were quite similar among the studied cities. It seems that despite the differences in meteorological conditions and pollution sources of the cities, removal, mixing, and different atmospheric transformation processes may be contributing to the similarity of the PAHs composition and genotoxicity profiles. More studies are required to verify if this would be a general rule applicable to other cities. Although these profiles were similar for all three cities, the EOM concentration in the atmospheres is markedly different. Thus, the population of Limeira (∼10‐fold more EOM/m3 than Stockholm and ∼6‐fold more than Kyoto) is exposed to higher concentrations of genotoxic pollutants, and Kyoto's population is 1.5‐fold more exposed than Stockholm's. Therefore, to reduce the risk of human exposure to TSP genotoxins, the volume of emissions needs to be reduced.
Comparing Performance and Parameterization of a One‐Dimensional Unsaturated Zone Model across Scales

The utility of an unsaturated zone soil moisture model is not only its ability to describe the soil moisture dynamics at a given point but also the possibility to generalize the results to larger areas. In this study we investigated the predictive performance of a one‐dimensional unsaturated zone soil moisture model when applied at point, field, response unit, and catchment scales, using detailed field observations from a 0.42‐km2 catchment in the Netherlands. Our main question was how model parameterization and model performance could be compared across these scales. We considered two different calibration–validation schemes and three performance statistics. In all cases we applied the same Levenberg–Marquardt optimization scheme. Differences between calibration–validation schemes (interpolation vs. extrapolation) were surprisingly small. Using one particular model parameterization across the various aggregation levels, the optimal Mualem–van Genuchten parameters for a coarser aggregation level can be derived from an underlying level by simple arithmetic averaging. The different performance indices (RMSE, index of agreement, and Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient) were highly variable between observation locations and for different aggregation levels. Overall, the indices were more favorable at higher aggregation levels, and in correspondence with errors reported in comparable studies. The unsaturated‐zone model did not, however, provide satisfactory predictions of independent flux observations, in this case daily catchment discharge. Moreover we did not succeed in deriving a meta‐model to scale model performance indices with aggregation level. Our case study therefore supports the view that multiscale calibration studies that use both state and flux observations are required to compare results from unsaturated zone models at different aggregation levels.
Investigating novel components and mechanisms involved in B cell receptor-antigen internalisation

The elimination of a wide variety of infections requires the production of high affinity antibodies specific for the invading pathogen. The generation of these high affinity antibodies depends on the ability of B cells to recognise and internalise antigens from the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in an affinity-dependent manner. B cells expressing high affinity B cell receptors (BCRs) internalise, process and present more antigen, obtain better T cell help, and are selectively expanded over lower affinity equivalents. However, the molecular mechanisms by which B cells extract antigens for presentation remain unclear. Using a new fluid and flexible membrane substrate to mimic APCs, we show that B cells acquire antigen by dynamic myosin IIA-mediated contractions that pull out and invaginate the presenting membranes. Invaginations containing high affinity BCR-antigen microclusters were able to withstand the force of these contractions and recruit clathrin resulting in endocytosis. In contrast, low affinity BCR-antigen bonds quickly ruptured aborting internalisation. Thus we conclude that coupling contractility to endocytosis permits B cells to discriminate between antigen affinities, which provides a mechanism for the selective advantage seen for high affinity B cell clones in vivo. Disruptions in BCR-antigen internalisation has been linked to the growth of malignant B cells and the development of autoimmunity. Therefore, ultimately, our results could contribute to the effective design of future therapeutics for B cell diseases.
MANIPULATION OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE FOR THE DIRECT DETECTION OF POLYPHOSPHATE ACCUMULATING BACTERIA

Activated sludge from the aerobic stage of a full-scale biological nutrient removal plant was subjected to aerobic starvation over a period of ten days. The hypothesis was that polyphosphate accumulating organisms survive due to the presence of intracellular polyphosphate granules which can be utilized as a biological energy source. Samples from the laboratory reactor were fixed at specific time intervals and hybridizations were performed with ribosomal RNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes specific for all bacteria, the alpha, beta and gamma subclasses of Proteobacteria, the Gram positive bacteria with a high DNA G+C content and bacteria belonging to the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium cluster of the CytophagaFlavobacterium-Bacteroides phylum. Simultaneous staining with the DNA specific intercalating dye, 4’,6 diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and the individual group specific probes, enabled the direct enumeration of cells from each subclass within the total microbial community. The community shift over a ten day aerobic starvation period was observed for each family. The beta Proteobacteria and the Gram positive bacteria with a high DNA G+C content dominated over the other phylogenetic groups investigated. The dominance (survival) of these bacteria indicate that they may play a role in polyphosphate accumulation.
The role of physics in epithelial homeostasis and development

Developing epithelial tissues are characterised by the disordered cell packing caused by ongoing cell proliferation and changes in tissue size. However, cell packing in adult epithelial tissues exhibits a high level of order, and typically, the apical tissue surface resembles a regular hexagonal lattice of planar polygons. One of the central questions in tissue development concerns the mechanisms which induce cells to repack. The change in packing may transform the tissue into a regular pattern of hexagonal cells, as seen during the refinement of Drosophila M. wing and notum tissue, or it can occur as a mechanism which drives tissue shape change, as seen during embryonal axis elongation during Drosophila convergent extension. We study cell repacking in epithelia effected by the forces that act at the interface between adjacent cells. To this end, we develop a mechanical model of epithelial tissue based on the ideas of the cellular Potts model and building on previous vertex models. Analysing expanding and fixed-size tissues, we find that steady state packing geometries depend on the regularity in the timing of cell divisions. We predict that cells in topologically active epithelia leave the tissue in response to mechanical compression and geometric anisotropy. Through a collaboration with biologists Eliana Marinari and Buzz Baum, we find that such mechanically driven cell delamination indeed occurs in the Drosophila notum. We thus identify a novel process of tissue homeostasis, whereby live cells delaminate from developing epithelium in order to limit overcrowding. Analysing the relation between stable packing geometries and the mechanical parameters, we suggest that an increase in the strength of acto-myosin contractility alone could cause tissue to repack into a regular lattice. Modifying the model to describe polarised acto-myosin localisation, we computationally reproduce cell intercalation and actin cable and rosette formation during convergent extension in Drosophila.
Survey On Stock Market Forecast Using Machine Learning And Text Mining With Cloud’s CaaS

The big data techniques in conjunction with data mining are rapidly increasing its domination in the data analysis paradigm. These techniques can be effective when combined with the robust applications of cloud computing which can be used in the forecasting of volatile share market. The current existing process of share market predictions uses various existing algorithms but does not take into account the hidden variables that could affect the share market. Our proposed system, uses multi-agent module which can handle multitude of scenarios in which the investment can be favourable. This system is deployed in the cloud platform which can provide high performance computing as well as secured data service. Initially, the system collects the data of the company from social media like twitter and facebook through REST API and performs text mining to retrieve the data that are in correlation with the financial market. After the correlation analysis, the system uses diverged quantitative trading algorithms and performs forecasting analysis. The probability of buying or selling of the stocks are calculated based on the values acquired though forecasting analysis. The reliability factor associated with the quantitative algorithms and the social media posts is modified based on the probability of success in the process of back testing and live share market. Thus the prediction of stock price with company related posts from social media and the quantitative trading algorithms reduces the risk of investment in the volatile share market.
Identi�cation and Analysis of the FAD Gene Family in Walnuts (Juglans regia L.) Based on Transcriptome Data

Background: Walnut kernels contain a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid and linolenic acid, which are essential fatty acids for humans and have important effects on growth and health. The main function of fatty acid desaturase (FAD), which is widely distributed in organisms, is to remove hydrogen from carbon chains in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids to generate C=C bonds. Results: By performing a series of bioinformatics analysis, 24 members of the JrFAD gene family were identi�ed from the genome database of walnut, and then compared with the homologous genes from Arabidopsis. Phylogenetic analysis showed that JrFADs were classi�ed into four subfamilies: the SAD desaturase subfamily, Δ7/Δ9 desaturase subfamily, Δ12/ω-3 desaturase subfamily and "front-end" desaturase subfamily. Meanwhile, the expression of fatty acid synthesis genes in walnut kernels at different developmental stages was analysed by transcriptome sequencing, with expression of JrFAD3-1, which encodes an enzyme involved in linolenic acid synthesis, being particularly prominent. The relative expression level of JrFAD3-1 changed dramatically with the kernel development stages and exhibited a Bell-Shaped Curve. A signi�cant positive correlation was observed between the expression of JrFAD3-1 during 70-100 DAF (Days after �owering) and the content of alpha-linolenic acid during 100-130 DAF, with a correlation coe�cient of 0.991. Additionally, JrFAD3-1 was proved closely related to homologous genes in Betula pendula and Corylus heterophylla, indicating that the conserved structure of FADs is consistent with classical plant taxonomy. Conclusion: Twenty-four members JrFADs in walnut were identi�ed and classi�ed into four subfamilies.
Berakdar and Radwan: Antifungal Activity of Peppermint Oil against Candida Albicans Isolated from Urine Samples

Marine algae are known to produce a wide variety of bioactive secondary metabolites and several compounds have been derived from them for prospective development of novel drugs by the pharmaceutical industries. The marine red seaweed Caulacanthusustulatus, collected from the Kilakarai region located between (9.23135° N, 78.7844° E) Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India. The seaweed extract was prepared from various solvent extracts namely aqueous, ethanol, methanol and acetone was tested for their phytochemical analysis, antibacterial activity against human pathogens viz., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and aquatic pathogens viz., Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio vulnificus using disc diffusion methods and in vitro antioxidant activity such as DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity and Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of selected solvent extracts. Phytochemical analysis of sixteen different chemical compounds was carried out. The maximum nine phytochemical compounds were present in the methanol and ethanol extracts and the minimum six compounds were present in aqueous extract. The highest antibacterial activity was present in human pathogen P. aeruginosa (20.66 ± 1.1mm) likewise the aquatic pathogen the antibacterial activity was increase in Aeromonas hydrophila (20.33 ± 1.5mm). The methanol extract was significantly higher in DPPH radical scavenging activity (67.07 ± 0.5μg/ml), ABTS radical scavenging activity (72.4 ± 0.6 μg/ml) and Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (54.06 ± 0.58μg/ml). This study indicates the potential use of red seaweed; in particularC.ustulatus extracts are treating human and aquatic bacterial pathogens and it could be a potential candidate for the natural compounds as antioxidant.
The Impact of On-Bill Programs on Loan Performance: Evidence from the Green Jobs, Green New York Program

I investigate the credit enhancement value of NYSERDA’s on-bill energy efficiency financing program relative to its similar conventional unsecured loan program. The two programs have run concurrently for several years and are similar in many respects, allowing me to interpret the unsecured loans as a counterfactual for the on-bill loans. In the raw data, while both loan pools perform well relative to credit card lending, the on-bill loans default more often than the unsecured loans. Using loanlevel data to eliminate known problematic loans and control for other differences in the loans that might affect loan performance, I show that this result persists: on-bill loans default more often, and this finding is not sensitive to model specification. I also show that NYSERDA’s alternate underwriting mechanism based on mortgage and utility bill repayment history performs well, and that projected dollar savings from the installed projects do not significantly influence loan performance. Loan payments to NYSERDA’s on-bill program are subordinated to utility bill charges: by law bill payments are first directed toward utility bill charges and only applied to the loan when bill charges are fully paid. Subordination may be responsible for my surprising results, as most observers expect onbill programs generally to have some credit enhancement value. As such, while my finding is cautionary for the credit enhancement value of on-bill arrangements, other on-bill programs that do not fully subordinate loan payments may well offer positive loan performance value.
Cold Adaptation in Budding Yeast□D

We have determined the transcriptional response of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to cold. Yeast cells were exposed to 10°C for different lengths of time, and DNA microarrays were used to characterize the changes in transcript abundance. Two distinct groups of transcriptionally modulated genes were identified and defined as the early cold response and the late cold response. A detailed comparison of the cold response with various environmental stress responses revealed a substantial overlap between environmental stress response genes and late cold response genes. In addition, the accumulation of the carbohydrate reserves trehalose and glycogen is induced during late cold response. These observations suggest that the environmental stress response (ESR) occurs during the late cold response. The transcriptional activators Msn2p and Msn4p are involved in the induction of genes common to many stress responses, and we show that they mediate the stress response pattern observed during the late cold response. In contrast, classical markers of the ESR were absent during the early cold response, and the transcriptional response of the early cold response genes was Msn2p/Msn4p independent. This implies that the cold-specific early response is mediated by a different and as yet uncharacterized regulatory mechanism.