Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Footwear outsole temperature may be more related to plantar pressure during a prolonged run than foot temperature

Objective. The temperature of the sole of the foot has been suggested as an alternative to the measurement of plantar pressure during running despite the scarce evidence about their relationship. The temperature of the footwear outsole could also be representative of plantar pressure distribution due to its less multifactorial dependence. The aim of the study was to determine if plantar pressure during a prolonged run could be related to plantar temperature, either of the sole of the foot or the footwear outsole. Approach. Thirty recreational runners (15 males and 15 females) performed a 30 min running test on a treadmill. Thermographic images of the sole of the foot and the footwear outsole were taken before and immediately after the test, and dynamic plantar pressure was measured at the end of the test. Pearson correlations and stepwise multiple linear regressions were performed. Main results. Plantar pressure percentage was related to a moderate correlation with plantar temperature percentage in forefoot and rearfoot (P < 0.05), showing a greater relationship with the footwear outsole than with the sole of the foot (r = 0.52–0.73 versus r = 0.40–0.61, respectively). Moreover, moderate correlations were also observed between footwear outsole and sole of the foot temperature variables, especially in rearfoot. Significance. Footwear outsole temperature may be better related to plantar pressure distribution than sole of the foot temperature, in the forefoot and rearfoot. The midfoot is the most sensitive and variable region to analyze, as it does not seem to have any relationship with plantar pressure.
Comprehensive analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression profiles in gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has a high prevalence during pregnancy. This research aims to identify genes and their pathways related to GDM by combining bioinformatics analysis. The DNA methylation and gene expression profiles data set was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) and differentially methylated genes (DMG) were screened by R package limma. The methylation-regulated differentially expressed genes (MeDEGs) were obtained by overlapping the DEGs and DMGs. A protein–protein interaction network was constructed using the search tool for searching interacting genes. The results are visualized in Cytoscape. Disease-related miRNAs and pathways were retrieved from Human MicroRNA Disease Database and Comparative Toxic Genome Database. Real-time quantitative PCR further verified the expression changes of these genes in GDM tissues and normal tissues. After overlapping DEGs and DMGs, 138 MeDEGs were identified. These genes were mainly enriched in the biological processes of the “immune response,” “defense response,” and “response to wounding. ” Pathway enrichment shows that these genes are involved in “Antigen processing and presentation,” “Graft-versus-host disease,” “Type I diabetes mellitus,” and “Allograft rejection. ” Six mRNAs (including superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 3 (MAP4K3), dual specificity phosphatase 5 (DUSP5), p21-activated kinases 2 (PAK2), serine protease inhibitor clade E member 1 (SERPINE1), and protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 15B (PPP1R15B)) were identified as being related to GDM. The results obtained by real-time quantitative PCR are consistent with the results of the microarray analysis. This study identified new types of MeDEGs and discovered their related pathways and functions in GDM, which may be used as molecular targets and diagnostic biomarkers for the precise diagnosis and treatment of GDM.
Quantitative live-cell imaging and computational modeling shed new light on endogenous WNT/CTNNB1 signaling dynamics

WNT/CTNNB1 signaling regulates tissue development and homeostasis in all multicellular animals, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains incompletely understood. Specifically, quantitative insight into endogenous protein behavior is missing. Here, we combine CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing and quantitative live-cell microscopy to measure the dynamics, diffusion characteristics and absolute concentrations of fluorescently tagged, endogenous CTNNB1 in human cells under both physiological and oncogenic conditions. State-of-the-art imaging reveals that a substantial fraction of CTNNB1 resides in slow-diffusing cytoplasmic complexes, irrespective of the activation status of the pathway. This cytoplasmic CTNNB1 complex undergoes a major reduction in size when WNT/CTNNB1 is (hyper)activated. Based on our biophysical measurements, we build a computational model of WNT/CTNNB1 signaling. Our integrated experimental and computational approach reveals that WNT pathway activation regulates the dynamic distribution of free and complexed CTNNB1 across different subcellular compartments through three regulatory nodes: the destruction complex, nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, and nuclear retention.
Regeneration in starved planarians depends on TRiC/CCT subunits modulating the unfolded protein response

Planarians are able to stand long periods of starvation by maintaining adult stem cell pools and regenerative capacity. The molecular pathways that are needed for the maintenance of regeneration during starvation are not known. Here, we show that down‐regulation of chaperonin TRiC/CCT subunits abrogates the regeneration capacity of planarians during starvation, but TRiC/CCT subunits are dispensable for regeneration in fed planarians. Under starvation, they are required to maintain mitotic fidelity and for blastema formation. We show that TRiC subunits modulate the unfolded protein response (UPR) and are required to maintain ATP levels in starved planarians. Regenerative defects in starved CCT‐depleted planarians can be rescued by either chemical induction of mild endoplasmic reticulum stress, which leads to induction of the UPR, or by the supplementation of fatty acids. Together, these results indicate that CCT‐dependent UPR induction promotes regeneration of planarians under food restriction.
ImuA Facilitates SOS Mutagenesis by Inhibiting RecA-Mediated Activity in Myxococcus xanthus

DnaE2 is responsible for bacterial SOS mutagenesis in nearly one-third of sequenced bacterial strains. However, its mechanism, especially the function of its accessory protein ImuA, is still unclear. Here, we report that M. xanthus ImuA could affect SOS mutagenesis by inhibiting the recombinase activity of RecA1, which helps to explain the mechanism of DnaE2-dependent TLS and the selection of the two restart pathways to repair the stalled replication fork. ABSTRACT Bacteria have two pathways to restart stalled replication forks caused by environmental stresses, error-prone translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) catalyzed by TLS polymerase and error-free template switching catalyzed by RecA, and their competition on the arrested fork affects bacterial SOS mutagenesis. DnaE2 is an error-prone TLS polymerase, and its functions require ImuA and ImuB. Here, we investigated the transcription of imuA, imuB, and dnaE2 in UV-C-irradiated Myxococcus xanthus and found that the induction of imuA occurred significantly earlier than that of the other two genes. Mutant analysis showed that unlike that of imuB or dnaE2, the deletion of imuA significantly delayed bacterial regrowth and slightly reduced the bacterial mutation frequency and UV resistance. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the absence of ImuA released the expression of some known SOS genes, including recA1, recA2, imuB, and dnaE2. Yeast two-hybrid and pulldown analyses proved that ImuA interacts physically with RecA1 besides ImuB. Protein activity analysis indicated that ImuA had no DNA-binding activity but inhibited the DNA-binding and recombinase activity of RecA1. These findings indicate the new role of ImuA in SOS mutagenesis; that is, ImuA inhibits the recombinase activity of RecA1, thereby facilitating SOS mutagenesis in M. xanthus. IMPORTANCE DnaE2 is responsible for bacterial SOS mutagenesis in nearly one-third of sequenced bacterial strains. However, its mechanism, especially the function of one of its accessory proteins, ImuA, is still unclear. Here, we report that M. xanthus ImuA could affect SOS mutagenesis by inhibiting the recombinase activity of RecA1, which helps to explain the mechanism of DnaE2-dependent TLS and the selection of the two restart pathways to repair the stalled replication fork.
Morphophysiological characteristics of Brazilian bean genotypes related with sulfentrazone tolerance

Abstract In the bean crop there are limited options of herbicides to control eudicotyledons weeds in pre-emergence and sulfentrazone presents potential to be used in a weed management program. The aim of this study was to determine the tolerance of a large number of Brazilian bean genotypes to sulfentrazone and their relation with morphophysiological characteristics, associating it to market classes, seed size and their center of origin. It was evaluated the effect of sulfentrazone application (400 g a.i. ha−1) in pre-emergence of 40 Brazilian bean genotypes, 36 of which were common-bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), two cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), one adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) and one mung bean (Vigna radiata). There was high tolerance variation of the genotypes to sulfentrazone. Morphological parameters were strongly related with relative tolerance. Common bean genotypes that had medium to large seed size (cranberry and carioca) were more tolerant, while small-sized seed genotypes were more sensitive (black). Andean genotypes were more tolerant than Mesoamerican genotypes. Within the Mesoamerican group, medium-sized seed genotypes (carioca beans) were more tolerant than small-sized seed (black beans). Considering only the Vigna genera, cowpea was highly tolerant to sulfentrazone, while mung bean showed intermediary response and adzuki bean was completely sensible.
Safety and Efficacy of Intravitreal Risuteganib for Non-Exudative AMD: A Multicenter, Phase 2a, Randomized, Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1.0 mg risuteganib in subjects with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a phase 2a, prospective, double-masked, sham-controlled study. Eyes with nonexudative (dry) AMD and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between 20/40 and 20/200 were included. Subjects were randomized to intravitreal 1.0 mg risuteganib or sham injection. At Week 16, subjects in the risuteganib group received a second 1.0-mg dose and the sham group crossed over to receive a dose of 1.0 mg risuteganib and were evaluated at Week 28. The primary endpoint was proportion of subjects with 8 letters ETDRS or more BCVA gain from baseline to Week 28 in the risuteganib group versus baseline to Week 12 for the sham group. BCVA was tested and subjects were observed for adverse events (AEs) every 4 weeks until completion of the study at 32 weeks. RESULTS Forty-five subjects (risuteganib, n = 29; sham, n = 16) were enrolled in the study, of whom 39 (risuteganib, n = 25; sham, n = 14) completed the study and were included in the per protocol efficacy analysis. At baseline, mean age was 78.8 and 75.9 years and mean BCVA was 67.1 and 64.4 letters in the sham and risuteganib groups, respectively. The primary endpoint was met by 48% of the risuteganib group at Week 28 and 7% of the sham group at Week 12 (P = .013). Of the risuteganib subjects, 20% gained 15 letters or more at Week 28, whereas no patients in the sham group at Week 12 achieved this visual acuity gain. The only ocular treatment-related treatment-emergent AE was vitreous floaters, which spontaneously recovered without sequelae. No drug-related serious AE was reported. CONCLUSIONS Risuteganib demonstrated significant BCVA improvement in patients with non-exudative AMD. No drug-related AEs were seen during a 32-week observation period. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:327-335. ].
Dynamics of Baltic Sea phages driven by environmental changes.

Phage predation constitutes a major mortality factor for bacteria in aquatic ecosystems, and thus, directly impacts nutrient cycling and microbial community dynamics. Yet, the population dynamics of specific phages across time scales from days to months remain largely unexplored, which limits our understanding of their influence on microbial succession. To investigate temporal changes in diversity and abundance of phages infecting particular host strains, we isolated 121 phage strains that infected three bacterial hosts during a Baltic Sea mesocosm experiment. Genome analysis revealed a novel Flavobacterium phage genus harboring gene sets putatively coding for synthesis of modified nucleotides and glycosylation of bacterial cell surface components. Another novel phage genus revealed a microdiversity of phage species that was largely maintained during the experiment and across mesocosms amended with different nutrients. In contrast to the newly described Flavobacterium phages, phages isolated from a Rheinheimera strain were highly similar to previously isolated genotypes, pointing to genomic consistency in this population. In the mesocosm experiment, the investigated phages were mainly detected after a phytoplankton bloom peak. This concurred with recurrent detection of the phages in the Baltic Proper during summer months, suggesting an influence on the succession of heterotrophic bacteria associated with phytoplankton blooms. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Regiospecific Synthesis of Dimethylphenanthrenes

ABSTRACT The dimethylated phenanthrenes 2,3-dimethylphenanthrene (4a), 2,7-dimethylphenanthrene (4b), 2,6-dimethylphenanthrene (4c) and 1,7-dimethylphenanthrene (4d) have been prepared in gram-quantities by a short sequence of directed ortho metalation (DoM) of N,N-diethylbenzamides followed by Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction and directed remote metalation (DreM) to form 9-phenanthrols. The final phenanthrenes were obtained through protection/deprotection as triflates.
Microalgae in Sewage Treatment

Anaerobic digestion is a common method of treating sewage sludge; however the anaerobic digestate liquor (ADL) contains high nutrient levels that have to be treated. The aim of this study was to determine whether microalgae could be used to strip nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) from ADL produced at Bran Sands sewage treatment works (STW); whether the ADL contained toxins and/or missing nutrients; and identify the spatial and temporal parameters of a potential bioremediation system. ADL was collected from Bran Sands STW and Scenedesmus obliquus was grown on various dilutions of ADL at laboratory scale. It was found that microalgae grown on the ADL was dually inhibited by high ammonia (NH3) concentrations and limited trace element availability. Trace element limitation decreased the microalgae biomass productivity to 1/3 of cultures with trace element supplementation. It was also found that NH3 concentrations > 17-23 mg/l NH3-N completely inhibited growth. A long time lag observed in 10 % ADL solutions was found to be due to the pH decreasing in ADL flasks over time (from 9.30 to 8.60), leading to a decrease in NH3 concentration until the toxicity threshold was crossed (approximately 20 mg/l NH3-N at pH 8.80), after which exponential growth occurred. Using 17.62 mg/l NH3-N as an inhibition threshold, it was calculated that the highest concentration of total ammonia nitrogen TAN that could be remediated at pH 7.0 was 400 mg/l TAN (a 3.75 × dilution of neat ADL). Based on observed growth and nutrient uptake rates, it was further calculated that a microalgae remediation system could strip 400 mg/l TAN from the ADL within 5.66 days. If growth conditions were optimized and the growth rate could be increased to > 1.0 d-1 (reported by Ho et al. (2010)) the remediation time could be reduced to 3.31 days (although this does not consider other growth-limiting factors such as light inhibition). Due to fluctuating N:P ratios it was not possible to calculate predicted P uptake.
Systems controls are needed to reduce mistaken tests for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, results of a prospective quality-improvement cohort study

Abstract Medical diagnosis and therapy often rely on laboratory testing. We observed mistaken testing in evaluations for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) that led to delays and adverse outcomes. Physicians were mistakenly ordering interleukin-2 and quantitative natural killer cell flow cytometry, rather than soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL2R) or qualitative natural killer functional tests in the evaluation of patients suspected to have HLH. We initiated a prospective quality improvement project to reduce mistaken testing, reduce delays in correct testing due to mistaken ordering, and improve HLH evaluations. This consisted of provider education, developing an evaluation algorithm, and ultimately required systems interventions such as pop-ups and removal of the mistaken tests from the electronic ordering catalog. Active education reduced mistaken testing significantly in HLH evaluations from baseline (73.3% vs 33.3%, P = .003, relative risk reduction (RRR) 54.5%), but failed to meet the pre-specified RRR cutoff for success (70%). Education alone did not significantly reduce the proportion of HLH evaluations with delays in sIL2R testing (23.3% vs 7.4%, P = .096). Mistaken testing increased after the active intervention ended (33.3% vs 43.5%, P = .390, with RRR 40.7% from baseline. Mistaken test removal was successful: mistaken testing dropped to 0% (P < .001, RRR 100%), saved $14,235 yearly, eliminated delays in sIL2R testing from mistaken testing (23.3% vs 0%, P = .008), and expedited sIL2R testing after admission for HLH symptoms (14.6 days vs 3.8 days, P = .0012). These data show systems controls are highly effective in quality improvement while education has moderate efficacy.
Nse5/6 inhibits the Smc5/6 ATPase and modulates DNA substrate binding

Eukaryotic cells employ three SMC (structural maintenance of chromosomes) complexes to control DNA folding and topology. The Smc5/6 complex plays roles in DNA repair and in preventing the accumulation of deleterious DNA junctions. To elucidate how specific features of Smc5/6 govern these functions, we reconstituted the yeast holo‐complex. We found that the Nse5/6 sub‐complex strongly inhibited the Smc5/6 ATPase by preventing productive ATP binding. This inhibition was relieved by plasmid DNA binding but not by short linear DNA, while opposing effects were observed without Nse5/6. We uncovered two binding sites for Nse5/6 on Smc5/6, based on an Nse5/6 crystal structure and cross‐linking mass spectrometry data. One binding site is located at the Smc5/6 arms and one at the heads, the latter likely exerting inhibitory effects on ATP hydrolysis. Cysteine cross‐linking demonstrated that the interaction with Nse5/6 anchored the ATPase domains in a non‐productive state, which was destabilized by ATP and DNA. Under similar conditions, the Nse4/3/1 module detached from the ATPase. Altogether, we show how DNA substrate selection is modulated by direct inhibition of the Smc5/6 ATPase by Nse5/6.
Five new species of Western Atlantic stardrums, Stellifer (Perciformes: Sciaenidae) with a key to Atlantic Stellifer species.

Five new species of Stellifer are described from the Caribbean Sea and tropical southwestern Atlantic. Among the previously recognized stelliferine genera, Stellifer is unique by having a pair of variably developed appendages on the posterior margin of the anterior gas chamber, which is lacking in Bairdiella, Corvula, Elattarchus, Odontoscion and Ophioscion. However, recent genetic studies indicated that Stellifer and Ophioscion are not monophyletic. The genus Ophioscion Gill, 1863 is recognized herein as a junior synonym of Stellifer Oken, 1817. Of the five new species described, Stellifer cervigoni n. sp. , S. collettei n. sp. , and S. musicki n. sp. have a pair of knob-like diverticula along the posterior margin of the anterior gas chamber, which is absent in S. macallisteri n. sp. , and S. menezesi n. sp. Stellifer cervigoni n. sp. is found along the southern Caribbean coast of Colombia and Venezuela; it can be distinguished from other species by having a jet-black roof of mouth and inner opercular lining. Stellifer collettei n. sp. is found from Surinam to southeastern Brazil, while S. musicki n. sp. is endemic to northern Brazil. Stellifer macallisteri n. sp. has an oblique, terminal mouth and it is found in Colombia, Venezuela and Dominican Republic. Stellifer menezesi n. sp. has a subterminal mouth and is found from northeastern to southeastern Brazil. These results bring the number of valid species of Stellifer in the Atlantic to 18, and a key to the identification of these species is included.
Longitudinal study indicating antecedent psychosocial vulnerability as predictor of anxiety disorders post‐treatment in people with head and neck cancer

This study aimed to: (1) determine the contribution of pre‐cancer psychosocial vulnerability as an independent predictor of anxiety disorder (AD) onset immediately post‐treatment in patients diagnosed with a first occurrence of head and neck cancer (HNC), controlling for sociodemographics and medical variables; and (2) estimate prevalence of AD and identify trajectories from the moment of diagnosis to the immediate post‐treatment (i.e., over a period of 3 months) in this population.
Intensified and Short Catalytic Bleaching of Eucalyptus Kraft Pulp

Bleaching processes remove residual lignin and hexenuronic acid from cellulosic pulps. The reactions taking place in several stages are slow and consume large amounts of chemicals. The present study demonstrates a novel three-stage pulp bleaching sequence that combines a tertiary amine-catalyzed hypochlorite oxidation with subsequent treatments with ozone and hydrogen peroxide. With this sequence, the residual lignin and hexenuronic acid contents of an oxygen-delignified eucalyptus pulp were decreased by ≫90%, and a full brightness (88% ISO) was achieved. The total reaction time was only ∼1 h, which is one-fifth of the retention time of the current industrial pulp bleaching sequences. The chemical need was low, and the viscosity of the pulp remained high. This study may open new doors to future pulp bleaching with fewer and smaller bleaching towers and diminished use of chemicals.