Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The CRISPR-Cas System Differentially Regulates Surface-Attached and Pellicle Biofilm in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

In addition to being implicated in bacterial immunity and genome editing, the CRISPR-Cas system has recently been demonstrated to regulate endogenous gene expression and biofilm formation. While the function of individual cas genes in controlling Salmonella biofilm has been explored, the regulatory role of CRISPR arrays in biofilm is less studied. ABSTRACT The CRISPR-Cas mediated regulation of biofilm by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was investigated by deleting CRISPR-Cas components ΔcrisprI, ΔcrisprII, ΔΔcrisprI crisprII, and Δcas op. We determined that the system positively regulates surface biofilm while inhibiting pellicle biofilm formation. Results of real-time PCR suggest that the flagellar (fliC, flgK) and curli (csgA) genes were repressed in knockout strains, causing reduced surface biofilm. The mutants displayed altered pellicle biofilm architecture. They exhibited bacterial multilayers and a denser extracellular matrix with enhanced cellulose and less curli, ergo weaker pellicles than those of the wild type. The cellulose secretion was more in the knockout strains due to the upregulation of bcsC, which is necessary for cellulose export. We hypothesized that the secreted cellulose quickly integrates into the pellicle, leading to enhanced pellicular cellulose in the knockout strains. We determined that crp is upregulated in the knockout strains, thereby inhibiting the expression of csgD and, hence, also of csgA and bcsA. The conflicting upregulation of bcsC, the last gene of the bcsABZC operon, could be caused by independent regulation by the CRISPR-Cas system owing to a partial match between the CRISPR spacers and bcsC gene. The cAMP-regulated protein (CRP)-mediated regulation of the flagellar genes in the knockout strains was probably circumvented through the regulation of yddx governing the availability of the sigma factor σ28 that further regulates class 3 flagellar genes (fliC, fljB, and flgK). Additionally, the variations in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) profile and expression of LPS-related genes (rfaC, rfbG, and rfbI) in knockout strains could also contribute to the altered pellicle architecture. Collectively, we establish that the CRISPR-Cas system differentially regulates the formation of surface-attached and pellicle biofilm. IMPORTANCE In addition to being implicated in bacterial immunity and genome editing, the CRISPR-Cas system has recently been demonstrated to regulate endogenous gene expression and biofilm formation. While the function of individual cas genes in controlling Salmonella biofilm has been explored, the regulatory role of CRISPR arrays in biofilm is less studied. Moreover, studies have focused on the effects of the CRISPR-Cas system on surface-associated biofilms, and comprehensive studies on the impact of the system on pellicle biofilm remain an unexplored niche. We demonstrate that the CRISPR array and cas genes modulate the expression of various biofilm genes in Salmonella, whereby surface and pellicle biofilm formation is distinctively regulated.
K+-Responsive Crown Ether-Based Amphiphilic Copolymer: Synthesis and Application in the Release of Drugs and Au Nanoparticles

Due to unique chelating and macrocyclic effects, crown ether compounds exhibit wide application prospects. They could be introduced into amphiphilic copolymers to provide new trigger mode for drug delivery. In this work, new amphiphilic random polymers of poly(lipoic acid-methacrylate-co-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-co-N-isopropylacrylamide-co-benzo-18-crown-6-methacrylamide (abbrev. PLENB) containing a crown ether ring and disulphide bond were synthesized via RAFT polymerization. Using the solvent evaporation method, the PLENB micelles were formed and then used to load substances, such as doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and gold nanoparticles. The results showed that PLENB exhibited a variety of lowest critical solution temperature (LCST) in response to the presence of different ions, such as K+, Na+ and Mg2+. In particular, the addition of 150 mM K+ increased the LCST of PLENB from 31 to 37 °C and induced the release of DOX from the PLENB@DOX assemblies with a release rate of 99.84% within 12 h under 37 °C. However, Na+ and Mg2+ ions could not initiate the same response. Furthermore, K+ ions drove the disassembly of gold aggregates from the PLENB-SH@Au assemblies to achieve the transport of Au NPs, which is helpful to construct a K+-triggered carrier system.
Optimal Morphometric Characteristics of a Tubular Polymeric Scaffold to Promote Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: A Scoping Review

Cellular behavior in nerve regeneration is affected by the architecture of the polymeric nerve guide conduits (NGCs); therefore, design features of polymeric NGCs are critical for neural tissue engineering. Hence, the purpose of this scoping review is to summarize the adequate quantitative/morphometric parameters of the characteristics of NGC that provide a supportive environment for nerve regeneration, enhancing the understanding of a previous study. 394 studies were found, of which 29 studies were selected. The selected studies revealed four morphometric characteristics for promoting nerve regeneration: wall thickness, fiber size, pore size, and porosity. An NGC with a wall thickness between 250–400 μm and porosity of 60–80%, with a small pore on the inner surface and a large pore on the outer surface, significantly favored nerve regeneration; resulting in an increase in nutrient permeability, retention of neurotrophic factors, and optimal mechanical properties. On the other hand, the superiority of electrospun fibers is described; however, the size of the fiber is controversial in the literature, obtaining optimal results in the range of 300 nm to 30 µm. The incorporation of these optimal morphometric characteristics will encourage nerve regeneration and help reduce the number of experimental studies as it will provide the initial morphometric parameters for the preparation of an NGC.
Electrochemically Mediated Direct CO2 Capture by a Stackable Bipolar Cell

Abstract The unprecedented increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration calls for effective carbon capture technologies. With distributed sources contributing to about half of the overall emission, CO2 capture from the atmosphere [direct air capture, (DAC)] is more relevant than ever. Herein, an electrochemically mediated DAC system is reported which utilizes affinity of redox‐active quinone moieties towards CO2 molecules, and unlike incumbent chemisorption technologies which require temperature or pH swing, relies solely on the electrochemical voltage for CO2 capture and release. The design and operation of a DAC system is demonstrated with stackable bipolar cells using quinone chemistry. Specifically, poly(vinylanthraquinone) (PVAQ) negative electrode undergoes a two‐electron reduction reaction and reversibly complexes with CO2, leading to CO2 sequestration from the feed stream. The subsequent PVAQ oxidation, conversely, results in release of CO2. The performance of both small‐ and meso‐scale cells for DAC are evaluated with feed CO2 concentrations as low as 400 ppm (0.04 %), and energy consumption is demonstrated as low as 113 kJ per mole of CO2 captured. Notably, the bipolar cell construct is modular and expandable, equally suitable for small and large plants. Moving forward, this work presents a viable and highly customizable electrochemical method for DAC.
Promoting Physical Activity and Weight Loss With mHealth Interventions Among Workers: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background Physical activity (PA) is a vital factor in promoting health in the workforce. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have recently emerged in workplace health promotion as an effective strategy for inducing changes in health behaviors among workers; however, the effectiveness of mHealth interventions in promoting PA and weight loss for workers is unclear. Objective This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of current evidence on the effectiveness of mHealth interventions in promoting PA and weight loss among workers. Methods We searched relevant databases, including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Complete, and the Cochrane Library, for publications on mHealth interventions in the English or Korean language from inception to December 2020. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of mHealth in improving PA and weight loss were retrieved. A meta-analysis with a random effects model and subgroup analyses was performed on PA types and mHealth intervention characteristics. Results A total of 8 studies were included in this analysis. More than half of the studies (5/8, 63%) were identified as having a high risk of bias. The mHealth intervention group showed a significant improvement in PA (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.22, 95% CI 0.03-0.41; P<.001; I2=78%). No significant difference in weight loss was observed when comparing the intervention group with the control groups (SMD 0.02, 95% CI –0.07 to 0.10; P=.48; I2=0%). A subgroup analysis was also performed; walking activity (SMD 0.70, 95% CI 0.21-1.19; P<.001; I2=83.3%), a multicomponent program (SMD 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.33; P=.03; I2=57.4%), objective measurement (SMD 0.58, 95% CI 0.05-1.10; P<.001; I2=87.3%), and 2 or more delivery modes (SMD 0.44, 95% CI 0.01-0.87; P<.001; I2=85.1%) were significantly associated with an enhancement in PA. Conclusions This study suggests that mHealth interventions are effective for improving PA among workers. Future studies that assess long-term efficacy with a larger population are recommended.
Detection of bleeding image in wireless capsule endoscope based on superpixel segmentation

The morphological processing and the computer-aided diagnosis were used to detect the bleeding images in wireless capsule endoscope(WCE). Based on the morphological processing and the superpixel segmentation of the WCE images,the red ratio color feature was proposed,and the segmented images were classified by the least squares support vector machine.The experiment results showed that the proposed method can effectively detect the bleeding regions in WCE images,its sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy can reach 99%,94%,and 95% respectively.This method can help the clinician examine the gastrointestinal diseases.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a Novel Flow Conditioner for Accuracy Improvement of Ultrasonic Gas Flowmeters

The flow field is one of the key factors that affect the measuring accuracy of ultrasonic gas flowmeters. The present work demonstrates that the designed novel flow conditioner can enhance the measurement accuracy by homogenizing the velocity profile in the acoustic transmission area. The main objective of this study is to reduce the non-uniformity of flow on velocity distribution. To accomplish this objective, a combination of theoretical analysis and numerical simulations is implemented, and the results indicate that the 10:1 aspect ratio rectangular fluid channel is better applied in ultrasonic gas flowmeters. Thus, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of novel flow conditioner based on the 10:1 fluid channel is simulated and validated by an experimental study. The results verify that the ultrasonic gas flowmeter composed of designed flow conditioner can reduce indication errors by up to 6%; moreover, the repeatability of all the tested standard flow rates can meet the national standard and even be enhanced by 0.15%.
Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis Disease Prevalence, Classification, and Comorbidities: A Cohort Study of the UK BioBank

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatitis is a complex syndrome that results from many etiologies. Large well-characterized cohorts are needed to further understand disease risk and prognosis. METHODS: A pancreatitis cohort of more than 4,200 patients and 24,000 controls were identified in the UK BioBank (UKBB) consortium. A descriptive analysis was completed, comparing patients with acute (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). The Toxic-metabolic, Idiopathic, Genetic, Autoimmune, Recurrent, and severe pancreatitis and Obstructive checklist Version 2 classification was applied to patients with AP and CP and compared with the control population. RESULTS: CP prevalence in the UKBB is 163 per 100,000. AP incidence increased from 21.4/100,000 per year from 2001 to 2005 to 48.2/100,000 per year between 2016 and 2020. Gallstones and smoking were confirmed as key risk factors for AP and CP, respectively. Both populations carry multiple risk factors and a high burden of comorbidities, including benign and malignant neoplastic disorders. DISCUSSION: The UKBB serves as a rich cohort to evaluate pancreatitis. Disease burden of AP and CP was high in this population. The association of common risk factors identified in other cohort studies was confirmed in this study. Further analysis is needed to link genomic risks and biomarkers with disease features in this population.
The case for increased peritoneal dialysis utilization in low‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has several advantages compared to haemodialysis (HD), but there is evidence showing underutilization globally, especially in low‐income and lower‐middle‐income countries (LLMICs) where kidney replacement therapies (KRT) are often unavailable, inaccessible, and unaffordable. Only 11% of all dialysis patients worldwide use PD, more than 50% of whom live in China, the United States of America, Mexico, or Thailand. Various barriers to increased PD utilization have been reported worldwide including patient preference, low levels of education, and lower provider reimbursement. However, unique but surmountable barriers are applicable to LLMICs including the excessively high cost of providing PD (related to PD fluids in particular), excessive cost of treatment borne by patients (relative to HD), lack of adequate PD training opportunities for doctors and nurses, low workforce availability for kidney care, and challenges related to some PD outcomes (catheter‐related infections, hospitalizations, mortality, etc.). This review discusses some known barriers to PD use in LLMICs and leverages data that show a global trend in reducing rates of PD‐related infections, reducing rates of modality switches from HD, and improving patient survival in PD to discuss how PD use can be increased in LLMICs. We therefore, challenge the idea that low PD use in LLMICs is unavoidable due to these barriers and instead present opportunities to improve PD utilization in LLMICs.
Calculation and analysis of critical speed of multi-stage centrifugal pump

To improve the reliability of the multi-stage pump, the infl uential laws of bearing type, bearing stiffness, bearing location and impeller spacing on the critical speed of the rotor of the multi-stage centrifugal pump was studied with fi nite element method. It showed: the rolling bearing was helpful for improving the critical speed of the pump rotor compared with the sliding bearing; the rolling bearing stiffness had little infl uence on the critical speed; the sliding bearing stiffness had great impact on it, and the critical speed rose with increase in the sliding bearing stiffness; the critical speed enhanced with increase in the impeller spacing; the bearing at the inlet laid posterior to the fi rst impeller brought about the rise of the fi rst-stage critical speed of the rotor and the drop of the second-stage critical speed.
A Review of Digital Photoelasticity

Digital photoelasticity combined the traditional photoelasticity with computer imaging techniques in order to acquire photoelastic data and analysis stress automatically, can improve experimental speed and precision. In this paper, we firstly reviewed the photoelastic fringe refining and multiplication and the techniques for automatically determining photoelastic parameters, including phase shifting, Fourier transform method, load stepping, spectral content analysis and RGB photoelasticity etc. The advancements in the last two decades reveal that the combination of the isoclinic parameter, which is calculated by the color-field phase shifting technique, and the ischromatic parameter, which is determined by the phase shifting in white light or three-color light, is expected to solve the static stress analysis of two dimensional models or three dimensional thin slices. Moreover, the combination of designing a device to collect several photoelastic images real-timely or synchronously and acquiring photoelastic parameters by the phase shifting technique is one of the promising ways for the development of digital dynamic photoelasticity. The review also gives us a future trend of digital photoelasticity and benefits for automating data-acquisition and stress-analysis.
Perceived Burdens and Educational Needs of Caregivers of People with Schizophrenia: Results of a National Survey Study

Purpose Schizophrenia is a chronic, serious, and disabling mental disorder that affects how an individual thinks, feels, and behaves. With the availability of effective antipsychotic medications, the care of people with schizophrenia has shifted from psychiatric hospitals to outpatient treatment and caregivers, including family members. Caregivers are an often-overlooked target for education but may be a key resource to enhance patient education and foster greater adherence to treatment. This study sought to examine the burdens faced by caregivers and determine their specific educational needs. Methods A survey instrument was developed and fielded to 96 caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in the United States (September–October 2019) via online communities and caregiver newsletters. Survey responses were organized into specific topics: symptoms exhibited when diagnosed, current treatment options and use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications, treatment adherence attitudes, barriers for caregivers and patients, informational resources utilized, and caregiver information and educational topics. Results Caregivers identified hallucinations, delusions, disorganized behavior, thought disorder, and aggression as the most worrisome symptoms of schizophrenia. Most caregivers felt that they act as a mediator between the medical team and the patient and that they are responsible for the patient’s adherence to treatment. Caregivers report that a schizophrenia diagnosis has strained their own emotional health, reduced their ability to have a satisfying personal life, and disrupted their family life. Caregivers generally had fewer barriers caring for patients receiving LAI antipsychotic treatments than caring for patients not receiving such treatments. Caregivers were interested in learning more about new treatments, coping strategies, and understanding specific symptoms. Conclusion Caregivers need help recognizing, understanding, and managing specific and common symptoms of schizophrenia. Information about strategies to handle these symptoms would be beneficial. Caregivers also want information on new and emerging therapies, which may help facilitate discussions with clinicians about different treatment options.
Niosomal formulation for antibacterial applications

Abstract Infection is a disease that is mainly caused by different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Treatment of infections requires a considerable amount of antibiotics, which can cause serious damage to the patient's body. Delivering the antibiotic only to the site of infection can prevent these destructive effects, such as the destruction of the normal intestinal flora. The drug delivery system through carriers will take antibiotics into a part of the body involved in the disease. Niosome nanoparticles, which have been made from non-ionic surfactants, have been emerging as ideal drug/antibiotics delivery vehicles. Recently, niosome formulations have been targeted to reduce toxicity and increase accumulation at the target site. Niosomes have performed well in the treatment of local infections, delivery of ocular drugs, and coating of orthopaedic bone/dental implants. This research aimed to highlight the molecular structure and physicochemical properties of niosomes and covered its manufacturing methodologies. Then we critically review the literature on niosomes for the mechanism of drug release, the carrier to deliver antibiotics, and its clinical effectiveness against bacterial infections.
Application Of Modern Technologies For Processing Plant Waste

The easiest way to reduce the negative impact on the environment is to update and modernize equipment technologies, make changes in business planning that meet environmental standards. This is possible due to low-waste and waste-free production due to the economical import of all raw materials that are constantly produced and collected on farms. By reducing the amount of natural waste, air pollutants, water and wastewater use, a business can reduce its negative impact on the environment. For each industry, key production priorities depend on environmental changes in a holistic and quality manner, and after their implementation, environmental protection measures are developed and prices for them are calculated. The study revealed that bioconversion is the most promising way to utilize plants and plant waste. Along with the processing of the components of a conventional plant and grain, the technology makes it possible to reproduce and multiply the previous feeding properties of raw materials contaminated with pathogenic microflora, damaged by insects or partially destroyed due to improper storage. 2672-8575 © 2022 Published by European Publisher.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Root System Architecture in Maize

Roots are important plant organs for the absorption of water and nutrients. To date, there have been few genome-wide association studies of maize root system architecture (RSA) in the field. The genetic basis of maize RSA is poorly understood, and the maize RSA-related genes that have been cloned are very limited. Here, 421 maize inbred lines of an association panel were planted to measure the root systems at the maturity stage, and a genome-wide association study was performed. There was a strong correlation among eight RSA traits, and the RSA traits were highly correlated with the aboveground plant architecture traits (e.g., plant height and ear leaf length, r = 0.13–0.25, p < 0.05). The RSA traits of the stiff stalk subgroup (SS) showed lower values than those of the non-stiff stalk subgroup (NSS) and tropical/subtropical subgroup (TST). Using the RSA traits, the genome-wide association study identified 63 SNPs and 189 candidate genes. Among them, nine candidate genes co-localized between RSA and aboveground architecture traits. A further co-expression analysis identified 88 candidate genes having high confidence levels. Furthermore, we identified four highly reliable RSA candidate genes, GRMZM2G099797, GRMZM2G354338, GRMZM2G085042, and GRMZM5G812926. This research provides theoretical support for the genetic improvement of maize root systems, and it identified candidate genes that may act as genetic resources for breeding.