Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Extraction Buffer on the Solubility and Immunoreactivity of the Pacific Oyster Allergens

Despite recent technological advances, novel allergenic protein discovery is limited by their low abundance, often due to specific physical characteristics restricting their recovery during the extraction process from various allergen sources. In this study, eight different extraction buffers were compared for their ability to recover proteins from Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). The protein composition was investigated using high resolution mass spectrometry. The antibody IgE-reactivity of each extract was determined using a pool of serum from five shellfish-allergic patients. Most of the investigated buffers showed good capacity to extract proteins from the Pacific oyster. In general, a higher concentration of proteins was recovered using high salt buffers or high pH buffers, subsequently revealing more IgE-reactive bands on immunoblotting. In contrast, low pH buffers resulted in a poor protein recovery and reduced IgE-reactivity. Discovery of additional IgE-reactive proteins in high salt buffers or high pH buffers was associated with an increase in allergen abundance in the extracts. In conclusion, increasing the ionic strength and pH of the buffer improves the solubility of allergenic proteins during the extraction process for oyster tissue. This strategy could also be applied for other difficult-to-extract allergen sources, thereby yielding an improved allergen panel for increased diagnostic efficiency.
Cold Adaptation in Antarctic Notothenioids: Comparative Transcriptomics Reveals Novel Insights in the Peculiar Role of Gills and Highlights Signatures of Cobalamin Deficiency

Far from being devoid of life, Antarctic waters are home to Cryonotothenioidea, which represent one of the fascinating cases of evolutionary adaptation to extreme environmental conditions in vertebrates. Thanks to a series of unique morphological and physiological peculiarities, which include the paradigmatic case of loss of hemoglobin in the family Channichthyidae, these fish survive and thrive at sub-zero temperatures. While some of the distinctive features of such adaptations have been known for decades, our knowledge of their genetic and molecular bases is still limited. We generated a reference de novo assembly of the icefish Chionodraco hamatus transcriptome and used this resource for a large-scale comparative analysis among five red-blooded Cryonotothenioidea, the sub-Antarctic notothenioid Eleginops maclovinus and seven temperate teleost species. Our investigation targeted the gills, a tissue of primary importance for gaseous exchange, osmoregulation, ammonia excretion, and its role in fish immunity. One hundred and twenty genes were identified as significantly up-regulated in Antarctic species and surprisingly shared by red- and white-blooded notothenioids, unveiling several previously unreported molecular players that might have contributed to the evolutionary success of Cryonotothenioidea in Antarctica. In particular, we detected cobalamin deficiency signatures and discussed the possible biological implications of this condition concerning hematological alterations and the heavy parasitic loads typically observed in all Cryonotothenioidea.
Ethanol Extract of Yak-Kong Fermented by Lactic Acid Bacteria from a Korean Infant Markedly Reduces Matrix Metallopreteinase-1 Expression Induced by Solar Ultraviolet Irradiation in Human Keratinocytes and a 3D Skin Model

Yak-Kong is a type of black soybean that is colloquially referred to as the “medicinal bean” and it elicits several beneficial effects that are relevant to human health, including attenuating the formation of skin wrinkles. It has previously been shown that soybean extracts elicit additional bioactivity that is fermented by lactic acid bacteria. In this study of lactic acid bacteria strains that were isolated from the stools of breast-feeding infants (<100 days old), we selected Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis LDTM 8102 (LDTM 8102) as the lead strain for the fermentation of Yak-Kong. We investigated the effects of LDTM 8102-fermented Yak-Kong on solar-ultraviolet irradiation (sUV)-induced wrinkle formation. In HaCaT cells, the ethanol extract of LDTM 8102-fermented Yak-Kong (EFY) effectively reduced sUV-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) secretion. The effect of EFY was superior to that of unfermented (UFY)- and Lactis KCTC 5854 (another Bifidobacterium animalis species)-fermented Yak-Kong. Additionally, EFY reduced sUV-induced MMP-1 mRNA expression and promoter activity, as well as the transactivation of AP-1 and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK1/2. Furthermore, EFY alleviated sUV-induced MMP-1 secretion, the destruction of the epidermis, and degradation of collagen in a three-dimensional (3D) skin culture model. EFY had a higher total polyphenol content and anti-oxidative activity than UFY. Twelve metabolites were significantly (≥2-fold) increased in Yak-Kong extract after fermentation by LDTM 8102. Among them, the metabolites of major isoflavones, such as 6,7,4′-trihydroxyisoflavone (THIF), exerted the reducing effect of MMP-1, which indicated that the isoflavone metabolites contributed to the effect of EFY on MMP-1 expression as active compounds. These findings suggest that EFY is a potent natural material that can potentially prevent sUV-induced wrinkle formation.
Cumulative function of the Bijvoet ratio

Theoretical expressions for the cumulative function of the Bijvoet ratio is worked out for a non-centrosymmetric crystal containing anomalous scatterers of the same type, as well as a large number of normal scatterers. Three cases corresponding to the number of anomalous scatterers in the unit cell being 1 and many (MN and MC cases) are considered. The theoretical results are used to obtain the percentage of reflexions for which the value of the Bijvoet ratio is greater than the specific values 0.1, 0.2 . , 0.6 corresponding to various values of the parameters k and σ21 characterizing the anomalous scatterers.
Radial Distribution Functions and Equation of State of the Hard‐Disk Fluid

We evaluated by a Monte Carlo method the hard‐disk radial distribution function at densities: ρ / ρ0 = 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 (ρ0 is equivalent to the close‐packed density of hard disks). The results were used to find out the relative merits of solutions of the four integral equations (the Born–Green–Yvon, the modified Born–Green–Yvon, the Percus–Yevick, and the convolution–hypernetted‐chain equations) describing approximately the behavior of the radial distribution function. We also evaluated the first several density coefficients of the pressure and the radial distribution functions corresponding to these approximate equations. The Pade approximants formed by the calculated coefficients for the approximate equations were found to satisfactorily describe pressures for these equations over the range of low to medium density of the hard‐disk fluids. A simple analytic expression, Eq. (13), for the pressure which describes fairly well the dense hard‐disk fluid was also derived by using the modified Born–Green–Yvo.
QUALITY EVALUATION OF SOME "SEBEEL" WATER SAMPLES IN KHARTOUM STATE

The aim of the present study was to analyze microbiologically and chemically "Sebeel" drinking water samples which were taken in four consecutive weeks from five sites in Khartoum State (Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North). Analytical results were compared with local and International Standards. Microbial analysis recorded a high level of colonic bacteria (21 ‐ 93 MPN/100ml); faecal bacteria (4.00 MPN/100ml), faecal streptocooci bacteria (0‐7 MPN/100ml) in (Shambat) "Sebeel" water. Data of these bacteria were less in (Mogran) "Sebeel" water. Chemical components of "Sebeel" water were in agreement with those of the Sudanese and International Standards, pH was found in the range of 7.9 ‐ 8.00, total dissolved solids (TDS) (115 ‐ 137 mg/L); sulfate (4.75 ‐ 47.00 mg/L) and sodium (23.22 ‐ 32.82 mg/L). Athawra "Sebeel" water gave better results of (TDS) in comparison with other examined "Sebeel" water samples.
COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Uptake on FDG PET/CT: An Emerging Dilemma and Suggestions for Management.

As mass COVID-19 vaccination is underway, radiologists are encountering transient FDG uptake in normal or enlarged axillary, supraclavicular, and cervical lymph nodes after ipsilateral deltoid vaccination. This phenomenon may confound interpretation in oncology patients undergoing FDG PET/CT. In this article, we present our institutional approach for management of COVID-19 vaccine-related lymphadenopathy on FDG PET/CT based on our early experience. We suggest performing PET/CT at least two weeks after vaccination in patients with a cancer for which interpretation is anticipated to be potentially impacted by the vaccination, though optimally 4-6 weeks after vaccination given increased immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines and potentially longer time for resolution than lymphadenopathy after other vaccines. PET/CT should not be delayed when clinically indicated to be performed sooner. Details regarding vaccination should be collected at the time of PET/CT to facilitate interpretation. Follow-up recommendations for post-vaccination lymphadenopathy are provided, considering the lymph node's morphology and likely clinical relevance. Consideration should also be given to administering the vaccine in the arm contralateral to a unilateral cancer to avoid potentially confounding FDG uptake on the side of cancer. Our preliminary experience and suggested institutional experience should guide radiologists in the management of oncology patients undergoing PET/CT after COVID-19 vaccination.
ONBOARD FUEL CONVERSION FOR HYDROGEN-FUEL-CELL-DRIVEN VEHICLES

Increasingly stringent legislation controls emissions from internal combustion engines to the point where alternative power sources for vehicles are necessary. The hydrogen fuel cell is one promising option, but the nature of the gas is such that the conversion of other fuels to hydrogen on board the vehicle is necessary. The conversion of methanol, methane, propane, and octane to hydrogen is reviewed. A combination of oxidation and steam reforming (indirect partial oxidation) or direct partial oxidation are the most promising processes. Indirect partial oxidation involves combustion of part of the fuel to produce sufficient heat to drive the endothermic steam reforming reaction. Direct partial oxidation is favored only at high temperatures and short residence times but is highly selective. However, indirect partial oxidation is shown to be the preferred process for all fuels. The product gases can be taken through a water–gas shift reactor, but still retain ∼2% carbon monoxide, which poisons fuel-cell catalysts. Selective oxidation is the preferred route to removal of residual carbon monoxide. Low-temperature oxidation in the absence and presence of an excess of hydrogen is reviewed. Au-based catalysts show much promise, but precious metal catalysts such as Pt/zeolite have some advantages.
lncRNA HOTAIRM1 regulates cell proliferation and the metastasis of thyroid cancer by targeting Wnt10b

Long non-coding RNAs play a role in a variety of malignancies, such as thyroid cancer (TC). However, the effects and function of lincRNA HOTAIRM1 (LINC HOTAIRM1) in TC remains obscure. In the present study, the expression of HOTAIRM1 was evaluated in TC tissues and cells by RT-qPCR and the association between the lncRNA and disease progression was assessed. In vitro, the biological function of HOTAIRM1 was assessed in TC. Moreover, changes in the expression of Wnt10b were measured by western blot analysis. In addition, MTT assay, bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assays were performed to determine the target binding effect between LINC HOTAIRM1 and miR-148a, as well as that between Wnt10b and miR-148a. The changes in the metastatic ability of TPC-1 and BCPAP cells were evaluated by Transwell assay. The pronounced upregulated expression of HOTAIRM1 was evident in TC cells and tissues, and was associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. When HOTAIRM1 was knocked down, this inhibited the proliferative and invasive abilities of TPC-1 and BCPAP cells in vitro. The knockdown of this lncRNA also increased the expression of microRNA-148a (miR-148a) and decreased Wnt10b expression in these cells, whereas transfection with miR-148a inhibitor was sufficient to overcome this Wnt10b downregulation. In line with these results, the overexpression of miR-148a markedly suppressed Wnt10b expression, whereas miR-148a inhibition resulted in the opposite effects. The overexpression of Wnt10b was also sufficient to overcome the effects of miR-148a mimics on TPC-1 and BCPAP cells. Taken together, these results suggest that miR-148a and Wnt10b are downstream effectors of the HOTAIRM1 signaling pathway in TC. This HOTAIRM1/miR-148a/Wnt10 axis may thus be amenable to therapeutic targeting in order to improve disease outcomes in patients with TC.
Chemical constituents from red algae Bostrychia radicans (Rhodomelaceae): new amides and phenolic compounds

This study describes the isolation and structural determination of two amides, isolated for the first time: N,4-dihydroxy-N-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-benzamide (0.019%) and N,4-dihydroxy-N-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-benzeneacetamide (0.023%). These amides, produced by the red macroalgae Bostrychia radicans, had their structures assigned by NMR spectral data and MS analyses. In addition, this chemical study led to the isolation of cholesterol, heptadecane, squalene, trans-phytol, neophytadiene, tetradecanoic and hexadecanoic acids, methyl hexadecanoate and methyl 9-octadecenoate, 4-(methoxymethyl)-phenol, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, methyl 4-hydroxybenzeneacetate, methyl 2-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propanoate, hydroquinone, methyl 4-hydroxymandelate, methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, 4-hydroxybenzeneacetic acid and (4-hydroxyphenyl)-oxo-acetaldehyde. This is the first report concerning these compounds in B. radicans, contributing by illustrating the chemical diversity within the Rhodomelaceae family.
FoxA2 and RNA Pol II Mediate Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Turnover in ER-stressed Pancreatic β-cells.

Here, we investigated transcriptional and trafficking mechanisms of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) in normal and stressed β-cells. In high glucose-challenged human islets and rat insulinoma cells overexpressing hIAPP, cell fractionation studies revealed increased accumulation of hIAPP. Unexpectedly, a significant fraction (up to 22%) of hIAPP was found in the nuclear soluble and chromatin-enriched fractions of cultured human islet and rat insulinoma cells. The nucleolar accumulation of monomeric forms of hIAPP did not have any adverse effect on the proliferation of β-cells nor did it affect nucleolar organization or function. However, intact nucleolar organization and function were essential for hIAPP expression under normal and ER-stress conditions as RNA polymerase II inhibitor, α-amanitin, reduced hIAPP protein expression evoked by high glucose and thapsigargin. Promoter activity studies revealed the essential role of transcription factor FoxA2 in hIAPP promoter activation in ER-stressed β-cells. Transcriptome and secretory studies demonstrate that the biosynthetic and secretory capacity of islet β-cells was preserved during ER stress. Thus, the main reason for increased intracellular hIAPP accumulation is its enhanced biosynthesis under these adverse conditions.
Lipid droplets in mammalian eggs are utilized during embryonic diapause

Significance Lipid droplets (LDs) are stored in the embryo throughout the preimplantation development. Yet, the role of LDs in the embryo remains unknown. Embryonic diapause (ED) is a temporary arrest of an embryo when it waits for the uterine receptivity signal to implant. We provide evidence that LDs play a crucial role in maintaining ED. Diapausing embryos exhibit increased release of exosomes reflecting elevated embryonic signaling to the mother. During ED, the decrease in lipid is caused by a switch from carbohydrate metabolism to lipid catabolism. We have also shown that presence of LDs in the oocytes of various mammals positively corelates with their species-specific length of diapause. Our results reveal the functional role of LDs in embryonic development. Embryonic diapause (ED) is a temporary arrest of an embryo at the blastocyst stage when it waits for the uterine receptivity signal to implant. ED used by over 100 species may also occur in normally “nondiapausing” mammals when the uterine receptivity signal is blocked or delayed. A large number of lipid droplets (LDs) are stored throughout the preimplantation embryo development, but the amount of lipids varies greatly across different mammalian species. Yet, the role of LDs in the mammalian egg and embryo remains unknown. Here, using a mouse model, we provide evidence that LDs play a crucial role in maintaining ED. By mechanical removal of LDs from zygotes, we demonstrated that delipidated embryos are unable to survive during ED. LDs are not essential for normal prompt implantation, without ED. We further demonstrated that with the progression of ED, the amount of intracellular lipid reduces, and composition changes. This decrease in lipid is caused by a switch from carbohydrate metabolism to lipid catabolism in diapausing blastocysts, which also exhibit increased release of exosomes reflecting elevated embryonic signaling to the mother. We have also shown that presence of LDs in the oocytes of various mammals positively corelates with their species-specific length of diapause. Our results reveal the functional role of LDs in embryonic development. These results can help to develop diagnostic techniques and treatment of recurrent implantation failure and will likely ignite further studies in developmental biology and reproductive medicine fields.
The Effect of Accidents on Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence from Chile

We estimate the causal effect of accidents on employment and earnings among Chilean men using event study methods and monthly administrative data. An accident of any type reduces the probability of being employed by 8.4 percentage points in the first year, by 11.2 percentage points in the second year, and by 14.8 percentage points in the third year after the accident. On average, over the three years after the accident, employment declines by 14%, relative to the pre-accident mean. In addition, accidents reduce monthly earnings by around 11% in the first year, 17% in the second year, and 22% in the third year after the accident. On average, monthly earnings fall by 16%, relative to the pre-accident average. Thus, we estimate persistent and increasing labor market effects of accidents over time. These effects vary by individuals' age, education, and industry and by severity of the accident. Our findings imply that the economic consequences of health shocks go beyond direct medical expenses.
TCR β chain–directed bispecific antibodies for the treatment of T cell cancers

Bispecific antibodies directed against T cell receptor β chains promote killing of human T cell cancers while preserving most healthy T cells. Specific bispecific antibodies A major challenge in efforts to develop immunotherapies for T cell cancers is the need to protect healthy T cells while eliminating malignant T cells. Here, Paul et al. developed bispecific antibodies targeting 1 of 30 T cell receptor β chain variable regions, hypothesizing that targeting the β chain expressed by malignant T cells would avoid collateral damage to T cells expressing one of the other 29 β chains. The authors showed that bispecific antibodies recognizing malignant T cell receptor β chains promoted killing of malignant T cells and preservation of healthy T cells in vitro and in mouse models in vivo. These findings support the development of T cell receptor–specific approaches to target T cell cancers. Immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and bispecific antibodies redirect healthy T cells to kill cancer cells expressing the target antigen. The pan-B cell antigen–targeting immunotherapies have been remarkably successful in treating B cell malignancies. Such therapies also result in the near-complete loss of healthy B cells, but this depletion is well tolerated by patients. Although analogous targeting of pan-T cell markers could, in theory, help control T cell cancers, the concomitant healthy T cell depletion would result in severe and unacceptable immunosuppression. Thus, therapies directed against T cell cancers require more selective targeting. Here, we describe an approach to target T cell cancers through T cell receptor (TCR) antigens. Each T cell, normal or malignant, expresses a unique TCR β chain generated from 1 of 30 TCR β chain variable gene families (TRBV1 to TRBV30). We hypothesized that bispecific antibodies targeting a single TRBV family member expressed in malignant T cells could promote killing of these cancer cells, while preserving healthy T cells that express any of the other 29 possible TRBV family members. We addressed this hypothesis by demonstrating that bispecific antibodies targeting TRBV5-5 (α-V5) or TRBV12 (α-V12) specifically lyse relevant malignant T cell lines and patient-derived T cell leukemias in vitro. Treatment with these antibodies also resulted in major tumor regressions in mouse models of human T cell cancers. This approach provides an off-the-shelf, T cell cancer selective targeting approach that preserves enough healthy T cells to maintain cellular immunity.
Brookite TiO2 decorated α-Fe2O3 nanoheterostructures with rod morphologies for gas sensor application

In this paper, brookite-TiO2/α-Fe2O3 heterostructured nanorods were synthesized by a facile two-step solution approach without using any templates or surfactants. α-Fe2O3 nanorods were first successfully obtained via a simple solution method at room temperature. The α-Fe2O3 nanorods were further employed as supports to construct nanoheterostructures for gas sensor application. The gas sensor based on the as-fabricated TiO2/α-Fe2O3 nanoheterostructures exhibited an excellent gas-sensing performance, with markedly enhanced responses in comparison with the pristine α-Fe2O3 nanorod sensor, and fast response–recovery speeds as well as good reproducibility to Volatile Organic Pollutants (VOPs), such as methanol, ethanol, n-butanol, acetone, ether, xylene, toluene and benzene, demonstrating its potential application in detecting these VOPs. The enhanced gas-sensing behavior should be attributed to the unique porous α-Fe2O3 nanorod morphology, the strong interfacial interaction between TiO2 and α-Fe2O3, the presence of TiO2/α-Fe2O3 heterojunctions and the catalytic effect of brookite TiO2 nanoparticles. The as-prepared TiO2/α-Fe2O3 nanoheterostructures may also lead to novel applications in other fields, such as lithium-ion batteries, catalysis, and waste water treatment.
In situ crystallization of ionic liquids with melting points below −25 °C

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids, [emim]OTf, OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate (mp = −25.7 °C), and [emim]NTf2, NTf2 = bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (mp = −25.7 °C), have been crystallized by in situ cryo-crystallization using a zone-melting technique and found to pack via interionic C–H⋯O and F⋯F interactions.