Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Preparation of Gold Nanoparticles with Application for the Amperometric Determination of Arsenic

ABSTRACT A novel synthesis of gold nanoparticles is reported by chemical reduction of chloroauric acid with polyethylenimine and trisodium citrate. The use of polyethylenimine and trisodium citrate provided a convenient route to produce gold nanoparticles with diameters between 3.7 and 11.8 nm. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and zeta potential measurements. Transmission electron microscopy provided imaging of the shape and size of the nanoparticles. In order to characterize the solubility of the gold nanoparticles for application as an electrochemical sensor, the zeta potential, hydrodynamic diameter, electrophoretic mobility, and surface area-to-volume ratio were determined. The gold nanoparticles were incorporated on a glassy carbon electrode to produce an amperometric sensor for the determination of arsenic.
Prenatal smoking, alcohol and caffeine exposure and offspring externalizing disorders: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background and aims: Several studies have indicated that there is an association between maternal prenatal substance use and offspring externalising disorders. However, it is uncertain whether this relationship is causal. Therefore, we updated a previously conducted systematic review to determine if the literature supports 1) a causal role of maternal prenatal substance use on offspring externalising disorders and 2) whether these associations differ across externalising disorders. Methods: We searched Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO and Medline databases. We included studies that examined smoking, alcohol or caffeine use during pregnancy as an exposure, and diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder (CD) and oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD) in offspring as an outcome. Studies on non-English language, fetal alcohol syndrome and comorbid autism spectrum disorders were excluded. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) and where possible meta-analysis was conducted for studies classed as low risk of bias. Results: We included 63 studies. All studies were narratively synthesised, and 7 studies were meta-analysed on smoking and ADHD. The majority of studies (46 studies) investigated the association between smoking and ADHD. Studies which accounted for genetic effects indicate that the association between smoking and ADHD is unlikely to be causal. Studies on alcohol exposure in all the outcomes reported inconsistent findings and no strong conclusions on causality can be made. Studies on caffeine exposure were mostly limited to ADHD and these studies do not support a causal effect. Conclusions: There is no causal relationship between maternal smoking during pregnancy and attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) in offspring. However, given that the majority of identified studies investigated the association between ADHD and smoking exposure, findings with alcohol and caffeine exposures and conduct disorder (CD) and oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD) need more research, especially using more genetically sensitive designs.
A rare variant in D-amino acid oxidase implicates NMDA receptor signaling and cerebellar gene networks in risk for bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is an often-severe mental health disorder characterized by alternation between extreme mood states of mania and depression. Despite strong heritability and the recent identification of 64 loci of small effect, pathophysiological mechanisms and much of the genetic risk remain unknown. Here, through genome sequencing and linkage and association analyses, we found that rare variants co-segregating with bipolar disorder in large multiply affected families cluster within gene networks enriched for synaptic and nuclear functions. The top variant in this analysis prioritized by statistical association, predicted deleteriousness, and network centrality was a missense variant in the gene encoding D-amino acid oxidase (DAOG131V). Heterologous expression of DAOG131V in human cells resulted in decreased DAO protein abundance and enzymatic activity. In a knock-in mouse harboring this human DAOG131V variant, DaoG130V/+, we similarly found decreased DAO protein abundance, as well as enhanced stress susceptibility and blunted behavioral responses to pharmacological inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). RNA sequencing of cerebellar tissue revealed that DaoG130V resulted in decreased expression of two gene networks that are enriched for synaptic functions and for genes expressed specifically in Purkinje cells and granule neurons. Similar expression changes in both of these gene networks were also identified in the cerebellum of bipolar disorder cases vs. controls. These findings implicate dysregulation of NMDAR signaling and of gene expression in cerebellar neurons in bipolar disorder pathophysiology and provide insight into its genetic architecture.
Development of a multiplex real-time PCR assay for BCG and validation in a clinical laboratory

Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a live attenuated vaccine which can result in local or disseminated infection, most commonly in immunocompromised individuals. Differentiation of BCG from other members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) is required to diagnose BCG disease, which requires specific management. Current methods for BCG diagnosis are based on mycobacterial culture and conventional PCR; the former is time-consuming and the latter often unavailable. Further, there are reports that certain BCG strains may be associated with a higher rate of adverse events. This study describes the development of a two-step multiplex real-time PCR assay which uses single nucleotide polymorphisms to detect BCG and identify early or late BCG strains. The assay has a limit of detection of 1 pg BCG boiled lysate DNA and was shown to detect BCG in both pure cultures and experimentally infected tissue. Performance was assessed on 19 suspected BCG clinical isolates at Christian Medical College in Vellore, India taken from January 2018 to August 2020. Of these 19 isolates, 10 were identified as BCG (6 early and 4 late strains) and 9 were identified as other MTBC members. Taken together, the results demonstrate the ability of this assay to identify and characterize BCG disease from cultures and infected tissue. The capacity to identify BCG may improve patient management and the ability to discriminate between BCG strains may enable BCG vaccine pharmacovigilance.
Passive Funds Affect Prices: Evidence from the Most ETF-dominated Asset Classes

This paper studies exchange-traded funds’ (ETFs) price impact in the most ETF-dominated<br>asset classes: volatility (VIX) and commodities. I propose a model-independent approach to replicate the VIX futures contract. This allows me to isolate a non-fundamental component in VIX futures prices that is strongly related to the rebalancing of ETFs. To understand the source of that component, I decompose trading demand from ETFs into three parts: leverage rebalancing, calendar rebalancing, and flow rebalancing. Leverage rebalancing has the largest effects. It amplifies price changes and exposes ETF counterparties negatively to variance.
Shanghai Stock Exchange's Science and Technology Innovation Board: A Review

This study reviews one of China’s newest stock markets: Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR market). China’s STAR market is among its newest stock market, which was officially launched in June 2019, and whose index was released in July 2020. It has attracted extensive attention from market players but almost no coverage from academia. This study fills in this gap by conducting a review of this stock market, including its institutional background, its regulations, and a series of indicators on corporate finance and equity pricing. This study finds that the launch of China’s STAR market has its institutional background, including helping economic transition, building multi-layer capital markets, responding to the deteriorating external environment against the background of the US-China trade and technology war, and deleveraging the Chinese economy. The STAR market has made some important reform initiatives in areas such as listing criteria, pricing mechanisms, and delisting. As a result, the STAR market is distinguished from China’s other stock. These unique features mean that the STAR market does not simply provide a new dataset, but may potentially provide more interesting insights than simple replications of previous studies. Most importantly of all, this study provides an agenda for future research. For practitioners, this study provides some new information on investing in this market.
Ruling with Ideology: Politician Belief and Privatization

This paper identifies politician ideology as a fundamental impetus for privatization. Focusing on the world’s largest privatization wave in China around 2000, we investigate how governors’ heterogeneous beliefs on the relative merits of state and market shape the substantial regional variation in privatization intensity. We find that other things equal, pro-communism governors privatize 18% to 56% fewer firms than their non-communist colleagues. They also wait longer before starting the process. Moreover, firms sold by these governors have lower pre-privatization profitability and productivity levels. Further analysis indicates that firms privatized by pro-communism governors also achieve lower post-selling efficiencies. Our findings suggest that individual ideology can triumph over the authoritarian institutional norm and manifest itself in high-stake economic decisions. We also pinpoint politician preference as a new class of determinants for privatization.
Using Digital Social Market Applications to Incentivise Active Travel: Empirical Analysis of a Smart City Initiative

Smart technology, such as mobile communication networks, and behaviour-based approaches to promote citizens’ engagement, both play a key role in making future living sustainable and tackling the persisting urban problems in cities and densely populated urban areas. In the context of Sharing Cities, a programme that aims to deliver smart cities solutions in Europe, one of the prominent interventions in the city of Milan (Italy) has been the deployment and monitoring of a Digital Social Market (DSM) tool, a smartphone app through which cities can engage with residents and encourage sustainable behaviours by offering non-monetary rewards. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the DSM approach to promote active travel (cycling and walking) by analysing the data collected through the app as well as through participants’ surveys. Our model results show that a broader engagement with the DSM app (number of claps to posts, number of posts made, non-monetary rewards earned by participating in non-active travel events) is positively correlated with the monitored level of active travel. Furthermore, lifestyles, attitudes, behavioural controls, and social influence also significantly explain the variability in cycling or walking as measured by the app.
Trends in sodium intake and major contributing food groups and dishes in Korea: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Excess intake of dietary sodium, either directly or indirectly, increases the risk of several diseases, including cardio-cerebral vascular diseases such as stroke and hypertension. Excessive sodium intake and increased prevalence of hypertension have emerged as major issues worldwide. Therefore, the present study evaluated the recent trends in dietary sodium intake and the food sources of sodium intake in the Korean population using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2013–2017) data. SUBJECTS/METHODS This study used the one-day 24-h recall dietary intake survey data from the 2013–2017 KNHANES to determine the average daily sodium intake by sex and age and the main dishes and food groups contributing to the dietary sodium intake. RESULTS The mean sodium intake range was 3,477.2–3,889.6 mg/day during 2013–2017. The major food groups contributing to sodium intake were seasonings (1,597.5–1,870.5 mg/day), vegetables (680.4–756.7 mg/day), and cereal and grains (573.2–609.4 mg/day). Noodles and dumplings (536.7–573.2 mg/day), kimchi (487.3–539.6 mg/day), and soups (367.6–428.9 mg/day) were the top three dish groups that contributed to the sodium intake. In these dishes, the major sources of sodium intake were ramyeon (age groups 10–18 and 19–29 yrs), baechukimchi (age groups 40–49 and 50–59 yrs) and doenjang-kuk (age groups 60–69 and ≥ 70 yrs), respectively. CONCLUSIONS In summary, reducing the consumption of soups and kimchi is an effective way to reduce sodium intake. Personalized nutrition education on dietary sodium intake management is required because of the different food sources contributing to the sodium intake according to the subjects' age.
Benchmarking of 16S rRNA gene databases using known strain sequences

16S rRNA gene analysis is the most convenient and robust method for microbiome studies. Inaccurate taxonomic assignment of bacterial strains could have deleterious effects as all downstream analyses rely heavily on the accurate assessment of microbial taxonomy. The use of mock communities to check the reliability of the results has been suggested. However, often the mock communities used in most of the studies represent only a small fraction of taxa and are used mostly as validation of sequencing run to estimate sequencing artifacts. Moreover, a large number of databases and tools available for classification and taxonomic assignment of the 16S rRNA gene make it challenging to select the best-suited method for a particular dataset. In the present study, we used authentic and validly published 16S rRNA gene type strain sequences (full length, V3-V4 region) and analyzed them using a widely used QIIME pipeline along with different parameters of OTU clustering and QIIME compatible databases. Data Analysis Measures (DAM) revealed a high discrepancy in ratifying the taxonomy at different taxonomic hierarchies. Beta diversity analysis showed clear segregation of different DAMs. Limited differences were observed in reference data set analysis using partial (V3-V4) and full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences, which signify the reliability of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences in microbiome studies. Our analysis also highlights common discrepancies observed at various taxonomic levels using various methods and databases.
Downregulation of THRSP Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Triggering ZEB1 Transcription in an ERK-dependent Manner

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Thyroid hormone responsive (THRSP) gene is primarily known for regulating responses to thyroid hormones, but its expression has been correlated with differential outcomes in some cancers. To date, however, its role in the progression of HCC remains unknown. Methods: The mRNA and protein expression of THRSP was measured in HCC tissues and cell lines via qPCR and western blot assays. Lentiviral transfection was used to establish stable cell lines overexpressing THRSP and shRNA was used to silence THRSP. The effects of THRSP on cell growth were then determined in vivo and in vitro. Cell migration and invasion of HCC cells were investigated using transwell and wound healing assays. Results: In tissue samples from patients, HCC tissues had decreased THRSP expression relative to adjacent healthy tissues. Further, patients with decreased THRSP protein and mRNA expression had worse outcomes. Knockdown of THRSP led to increased cell growth, migration, and invasion of HCC cells, and THRSP overexpression exerted an anti-tumor effect in vivo and in vitro. We found that increased expression of THRSP inhibited hepatocellular carcinogenesis by inhibiting the process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through acting on the ERK/ZEB1 signaling pathway. Conclusion: THRSP may act as a functional tumor suppressor and was frequently reduced in HCC tissue samples. We identified a novel pathway for the THRSP/ERK/ZEB1-regulated suppression of HCC tumorigenesis and invasion. Restoring THRSP expression may represent a promising approach for HCC therapies.
Staging Parkinson's Disease Combining Motor and Nonmotor Symptoms Correlates with Disability and Quality of Life

Introduction In a degenerative disorder such as Parkinson's disease (PD), it is important to establish clinical stages that allow to know the course of the disease. Our aim was to analyze whether a scale combining Hoehn and Yahr's motor stage (H&Y) and the nonmotor symptoms burden (NMSB) (assessed by the nonmotor symptoms scale (NMSS)) provides information about the disability and the patient's quality of life (QoL) with regard to a defined clinical stage. Materials and Methods Cross-sectional study in which 603 PD patients from the COPPADIS cohort were classified according to H&Y (1, stage I; 2, stage II; 3, stage III; 4, stage IV/V) and NMSB (A: NMSS = 0–20; B: NMSS = 21–40; C: NMSS = 41–70; D: NMSS ≥ 71) in 16 stages (HY.NMSB, from 1A to 4D). QoL was assessed with the PDQ-39SI, PQ-10, and EUROHIS-QOL8 and disability with the Schwab&England ADL (Activities of Daily Living) scale. Results A worse QoL and greater disability were observed at a higher stage of H&Y and NMSB (p < 0.0001). Combining both (HY.NMSB), patients in stages 1C and 1D and 2C and 2D had significantly worse QoL and/or less autonomy for ADL than those in stages 2A and 2B and 3A and 3B, respectively (p < 0.005; e.g., PDQ-39SI in 1D [n = 15] vs 2A [n = 101]: 28.6 ± 17.1 vs 7.9 ± 5.8; p < 0.0001). Conclusion The HY.NMSB scale is simple and reflects the degree of patient involvement more accurately than the H&Y. Patients with a lower H&Y stage may be more affected if they have a greater NMS burden.
Bacterial Pathogens and Their Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Inanimate Surfaces and Equipment in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Hospital-acquired infections have remained a serious cause of mortality, morbidity, and extended hospitalization. Bacterial contamination of inanimate surfaces of the hospital environment and equipment is considered a major contributing factor to the development of several nosocomial infections worldwide. The hospital environment and many devices are an important reservoir of many clinically important bacterial agents including multidrug-resistant pathogens. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis are aimed at investigating bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance patterns of inanimate surfaces and equipment in Ethiopia. Methods An exhaustive literature search was carried out using the major electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Wiley online library to identify potentially relevant studies without date restriction. Original articles which address the research question were identified, screened, and included using the PRISMA flow diagram. Data extraction was prepared in Microsoft Excel, and data quality was assessed by using 9-point Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Then, data were exported to STATA 16.0 software for analyses of pooled estimation of outcome measures. Estimation of outcome measures at a 95% confidence interval was performed using DerSimonian-Laird's random-effects model. Finally, results were presented via text, figures, and tables. Results A total of 18 studies with 3058 bacterial isolates recovered from 3423 swab specimens were included for systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of bacterial contamination of inanimate surfaces and equipment was found 70% (95% CI: 59, 82). Among the Gram-negative bacterial species, the prevalence of ampicillin-resistant K. pneumoniae was the highest 80% (95% CI: 78, 92) followed by Citrobacter species 78% (95% CI: 57, 83). Conclusion This study has shown a high prevalence of bacterial contamination of inanimate surfaces and equipment in Ethiopia.
Sex-Based Differences in Clinical Outcomes After Arthroscopic Anterior Shoulder Stabilization: Results at 5-Year Follow-up

Background: The influence of patient sex on clinical outcomes after arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization is unclear. Purpose: To investigate sex-based differences in clinical outcomes after arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among 76 patients who underwent arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization from February 2010 to December 2017. The patients were grouped by sex. The recurrence rate of instability was compared, as were pre- and postoperative pain scores, functional outcome scores, and active range of motion (ROM). Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was also performed for structural assessment of the glenohumeral joint. Results: No significant difference was found in the recurrence rate between female and male patients (13.3% vs 14.8%; P ≥ .999; risk ratio, 1.107 [95% CI, 0.266-4.597]). Compared with male patients, female patients had a significantly lower preoperative Constant score (94.4 ± 6.4 vs 85.4 ± 11.1; P = .002), forward flexion (173.8° ± 10.7° vs 154.0° ± 33.8°; P = .011), abduction (171.0° ± 18.4° vs 142.7° ± 39.9°; P = .001), and external rotation (76.6° ± 21.6° vs 67.7° ± 20.4°; P = .037). Postoperatively, female patients had a significantly lower Simple Shoulder Test score compared with men (8.8 ± 1.9 vs 10.3 ± 1.6; P = .005). The mean changes from pre- to postoperative Rowe score (43.6 ± 21.4 vs 31.5 ± 19.8; P = .044), Constant score (9.9 ± 8.9 vs 0.8 ± 8.1; P = .002), forward flexion (24.0 ± 36.2 vs 4.2 ± 10.9; P = .013), abduction (36.0 ± 38.3 vs 7.6 ± 18.4; P < .001), and external rotation (19.7 ± 21.3 vs 6.7 ± 26.2; P = .023) in female patients were significantly higher than those in the men. There were no sex-based differences on any MRI parameter measured. Conclusion: Female patients had a similar recurrence rate as that of male patients after arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization. Most postoperative clinical outcome measures showed no significant difference between the sexes. Despite worse preoperative values, more significant improvements in postoperative shoulder function and active ROM were seen in women.
HLA DR Genome Editing with TALENs in Human iPSCs Produced Immune-Tolerant Dendritic Cells

Although human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can serve as a universal cell source for regenerative medicine, the use of iPSCs in clinical applications is limited by prohibitive costs and prolonged generation time. Moreover, allogeneic iPSC transplantation requires preclusion of mismatches between the donor and recipient human leukocyte antigen (HLA). We, therefore, generated universally compatible immune nonresponsive human iPSCs by gene editing. Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) were designed for selective elimination of HLA DR expression. The engineered nucleases completely disrupted the expression of HLA DR on human dermal fibroblast cells (HDF) that did not express HLA DR even after stimulation with IFN-γ. Teratomas formed by HLA DR knockout iPSCs did not express HLA DR, and dendritic cells differentiated from HLA DR knockout iPSCs reduced CD4+ T cell activation. These engineered iPSCs might provide a novel translational approach to treat multiple recipients from a limited number of cell donors.