Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Central Nervous System Manifestations in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: At the end of December 2019, a novel respiratory infection, initially reported in China, known as COVID-19 initially reported in China, and later known as COVID-19, led to a global pandemic. Despite many studies reporting respiratory infections as the primary manifestations of this illness, an increasing number of investigations have focused on the central nervous system (CNS) manifestations in COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the CNS presentations in COVID-19 patients in an attempt to identify the common CNS features and provide a better overview to tackle this new pandemic. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Included studies were publications that reported the CNS features between January 1st, 2020, to April 20th, 2020. The data of selected studies were screened and extracted independently by four reviewers. Extracted data analyzed by using STATA statistical software. The study protocol registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020184456). Results: Of 2353 retrieved studies, we selected 64 studies with 11282 patients after screening. Most of the studies were conducted in China (58 studies). The most common CNS symptom of COVID-19 were Headache (8.69%, 95%CI: 6.76%-10.82%), Dizziness (5.94%, 95%CI: 3.66%-8.22%), and Impaired consciousness (1.9%, 95%CI: 1%-2.79%). Conclusions: The growing number of studies have reported COVID-19, CNS presentations as remarkable manifestations that happen. Hence, understanding the CNS characteristics of COVID-19 can help us for better diagnosis and ultimately prevention of worse outcomes.
Insect mitochondria as targets of freezing-induced injury

Many insects survive internal freezing, but the great complexity of freezing stress hinders progress in understanding the ultimate nature of freezing-induced injury. Here, we use larvae of the drosophilid fly, Chymomyza costata to assess the role of mitochondrial responses to freezing stress. Respiration analysis revealed that fat body mitochondria of the freeze-sensitive (non-diapause) phenotype significantly decrease oxygen consumption upon lethal freezing stress, while mitochondria of the freeze-tolerant (diapausing, cold-acclimated) phenotype do not lose respiratory capacity upon the same stress. Using transmission electron microscopy, we show that fat body and hindgut mitochondria swell, and occasionally burst, upon exposure of the freeze-sensitive phenotype to lethal freezing stress. By contrast, mitochondrial swelling is not observed in the freeze-tolerant phenotype exposed to the same stress. We hypothesize that mitochondrial swelling results from permeability transition of the inner mitochondrial membrane and loss of its barrier function, which causes osmotic influx of cytosolic water into the matrix. We therefore suggest that the phenotypic transition to diapause and cold acclimation could be associated with adaptive changes that include the protection of the inner mitochondrial membrane against permeability transition and subsequent mitochondrial swelling. Accumulation of high concentrations of proline and other cryoprotective substances might be a part of such adaptive changes as we have shown that freezing-induced mitochondrial swelling was abolished by feeding the freeze-sensitive phenotype larvae on a proline-augmented diet.
AcousticPrint: acoustic signature based open set drone identification

Malicious or improper use of drones can pose significant privacy and security threats in both civilian and military settings. There are many situations where it requires to detect the presence of a drone and identify the exact model to be used in applications such as law enforcement depending on the size and capabilities of different models. Nonetheless, this remains a challenging task, especially in low visibility, limited access, or hostile environments. In this paper, we propose to use acoustic signatures to identify the make and the model of drones. We achieved 94% accuracy in a closed set scenario and 80% accuracy in a more challenging open set scenario.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Asthma Airway Remodeling Is Regulated by the IL-33/CD146 Axis

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is essential in asthma airway remodeling. IL-33 from epithelial cells is involved in pulmonary fibrosis. CD146 has been extensively explored in cancer-associated EMT. Whether IL-33 regulates CD146 in the EMT process associated with asthma airway remodeling is still largely unknown. We hypothesized that EMT in airway remodeling was regulated by the IL-33/CD146 axis. House dust mite (HDM) extract increased the expression of IL-33 and CD146 in epithelial cells. Increased expression of CD146 in HDM-treated epithelial cells could be blocked with an ST2-neutralizing antibody. Moreover, HDM-induced EMT was dependent on the CD146 and TGF-β/SMAD-3 signaling pathways. IL-33 deficiency decreased CD146 expression and alleviated asthma severity. Similarly, CD146 deficiency mitigated EMT and airway remodeling in a murine model of chronic allergic airway inflammation. Furthermore, CD146 expression was significantly elevated in asthma patients. We concluded that IL-33 from HDM extract-treated alveolar epithelial cells stimulated CD146 expression, promoting EMT in airway remodeling in chronic allergic inflammation.
Deciphering the Enigmatic Function of Pseudomonas Metallothioneins

Metallothioneins (MTs) are low molecular weight, Cys-rich proteins that sequester both essential and non-essential metal ions. Despite being highly conserved in the Pseudomonas genus of Gram-negative bacteria, knowledge of their physiological function in this species is scarce. Using the strain P. fluorescens Q2-87 as a model organism, we investigated the role of a conserved MT in zinc homeostasis, cadmium detoxification as well as its implications in stress response. We show that MT expression is only induced in the stationary phase and provides a fitness benefit for long-term starvation survival, while it is not required for metal resistance and acquisition, oxidative or nitrosative stress response, biofilm formation or motility.
The Brittle Rachis Trait in Species Belonging to the Triticeae and Its Controlling Genes Btr1 and Btr2

In many non-cultivated angiosperm species, seed dispersal is facilitated by the shattering of the seed head at maturity; in the Triticeae tribe, to which several of the world's most important cereals belong, shattering takes the form of a disarticulation of the rachis. The products of the genes Btr1 and Btr2 are both required for disarticulation to occur above the rachis nodes within the genera Hordeum (barley) and Triticum/Aegilops (wheat). Here, it has been shown that both Btr1 and Btr2 are specific to the Triticeae tribe, although likely paralogs (Btr1-like and Btr2-like) are carried by the family Poaceae including Triticeae. Aegilops tauschii (the donor of the bread wheat D genome) lacks a copy of Btr1 and disarticulation in this species occurs below, rather than above the rachis node; thus, the product of Btr1 appears to be required for disarticulation to occur above the rachis node.
Models for the Study of Whole-Body Glucose Kinetics: A Mathematical Synthesis

The maintenance of blood glucose homeostasis is complex and involves several key tissues. Most of these tissues are not easily accessible, making direct measurement of the physiological parameters involved in glucose metabolism difficult. The use of isotope tracer methodology and mathematical modeling allows indirect estimates of in vivo glucose metabolism through relatively noninvasive means. The purpose of this paper was to provide a mathematical synthesis of the models developed for describing glucose kinetics. As many of the models were developed using dogs, example data from the canine literature are presented. However, examples from the human and feline literature are also given in the absence of dog data. The glucose system is considered in both the steady and nonsteady states, and the models are examined by grouping them into schemes consisting of one, two, and three glucose compartments. Noncompartmental schemes are also considered briefly.
Motivational Profiling of League of Legends Players

Player motivation is a key research area within games research, with the aim of understanding how the motivation of players is related to their experience and behavior in the game. We present the results of a cross-sectional study with data from 750 players of League of Legends, a popular Multiplayer Online Battle Arena game. Based on the motivational regulations posited by Self-Determination Theory and Latent Profile Analysis, we identify four distinct motivational profiles, which differ with regards to player experience and, to a lesser extent, in-game behavior. While the more self-determined profiles “Intrinsic” and “Autonomous” report mainly positive experience-related outcomes, a considerable part of the player base does not. Players of the “Amotivated” and “External” profile derive less enjoyment, experience more negative affect and tension, and score lower on vitality, indicating game engagement that is potentially detrimental to players' well-being. With regards to game metrics, minor differences in the rate of assists in unranked matches and performance indicators were observed between profiles. This strengthens the notion that differences in experiences are not necessarily reflected in differences in behavioral game metrics. Our findings provide insights into the interplay of player motivation, experience, and in-game behavior, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of player-computer interaction.
A Multiomics Approach Unravels New Toxins With Possible In Silico Antimicrobial, Antiviral, and Antitumoral Activities in the Venom of Acanthoscurria rondoniae

The Araneae order is considered one of the most successful groups among venomous animals in the world. An important factor for this success is the production of venoms, a refined biological fluid rich in proteins, short peptides and cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs). These toxins may present pharmacologically relevant biological actions, as antimicrobial, antiviral and anticancer activities, for instance. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in the exploration of venom toxins for therapeutic reasons, such as drug development. However, the process of peptide sequencing and mainly the evaluation of potential biological activities of these peptides are laborious, considering the low yield of venom extraction and the high variability of toxins present in spider venoms. Here we show a robust methodology for identification, sequencing, and initial screening of potential bioactive peptides found in the venom of Acanthoscurria rondoniae. This methodology consists in a multiomics approach involving proteomics, peptidomics and transcriptomics analyses allied to in silico predictions of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer activities. Through the application of this strategy, a total of 92,889 venom gland transcripts were assembled and 84 novel toxins were identified at the protein level, including seven short peptides and 10 fully sequenced CRPs (belonging to seven toxin families). In silico analysis suggests that seven CRPs families may have potential antimicrobial or antiviral activities, while two CRPs and four short peptides are potentially anticancer. Taken together, our results demonstrate an effective multiomics strategy for the discovery of new toxins and in silico screening of potential bioactivities. This strategy may be useful in toxin discovery, as well as in the screening of possible activities for the vast diversity of molecules produced by venomous animals.
Effects of capture and recovery on plasma levels of cortisol, lactate and gonadal steroids in a natural population of rainbow trout

Rainbow trout were captured by angling from a run of spawning fish on the Tongariro River in northern New Zealand, to examine the effects of catch and release angling on stress and reproductive parameters. Fish were blood sampled immediately after capture at playing times of <5 or 15 min, or after 1 or 24 h of recovery in stream enclosures. Plasma samples were assayed for cortisol (F), lactate, testosterone (T), 17β-oestradiol (E2), and 17a,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20βP). Plasma F levels were similar to those of hatchery stocks of rainbow trout, at capture, and became significantly elevated 1 h after capture. Plasma F was still clevated in some fish 24 h after capture. Plasma lactate levels began to increase 15 min after capture, were further elevated 1 h after capture, and had returned to normal 24 h after capture. We proposed that metabolic recovery had occurred but that some animals were still experiencing some degree of stress, possibly in response to holding conditions in the river. Both plasma T and E2 were depressed 24 h after capture, whereas there was no change in plasma 17,20βP. This is consistent with other findings showing that acute stress is associated with depression of plasma levels of T and E2. There was no mortality as a result of capture or any of the handling protocols. We conclude that catch and release angling will result in negligible mortality, but may have an inhibitory effect on some reproductive processes.
Early Pathogen Recognition and Antioxidant System Activation Contributes to Actinidia arguta Tolerance Against Pseudomonas syringae Pathovars actinidiae and actinidifoliorum

Actinidia chinensis and A. arguta have distinct tolerances to Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), but the reasons underlying the inter-specific variation remain unclear. This study aimed to integrate the metabolic and molecular responses of these two kiwifruit species against the highly pathogenic Psa and the less pathogenic P. syringae pv. actinidifoliorum (Pfm) bacterial strains. Disease development was monitored weekly till 21 days post inoculation (dpi), analysing a broad number and variety of parameters including: colony forming units (CFU), foliar symptoms, total chlorophylls, lipid peroxidation, soluble polyphenols, lignin and defense-related gene expression. At the end of the experimental period A. chinensis inoculated with Psa presented the highest endophytic bacterial population, whereas A. arguta inoculated with Pfm showed the lowest values, also resulting in a lower extent of leaf symptoms. Metabolic responses to infection were also more pronounced in A. chinensis with decreased total chlorophylls (up to 55%) and increased lipid peroxidation (up to 53%), compared with non-inoculated plants. Moreover, at 14 dpi soluble polyphenols and lignin concentrations were significantly higher (112 and 26%, respectively) in Psa-inoculated plants than in controls, while in A. arguta no significant changes were observed in those metabolic responses, except for lignin concentration which was, in general, significantly higher in Psa-inoculated plants (by at least 22%), comparing with control and Pfm-inoculated plants. Genes encoding antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX and CAT) were upregulated at an earlier stage in Psa-inoculated A. arguta than in A. chinensis. In contrast, genes related with phenylpropanoids (LOX1) and ethylene (SAM) pathways were downregulated in A. arguta, but upregulated in A. chinensis in the later phases of infection. Expression of Pto3, responsible for pathogen recognition, occurred 2 dpi in A. arguta, but only 14 dpi in A. chinensis. In conclusion, we found that A. arguta is more tolerant to Psa and Pfm infection than A. chinensis and its primary and secondary metabolism is less impacted. A. arguta higher tolerance seems to be related with early pathogen recognition, the activation of plant antioxidant system, and to the suppression of ET and JA pathways from an earlier moment after infection.
Analysis of Microbiota Structure and Potential Functions Influencing Spoilage of Fresh Beef Meat

Beef is one of the most consumed food worldwide, and it is prone to spoilage by bacteria. This risk could be caused by resident microbiota and their alterations in fresh beef meat during processing. However, scarce information is available regarding potential spoilage factors due to resident microbiota in fresh beef meat. In this study, we analyzed the microbiota composition and their predicted functions on fresh beef meat. A total of 120 beef meat samples (60 fresh ground and 60 non-ground beef samples) were collected from three different sites in South Korea on different months, and the microbiota were analyzed by the MiSeq system. Our results showed that although the microbiota in beef meat were varied among sampling site and months, the dominant phyla were the same with shared core bacteria. Notably, psychrotrophic genera, related to spoilage, were detected in all samples, and their prevalence increased significantly in July. These genera could inhibit the growth of other microbes with using glucose by fermentation. The results of this study extend our understanding of initial microbiota in fresh beef meat and potential functions influencing spoilage and can be useful to develop the preventive measures to reduce the spoilage of beef meat products.
Attentional Control in Subclinical Anxiety and Depression: Depression Symptoms Are Associated With Deficits in Target Facilitation, Not Distractor Inhibition

Mood and anxiety disorders are associated with deficits in attentional control involving emotive and non-emotive stimuli. Current theories focus on impaired attentional inhibition of distracting stimuli in producing these deficits. However, standard attention tasks struggle to separate distractor inhibition from target facilitation. Here, we investigate whether distractor inhibition underlies these deficits using neutral stimuli in a behavioral task specifically designed to tease apart these two attentional processes. Healthy participants performed a four-location Posner cueing paradigm and completed self-report questionnaires measuring depressive symptoms and trait anxiety. Using regression analyses, we found no relationship between distractor inhibition and mood symptoms or trait anxiety. However, we find a relationship between target facilitation and depression. Specifically, higher depressive symptoms were associated with reduced target facilitation in a task-version in which the target location repeated over a block of trials. We suggest this may relate to findings previously linking depression with deficits in predictive coding in clinical populations.
In-silico modeling of COVID-19 ARDS: pathophysiological insights and potential management implications

Objectives: Patients with COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (CARDS) appear to present with at least two distinct phenotypes: severe hypoxemia with relatively well-preserved lung compliance and lung gas volumes (Type 1) and a more conventional ARDS phenotype displaying the typical characteristics of the baby lung (Type 2). We aimed to test plausible hypotheses regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CARDS, and to evaluate the resulting implications for ventilatory management. Design: We adapted a high-fidelity computational simulator, previously validated in several studies of ARDS, to (a) develop quantitative insights into the key pathophysiologic differences between CARDS and conventional ARDS, and (b) assess the impact of different PEEP, FiO2 and tidal volume settings. Setting: Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Systems Medicine Research Network. Subjects: The simulator was calibrated to represent CARDS patients with both normal and elevated body mass indices undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation. Measurements and Main Results: An ARDS model implementing disruption of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and vasodilation leading to hyperperfusion of collapsed lung regions failed to replicate clinical data on Type 1 CARDS patients. Adding mechanisms to reflect disruption of alveolar gas-exchange due to the effects of pneumonitis, and heightened vascular resistance due to the emergence of microthrombi, produced levels of V/Q mismatch and hypoxemia consistent with data from Type 1 CARDS patients, while preserving close to normal lung compliance and gas volumes. Atypical responses to PEEP increments between 5 and 15 cmH2O were observed for this Type 1 CARDS model across a range of measures: increasing PEEP resulted in reduced lung compliance and no improvement in oxygenation, while Mechanical Power, Driving Pressure and Plateau Pressure all increased. FiO2 settings based on ARDSnet protocols at different PEEP levels were insufficient to achieve adequate oxygenation. Incrementing tidal volumes from 5 to 10 ml/kg produced similar increases in multiple indicators of ventilator induced lung injury in the Type 1 CARDS model to those seen in a conventional ARDS model. Conclusions: Our model suggests that use of standard PEEP/ FiO2 tables, higher PEEP strategies, and higher tidal volumes, may all be potentially deleterious in Type 1 CARDS patients, and that a highly personalized approach to treatment is advisable.
Growth Cessation and Autumn-frost Hardiness in One-year-old Picea abies Progenies from Seed Orchards and Natural Stands

One-year-old seedlings of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst. ] from seed orchards and natural stands were compared with respect to growth cessation and autumn-frost hardiness. The correlation among traits related to growth, growth cessation and frost hardiness on the same plants in two sets of environmental conditions was assessed. Total height, the degrees of shoot lignification and frost hardiness, and the timing of height growth cessation and budset were recorded at two nurseries in central and northern Sweden. Nine seed-orchard seed-lots were compared with seed from 26 natural stands originating from 56° N to 66° N in Sweden. Latitude explained 55-87% of the statistical variation among stands in the analysed traits at the central nursery and 49-84% at the northern nursery. On average, the seed-orchard progeny performed similarly to progeny from natural stands located 1-2° south of the origin of the seed-orchard clones. Reference material representing a geographical gradient was found to be a valuable aid when interpreting the results of growth cessation and frost-hardiness evaluations.
Process skew: fingerprinting the process for anomaly detection in industrial control systems

In an Industrial Control System (ICS), its complex network of sensors, actuators and controllers have raised security concerns. In this paper, we proposed a technique called Process Skew that uses the small deviations in the ICS process (herein called as a process fingerprint) for anomaly detection. The process fingerprint appears as noise in sensor measurements due to the process fluctuations. Such a fingerprint is unique to a process due to the intrinsic operational constraints of the physical process. We validated the proposed scheme using the data from a real-world water treatment testbed. Our results show that we can effectively identify a process based on its fingerprint, and detect process anomaly with a very low false-positive rate.
Expression, purification and kinase activity analysis of maize ZmSPK1, a member of plant SnRK2 subfamily.

Kinase activity is essential for a protein kinase to perform its biological function. In previous study we have cloned a novel plant SnRK2 subfamily gene from maize and named it as ZmSPK1. In this study the cDNA of ZmSPK1 with dHA-His6 tag was amplified by PCR and was subcloned into the yeast expression vector p426GAL1. The constructed plasmid named as p426GAL1-SPK1-dHA-His6 was transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Under the induction of galactose the recombinant protein was expressed. The purified recombinant protein showed a single specific band by the analysis of the western-blot. In an in vitro kinase assay, the purified recombinant protein showed phosphorylation and autophosphorylation activity. This showed that ZmSPK1 encodes a functional protein kinase.