Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pilot-scale isolation of glucuronoarabinoxylans from wheat bran.

: Wheat (variety Bussard, harvested in 2001) was milled on a MIAG mill according to a standard milling procedure. The bran fraction was purified and arabinoxylan-degrading enzymes were inactivated by boiling with 70% ethanol. Water extractable arabinoxylans (~1%) were extracted by water, proteins and starch removed enzymatically from the extract by Alcalase 2.4L and Termamy 120 (both from Novozymes, Denmark), respectively. 3.5 kg of pre-purified dried bran was subsequently treated at pH 11 and 40°C with 30 liters of 2% hydrogen peroxide supplemented with an antifoaming agent (0.015%). After 4 hours, proteins were degraded at pH 8.5 and 25°C and by the addition of Alcalase 2.4L for 12 hours. After boiling and concentrating the extract by ultrafiltration soluble components were precipitated by ethanol at a final concentration of 65%. The precipitate was collected, washed with 96% ethanol and air-dried. Residual β-glucans was removed by a combination of lichenase/β-glucosidase. This pilot-scale procedure allows isolation of ca. 350 grams of glucuronoarabinoxylans of high purity (~80%) from 3.5 kilograms of wheat bran within 1 week.
Diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of non-English versions of Edinburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale for screening post-natal depression in India: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of post-natal depression (PND) is high in India, as it is in many other low to middle income countries. There is an urgent need to identify PND and treat the mother as early as possible. Among the many paper and pencil tests available to identify PND, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a widely used and validated measure in India. However, the summary diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility data are not available for this measure. AIM To establish summary data for the global diagnostic accuracy parameter as well as the clinical utility of the non-English versions of the EPDS in India. METHODS Two researchers independently searched the PubMed, EMBASE, MEDKNOW and IndMED databases for published papers, governmental publications, conference proceedings and grey literature from 2000-2018. Seven studies that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of EPDS in five Indian languages against DSM/ICD were included in the final analysis. Two other investigators extracted the Participants' details, Index measures, Comparative reference measures, and Outcomes of diagnostic accuracy data, and appraised the study quality using QUADS-2. Deek's plots were used to evaluate publication bias. We used the area under the curve of the hierarchical summary area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, with the random effect model, to summarize the global diagnostic accuracy of EPDS. Using the 2 × 2 table, we calculated positive and negative likelihood ratios. From the likelihood ratios, the Fagan's nomogram was built for evaluating clinical utility using the Bayesian approach. We calculated the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) whenever indicated. STATA (version 15) with MIDAS and METANDI modules were used. RESULTS There was no publication bias. The area under the curve for EPDS was 0.97 (95%CI: 0.95-0.98). The pre-test probability for the nomogram was 22%. For a positive likelihood ratio of 9, the positive post-test probability was 72% (95%CI: 68%, 76%) and for a negative LR of 0.08, the negative post-test probability was 2% (95%CI: 1%, 3%). CONCLUSION In this meta-analysis, we established the summary global diagnostic parameter and clinical utility of the non-English versions of the EPDS in India. This work demonstrates that these non-English versions are accurate in their diagnosis of PND and can help clinicians in their diagnostic reasoning.
Proximal‐distal shift of the center of rotation in a total wrist arthroplasty is more than twice of the healthy wrist

Reproduction of healthy wrist biomechanics should minimize the abnormal joint forces that could potentially result in the failure of a total wrist arthroplasty (TWA). To date, the in vivo kinematics of TWA have not been measured and it is unknown if TWA preserves healthy wrist kinematics. Therefore, the purpose of this in vivo study was to determine the center of rotation (COR) for a current TWA design and to compare its location to the healthy wrist. The wrist COR for six patients with TWA and 10 healthy subjects were calculated using biplane videoradiography as the subjects performed various range‐of‐motion and functional tasks that included coupled wrist motions. An open‐source registration software, Autoscoper, was used for model‐based tracking and kinematics analysis. It was demonstrated that the COR was located near the centers of curvatures of the carpal component for the anatomical motions of flexion‐extension and radial‐ulnar deviation. When compared to healthy wrists, the COR of TWAs was located more distal in both pure radial deviation (P < .0001) and pure ulnar deviation (P = .07), while there was no difference in its location in pure flexion or extension (P = .99). Across all coupled motions, the TWA's COR shifted more than two times that of the healthy wrists in the proximal‐distal direction (17.1 vs 7.2 mm). We postulate that the mismatch in the COR location and behavior may be associated with increased loading of the TWA components, leading to an increase in the risk of component and/or interface failure.
SCORE Studies on the Impact of Drug Treatment on Morbidity due to Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium Infection

Abstract. The Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research (SCORE) was funded in 2008 to improve the evidence base for control and elimination of schistosomiasis—better understanding of the systemic morbidities experienced by children in schistosomiasis-endemic areas and the response of these morbidities to treatment, being essential for updating WHO guidelines for mass drug administration (MDA) in endemic areas. This article summarizes the SCORE studies that aimed to gauge the impact of MDA-based treatment on schistosomiasis-related morbidities. Morbidity cohort studies were embedded in the SCORE’s larger field studies of gaining control of schistosomiasis in Kenya and Tanzania. Following MDA, cohort children had less undernutrition, less portal vein dilation, and increased quality of life in Year 5 compared with baseline. We also conducted a pilot study of the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-2) in conjunction with the Kenya gaining control study, which demonstrated beneficial effects of treatment on classroom behavior. In addition, the SCORE’s Rapid Answers Project performed systematic reviews of previously available data, providing two meta-analyses related to morbidity. The first documented children’s infection-related deficits in school attendance and achievement and in formal tests of learning and memory. The second showed that greater reductions in egg output following drug treatment correlates significantly with reduced odds of most morbidities. Overall, these SCORE morbidity studies provided convincing evidence to support the use of MDA to improve the health of school-aged children in endemic areas. However, study findings also support the need to use enhanced metrics to fully assess and better control schistosomiasis-associated morbidity.
Morphometric, Hemodynamic, and Multi-Omics Analyses in Heart Failure Rats with Preserved Ejection Fraction

(1) Background: There are no successive treatments for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) because of complex interactions between environmental, histological, and genetic risk factors. The objective of the study is to investigate changes in cardiomyocytes and molecular networks associated with HFpEF. (2) Methods: Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats developed HFpEF when fed with a high-salt (HS) diet for 7 weeks, which was confirmed by in vivo and ex vivo measurements. Shotgun proteomics, microarray, Western blot, and quantitative RT-PCR analyses were further carried out to investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms. (3) Results: Rats with HFpEF showed diastolic dysfunction, impaired systolic function, and prolonged repolarization of myocytes, owing to an increase in cell size and apoptosis of myocytes. Heatmap of multi-omics further showed significant differences between rats with HFpEF and controls. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) of multi-omics revealed genetic risk factors involved in cardiac muscle contraction, proteasome, B cell receptor signaling, and p53 signaling pathway. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of multi-omics showed the inflammatory response and mitochondrial fission as top biological processes that may deteriorate myocyte stiffening. GO analysis of protein-to-protein network indicated cytoskeleton protein, cell fraction, enzyme binding, and ATP binding as the top enriched molecular functions. Western blot validated upregulated Mff and Itga9 and downregulated Map1lc3a in the HS group, which likely contributed to accumulation of aberrant mitochondria to increase ROS and elevation of myocyte stiffness, and subsequent contractile dysfunction and myocardial apoptosis. (4) Conclusions: Multi-omics analysis revealed multiple pathways associated with HFpEF. This study shows insight into molecular mechanisms for the development of HFpEF and may provide potential targets for the treatment of HFpEF.
Host interactors of effector proteins of the lettuce downy mildew Bremia lactucae obtained by yeast two-hybrid screening

Plant pathogenic bacteria, fungi and oomycetes secrete effector proteins to manipulate host cell processes to establish a successful infection. Over the last decade the genomes and transcriptomes of many agriculturally important plant pathogens have been sequenced and vast candidate effector repertoires were identified using bioinformatic analyses. Elucidating the contribution of individual effectors to pathogenicity is the next major hurdle. To advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying lettuce susceptibility to the downy mildew Bremia lactucae, we mapped physical interactions between B. lactucae effectors and lettuce candidate target proteins. Using a lettuce cDNA library-based yeast-two-hybrid system, 61 protein-protein interactions were identified, involving 21 B. lactucae effectors and 46 unique lettuce proteins. The top ten interactors based on the number of independent colonies identified in the Y2H and two interactors that belong to gene families involved in plant immunity, were further characterized. We determined the subcellular localization of the fluorescently tagged lettuce proteins and their interacting effectors. Importantly, relocalization of effectors or their interactors to the nucleus was observed for four protein-pairs upon their co-expression, supporting their interaction in planta.
Using sizes of unovulated follicles to estimate the laying rate of the brown-headed cowbird

Most female brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) collected at the peak of the breeding season have three large ovarian follicles. The largest, about 8 mm in diameter, is designated as an a follicle. A bird with an a follicle would ovulate the next day, but one without an a follicle would not. Thus, one can identify birds that will terminate or begin a clutch on a particular day. The proportion of such birds is used to estimate the clutch size and the interval (number of days without laying) between clutches.The clutch size is the reciprocal of the proportion of laying birds (those with an oviducal egg) that lack an a follicle. The interval is the reciprocal of the proportion of nonlaying birds (those in breeding condition but without an oviducal egg) that have an a follicle. The average daily laying rate equals the clutch size divided by the sum of the clutch size and the interval. This rate, based on a heterogeneous sample, is about 0.66 eggs.I present a technique for testing the hypothesis that there .
Assessing Physical Function and Mobility following Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury with the NIH Toolbox Motor Battery: A Feasibility Study

Abstract Aims Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can impair physical function in children. The NIH Toolbox Motor Battery (NIHTB-M) was designed to be a brief assessment of physical function, but no studies have examined its use in children with TBI. This study aims to describe the feasibility of using the NIHTB-M to assess children with TBI. Methods The NIHTB-M was administered to children with TBI 2 weeks (n = 22) and/or 6 months (n = 23) following injury. This descriptive study summarizes participant performance, administration challenges, and the association between NIHTB-M scores, participant characteristics, and subjective report of physical function. Results Of the NIHTB-M domains, deficits in endurance and balance were most prevalent. Children aged 5 to 16 years could complete the assessment per administration guidelines, except for a few cases (n = 3) where orthopedic injuries limited participation. Younger children (aged 3 to 4) had difficulty following the NIHTB-M directions. Technological issues impacted balance assessment in several cases (n = 6). Conclusion The NIHTB-M is brief to administer, generally well tolerated by school-aged children and, despite occasional technological challenges, is a feasible performance-based battery for assessment of children with TBI for clinical and research purposes. Additional investigation of psychometric properties and ceiling and floor effects is needed.
Genetic Diversity and Population Differentiation of Guignardia mangiferae from “Tahiti” Acid Lime

Among the citrus plants, “Tahiti” acid lime is known as a host of G. mangiferae fungi. This species is considered endophytic for citrus plants and is easily isolated from asymptomatic fruits and leaves. G. mangiferae is genetically related and sometimes confused with G. citricarpa which causes Citrus Black Spot (CBS). “Tahiti” acid lime is one of the few species that means to be resistant to this disease because it does not present symptoms. Despite the fact that it is commonly found in citric plants, little is known about the populations of G. mangiferae associated with these plants. Hence, the objective of this work was to gain insights about the genetic diversity of the G. mangiferae populations that colonize “Tahiti” acid limes by sequencing cistron ITS1-5.8S-ITS2. It was verified that “Tahiti” acid lime plants are hosts of G. mangiferae and also of G. citricarpa, without presenting symptoms of CBS. Populations of G. mangiferae present low-to-moderate genetic diversity and show little-to-moderate levels of population differentiation. As gene flow was detected among the studied populations and they share haplotypes, it is possible that all populations, from citrus plants and also from the other known hosts of this fungus, belong to one great panmictic population.
Space–Time–Frequency Multi-Sensor Analysis for Motor Cortex Localization Using Magnetoencephalography

Brain source imaging and time frequency mapping (TFM) are commonly used in magneto/electro encephalography (M/EEG) imaging. However, these methods suffer from important limitations. Source imaging is based on an ill-posed inverse problem leading to instability of source localization solutions, has a limited capacity to localize high frequency oscillations and loses its robustness for induced responses (ill-defined trigger). The drawback of TFM is that it involves independent analysis of signals from a number of frequency bands, and from co-localized sensors. In the present article, a regression-based multi-sensor space–time–frequency analysis (MSA) approach, which integrates co-localized sensors and/or multi-frequency information, is proposed. To estimate task-specific brain activations, MSA uses cross-validated, shifted, multiple Pearson correlation, calculated from the time–frequency transformed brain signal and the binary signal of stimuli. The results are projected from the sensor space onto the cortical surface. To assess MSA performance, the proposed method was compared to the weighted minimum norm estimate (wMNE) source imaging method, in terms of spatial selectivity and robustness against an ill-defined trigger. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings were performed in fourteen subjects during two motor tasks: finger tapping and elbow flexion/extension. In particular, our results show that the MSA approach provides good localization performance when compared to wMNE and statistically significant improvement of robustness against ill-defined trigger.
Mechanisms of Blood–Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) account for the majority of injury-related deaths in the United States with roughly two million TBIs occurring annually. Due to the spectrum of severity and heterogeneity in TBIs, investigation into the secondary injury is necessary in order to formulate an effective treatment. A mechanical consequence of trauma involves dysregulation of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) which contributes to secondary injury and exposure of peripheral components to the brain parenchyma. Recent studies have shed light on the mechanisms of BBB breakdown in TBI including novel intracellular signaling and cell–cell interactions within the BBB niche. The current review provides an overview of the BBB, novel detection methods for disruption, and the cellular and molecular mechanisms implicated in regulating its stability following TBI.
Anaerobic and Agility Parameters of Salonists in Laboratory and Field Tests

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the relationship between mechanical parameters from the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST2×17.5), agility performance from the Illinois Agility Test (IAT) and all-out 30-second tethered running (AO30) in college futsal athletes. It also investigates whether these protocols are capable of identifying differences between sexes. Twenty subjects were evaluated. The IAT was applied on a specific course and performance was considered as the total time (T.T). The RAST2×17.5 consisted of six maximum efforts in a shuttle exercise of 2x17.5 m per bout. The AO30 was conducted under maximal effort on a non-motorized treadmill. Maximum, mean and minimum power were determined for RAST2×17.5 and AO30. Mean power from RAST2×17.5 was inversely and significantly correlated to T.T regardless of sex (male: r=–0.76; p=0.010; female: r=–0.89; p=0.010). A similar association was noticed for maximum power for females (r=–0.94; p=0.001). The AO30 maximum and mean power were significantly correlated with T.T (male: r=–0.67; p=0.031 and r=–0.66; p=0.035, respectively; female: r=–0.64; p=0.046 and r=0.66; p=0.035, respectively). Maximum power from RAST2×17.5 and AO30 were significantly correlated (male: r=0.68; p=0.030; female: r=0.72; p=0.019). Our results reinforce the adoption of field-based tests like RAST2×17.5 and IAT for futsal, since significant relationships among these parameters and AO30 results were obtained. Moreover, these protocols differentiated male and female athletes by mechanical and agility parameters, proving their application under specific field evaluation.
Functional traits and their plasticity predict tropical trees regeneration niche even among species with intermediate light requirements

Niche differentiation is a key issue in the current debate on community assembly mechanisms. In highly diverse moist tropical forests, tree species sensitivity to canopy openness is thought to be a major axis in niche differentiation. In the past, the syndrome of traits driving the demographic trade‐off involved in the niche‐based theory of coexistence has always been established among species situated at the two extremities of the shade‐tolerance gradient, even though most tropical tree species have intermediate light requirements. In addition, trait plasticity has seldom been linked to tropical tree species distribution along environmental gradients. This article examines covariations between leaf traits, whole‐plant traits and niche parameters among 14 tree species with intermediate light requirements in French Guiana and across a range of canopy openness. Each functional trait measured under field conditions was characterized by a median value and a degree of plasticity expressed under contrasting light regimes. Niche differentiation was characterized in terms of spatial light gradient. We first examined covariations between functional traits then explored to what degree the median value and plasticity in functional traits could predict light niche characteristics at the sapling stage and the ontogenetic change in light availability estimated by adult stature. Leaf mass per area (LMA) was positively correlated with leaf life span (LLS); species with higher LMA and higher LLS displayed lower diameter growth rates (GRs) and lower responsiveness to canopy gap at both whole‐plant and population levels. This proved that the relationships previously established over a broader range of species held true within the narrow range of the light requirements covered. Height GR plasticity accounted for 49% of the variation in light niche optimum. LMA plasticity, unlike LLS plasticity, was significantly correlated with light niche breadth and adult stature. Synthesis. This study demonstrates the relevance of considering the phenotypic plasticity in functional traits in community ecology, particularly for quantifying breadth of species distribution over environmental gradients. Our findings did not support Hubbell's hypothesis of functional equivalence and suggest that even a rather subtle variation in forest canopy disturbance promotes the coexistence of tropical tree species.
Influence of Molecular Orbitals on Magnetic Properties of FeO2Hx

Recent discoveries of various novel iron oxides and hydrides, which become stable at very high pressure and temperature, are extremely important for geoscience. In this paper, we report the results of an investigation on the electronic structure and magnetic properties of the hydride FeO2Hx, using density functional theory plus dynamical mean-field theory (DFT+DMFT) calculations. An increase in the hydrogen concentration resulted in the destruction of dimeric oxygen pairs and, hence, a specific band structure of FeO2 with strongly hybridized Fe-t2g-O-pz anti-bonding molecular orbitals, which led to a metallic state with the Fe ions at nearly 3+. Increasing the H concentration resulted in effective mass enhancement growth which indicated an increase in the magnetic moment localization. The calculated static momentum-resolved spin susceptibility demonstrated that an incommensurate antiferromagnetic (AFM) order was expected for FeO2, whereas strong ferromagnetic (FM) fluctuations were observed for FeO2H.
Climate variability effects on simulated pasture and animal production in the perennial pasture zone of south-eastern Australia.1. Between year variability in pasture and animal production

Climate variability is a major constraint to farming in south-eastern Australia and one that is out of the farmers' control. However, a better understanding of long-term climate variability would be beneficial for on-farm management decisions. A series of long-term simulations were undertaken with the GrassGro decision support tool to determine the effect of climate variability on pasture and animal production at 6 locations in south-eastern Australia. The simulations ran from 89 to 119 years using daily weather records from each location. All simulations were for spring-lambing flocks of medium sized Merino ewes stocked at above-average district stocking rates, grazing well-fertilised, perennial grass–subterranean clover pastures. Annual rainfall total and, in particular, the distribution of rainfall during the year, were found to be more important than other weather variables in determining the amount of pasture grown in a year. The timing of the season opening rains (autumn break) was most important. The localities varied in their responses to climate variability, particularly in the timing of the autumn break; the pasture growth response to winter rainfall; and the relationship between rainfall and animal production.