Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new genetic strategy for targeting microglia in development and disease

As the resident macrophages of the brain and spinal cord, microglia are crucial for the phagocytosis of infectious agents, apoptotic cells and synapses. During brain injury or infection, bone-marrow derived macrophages invade neural tissue, making it difficult to distinguish between invading macrophages and resident microglia. In addition to circulation-derived monocytes, other non-microglial central nervous system (CNS) macrophage subtypes include border-associated meningeal, perivascular and choroid plexus macrophages. Using immunofluorescent labeling, flow cytometry and Cre-dependent ribosomal immunoprecipitations, we describe P2ry12-CreER, a new tool for the genetic targeting of microglia. We use this new tool to track microglia during embryonic development and in the context of ischemic injury and neuroinflammation. Because of the specificity and robustness of microglial recombination with P2ry12-CreER, we believe that this new mouse line will be particularly useful for future studies of microglial function in development and disease.
Time-course of running treadmill adaptation in novice treadmill runners

ABSTRACT Studies on running biomechanics and energetics are usually conducted on a treadmill. To ensure that locomotion on a treadmill is comparable to locomotion overground, participants need to be expert in the use of the device. This study aimed to identify the number and duration of sessions needed to obtain stable measurements for spatiotemporal and metabolic parameters in unexperienced treadmill runners. Fourteen male recreational runners performed three 15-min treadmill running trials in different days at a submaximal speed. Spatiotemporal and metabolic parameters were registered at minutes: 5, 10, 15 and their within-trial and between-trial changes were analysed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test. Within-trial differences were found in step frequency (decreased over time), Step Length and Contact Time (increased), reaching stability at different time points. Ventilator parameters increased, reaching stability after 5–10 min, while heart rate increased progressively over time. The only between-trial differences were an increase in step length and a decrease in step frequency at min 1, between trials 1 and 3. In conclusion, at least three running trials of 15 min are required to familiarize with the device. The last 5 min of the third trial can be regarded as stable measurements.
The impact of lower body compression garment on left ventricular rotational mechanics in patients with lipedema—Insights from the three‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR‐Path Study

Lipedema is a lymphedema‐masquerading symmetrical, bilateral and disproportional obesity. Its conservative maintenance treatment comprises the use of flat‐knitted compression pantyhoses. Lipedema is known to be associated with left ventricular morphological and functional alterations. The present study aimed to assess the effects of graduated compression stockings on left ventricular (LV) rotational mechanics measured by three‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) in lipedema patients. The present study comprised twenty lipedema patients (mean age: 45.8 ± 11.0 years, all females) undergoing 3DSTE who were also compared to 51 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls (mean age: 39.8 ± 14.1 years, all females). 3DSTE analysis was performed at rest, and subsequent to 1 hour application of compression class 2 made‐to‐measure flat‐knitted pantyhose. Six lipedema patients showed significant LV rotational abnormalities. Of the remaining fourteen lipedema patients LV basal rotation rotation showed significant reduction, while LV apical rotation showed significant increase with unchanged LV twist after a 60‐minute use of compression garment. Significant changes in LV rotational mechanics could be detected among 14 women with lipedema after the use of compression garment however six probands have special LV rotational abnormalities at baseline and/or after compression.
Landbouw in een leesbaar landschap : hoe gangbare en biologische landbouwbedrijven bijdragen aan landschapskwaliteit

Met het begrip leesbaarheid is het mogelijk de bijdrage van landbouwbedrijven aan de landschapskwaliteit van de streek te bepalen. De (a)biotische eigenschappen worden zichtbaar door de verticale samenhang, de functionele en ecologische relaties door de horizontale samenhang, de jaarcyclus door de seizoensamenhang en het heden, verleden en de toekomst door de historische samenhang. Deze samenhangen zijn uitgewerkt voor drie componenten van het landbouwbedrijf: de percelen, het erf en de randen. Toegespitst op drie streken: West-Friesland, Waterland en Drenthe.
Utilization of marine sedimentary dissolved organic nitrogen by native anaerobic bacteria

Bioavailability and chemical composition of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in marine pore water were followed and related to bacterial activity in a 14–d anoxic decomposition experiment. For the experiment 0.2–µm filtered pore water from a coastal marine sediment was inoculated with native sediment bacteria. The initial composition of DON was characterized by a high contribution of dissolved free amino acids (DFAA), dissolved combined amino acids (DCAA), and urea, which together accounted for 82% of the DON pool. During the experiment, 54% of the DON was used by bacteria, indicating that DON was readily available to bacterial degradation. The consumption of DFAA and DCAA accounted for more than half of the DON consumed. The unidentified DON pool accounted for 33% of the net DON consumption, and the unidentified DON pool was fully depleted by the end of the experiment. Systematic changes in the amino acid composition occurred with time of incubation, as demonstrated by use of a principal component analysis based on the mole percent contribution of amino acids. The results indicated that amino acids of both the DFAA and the DCAA pools were useful indicators of the diagenetic state of DON. The present study presents the first direct evidence of short‐term (within 14 d) changes in DFAA and DCAA of the DON pool. These changes were similar to decompositional changes in the molecular composition of amino acids observed in traditional studies of bulk sediment diagenesis.
Temperature-dependent kinetic pathways featuring distinctive thermal-activation mechanisms in structural evolution of ice VII

Significance The kinetics of the structural evolution from crystalline ice (ice VII or ice VIII) toward thermodynamically stable ice I at ambient pressure have been characterized using time-resolved in situ X-ray diffraction. The time resolution captures events that were not observed previously and reveals a complex kinetic pathway with three distinctive transitions, i.e., amorphization, amorphous–amorphous, and crystallization of amorphous ice into ice I. The first two transitions exhibit different thermally activated mechanism above and below 110 K. Molecular-dynamics simulations show the transition involves a large change in density and substantial displacements of water at the nanoscale. This study presents a perspective on the metastability and complexity of the energy landscape in temperature/time-dependent structural evolution in amorphous ices. Ice amorphization, low- to high-density amorphous (LDA-HDA) transition, as well as (re)crystallization in ice, under compression have been studied extensively due to their fundamental importance in materials science and polyamorphism. However, the nature of the multiple-step “reverse” transformation from metastable high-pressure ice to the stable crystalline form under reduced pressure is not well understood. Here, we characterize the rate and temperature dependence of the structural evolution from ice VII to ice I recovered at low pressure (∼5 mTorr) using in situ time-resolved X-ray diffraction. Unlike previously reported ice VII (or ice VIII)→LDA→ice I transitions, we reveal three temperature-dependent successive transformations: conversion of ice VII into HDA, followed by HDA-to-LDA transition, and then crystallization of LDA into ice I. Significantly, the temperature-dependent characteristic times indicate distinctive thermal activation mechanisms above and below 110–115 K for both ice VIII-to-HDA and HDA-to-LDA transitions. Large-scale molecular-dynamics calculations show that the structural evolution from HDA to LDA is continuous and involves substantial movements of the water molecules at the nanoscale. The results provide a perspective on the interrelationship of polyamorphism and unravel its underpinning complexities in shaping ice-transition kinetic pathways
Chemical Imaging of Human Fingermark by X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)

X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a widely used technique to characterize the surface chemistry of materials. It plays a crucial role in accessing qualitative and quantitative information and in detecting the presence of chemical functional groups on the surface of any material. The forensic methods available to detect and identify elements and organic/inorganic compounds are often destructive, so evidence cannot be re‐analyzed. However, XPS allows rapid analysis of samples without damaging them. Recently, an increasing number of forensic researchers have begun to study certain chemical information on fingermarks. In this study, the authors aimed to present the applicability and power of XPS imaging in fingermark analysis which can also provide specific information about the fingermark chemical composition. Herein, monochromated X‐ray (Al Kα) spot size was fixed at 50 μm. XPS mapping resulted in the acquisition of spectra at each pixel, in an array of 41 × 30 pixels with a step size of 50 μm. Then, a simple discussion has been made about how the scanned surface spectrum and basic snapshot spectra are used to identify different components at a fingertip of a scanned surface area (~3 mm2). Hence, a fingermark pattern contaminated with caffeine, TiO2, and Pb/PbO deposited on the silicon wafer can be chemically mapped and visualized by XPS using principal component analysis (PCA). Thus, the present study showed the possible applicability of XPS for the identification of illicit drugs of abuse, gunshot residue, and skin care products on latent fingermark by mimicking a crime scene evidence.
Effects of the Nesting Environment on Embryonic Development, Sex Ratio, and Hatching Success in Podocnemis unifilis (Testudines: Podocnemididae) in an Area of Várzea Floodplain on the Lower Amazon River in Brazil

The nesting site selected by a female turtle influences the temperature and humidity of the incubating eggs, which affects the development, survival, and sex of the embryo and the subsequent developmental phases. The present study evaluated the effects of environmental variables on the duration of incubation, hatching success, and sex ratio of hatchlings of Podocnemis unifilis in an area of várzea swamp on the lower Amazon River in Brazil, during the 2007 and 2009 nesting seasons. Nests were located, marked, and monitored, and physical and environmental characteristics were measured. The temperature of the nests was measured, and hatchlings were collected to determine the sex ratio. The mean temperature, vegetation cover, and nesting date influenced the duration of the incubation period, and the grain size of the substrate influenced hatchling survival. The sex ratio differed between the years and was female-biased in 2007 and male-biased in 2009, emphasizing the need for further long-term studies of the reproductive cycle in chelonians.
Breath-borne VOC Biomarkers for COVID-19

Rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 is key to controlling the pandemic. Here we report the potential breath-borne volatile organic compound (VOC) biomarkers for COVID-19. Higher levels of ethyl butanoate were detected in exhaled breath of COVID-19 patients (N=10) than healthy controls/health care workers (N=21), lung cancer (LC) patients (N=7) and backgrounds. In contrast, breath-borne butyraldehyde and isopropanol (an efficient SARS-CoV-2 inactivation agent) were significantly higher for non-COVID-19 respiratory infections (URTI) (N=22) than COVID-19, HC, LC patients and backgrounds. Breath-borne isopropanol emission from COVID-19 patients varied greatly up to ~100-fold difference. COVID-19 patients had lower acetone levels than other subjects, except LC patients. The monitoring of ethyl butanoate, butyraldehyde and isopropanol could lend considerable support in rapidly screening COVID-19; and alerting the presence of COVID-19 patient in particular environments.
Comparison of Energy Audit Methods for Buildings

M.E. Student, Dept of Civil Engineering, Shivajirao S. Jondhle College of Engineering and Technology, Mumbai, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract There are many systems in buildings such as lighting, cooling, heating, ventilation and boilers that require different quantities of energy. Energy demand may vary upon many factors such as occupancy level, outdoor conditions and performance of the systems. In this report, we try to develop a method to compare two methods of energy audit namely, a general walkthrough and a detailed energy audit. The aim of the present study is to develop a methodology to compare two types of approaches used in industry viz. Traditional theoretical energy audit vs. Computerized computational and analysis of energy audit, for identifying energy efficient measures to save energy costs. Initially the building for case study was studied regards to the equipment used in the buildings. Then the measures of energy savings were applied using both the methods of Energy audit stated above. The study showed that Walkthrough method of energy audit is a cheap, simple method and the reports generated are also simple for calculation compared to the reports generated from simulation in the software (detailed audit) which are costly & also needs special training and technical help for the study. Further, case study also showed that some energy efficient methods can be predicted only via simulation which cannot be predicted by walkthrough methods unless there are some previous proved results.
Siderophores: Their Biochemistry and Possible Role in the Biocontrol of Plant Pathogens

Specific strains of the Pseudomonas fluorescens-Pseudomonas putida group rapidly colonize plant roots of several crops and cause statistically significant yield increases (38). Enhanced plant growth caused by these strains is often accompanied by reductions in root-zone populations of fungi and bacteria. These beneficial strains are also effective biocontrol agents of certain soil­ borne fungal pathogens (38). This article reviews and describes recent work implicating siderophores [microbial iron(III)-transport agents] produced by beneficial fluorescent pseudomonads as partly responsible for enhanced plant growth and biocontrol. Beneficial fluorescent pseudomonads and other micro­ organisms can promote plant growth and induce disease suppressiveness by mechanisms other than siderophore production, namely through competition for carbon (12) or through production of hormones, antibiotics, or bacterio­ cins (14, 18, 19, 24, 47).
Reasons for Living and Suicide Attempt in Major Depression

Background: There are known risk factors for suicide in major depression but there is lack of knowledge about what protects people against suicide. Aims: To find out Reasons of living in Major Depression and to compare patents with and without suicidal ideas as regards Reasons for living, demographic and disease related characteristics, severity of depression and number of stressful life events. Material and Methods: Patients with Major Depression attending medical college psychiatry OPD were screened for past suicide attempt. All patients were evaluated for severity of depression(both subjective and objective), severity of suicidal ideas, hopelessness, reasonds for living and stressful life events. Suicide attempter and non-attempters were compared regarding these parameters. Results: Those who had attempted suicide had more severe depression and higher suicidal ideas, and lower reasons for living inventory scores, though the stressful life events were not in excess.In On two subscales of reasons for living inventory, those who attempted suicide had significantly higher scoresSurvival and coping belief as well as fear of suicide. Conclusions: Clinicians should routinely interview patients regarding suicide risk factors as well as the reasons for living; the later has potential to be protective against suicide. (
Checkpoint-blocker induced autoimmunity is associated with pretreatment T cell expression profiles and favourable outcome in melanoma

11.1Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) activate CD8+ T cells to elicit anti-cancer activity but frequently lead to immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The relationship of irAE with baseline parameters and clinical outcome is unclear. We investigated associations between irAE development, CD8+ T cell receptor diversity and expression and clinical outcome in a non-trial setting.1. 2Patients ≥18 years old with metastatic melanoma (MM) receiving combination ICB (ipilimumab plus nivolumab – cICB, n=60) or single-agent ICB (nivolumab/pembrolizumab – sICB, n=78) were prospectively recruited. We retrospectively evaluated the impact of irAEs on survival. This analysis was repeated in an independent cohort of MM patients treated at a separate institution (n=210, cICB:74, sICB:136). We performed RNA sequencing of CD8+ T cells isolated from patients prior to treatment, analysing T cell receptor clonality differential transcript expression according to irAE development.1. 348.6% of patients experienced treatment-related irAEs within the first 5 cycles of treatment. Development of irAE prior to the 5th cycle of ICB was associated with longer progression-free and overall survival (PFS, OS) in the primary cohort (log-rank test, PFS: P=0.00034; OS: P<0.0001), replicated in the secondary cohort (OS: P=0.00064). Across cohorts median survival for those patients not experiencing irAE was 14.4 (95% CI:9.6-19.5) months vs not-reached (95% CI:28.9 - Inf), P=3.0×10−7. Pre-treatment performance status and neutrophil count, but not BMI, were additional predictors of clinical outcome. Analysis of CD8+ T cells from 128 patients demonstrated irAE development was associated with increased T cell receptor diversity post-treatment (P=4.3×10−5). Development of irAE in sICB recipients was additionally associated with baseline differential expression of 224 transcripts (FDR<0.1), enriched in pro-inflammatory pathway genes including CYP4F3 and PTGS2.1. 4Early irAE development post-ICB is strongly associated with favourable survival in MM and increased diversity of peripheral CD8+ T cell receptors after treatment. irAE post-sICB is associated with pre-treatment upregulation of inflammatory pathways, indicating irAE development may reflect baseline immune activation states.Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) commonly occur in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. In real world setting we find development of early irAEs post-ICB treatment is associated with survival benefit, indicative of a shared mechanism with anti-tumour efficacy. CD8+ T cells from patients who develop irAE show increased receptor diversity, and pre-treatment samples from patients who develop irAE post single-agent anti-PD1 show over-expression of inflammatory pathways, indicating baseline immune state can determine irAE development.
Coevolution of host immune defence and parasite-induced mortality: relative spleen size and mortality in altricial birds

Animal hosts defend themselves against parasites by the antibodies produced by an immune system. It is an inherent assumption that parasites constitute the selection pressure that has given rise to and maintains the immune system. Thus, greater impact by parasites on host fitness should result in greater investment in immune function across species. We tested this prediction by using field estimates of parasite-induced nestling mortality in altricial birds as an estimate of the fitness cost of parasitism and the relative size of the spleen as an estimate of investment in immune function. The spleen is a peripheral lymphoid tissue that acts as the main site of lymphocyte differentiation and proliferation, and these B- and T-cells are involved in the production of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. In a comparative study of 21 species of altricial birds we found a significant positive relationship between relative spleen size and parasite-induced mortality, accounting for a third of the variance, even when controlling for potentially confounding variables. This finding provides evidence for the level of investment in immune function being related to the natural selection pressure imposed by parasites.
Evaluation of whey fermented by Enterococcus faecium in consortium with Veilonella parvula in ruminant feeding

ABSTRACT - The objective of this study was to evaluate the whey fermented by Enterococcus faecium in consortiumwith Veilonella parvula on the in vitro growth of ruminal bacteria and as a supplement in the cattle diet. In the in vitro experiment, a randomized design, with the following combinations was used: ruminal bacteria; ruminal bacteria and inactivewhey; ruminal bacteria and active whey; and active whey. In the in vivo experiment, five fistulated Zebu Holstein-Zebu crossbredheifers were distributed in a 5 × 5 Latin square. Supplements were formulated without the addition of whey, with the additionof two levels of unfermented whey (2.5 and 5 L/day) or two levels of fermented whey (2.5 and 5 L/day). A positive effectof the whey fermentation was detected on the consumption of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, non-fiber carbohydrates and neutral detergent fiber, corrected for ash and protein in kg/day. No effects of whey were observed onthe pH and concentration of rumen ammonia nitrogen, serum concentration of urea and glucose, urinary excretion of ureaor nutrient digestibility, except for the total digestible nutrients. Supplementation with whey improved the apparent nitrogenbalance, but supplementation with fermented whey decreased the intestinal flow of microbial nitrogen and microbial synthesisefficiency in relation to the unfermented whey. The whey fermentation process does not optimize the physiological responsesof heifers supplemented with 2.5 and 5.0 L of whey.Key Words: lactate, organic acids, propionic acid, rumen
STUDYING THE IMPACT OF CASH-FLOW UNCERTAINTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL UNCERTAINTY ON NON-CASH FLOW SHOCK RETURNS AT TEHRAN STOCK EXCHANGE

The aim of this paper was to investigate the impact of cash-flow uncertainty and environmental uncertainty on non-cash flow shock returns at Tehran Stock Exchange during 5 years that is from 2009 till 2013. The samples of this research consisted of 96 companies which involve 480 years number of observations. In this paper, to hypothesis and correlation coefficient, linear regression was applied. In order to analyze data and test hypotheses EVIEWS7 software was used, after designing and testing hypothesis which was done separately for each, it was concluded that cash-flow uncertainty and variability of company stock returns has significant effect on non-cash flow shock returns; however, company assets return variability has no significant effect on non-cash flow shock returns.