Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Colorimetric detection of urine glucose using a C/CdTe QDs-GOx aerogel based on a microfluidic assay sensor.

A sensitive fluorescent microfluidic sensor based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs), cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) aerogel and glucose oxidase (GOx) for urinal glucose detection was fabricated via a simple method. CQDs, emitting green fluorescence (emission peak at 520 nm) and the CdTe QDs, emitting red fluorescence (emission peak at 620 nm) under 365 nm ultraviolet irradiation, were synthesized. The as-prepared CQDs, CdTe QDs and GOx (C/CdTe QD-GOx) were mixed in a certain ratio and were then introduced into the microfluidic chip to construct a three-dimensional porous aerogel sensor after freeze-drying. A ratiometric fluorescence response was realized through the quenching of the red fluorescence by H2O2 produced from the glucose/GOx reaction, while the green fluorescence intensity stays constant. A small change in the ratio of the two fluorescence intensities led to a clear change in the fluorescent colour of the sensor, which can be easily observed under a UV lamp. The microsensor displayed a serial colour change from red to green with the changes in glucose concentration. The intensity ratio between the red fluorescence and green fluorescence (R/G value) indicates the glucose concentration. In our experiments, the optimal concentration ratio of CdTe QDs and CQDs was 0.5 : 1, and the optimal response time was 5 min. The detection range of glucose concentration was from 0 mM to 13 mM, and the detection limit was 0.223 mM. We also found that this glucose sensor has excellent selectivity, specificity and stability. The as-prepared microsensor can be stably stored for 30 days under -20 °C. Such a C/CdTe QD-GOx aerogel based microfluidic assay sensor provides a new approach towards the optical and quantitative detection of glucose, which enables daily urine glucose monitoring for the diabetic patients in a convenient way.
Characterization of the Assimilatory and Dissimilatory Pathways of Carbon Metabolism during Growth of Methylophilus methylotrophus on Methanol

Summary: The enzyme profile of methanol-grown Methylophilus methylotrophus has been determined. It shows that the organism uses a variant of the ribulose monophosphate cycle of formaldehyde fixation that involves cleavage of hexose phosphate by 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase and a rearrangement sequence involving transketolase and transaldolase. The organism possesses high concentrations of a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase active with both NADP+ and NAD+, and two separate 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases, one active with both NADP and NAD+ and the other active only with NAD+. In addition, the organism contains methanol dehydrogenase, and NAD+-linked formaldehyde and formate dehydrogenases, thus possessing the enzymic potential necessary for both cyclic and linear sequences for oxidation of the formaldehyde derived from methanol. Hexulose phosphate synthase, phosphohexuloisomerase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and the two 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases have been purified, characterized and examined for possible regulatory properties.
Exercise training as part of lung cancer therapy

Exercise training is playing an increasing role in lung cancer care. Lung cancer is associated with significant burden to the individual and healthcare system. There is now substantial evidence that exercise training is safe, feasible and effective at improving several outcomes in people with lung cancer, especially in those with NSCLC. Exercise is beneficial across the lung cancer disease and treatment pathway, including in patients with early stage disease before and after surgery, and in patients with advanced disease. This review describes the impact of lung cancer and lung cancer treatment on patient health outcomes and summarizes the aims, safety, feasibility and effects of exercise training in the context of both early stage and advanced stage lung cancer. The paper also includes a discussion of current topical discussion areas including the use of exercise in people with bone metastases and the potential effect of exercise on suppression of tumour growth. Finally, seven clinical questions are included, which are a priority to be addressed by future research over the next decade as we strive to progress the field of lung cancer and improve patient outcomes.
Multiple Genes of Symbiotic Plasmid and Chromosome in Type II Peanut Bradyrhizobium Strains Corresponding to the Incompatible Symbiosis With Vigna radiata

Rhizobia are capable of establishing compatible symbiosis with their hosts of origin and plants in the cross-nodulation group that the hosts of origin belonged to. However, different from the normal peanut Bradyrhizobium (Type I strains), the Type II strains showed incompatible symbiosis with Vigna radiata. Here, we employed transposon mutagenesis to identify the genetic loci related to this incompatibility in Type II strain CCBAU 53363. As results, seven Tn5 transposon insertion mutants resulted in an increase in nodule number on V. radiata. By sequencing analysis of the sequence flanking Tn5 insertion, six mutants were located in the chromosome of CCBAU 53363, respectively encoding acyltransferase (L265) and hypothetical protein (L615)—unique to CCBAU 53363, two hypothetical proteins (L4 and L82), tripartite tricarboxylate transporter substrate binding protein (L373), and sulfur oxidation c-type cytochrome SoxA (L646), while one mutant was in symbiotic plasmid encoding alanine dehydrogenase (L147). Significant differences were observed in L147 gene sequences and the deduced protein 3D structures between the Type II (in symbiotic plasmid) and Type I strains (in chromosome). Conversely, strains in both types shared high homologies in the chromosome genes L373 and L646 and in their protein 3D structures. These data indicated that the symbiotic plasmid gene in Type II strains might have directly affected their symbiosis incompatibility, whereas the chromosome genes might be indirectly involved in this process by regulating the plasmid symbiosis genes. The seven genes may initially explain the complication associated with symbiotic incompatibility.
Human faecal 1H-NMR metabolomics: Evaluation of solvent and sample processing on coverage and reproducibility of signature metabolites.

The human faecal metabolome is complex, but rich in information and allows investigation of host metabolism as a function of diet and health. Faecal metabolome is still much less explored than the plasma and urine metabolome, and in order to generate comparable data across laboratories and cohorts standard operating procedures are required. This study evaluates 10 protocols, using different extraction solvents and sample processing methods for measuring the human faecal metabolome using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy. Three solvents: water, methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were investigated at varying concentrations for their ability to extract metabolites directly from faecal slurry or after freeze-drying. The protocols were evaluated on four different pools of human feces. The study also demonstrates a novel signature mapping (SigMa) method for rapid and unbiased processing of complex NMR spectra applied for the first time to human faecal metabolomics. The method is provided with a library containing the chemical shift ranges of 81 common faecal metabolites for future unambiguous and rapid faecal metabolite annotations. The result from the 10 faecal extraction protocols were investigated in terms of reproducibility, coverage and ability to extract low concentration metabolites. The solvent type showed to induce the highest variation in the data (45.7%) and the water based extractions allowed detection of the greatest number of metabolites and resulted in the highest reproducibility. Direct extraction of faecal slurry proved to be more reproducible than freeze drying. In addition freeze drying caused a relative loss of short chain fatty acids (SCFA). DMSO was used for the first time to extract faecal metabolites and enabled the detection of certain bile acids. Some derivatives of SCFA were only detected using methanol as solvent.
Response of direct seeded and transplanted pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum) to nitrogen, phosphorus and biofertilizers in intercropping system

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 1999 and 2000, at New Delhi, to study nutrient management in pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz. ]. Hybrid Pusa 23 in sole and intercropping system with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ] Variety Pusa Komal under direct seeded and transplanted conditions. The crops were grown with varying levels of 1, P,O, along with biofertilizers (Azospirillum culture VAM). The treatments comprised 4 main plot treatments with 2 methods of planting pearlmillet with and without intercrop and 7 levels of fertilizers. The transplanting of pearlmillet was on a par with direct seeding. Al though the transplanted crop had lower grain weightlear and shorter ear length, it had more ears/m2 and greater 1,000 grain weight than direct seeded crop which led to similar yield under both the conditions. The grain yield of pearlmillet with application of 40 kg N 30 kg P20 ha along with biofertilizers was at par with recommended dose of 60 kg N 45 kg P205/ha indicating saving of 20 kg N and 15 kg P,OJha through biofertilizers. There was no ef fect of cowpea intercropped with pearlmillet in both the years.
Mutant Strains of Aerobacter aerogenes which Require both Methionine and Lysine for Aerobic Growth

SUMMARY: Two types of mutants of Aerobacter aerogenes were obtained which grow anaerobically in a minimal medium with glucose as sole carbon source, but which require either succinate or methionine + lysine for aerobic growth in this medium. Only one type of mutant grew in minimal medium with succinate as sole carbon source. This type accumulated pyruvate and α-oxoglutarate during growth in minimal medium with glucose and succinate. It is apparently blocked in the oxidation of α-oxoacids. The other type of mutants accumulated only α-oxoglutarate during growth in minimal medium with glucose and succinate. Cell-free extracts of this type of mutant did not contain α-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase and washed organisms were unable to oxidize acetate. The aerobic molar growth yield of the mutant in minimal medium with glucose, methionine and lysine was much smaller than that of the wild type. Anaerobic growth of these mutants was strongly inhibited by nitrate; this inhibition was prevented by the addition of succinate.
Ultrasound evaluation of subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat as a predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review

Abstract Objective Studies of subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat thickness evaluated by ultrasound as a predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been published, but the best technique and standardization are unknown. To identify, critically evaluate, and analyze studies using subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat as a model for predicting GDM in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and evaluate their methodological quality. Methods PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from May to July 2019. We included studies of any sample size performed for any duration and in any configuration. Model development and validation studies were eligible for inclusion. Two authors independently performed the eligibility assessment of the studies by reviewing the titles and abstracts. Data on study design, gestational age, diagnostic criteria for GDM, device, ultrasound fat measurement technique, and cutoff point for GDM prediction were extracted. Results The electronic search resulted in 1331 articles, of which 14 were eligible for systematic review. Different criteria for diagnosing GDM and fat measurement techniques were used. The cutoff point for subcutaneous, visceral, and total abdominal fat for predicting GDM in the first and second trimesters varied between the studies. Conclusion No study validated the model for predicting GDM using subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat measurements. External validation studies are recommended to improve the generalization of this GDM predictor in clinical practice.
Association Between Night-Shift Work and Cancer Risk: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Nightshift work introduces light at night and causes circadian rhythm among night workers, who are considered to be at increased risk of cancer. However, in the last 2 years, nine population-based studies reported insignificant associations between night-shift work and cancer risks. We aimed to conduct an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to ascertain the effect of night-shift work on the incidence of cancers. Methods: Our protocol was registered in PROSPERO and complied with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were used to comprehensively search studies published up to May 31, 2019. The random-effect model (Der Simonian-Laird method) was carried out to combine the risk estimates of night-shift work for cancers. The dose-response meta-analysis was performed to verify whether the association was in a dose-dependent manner. Results: Our literature searching retrieved 1,660 publications. Included in the meta-analyses were 57 eligible studies with 8,477,849 participants (mean age 55 years; 2,560,886 men, 4,220,154 women, and 1,696,809 not mentioned). The pooled results showed that night-shift work was not associated with the risk of breast cancer (OR = 1.009, 95% CI = 0.984–1.033), prostate cancer (OR = 1.027, 95% CI = 0.982–1.071), ovarian cancer (OR = 1.027, 95% CI = 0.942–1.113), pancreatic cancer (OR = 1.007, 95% CI = 0.910–1.104), colorectal cancer (OR = 1.016, 95% CI = 0.964–1.068), non-Hodgkin's lymph (OR = 1.046, 95% CI = 0.994–1.098), and stomach cancer (OR = 1.064, 95% CI = 0.971–1.157), while night-shift work was associated with a reduction of lung cancer (OR = 0.949, 95% CI = 0.903–0.996), and skin cancer (OR = 0.916, 95% CI = 0.879–0.953). The dose-response meta-analysis found that cancer risk was not significantly elevated with the increased light exposure of night- shift work. Conclusion: This systematic review of 57 observational studies did not find an overall association between ever-exposure to night-shift work and the risk of breast, prostate ovarian, pancreatic, colorectal, non-Hodgkin's lymph, and stomach cancers.
A NEW SPECIES OF SMOKY HONEYEATER (MELIPHAGIDAE: MELIPOTES) FROM WESTERN NEW GUINEA

Abstract We describe a new species of smoky honeyeater from the Foja Mountains, an isolated range in western New Guinea (Papua Province, Indonesia). A common inhabitant of montane forest and forest-edge in this little-known north coastal range, this species possesses a fleshy pendant suborbital wattle, unique in the genus Melipotes, among other characteristics that distinguish it from all congeners. This fleshy wattle provides a morphological link between Melipotes and the monotypic genus Macgregoria, an alpine inhabitant of the Central Ranges of New Guinea, traditionally treated as a bird of paradise (e.g., Frith and Beehler 1998) but now regarded as the sister genus to Melipotes (Cracraft and Feinstein 2000). The presence of an endemic meliphagid species in the Foja Mountains highlights the biogeographic significance and conservation importance of this geographically isolated upland forest tract, which is also home to the endemic Golden-fronted Bowerbird (Amblyornis flavifrons) and Berlepsch's Parotia (Parotia berlepschi), a distinctive, recently rediscovered species of six-wired bird of paradise (B. M. Beehler unpubl. data). Una Especie Nueva de Melipotes (Meliphagidae) del Oeste de Nueva Guinea
Character Displacement in Stag Beetles (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)

Abstract I quantitatively analyzed male morphology of two closely related stag beetles species (Odontolabis mouhoti Hope and O. cuvera Parry) in 11 allopatric and two sympatric locations in the Asian tropics and subtropics. Across allopatric locations, body size and genitalia size nearly completely overlapped between O. mouhoti and O. cuvera, and body color was more similar between the two species in allopatric locations. In sympatric locations the differences between the two species in these characters were highly noticeable, genitalia size being most significant. The body color difference between the two species was most striking in sympatric locations. It is probable that the interaction between the two species induced character displacement in sympatry. Character displacement may enable species to maintain themselves as integrated units by minimizing interspecific competition and enhancing reproductive isolation.
Effect of Objective Normalization and Penalty Parameter on Penalty Boundary Intersection Decomposition-Based Evolutionary Many-Objective Optimization Algorithms

An objective normalization strategy is essential in any evolutionary multiobjective or many-objective optimization (EMO or EMaO) algorithm, due to the distance calculations between objective vectors required to compute diversity and convergence of population members. For the decomposition-based EMO/EMaO algorithms involving the Penalty Boundary Intersection (PBI) metric, normalization is an important matter due to the computation of two distance metrics. In this article, we make a theoretical analysis of the effect of instabilities in the normalization process on the performance of PBI-based MOEA/D and a proposed PBI-based NSGA-III procedure. Although the effect is well recognized in the literature, few theoretical studies have been done so far to understand its true nature and the choice of a suitable penalty parameter value for an arbitrary problem. The developed theoretical results have been corroborated with extensive experimental results on three to 15-objective convex and non-convex instances of DTLZ and WFG problems. The article, makes important theoretical conclusions on PBI-based decomposition algorithms derived from the study.
Quarter-of-a-Century of Dividend Pricing

Investments in short-term dividend assets outperform investments in the market according to Binsbergen, Brandt, and Koijen (2012), but contrary to predictions of several asset pricing models. To examine these findings, we double the sample to 24 years. We also advocate an interest rate-invariant approach to estimate prices of dividend assets by combining put-call pairs. This approach avoids the bias in returns induced by exogenous interest rates. In our results, the term structure of dividend returns is flat throughout maturities and varies over the business cycle more than once thought. Moments of the dividend assets are in line with the index.
Fine Mapping to Identify the Functional Genetic Locus for Red Coloration in Pyropia yezoensis Thallus

Pyropia yezoensis, commonly known as “Nori” or “Laver” is an economically important marine crop. In natural or selected populations of P. yezoensis, coloration mutants are frequently observed. Various coloration mutants are excellent materials for genetic research and study photosynthesis. However, the candidate gene controlling the Pyropia coloration phenotype remains unclear to date. QTL-seq, in combination with kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) and RNA-seq, can be generally applied to population genomics studies to rapidly identify genes that are responsible for phenotypes showing extremely opposite traits. Through cross experiments between the wild line RZ and red-mutant HT, offsprings with 1–4 sectors chimeric blade were generated. Statistical analyses revealed that the red thallus coloration phenotype is conferred by a single nuclear allele. Two-pair populations, consisting of 24 and 56 wild-type/red-type single-genotype sectors from F1 progeny, were used in QTL-seq to detect a genomic region in P. yezoensis harboring the red coloration locus. Based on a high-quality genome, we first identified the candidate region within a 3.30-Mb region at the end of chromosome 1. Linkage map-based QTL analysis was used to confirm the candidate region identified by QTL-seq. Then, four KASP markers developed in this region were used to narrow down the candidate region to a 1.42-Mb region. Finally, we conducted RNA-seq to focus on 13 differentially expressed genes and further predicted rcl-1, which contains one non-synonymous SNP [A/C] in the coding region that could be regulating red thallus coloration in P. yezoensis. Our results provide novel insights into the underlying mechanism controlling blade coloration, which is a desirable trait in algae.
Expression, purification and characterization of recombinant targeting bifunctional hirudin in Pichia pastoris

A recombinant targeting bifunctional hirudin was expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. In order to decrease the side effects of hirudin and increase its activity to prevent arterial thrombus, we fused a factor Xa (FXa) recognition sequence into N’ of hirudin, while maintaining the activity of natural hirudin. In addition, an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence was fused into appropriate genetic locus of hirudin. Furthermore, we added a 9 × His - Tag to make its separation and purification conveniently. The recombination hirudin gene was successfully cloned and ligated into the P. pastoris vector pPIC9K to form an expression vector, which was transferred into P. pastoris GS115. A transformant strain was selected and expressed efficiently in suitable conditions. Then, the fusion protein was purified by affinity chromatography. Through anti-thrombin activity analysis and anti-platelet aggregation activity analysis, we found that the anti-thrombin activity of the fusion protein did not change comparing with the natural hirudin, whereas its anti-platelet capability was enhanced.
Palladium nanoparticles immobilized on a nano-silica triazine dendritic polymer: a recyclable and sustainable nanoreactor for C–S cross-coupling

Dendrimers are of great interest due to their special structural topology and chemical versatility. Owing to their properties, dendrimers have found practical applications in catalytic processes as efficient nanoreactors. Therefore, we herein report an environmentally attractive strategy and highly efficient route for the synthesis of a wide variety of diaryl sulfides using palladium nanoparticles immobilized on a nano-silica triazine dendritic polymer (Pdnp-nSTDP) as a nanoreactor. In this manner, different diaryl or aryl heteroaryl sulfides and bis(aryl/heteroarylthio)benzene/anthracene/pyridine derivatives were prepared via C–S cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides with diaryl/diheteroaryl disulfides under thermal conditions and microwave irradiation. The catalyst could be easily recovered and reused several times without any significant loss of its activity.
Optimal Diet modeling for Diabetics in fuzzy environment using multi-objective fuzzy linear programming

Our purpose in this paper is to present a proper diet model for diabetics in the fuzzy environment. In previous studies many efforts were made regarding preparation of a diet model appropriate for different age groups . but in most studies the daily nutrient intake decisions were made based on crisp data. By prescribing a diet based on crisp data, some of realities are neglected. For the same reason, we dealt with human diet problem through fuzzy approach. Also due to the importance of nutrition for individuals, especially patients with diabetic diseases, we have provided nutrition model as multi-objective fuzzy linear programming problem in which minimization of saturated fats, Sugar, and maximization of carbohydrate and total fiber are considered as our objectives.Results indicated uncertainty about amount of nutrients and their intake affects diet quality making it more realistic.