Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical Detection and Point-of-Care Testing for Circulating Tumor Cells: Current Techniques and Future Potentials

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are tumor cells that escaped from the primary tumor or the metastasis into the blood and they play a major role in the initiation of metastasis and tumor recurrence. Thus, it is widely accepted that CTC is the main target of liquid biopsy. In the past few decades, the separation of CTC based on the electrochemical method has attracted widespread attention due to its convenience, rapidness, low cost, high sensitivity, and no need for complex instruments and equipment. At present, CTC detection is not widely used in the clinic due to various reasons. Point-of-care CTC detection provides us with a possibility, which is sensitive, fast, cheap, and easy to operate. More importantly, the testing instrument is small and portable, and the testing does not require specialized laboratories and specialized clinical examiners. In this review, we summarized the latest developments in the electrochemical-based CTC detection and point-of-care CTC detection, and discussed the challenges and possible trends.
Silvering in the eel: changes in morphology, body fat content, and gonadal development

The commonly used criterion of maturing degree of the eel is skin color, with immature adults as ‘’yellow eel’’ and maturing adults as ‘‘silver eel’’. The process of metamorphosis in eel is thus named ‘‘silvering’’. In eels, the common characters of silvering process are accompanied by morphological (e.g. color and thickness of integument, eye size, body length and weight, size of pectoral fins) and physiological (e.g. age at maturity, digestive tract, visual pigments, composition and function of skeletal muscle, swim bladder structure, locomotory behavior, density of chloride cells in the gill) modifications, together with the development of gonads. These modifications are beforehand preparation for the future spawning migration in the environment of deep sea. The knowledge about the phenomena occurring in eel silvering comes mainly from studies in temperate eel species, namely Japanese, American, and European eels, and this review is mainly concerned on the morphological and gonadal changes during the silvering of eels. Keyword: eel, silvering, metamorphosis, reproduction, migration
Design and Synthesis of Various 5′-Deoxy-5′-(4-Substituted-1,2,3-Triazol-1-yl)-Uridine Analogues as Inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mur Ligases

The synthesis of hitherto unknown 5′-deoxy-5′-(4-substituted-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-uridine and its evaluation, through an one-pot screening assay, against MurA-F enzymes involved in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), are described. Starting from UDP-N-acetylmuramic acid (UDP-MurNAc), the natural substrate involved in the peptidoglycan biosynthesis, our strategy was to substitute the diphosphate group of UDP-MurNAc by a 1,2,3-triazolo spacer under copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition conditions. The structure-activity relationship was discussed and among the 23 novel compounds developed, N-acetylglucosamine analogues 11c and 11e emerged as the best inhibitors against the Mtb MurA-F enzymes reconstruction pathway with an inhibitory effect of 56% and 50%, respectively, at 100 μM. Both compounds are selective inhibitors of Mtb MurE, the molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation suggesting that 11c and 11e are occupying the active site of Mtb MurE ligase.
How TVET teachers foster employability skills: insights from developing countries

ABSTRACT Despite the diversity of views in the literature about what employability skills are, there appears to be general agreement that employability skills are important. However, there are concerns about whether TVET graduates in developing countries are developing these skills and the onus falls upon TVET teachers to ensure they do so. In this qualitative study, 35 TVET teachers from 19 developing countries were interviewed to learn how TVET teachers foster the employability skills of learners. Data collected were transcribed, coded and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings show that the well-published notion that TVET teachers in many developing countries do not make efforts to impart employability skills to their students could be brought into question. Results of this study show that TVET teachers use various techniques to foster employability skills in their TVET learners. Continuous professional development of TVET teachers to ensure quality graduate outcomes is recommended.
Evaluation of Commercially Available Viral Transport Medium (VTM) for SARS-CoV-2 Inactivation and Use in Point-of-Care (POC) Testing

Critical to facilitating SARS-CoV-2 point-of-care (POC) testing is assurance that viruses present in specimens are inactivated onsite prior to processing. Here, we conducted experiments to determine the virucidal activity of commercially available Viral Transport Mediums (VTMs) to inactivate SARS-CoV-2. Independent testing methods for viral inactivation testing were applied, including a previously described World Health Organization (WHO) protocol, in addition to a buffer exchange method where the virus is physically separated from the VTM post exposure. The latter method enables sensitive detection of viral viability at higher viral titre when incubated with VTM. We demonstrate that VTM formulations, Primestore® Molecular Transport Medium (MTM) and COPAN eNAT™ completely inactivate high-titre SARS-CoV-2 virus (>1 × 107 copies/mL) and are compatible with POC processing. Furthermore, full viral inactivation was rapidly achieved in as little as 2 min of VTM exposure. We conclude that adding certain VTM formulations as a first step post specimen collection will render SARS-CoV-2 non-infectious for transport, or for further in-field POC molecular testing using rapid turnaround GeneXpert platforms or equivalent.
Diseño, modelamiento y evaluación in silico de péptidos que reconocen antígeno Tn

El antigeno Tn (GalNac α-Ser / Thr) fue descrito por primera vez en pacientes con una rara enfermedad hemolitica (sindrome Tn), y desde que se descubrio su presencia en el 90 % de los carcinomas a mediados de la decada de 1980 ha sido objeto de muchos estudios ya que se ha encontrado que el mismo, y el mismo se asocia con canceres mas agresivos, ademas se encuentra en estadios tempranos de la enfermedad en diferentes carcinomas siendo un marcador alternativo para el diagnostico temprano de los mismos. En el presente estudio se utilizaron varias estructuras primarias de lectinas vegetales, asi como las estructuras terciarias de la Isolectina B4 de Vicia villosa (PDB 1N47), las lectinas de Vatairea macrocarpa (PDB 4XTP), Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (PDB 2D3S), Glycine max (PDB 4D69) y Bauhinia fortificata (PDB 5T5J) para identificar los aminoacidos involucrados en el reconocimiento del antigeno Tn, luego con base en estos resultados se disenaron y modelaron peptidos los cuales fueron analizados por medio de pruebas de docking molecular utilizando el algoritmo de AutoDock VINA, con el fin de identificar los peptidos mas promisorios y ser utilizados en ensayos in vitro.
MicroRNAs in Bone Diseases: Progress and Prospects

With 19–25 nucleotides long, microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules which play crucial roles in major cellular functions such as cell cycle control, apoptosis, metabolism, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation. Changes in the expression of miRNAs can cause significant effects to normal and aberrant cells. The dysregulation of miRNAs has been implicated in various human diseases such as brain tumor, osteo- arthritis, schizophrenia, and breast cancer. Generally, miRNAs negatively regulate gene expression by binding to their specific mRNAs, thereby blocking their translation of the mRNAs. However, a few studies have reported that miRNAs could also upregulate the translation of certain proteins. This shows the important roles of miRNAs in various cell functions. This chapter will focus on the role of miRNAs in normal osteoblast and osteo sarcoma cells. In addition, the great potential of miRNA as a new therapeutic approach to treat human bone diseases will also be discussed. serum miRNA expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 20 PDB patients. The results showed that 22 miRNAs were significantly upregulated with a fold change above three (miR-31, miR-32, miR-124a, miR-132, miR-182, miR-221, miR-339, miR-345, miR-410, miR-451, miR-485.3p) or between 2 and 3 (miR-19a, miR-30b, miR-30c, miR-27a, miR-125a, miR-146a, miR-148a, miR-200c, miR-223, miR-301, miR-365) when compared to non pagetic controls. Among the 22 miRNAs, these 14 miRNAs (miR-19a, miR-miR-27a, miR-30c, miR-32, miR-125a, miR-132, miR-200c, miR-221, miR-223, miR-301, miR-345, miR-365, miR-410, and miR-485-3p) showed significantly higher expression in patients that experienced Q16STM1 mutation [ 58 ].
A Novel Method for Gait Analysis on Center of Pressure Excursion Based on a Pressure-Sensitive Mat

Center of pressure (COP) during gait is a useful measure for assessing gait ability and has been investigated using platform or insole systems. However, these systems have inherent restrictions in repeated measure design or in obtaining true vertical force. This study proposes a novel method based on a pressure-sensitive mat system for COP measurement and presents normal reference values for the system. To explore repeatability, this work also investigated relative and absolute intra-rater reliabilities and determined the number of footfalls required to obtain a reliable measurement. Ninety healthy young adults participated and performed barefoot walking on a force-sensitive mat at a comfortable and fast pace. The time points and subphase duration of the stance phase, displacement ranges, and mean locations of COP and velocity of COP excursion were parameterized. The results showed acceptable and consistent variabilities of the parameters. Seven footfalls were determined as the threshold for most parameters to show a good to reasonable level of reliability. In conclusion, the presented method can be used as a reliable measurement for COP excursion, and it is recommended that more than seven footfalls be collected to ensure a high level of reliability.
Monitoring Cannabinoid CB2 -Receptor Mediated cAMP Dynamics by FRET-Based Live Cell Imaging

G-protein coupled cannabinoid CB2 receptor signaling and function is primarily mediated by its inhibitory effect on adenylate cyclase. The visualization and monitoring of agonist dependent dynamic 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling at the single cell level is still missing for CB2 receptors. This paper presents an application of a live cell imaging while using a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor, Epac1-camps, for quantification of cAMP. We established HEK293 cells stably co-expressing human CB2 and Epac1-camps and quantified cAMP responses upon Forskolin pre-stimulation, followed by treatment with the CB2 ligands JWH-133, HU308, β-caryophyllene, or 2-arachidonoylglycerol. We could identify cells showing either an agonist dependent CB2-response as expected, cells displaying no response, and cells with constitutive receptor activity. In Epac1-CB2-HEK293 responder cells, the terpenoid β-caryophyllene significantly modified the cAMP response through CB2. For all of the tested ligands, a relatively high proportion of cells with constitutively active CB2 receptors was identified. Our method enabled the visualization of intracellular dynamic cAMP responses to the stimuli at single cell level, providing insights into the nature of heterologous CB2 expression systems that contributes to the understanding of Gαi-mediated G-Protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in living cells and opens up possibilities for future investigations of endogenous CB2 responses.
Two strains of probiotic Lactobacillus enhance immune response and promote naive T cell polarization to Th1

ABSTRACT We co-cultured Caco-2 cells with Lactobacillus salivarius and L. plantarum in vitro to investigate their immunoregulatory mechanisms and detected Lactobacillus strains adhering to Caco-2 cells expressing mRNAs of cytokines and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) by fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. The strains were intragastrically administered to mice. Thymus/spleen indexes were measured on different days. 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to assess different variables. Results showed increased mRNA expressions of T helper 1 (Th1), various cytokines, surface receptors, TLRs (2, 4, and 9), thymus/spleen indexes, spleen lymphocyte transformation rate, macrophage energy metabolism and phagocytosis, CD11c+CD80+ cell number, interferon-γ secretion, and sIgA secretion levels; inhibition of nuclear factor-κB inflammation signal pathway; and downregulated mRNA expression of specific interleukins. Both Lactobacillus strains can promote naive T cell differentiation (Th1) and participate in immunomodulatory responses, featuring a potential in prevention and management approaches for foodborne diseases.
Pollinator limitation causes sexual reproductive failure in ex situ populations of self-compatible Iris ensata

ABSTRACT Background: The absence of pollinators may prevent sexual reproduction and affect the distribution and persistence of individual plant populations, but the role of pollinators in shaping the patterns of distributions of plant species or populations has not been well studied. Aims: Here, we tested the hypothesis that failure of sexual reproduction due to the absence of pollinators may contribute to the disjunct distribution of Iris ensata. Methods: We assessed floral traits and pollinator visitation frequencies in three native and two ex situ populations. We also conducted controlled pollination experiments and examined progeny performance to estimate pollen limitation (PL) and inbreeding depression. Results: Hand-pollinations indicated that I. ensata was a partially self-compatible outcrosser. Sexual reproduction in our study region depended on Bombus trifasciatus. We observed inbreeding depression for seed set and germination, but not for seedling survival. Native populations had higher frequencies of pollinator visitation and lower pollen-limitation of seed set than ex situ populations. Among populations, the magnitude of PL was negatively related to pollinator visitation rate (P = 0.04). Conclusions: Pollinator limitation and inbreeding depression may both restrict the southern distribution of I. ensata, preventing its northward expansion, thus explaining the disjunct distribution of I. ensata in East Asia.
Cell type-specific role of lamin-B1 and its inflammation-driven reduction in organ building and aging

Cellular architectural proteins often participate in organ development and maintenance. Although functional decay of some of these proteins during aging is known, the cell-type specific developmental role and the cause and consequence of their subsequent decay remain to be established especially in mammals. By studying lamins, the nuclear structural proteins, we demonstrate that lamin-B1 functions specifically in the thymic epithelial cells (TECs) for proper thymus organogenesis. An upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in the intra-thymic myeloid immune cells during aging accompanies a gradual reduction of adult TEC lamins-B1. These cytokines cause adult TEC senescence and lamin-B1 reduction. We identify 17 adult TEC subsets and show that TEC lamin-B1 maintains the composition of these TECs. Lamin-B1 supports the expression of TEC genes needed for maintaining adult thymic architecture and function. Thus, structural proteins involved in organ building and maintenance can undergo inflammation-driven decay which can in turn contribute to age-associated organ degeneration.
Production of organic compost from different plant waste generated in the management of a green urban space

Plant waste generated in a properly treated arboretum promotes nutrient cycling, reducing the volume of the residue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of plant waste generated in the management of the Botanical Gardens of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the production of organic composts. An experiment was carried out over 110 days to compost leaves, shredded twigs and leaves, shredded twigs and leaves plus manure, blades of grass, and aquatic plants, to determine influence factors and the levels of N, P and K. The experimental design was completely randomised with five treatments and four replications. The manure had an influence on the decomposition of the shredded plant waste. The shredded waste plus manure, blades of grass and aquatic plants resulted in composts that were more stable as regards temperature, while the shredded waste and leaves required more time for the biomass to decompose. The grass and aquatic-plant material displayed higher levels of N and greater reductions in volume. The P and K content was maintained where losses occurred from leaching, due to the process being carried out in an open system .
Study on the Thermal Properties and Enzymatic Degradability of Chiral Polyamide-Imides Films Based on Amino Acids

Six kinds of chiral polyamide-imides (PAI3a–3f) have successfully been synthesized via direct polycondensation. The thermal properties of the materials were evaluated by the gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A thermal test was conducted and showed that the polymers have good thermal stability. The Tg values were affected by the volume effect of the side groups, the internal plasticizing effect and the isolation effect. Polyamide-imides (PAIs) with L configuration showed higher Tg values than PAIs with D configuration. In the enzymatic degradation experiments of PAI films, the results showed that the structure of amino acids have the greatest influence on the degradation performance of PAIs relative to chirality. The PAI films with simple side groups and L configurations were easier to degrade. The degradation rate of natural chiral PAIs were higher than those of non-natural chiral PAIs. This makes it possible to develop polymer materials with specific degradation rates.
Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae from cool climate Australian grapevine vineyards: new phylogroup PG02f associated with bacterial inflorescence rot

S. J. Hall, I. B. Dry, D. Gopurenko and M. A. Whitelaw-Weckert* National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2650; New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2650; CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Hartley Grove, Urrbrae, South Australia, 5064; and Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Locked bag 588, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, 2678, Australia
A novel method for calibrating head models to account for variability in conductivity and its evaluation in a sphere model

The accuracy in electroencephalography (EEG) and combined EEG and magnetoencephalography (MEG) source reconstructions as well as in optimized transcranial electric stimulation (TES) depends on the conductive properties assigned to the head model, and most importantly on individual skull conductivity. In this study, we present an automatic pipeline to calibrate head models with respect to skull conductivity based on the reconstruction of the P20/N20 response using somatosensory evoked potentials and fields. In order to validate in a well-controlled setup without interplay with numerical errors, we evaluate the accuracy of this algorithm in a 4-layer spherical head model using realistic noise levels as well as dipole sources at different eccentricities with strengths and orientations related to somatosensory experiments. Our results show that the reference skull conductivity can be reliably reconstructed for sources resembling the generator of the P20/N20 response. In case of erroneous assumptions on scalp conductivity, the resulting skull conductivity parameter counterbalances this effect, so that EEG source reconstructions using the fitted skull conductivity parameter result in lower errors than when using the standard value. We propose an automatized procedure to calibrate head models which only relies on non-invasive modalities that are available in a standard MEG laboratory, measures under in vivo conditions and in the low frequency range of interest. Calibrated head modeling can improve EEG and combined EEG/MEG source analysis as well as optimized TES.
Automatic Flood Monitoring based on SAR Intensity and Interferometric Coherence using Machine Learning

<p><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span>Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) observations are widely used in emergency response for flood mapping and monitoring. Emergency responders frequently request satellite-based crisis information for flood monitoring to target the often-limited resources and to prioritize response actions throughout a disaster situation. Flood mapping algorithms are usually based on automatic thresholding algorithms for the initialization of the classification process in SAR amplitude data. These thresholding processes like Otsu thresholding, histogram leveling etc., are followed by clustering techniques like K-means, ISODATA for segmentation of water and non-water areas. These methods are capable of extracting the flood extent if there is a significant contrast between water and non-water areas in the SAR data. However, the classification result may be related to overestimations if non-water areas have a similar low backscatter as open water surfaces and also, these backscatter values differentiate from VV and VH polarizations. Our method aims at improving existing satellite-based emergency mapping methods by incorporating systematically acquired Sentinel-1A/B SAR data at high spatial (20m) and temporal (3-5 days) resolution. Our method involves a supervised learning method for flood detection by leveraging SAR intensity and interferometric coherence as well as polarimetry information. &#160;</span></span><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span>It uses multi-temporal intensity and coherence conjunctively to extract flood information of varying flooded landscapes. By incorporating multitemporal satellite imagery, our method allows for rapid and accurate post-disaster damage assessment and can be used for better coordination of medium- and long-term financial assistance programs for affected areas. In this paper, we present a strategy using machine learning for semantic segmentation of the flood map, which extracts the&#160;</span></span><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span>spatio</span></span><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span>-temporal information from the SAR images having both&#160;</span></span><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span>intensity</span></span><span xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span>&#160;as well coherence bands. The flood maps produced by the fusion of intensity and coherence are validated against state-of-the art methods for producing flood maps. </span></span><span>&#160;</span></p>