Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FNDC5/Irisin System in Neuroinflammation and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Update and Novel Perspective

Irisin, the circulating peptide originating from fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), is mainly expressed by muscle fibers under peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α) control during exercise. In addition to several beneficial effects on health, physical activity positively affects nervous system functioning, particularly the hippocampus, resulting in amelioration of cognition impairments. Recently, FNDC5/irisin detection in hippocampal neurons and the presence of irisin in the cerebrospinal fluid opened a new intriguing chapter in irisin history. Interestingly, in the hippocampus of mice, exercise increases FNDC5 levels and upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. BDNF, displaying neuroprotection and anti-inflammatory effects, is mainly produced by microglia and astrocytes. In this review, we discuss how these glial cells can morphologically and functionally switch during neuroinflammation by modulating the expression of a plethora of neuroprotective or neurotoxic factors. We also focus on studies investigating the irisin role in neurodegenerative diseases (ND). The emerging involvement of irisin as a mediator of the multiple positive effects of exercise on the brain needs further studies to better deepen this issue and the potential use in therapeutic approaches for neuroinflammation and ND.
Transient-rare Bacterial Taxa Are Assembled Neutrally across Temporal Scales

Despite the importance of microbial communities in ecosystem functions, the mechanisms underlying the assembly of rare taxa over time are poorly understood. It remains largely unknown whether rare taxa exhibit similar assembly processes to common taxa in local communities. We herein retrieved the 16S rRNA sequences of bacteria collected bimonthly for 2 years from the Pohang wastewater treatment plant. The transient-rare taxa showed different abundance distributions from the common taxa. Transient-rare taxon assemblages also exhibited higher temporal variations than common taxon assemblages, suggesting the distinct ecological patterns of the two assemblages. A multivariate analysis revealed that environmental parameters accounted for 25.3 and 61.6% of temporal variations in the transient-rare and common taxon assemblages, respectively. The fitting of all observed taxa to a neutral community model revealed that 96.4% of the transient-rare taxa (relative abundance, 71.4%) and 73.3% of the common taxa (relative abundance, 45.6%) followed the model, suggesting that stochastic mechanisms were more important than deterministic ones in the assembly of the transient-rare taxa. Collectively, the present results indicate that the transient-rare bacterial taxa at the Pohang wastewater treatment plant differed from the common taxa in ecological patterns, suggesting that dispersal is a key process in their assembly.
TAM mediates adaptation of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae to antimicrobial stress during host colonization and infection

Gram-negative pathogens, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, remodel their outer membrane (OM) in response to stress to maintain its integrity as an effective barrier and thus to promote their survival in the host. The emergence of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CR-Kp) strains that are resistant to virtually all antibiotics is an increasing clinical problem and OM impermeability has limited development of antimicrobial agents because higher molecular weight antibiotics cannot access sites of activity. Here, we demonstrate that TAM (translocation and assembly module) deletion increases CR-Kp OM permeability under stress conditions and enhances sensitivity to high-molecular weight antimicrobials. SILAC-based proteomic analyses revealed mis-localization of membrane proteins in the TAM deficient strain. Stress-induced sensitization enhances clearance of TAM-deficient CR-Kp from the gut lumen following fecal microbiota transplantation and from infection sites following pulmonary or systemic infection. Our study suggests that TAM, as a regulator of OM permeability, represents a potential target for development of agents that enhance the effectiveness of existing antibiotics.
Focused-Electron-Beam Engineering of 3D Magnetic Nanowires

Focused-electron-beam-induced deposition (FEBID) is the ultimate additive nanofabrication technique for the growth of 3D nanostructures. In the field of nanomagnetism and its technological applications, FEBID could be a viable solution to produce future high-density, low-power, fast nanoelectronic devices based on the domain wall conduit in 3D nanomagnets. While FEBID has demonstrated the flexibility to produce 3D nanostructures with almost any shape and geometry, the basic physical properties of these out-of-plane deposits are often seriously degraded from their bulk counterparts due to the presence of contaminants. This work reviews the experimental efforts to understand and control the physical processes involved in 3D FEBID growth of nanomagnets. Co and Fe FEBID straight vertical nanowires have been used as benchmark geometry to tailor their dimensions, microstructure, composition and magnetism by smartly tuning the growth parameters, post-growth purification treatments and heterostructuring.
Locking up the AS1411 Aptamer with a Flanking Duplex: Towards an Improved Nucleolin-Targeting

We have designed AS1411-N6, a derivative of the nucleolin (NCL)-binding aptamer AS1411, by adding six nucleotides to the 5′-end that are complementary to nucleotides at the 3′-end forcing it into a stem-loop structure. We evaluated by several biophysical techniques if AS1411-N6 can adopt one or more conformations, one of which allows NCL binding. We found a decrease of polymorphism of G-quadruplex (G4)-forming sequences comparing to AS1411 and the G4 formation in presence of K+ promotes the duplex folding. We also studied the binding properties of ligands TMPyP4, PhenDC3, PDS, 360A, and BRACO-19 in terms of stability, binding, topology maintenance of AS1411-N6, and NCL recognition. The melting experiments revealed promising stabilizer effects of PhenDC3, 360A, and TMPyP4, and the affinity calculations showed that 360A is the most prominent affinity ligand for AS1411-N6 and AS1411. The affinity determined between AS1411-N6 and NCL denoting a strong interaction and complex formation was assessed by PAGE in which the electrophoretic profile of AS1411-N6 showed bands of the dimeric form in the presence of the ligands and NCL.
Effect of Hydrophilization Additive and Reaction Time on Separation Properties of Polyamide Nanofiltration Membrane

Abstract Thin film composite (TFC) nanofiltration membrane can be optimized in terms of flux and rejection by controlling the hydrophilization additive [3,5‐diaminobenzoic acid (BA)] content and reaction time in the interfacial polymerization (IP) process. By using the Donnan steric pore flow model (DSPFM), uncharged solute was passed through the membrane to determine the pore size (r p) as well as the effective thickness/porosity (Δx/A k ). The coating condition was related to the performance of NaCl permeation using the fitted r p and Δx/A k data. It was found that the pore size was reduced as reaction time was increased. Cross‐linking reduced the porosity of polypiperazinamide membrane but it was noticed that by adding a small amount of BA, the porosity was increased at longer reaction time. A small amount of BA could increase both the flux and rejection especially at higher pressure.
Corrosion inhibition of steel in hydrochloric acid solution by new bipyrazole derivatives

Purpose – To study the effect of inhibition of new bipyrazole derivatives on the corrosion of steel in HCl media at various temperatures.Design/methodology/approach – In this study, novel corrosion inhibitors, namely bipyrazoles were synthesised and tested as corrosion inhibitors for steel in 1 M HCl. The degree of corrosion was measured using various techniques including weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic polarisation, linear polarisation resistance (Rp) and impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Findings – It was found that 1,5,5′‐trimethyl‐1H,2′H‐3,3′‐bipyrazole (P1) gave the best inhibition effect. The inhibition efficiency increased with the concentration of P1 to attain 79 per cent at 10−3 M. Good agreement between the various methods explored was observed. Polarisation measurements also showed that P1 acted essentially as a cathodic inhibitor. The cathodic curves indicated that the reduction of proton at the steel surface was an activating mechanism. P1 adsorbed on the steel surface according to Frumk.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Pyroglutamic Acid Esters from Glycinate via Carbonyl Catalysis.

Direct a-functionalization of NH 2 -free glycinates with relatively weak electrophiles such as α,β-unsaturated esters still remains a big challenge in organic synthesis. With chiral pyridoxal 5d as a carbonyl catalyst, direct asymmetric conjugated addition at the α-C of glycinate 1a with α,β-unsaturated esters 2 has been successfully realized, to produce various chiral p yroglutamic acid esters 4 in 14~96% yields with 81~97% ee's after in situ lactamization. The trans - and cis -diastereomers can be obtained at the same time by chromatography and both of them can be easily converted into chiral 4-substituted pyrrolidin-2-ones such as Alzheimer's drug Rolipram ( 11 ) with the same absolute configuration via tert -butyl group removal and subsequent Barton decarboxylation.
Neurogastronomy as a Tool for Evaluating Emotions and Visual Preferences of Selected Food Served in Different Ways

The appearance of food provides certain expectations regarding the harmonization of taste, delicacy, and overall quality, which subsequently affects not only the intake itself but also many other features of the behavior of customers of catering facilities. The main goal of this article is to find out what effect the visual design of food (waffles) prepared from the same ingredients and served in three different ways—a stone plate, street food style, and a white classic plate—has on the consumer’s preferences. In addition to the classic tablet assistance personal interview (TAPI) tools, biometric methods such as eye tracking and face reading were used in order to obtain unconscious feedback. During testing, air quality in the room by means of the Extech device and the influence of the visual design of food on the perception of its smell were checked. At the end of the paper, we point out the importance of using classical feedback collection techniques (TAPI) and their extension in measuring subconscious reactions based on monitoring the eye movements and facial expressions of the respondents, which provides a whole new perspective on the perception of visual design and serving food as well as more effective targeting and use of corporate resources.
Perceived Life Expectancy Predicts Time Investment in Productive Aging Activities: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study

Objectives: Despite known benefits of productive aging, it is unclear what explains time allocation in productive activities. We investigated whether productive engagement in older people can be explained by their age, health, socioeconomic status, and perceived life expectancy in Hong Kong. Methods: We interviewed 390 community-dwelling older persons for their health and perceived life expectancy, followed by a 7-day ecological momentary assessment to record their activities. Results: A total of 366 participants who completed the study (age 75 ± 8.3 years; 79% women) reported an average perceived life expectancy of nearly 10 years. The majority (59%) engaged in productive activities. Estimates of the structural equation model (RMSEA = 0.046) showed that age and health were associated with productive engagement, mediated by perceived life expectancy. Discussion and Implications: Future efforts in promoting productive aging and related research should include interventions addressing perceived life expectancy, a potentially modifiable factor.
University of Birmingham Linguistically complex recognition prompts in pre-recorded cross-examinations

This study examined the effects of pre ‐ trial preparation and pre ‐ recorded cross ‐ examinations on the linguistic complexity of recognition prompts (i.e., option ‐ posing or suggestive questions) used when questioning child victims in English criminal courts. The study also compared the linguistic complexity of recognition prompts that did and did not contain suggestive content. Analyses compared 43 cases that involved pre ‐ recorded cross ‐ examinations with pre ‐ trial preparation and 44 cases that did not, which occurred between 2012 and 2016. Cases utilizing the “special measures” contained fewer linguistically complex prompts with and without suggestive content than did their counterparts, demonstrating the benefits of those special measures. Overall, linguistically complex recognition prompts were more likely to contain suggestive content than other recognition prompts. However, linguistically complex prompts with and without suggestive content were still frequently used despite the special measures, demonstrating the need for further professional training to improve the quality of children's evidence.
Fabrication of a T-Shaped Microfluidic Channel Using a Consumer Laser Cutter and Application to Monodisperse Microdroplet Formation

The use of micrometer-sized droplets for chemical and biochemical analysis has been widely explored. Photolithography is mainly used to fabricate microfluidic devices, which is often employed to form monodisperse microdroplets. Although photolithography enables precise microfabrication, it is not readily available to biochemists because it requires specialized equipment such as clean room and mask aligners, and expensive consumables such as photoresist and silicon wafers. In this study, we fabricated a microfluidic device using a consumer laser cutter and applied it to droplet formation. Monodisperse microdroplets were formed by using an oil phase for droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as the continuous phase and phosphate-buffered saline or polyethylene glycol solution as the dispersed phase. The droplet size decreased as the flow rate of the continuous phase increased and approached a constant value. The method developed in this study can be used to realize microdroplet-based biochemical analysis with simple devices or to construct artificial cells.
Pediatric pulmonology 2019 year in review: rare and diffuse lung disease

Pediatric Pulmonology publishes original research, review articles, and case reports on topics related to a wide range of children's respiratory disorders. Here we review manuscripts published in 2019 in this journal and others on (1) anatomic lung, airway, and vascular malformations, (2) children's interstitial lung disease, and (3) primary ciliary dyskinesia and non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.
Bed Sensor Technology for Objective Sleep Monitoring Within the Clinical Rehabilitation Setting: Observational Feasibility Study

Background Since adequate sleep is essential for optimal inpatient rehabilitation, there is an increased interest in sleep assessment. Unobtrusive, contactless, portable bed sensors show great potential for objective sleep analysis. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a bed sensor for continuous sleep monitoring overnight in a clinical rehabilitation center. Methods Patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) or stroke were monitored overnight for a 1-week period during their in-hospital rehabilitation using the Emfit QS bed sensor. Feasibility was examined based on missing measurement nights, coverage percentages, and missing periods of heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR). Furthermore, descriptive data of sleep-related parameters (nocturnal HR, RR, movement activity, and bed exits) were reported. Results In total, 24 participants (12 iSCI, 12 stroke) were measured. Of the 132 nights, 5 (3.8%) missed sensor data due to Wi-Fi (2), slipping away (1), or unknown (2) errors. Coverage percentages of HR and RR were 97% and 93% for iSCI and 99% and 97% for stroke participants. Two-thirds of the missing HR and RR periods had a short duration of ≤120 seconds. Patients with an iSCI had an average nocturnal HR of 72 (SD 13) beats per minute (bpm), RR of 16 (SD 3) cycles per minute (cpm), and movement activity of 239 (SD 116) activity points, and had 86 reported and 84 recorded bed exits. Patients with a stroke had an average nocturnal HR of 61 (SD 8) bpm, RR of 15 (SD 1) cpm, and movement activity of 136 (SD 49) activity points, and 42 reported and 57 recorded bed exits. Patients with an iSCI had significantly higher nocturnal HR (t18=−2.1, P=.04) and movement activity (t18=−1.2, P=.02) compared to stroke patients. Furthermore, there was a difference between self-reported and recorded bed exits per night in 26% and 38% of the nights for iSCI and stroke patients, respectively. Conclusions It is feasible to implement the bed sensor for continuous sleep monitoring in the clinical rehabilitation setting. This study provides a good foundation for further bed sensor development addressing sleep types and sleep disorders to optimize care for rehabilitants.
In silico assisted identification of peppery aroma compound ‘rotundone’ backbone genes from black pepper

Abstract Rotundone, an oxygenated sesquiterpene compound, responsible for the peppery aroma. The importance of the rotundone in the flavor industry warrants search for the precursor genes in plants. We report in this study, the first on the identification of rotundone backbone genes viz., α-guaiene synthase & α-guaiene oxidase in black pepper. We identified the precursor genes of rotundone using berry transcriptome profiling. The metabolite profiling using head space mass spectrometry showed the presence of the direct precursor compounds for rotundone biosynthesis in black pepper berries. The identification of the genes & compounds of the guaiene skeleton is expected to help in bioprospecting of black pepper varieties & also in recombinant production of the aroma compound. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma Identification of rotundone backbone genes & precursor compounds from Piper nigrum
A Three-Dimensional Model of the Yeast Transmembrane Sensor Wsc1 Obtained by SMA-Based Detergent-Free Purification and Transmission Electron Microscopy

The cell wall sensor Wsc1 belongs to a small family of transmembrane proteins, which are crucial to sustain cell integrity in yeast and other fungi. Wsc1 acts as a mechanosensor of the cell wall integrity (CWI) signal transduction pathway which responds to external stresses. Here we report on the purification of Wsc1 by its trapping in water-soluble polymer-stabilized lipid nanoparticles, obtained with an amphipathic styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymer. The latter was employed to transfer tagged sensors from their native yeast membranes into SMA/lipid particles (SMALPs), which allows their purification in a functional state, i.e., avoiding denaturation. The SMALPs composition was characterized by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, followed by two-dimensional image acquisition from single particle transmission electron microscopy to build a three-dimensional model of the sensor. The latter confirms that Wsc1 consists of a large extracellular domain connected to a smaller intracellular part by a single transmembrane domain, which is embedded within the hydrophobic moiety of the lipid bilayer. The successful extraction of a sensor from the yeast plasma membrane by a detergent-free procedure into a native-like membrane environment provides new prospects for in vitro structural and functional studies of yeast plasma proteins which are likely to be applicable to other fungi, including plant and human pathogens.
Alignment of ordinal and quantitative species abundance and size indices for the detection of shifting baseline syndrome

Abstract Loss of knowledge about historical environmental conditions and species’ abundances threatens how new generations potentially perceive their environment and take action. The intergenerational shift in perceptions of environmental thresholds is a phenomenon frequently termed shifting baseline syndrome (SBS). The goals of this study were (1) to determine relationships between ordinal scores (e.g., few, many) and quantitative measures (e.g., estimates of population size) used by members of a Māori community in New Zealand to score indicators for understanding the abundance of forest resources, and (2) to then analyze these relationships according to people’s age to detect the effects of SBS and the rate that this shift was occurring for each indicator. We detected consistent relationships between the ordinal scores and quantitative measures for six forest indicators provided by community members. However, there was only a high degree of confidence about the direction of the age effect for three abundance indicators (Kererū [New Zealand Pigeon], Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae, 15% increase [CI = 5.1–27.1%] in flock size for any given ordinal category for each decade increase in age; long‐finned eel, Anguilla dieffenbachia, 30% decrease [CI = −45.1% to −11.3%] in the distance (m) walked along a riverbank between observations of an eel for any given ordinal category for each decade increase in age; and Australian brush‐tailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, 27% decrease [CI = −38.9% to −13.9%] in the distance (m) walked through forest between observations of possum sign for any given ordinal category for each decade increase in age), but the effect was statistically strong for all three. The decoupling of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC) from their traditional lands and biodiversity by an array of political, environmental, social and economic drivers and feedback mechanisms have contributed to and exacerbated the conditions for SBS. However, the protection of customary practices to engage with the environment, including the harvest of natural resources, community‐based environmental monitoring initiatives, and cultural immersion education programs offer opportunities for IPLC to mitigate the often deleterious effects of SBS.
Dopamine Receptor Antagonists, Radiation, and Cholesterol Biosynthesis in Mouse Models of Glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND Glioblastoma is the deadliest brain tumor in adults and the standard-of-care consists of surgery followed by radiation and treatment with temozolomide. Overall survival times for patients suffering from glioblastoma are unacceptably low indicating an unmet need for novel treatment options. METHODS Using patient-derived HK-157, HK-308, HK-374, and HK-382 glioblastoma lines, the GL261 orthotopic mouse models of glioblastoma and HK-374 patient-derived orthotopic xenografts we tested the effect of radiation and the dopamine receptor antagonist quetiapine on glioblastoma self-renewal in vitro and survival in vivo. A possible resistance mechanism was investigated using RNA-Sequencing. The blood-brain-barrier-penetrating statin atorvastatin was used to overcome this resistance mechanism. All statistical tests were 2-sided. RESULTS Treatment of glioma cells with the dopamine receptor antagonist quetiapine reduced glioma cell self-renewal in vitro and combined treatment of mice with quetiapine and radiation prolonged the survival of glioma-bearing mice. The combined treatment induced the expression of genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. This rendered GL261 and HK-374 orthotopic tumors vulnerable to simultaneous treatment with atorvastatin and further statistically significantly prolonged the survival of C57BL/6 (n = 10 to 16 mice per group; median survival not reached; Log-Rank test, p < 0.001) and NSG mice (n = 8 to 21 mice per group; hazard ratio = 3.96, 95% confidence interval = 0.29 to 12.40; Log-Rank test, p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate promising therapeutic efficacy with the triple combination of quetiapine, atorvastatin and radiation treatment against glioblastoma without increasing the toxicity of radiation. With both drugs readily available for clinical use our study could be rapidly translated into a clinical trial.