Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eichhornia crassipes root biomass to reduce antibiotic resistance dissemination and enhance biogas production of anaerobic membrane bioreactor

ABSTRACT To address the inadequate removal of antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants, this study investigated the impact of bioaugmentation with dried Eichhornia crassipes roots on removal of antibiotics sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and erythromycin from pharmaceutical wastewater while optimizing potential for reclaiming value through biogas production, utilizing an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR). Three sets of AnMBRs were set up for the experiment, C1 (inoculum), C2 (inoculum + antibiotics) and EC (inoculum + antibiotics + E. crassipes). The results showed that E. crassipes mitigated some of the toxic effects of antibiotics on the microbial community and prevented negative impact on the archaeal community, and significantly increased average biogas production (by 37% compared to control without antibiotics and 42% compared to control with antibiotics) as well as antibiotics removal. Furthermore, bioaugmented reactor showed significant reduction of erythromycin (97%) and tetracycline (83%) concentrations in effluent. Utilization of E. crassipes root offers a simple yet powerful tool for preventing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and dissemination of such pollutants into the environment. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Unripe Berries and Petioles in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon Fermentations Affect Sensory and Chemical Profiles

Petioles, rachis, and leaves are all matter other than grape (MOG), and although originating from vines, they potentially contaminate primary fermentations of red grape must. Fruit contaminated with high levels of MOG may be downgraded or rejected at the winery; however, management practices such as hand harvesting or fruit sorting may reduce MOG. Petioles are the most common form of MOG to be included in the must, yet little is known about their chemical composition and resulting effects on the sensory and chemical properties of red wines. A descriptive analysis panel (n = 12) examined the sensory profiles of Cabernet Sauvignon wines to which 0.5% or more of MOG (petioles or unripe berries) had been added. This sensory analysis showed that an addition of 10% petioles to the must had a perceived impact on sensory wine qualities, increasing floral aromas and reducing bitterness relative to the sensory qualities of control wines, and resulting in a fuller body than that of wines made with unripe (i.e., green) berries. These sensory results are related to increased terpene concentrations as petioles increase in concentration in the wine must. Methoxypyrazines can also be detrimental contaminants to Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Concentrations of the predominant methoxypyrazine in the wines, 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine, increased with increasing additions of unripe berries to the must. Wines made with 0.5% or more of unripe berries during fermentation were associated with increased perceived acidity in the sensory analysis and an aroma that was more leafy and vegetal green than the aromas of some wines made with added petioles. The results of this study provide winemakers with important information to better understand how grape-harvesting choices may affect the perceived quality and chemical composition of their wines.
Optimised microwave-assisted biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from Nothapodytes foetida leaf extracts and its anti-microbial activities

ABSTRACT The present investigation reports the biogenesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using extracts of a medicinal plant Nothapodytes foetida. Total phenolic content (TPC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay were carried out for the microwave-assisted extract (MAE) of N. foetida using methanol as solvent and the conditions for extraction were optimised by response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of operating variables such as extraction time, temperature and ratio of sample to solvent were studied using central composite design (CCD). A mathematical model with a high determination coefficient (R2) for TPC (0.991) and FRAP (0.995) was obtained. The optimal conditions of extraction for TPC were 48.6 ºC, 23.15 min and 2.04:30 (g/mL) and for FRAP 52. 31ºC, 12.32 min and 1.67: 30 (g/mL). Under these conditions, the experimental yields of TPC and FRAP were 2.426 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry powder and 14.985mg of FeSO4·7H2O/g of dry powder, respectively. Ag NPs were characterised using UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The synthesised Ag NPs have also shown potent activity against the human pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus.
The effect of zinc supplementation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and dose-response meta‑analysis of randomized clinical trials

Abstract Objective The present systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the efficacy of zinc supplementation on clinical symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Methods Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI web of science, and Google Scholar were searched until January 2021. Results were reported as standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) using Hedges's adjusted g method. Results six randomized clinical trials with 489 school-aged children were identified for the meta-analysis. Our findings showed a significant effect of zinc supplementation on ADHD total scores (SMD: −0.62 Hedges' g; 95% CI: −1.24 to −0.002, p = 0.04) but not in hyperactivity scores (SMD: −0.93 Hedges' g; 95% CI: −3.31 to 1.45, p = 0.44) and inattention scores (SMD: 0.21 Hedges' g; 95% CI: −0.09 to 0.51, p = 0.17) compared to the control group. Besides, the dose-response analysis did not find any significant non-linear association between zinc supplementation dosage or duration on ADHD total scores. The certainty of the evidence was rated moderate to very low for all outcomes. Conclusion Zinc supplementation may have beneficial effects in improving ADHD symptoms in children with ADHD. Future well‐designed, large‐scale randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the benefit of zinc supplementation for ADHD.
A Machine Learning Model to Successfully Predict Future Diagnosis of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia With Retrospective Electronic Health Records Data.

BACKGROUND Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal stem cell disorder accounting for 15% of adult leukemias. We aimed to determine if machine learning models could predict CML using blood cell counts prior to diagnosis. METHODS We identified patients with a diagnostic test for CML (BCR-ABL1) and at least 6 consecutive prior years of differential blood cell counts between 1999 and 2020 in the largest integrated health care system in the United States. Blood cell counts from different time periods prior to CML diagnostic testing were used to train, validate, and test machine learning models. RESULTS The sample included 1,623 patients with BCR-ABL1 positivity rate 6.2%. The predictive ability of machine learning models improved when trained with blood cell counts closer to time of diagnosis: 2 to 5 years area under the curve (AUC), 0.59 to 0.67, 0.5 to 1 years AUC, 0.75 to 0.80, at diagnosis AUC, 0.87 to 0.92. CONCLUSIONS Blood cell counts collected up to 5 years prior to diagnostic workup of CML successfully predicted the BCR-ABL1 test result. These findings suggest a machine learning model trained with blood cell counts could lead to diagnosis of CML earlier in the disease course compared to usual medical care.
Emergence of the novel SARS-CoV-2 lineage VUI-NP13L and massive spread of P.2 in South Brazil

ABSTRACT In this study, we analyzed 340 whole genomes of SARS-CoV-2, which were sampled between April and November 2020 in 33 cities of Rio Grande do Sul, South Brazil. We demonstrated the circulation of two novel emergent lineages, VUI-NP13L and VUI-NP13L-like, and five major lineages that had already been assigned (B.1.1.33, B.1.1.28, P.2, B.1.91, B.1.195). P.2 and VUI-NP13L demonstrated a massive spread in October 2020. Constant and consistent genomic surveillance is crucial to identify newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Brazil and to guide decision making in the Brazilian Public Healthcare System.
Exploring the Potential of Personalized Dietary Advice for Health Improvement in Motivated Individuals With Premetabolic Syndrome: Pretest-Posttest Study

Background Dietary quality plays an essential role in the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Objective The aim of this pilot study is to organize personalized dietary advice in a real-life setting and to explore the effects on dietary intake, metabolic health, and perceived health. Methods We followed a one-group pretest-posttest design and included 37 individuals at risk of MetS, who indicated motivation to change dietary behavior. For a period of 16 weeks, participants received personalized advice (t=0 and t=8) and feedback (t=0, t=4, t=8, t=12 and t=16) on dietary quality and metabolic health (ie, waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure, lipid profile, fasting glucose levels, and C-peptide). Personalized advice was generated in a two-stage process. In stage 1, an automated algorithm generated advice per food group, integrating data on individual dietary quality (Dutch Healthy Diet Index; total score 8-80) and metabolic health parameters. Stage 2 included a telephone consultation with a trained dietitian to define a personal dietary behavior change strategy and to discuss individual preferences. Dietary quality and metabolic health markers were assessed at t=0, t=8, and t=16. Self-perceived health was evaluated on 7-point Likert scales at t=0 and t=16. Results At the end of the study period, dietary quality was significantly improved compared with the baseline (Dutch Healthy Diet Index +4.3; P<.001). In addition, lipid profile (triglycerides, P=.02; total cholesterol, P=.01; high-density lipoprotein, P<.001; and low-density lipoprotein, P<.001), BMI (P<.001), waist circumference (P=.01), and C-peptide (P=.01) were all significantly improved, whereas plasma glucose increased by 0.23 nmol/L (P=.04). In line with these results, self-perceived health scores were higher at t=16 weeks than at baseline (+0.67; P=.005). Conclusions This exploratory study showed that personalized dietary advice resulted in positive effects on dietary behavior, metabolic health, and self-perceived health in motivated pre-MetS adults. The study was performed in a do-it-yourself setting, highlighting the potential of at-home health improvement through dietary changes. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04595669; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04595669
Homocysteine elevation in givosiran treatment: Suggested ALAS1 siRNA effect on cystathionine beta‐synthase

Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) is a group of rare genetic disorders of the hepatic heme synthesis, characterized by acute attacks with neurovisceral manifestations [1]. The hepatic heme synthesis is regulated by the first, rate limiting enzyme in the pathway, delta-aminolaevulinic acid synthase 1 (ALAS1). When ALAS1 is upregulated, neurotoxic heme intermediates, mainly delta-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG), accumulate, resulting in acute attacks. An estimated 5– 8% of symptomatic AHP patients experience recurrent attacks, a condition associated with chronic disease manifestations and debilitating effects on Psychiatric evaluation and Pain management [2].
The Chromosome-Level Genome of Triplophysa dalaica (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae) Provides Insights into Its Survival in Extremely Alkaline Environment

Abstract Lake Dali Nur, located in Inner Mongolia, North China, is alkaline, with Triplophysa dalaica one of the three fish species that not only survive, but thrive, in the lake. To investigate the presence of molecular mutations potentially responsible for this adaptation, the whole-genome sequence of the species was sequenced. A total of 126.5 and 106 Gb data, covering nearly 200× of the estimated genome, were generated using long-read sequencing and Hi-C technology, respectively. De novo assembly generated a genome totalled 607.91 Mb, with a contig N50 of 9.27 Mb. Nearly all whole-genome sequences were anchored and oriented onto 25 chromosomes, with telomeres for most chromosomes also being recovered. Repeats comprised approximately 35.01% of the whole genome. A total of 23,925 protein-coding genes were predicted, within which, 98.62% could be functionally annotated. Through comparisons of T. dalaica, T. tibetana, and T. siluroides gene models, a total of 898 genes were identified as likely being subjected to positive selection, with several of them potentially associated with alkaline adaptation, such as sodium bicarbonate cotransporter, SLC4A4. Demographic analyses suggested that the Dali population might have diverged from endemic freshwater Hai River populations, approximately 1 Ma. The high-quality T. dalaica genome, created in this study, not only aids in the analyses of alkaline adaptation, but may also assist in revealing the mysteries of the highly divergent genus Triplophysa in the future.
Efficacy and Safety of Dapagliflozin by Baseline Glycemic Status: A Prespecified Analysis From the DAPA-CKD Trial

OBJECTIVE The Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease (DAPA-CKD) study demonstrated risk reduction for kidney and cardiovascular outcomes with dapagliflozin versus placebo in participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with and without diabetes. We compared outcomes according to baseline glycemic status. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We enrolled participants with CKD, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 25–75 mL/min/1.73 m2, and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio 200–5,000 mg/g. The primary composite end point was sustained eGFR decline ≥50%, end-stage kidney disease, or kidney or cardiovascular death. RESULTS Of 4,304 participants, 738 had normoglycemia, 660 had prediabetes, and 2,906 had type 2 diabetes. The effect of dapagliflozin on the primary outcome was consistent (P for interaction = 0.19) in normoglycemia (hazard ratio [HR] 0.62 [95% CI 0.39, 1.01]), prediabetes (HR 0.37 [0.21, 0.66]), and type 2 diabetes (HR 0.64 [0.52, 0.79]). We found no evidence for effect modification on any outcome. Adverse events were similar, with no major hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis in participants with normoglycemia or prediabetes. CONCLUSIONS Dapagliflozin safely reduced kidney and cardiovascular events independent of baseline glycemic status.
Relationship Between Various Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors in Firefighters

Objective: To determine the correlation between the various coronary artery disease risk factors in firefighters. Methods: The study used a quantitative, cross-sectional, and correlational study design. A total of 124 full-time firefighters were conveniently recruited to participate. Research procedures were based on the ACSM guidelines. Results: Significances were found between age and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.42, P < 0.001), age and waist circumference (WC) (r = 0.52, P < 0.001), BMI and WC (r = 0.88, P < 0.001), BMI and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = 0.48, P < 0.001), between WC and DBP (r = 0.48, P < 0.001) and between gender and cigarette smoking (χ2[1] = 5.66, P = 0.017). Conclusion: There were significant strong relationships between BMI, SBP, DBP, dyslipidemia, and increasing age, especially in male firefighters. Reducing key risk factors should be emphasized.
Do not waste your electrodes—principles of optimal electrode geometry for spike sorting

Objective. This study examines how the geometrical arrangement of electrodes influences spike sorting efficiency, and attempts to formalise principles for the design of electrode systems enabling optimal spike sorting performance. Approach. The clustering performance of KlustaKwik, a popular toolbox, was evaluated using semi-artificial multi-channel data, generated from a library of real spike waveforms recorded in the CA1 region of mouse Hippocampus in vivo. Main results. Based on spike sorting results under various channel configurations and signal levels, a simple model was established to describe the efficiency of different electrode geometries. Model parameters can be inferred from existing spike waveform recordings, which allowed quantifying both the cooperative effect between channels and the noise dependence of clustering performance. Significance. Based on the model, analytical and numerical results can be derived for the optimal spacing and arrangement of electrodes for one- and two-dimensional electrode systems, targeting specific brain areas.
Cathelicidin and PMB neutralize endotoxins by multifactorial mechanisms including LPS interaction and targeting of host cell membranes

Significance Antibiotic resistance among clinically relevant bacteria presents an increasing threat and raises the urgent need for new compounds. Antimicrobial peptides and peptide antibiotics are potent membrane-active molecules and valuable prototypes for drug development. In gram-negative infections, killing of bacteria by antimicrobials is accompanied by the release of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin that causes severe hyperinflammation and pathology. We demonstrate how two medically relevant peptides, the cathelicidin LL-32 and polymyxin B, disarm endotoxins by peptide–LPS interaction. Furthermore, our studies reveal a mechanism of peptide-mediated immune control by acting on signaling domains of the immune cell membrane. Our results significantly enhance our understanding of how peptide antibiotics can regulate inflammation and will be important for their development and therapeutic use. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) contribute to an effective protection against infections. The antibacterial function of AMPs depends on their interactions with microbial membranes and lipids, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS; endotoxin). Hyperinflammation induced by endotoxin is a key factor in bacterial sepsis and many other human diseases. Here, we provide a comprehensive profile of peptide-mediated LPS neutralization by systematic analysis of the effects of a set of AMPs and the peptide antibiotic polymyxin B (PMB) on the physicochemistry of endotoxin, macrophage activation, and lethality in mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that the host defense peptide LL-32 and PMB each reduce LPS-mediated activation also via a direct interaction of the peptides with the host cell. As a biophysical basis, we demonstrate modifications of the structure of cholesterol-rich membrane domains and the association of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins. Our discovery of a host cell–directed mechanism of immune control contributes an important aspect in the development and therapeutic use of AMPs.
Medical service quality, patient satisfaction and intent to revisit: Case study of public hub hospitals in the Republic of Korea

This study aimed to construct and test structural equation modeling of the causal relationship between quality of healthcare, patient satisfaction, and intent to revisit perceived by patients using regional hub public hospitals. In this study, data of 2,951 outpatients and 3,135 inpatients were collected using the “2018 Regional Hub Public Hospital Operational Evaluation. ” A structural equation model was used to understand the relationship between patient satisfaction and intent to revisit, and bootstrap analysis was performed. In the direct effect, outpatients were presented in the order of the physician’s practice service, the hospital’s environment, and patient satisfaction. Inpatients were in the order of the physician’s practice service and, medical staff’s kindness and consideration,; patient satisfaction was shown in this order. In the indirect effect, the outpatients were presented in the order of physician’s practice service, medical staff’s kindness and consideration, and hospital’s physical environment. Inpatients were introduced in the order of medical staff’s kindness and consideration, nurse’s practice service, physician’s practice service, and patient satisfaction. Regional hub public hospitals need high-quality medical services and efforts from all departments to treat patients with sincerity to improve patient satisfaction and increase intent to revisit.
MHC class I H2-Kb negatively regulates neural progenitor cell proliferation by inhibiting FGFR signaling

Proteins of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I), predominantly known for antigen presentation in the immune system, have recently been shown to be necessary for developmental neural refinement and adult synaptic plasticity. However, their roles in nonneuronal cell populations in the brain remain largely unexplored. Here, we identify classical MHC I molecule H2-Kb as a negative regulator of proliferation in neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs). Using genetic knockout mouse models and in vivo viral-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) and overexpression, we delineate a role for H2-Kb in negatively regulating NSPC proliferation and adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Transcriptomic analysis of H2-Kb knockout NSPCs, in combination with in vitro RNAi, overexpression, and pharmacological approaches, further revealed that H2-Kb inhibits cell proliferation by dampening signaling pathways downstream of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (Fgfr1). These findings identify H2-Kb as a critical regulator of cell proliferation through the modulation of growth factor signaling.
Circulating Thrombospondin-2 as a Novel Fibrosis Biomarker of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Preclinical studies have suggested that thrombospondin-2 (TSP2) is implicated in liver fibrosis. However, the clinical relevance of TSP2 in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains undefined. Here, we investigated the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of circulating TSP2 levels with advanced fibrosis (F3 or greater [≥FE] fibrosis) in NAFLD. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Serum TSP2 levels were measured in 820 patients with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD. All participants received vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) at baseline to evaluate their hepatic steatosis and fibrosis using controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness (LS) measurements, respectively. Among those without advanced fibrosis at baseline, reassessment VCTE was performed to determine whether ≥F3 fibrosis had developed over time. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of serum TSP2 level with ≥F3 fibrosis. RESULTS Baseline serum TSP2 level was independently associated with the presence of ≥F3 fibrosis (odds ratio [OR] 5.13, P < 0.001). The inclusion of serum TSP2 level significantly improved the identification of ≥F3 fibrosis by clinical risk factors. Over a median follow-up of 1.5 years, 8.8% developed ≥F3 fibrosis. Baseline serum TSP2 level was significantly associated with incident ≥F3 fibrosis (OR 2.82, P = 0.005), independent of other significant clinical risk factors of fibrosis progression, including BMI, platelet count, and CAP at baseline. CONCLUSIONS Circulating TSP2 level was associated with both the presence and the development of advanced fibrosis and might be a potentially useful prognostic biomarker for the development and progression of liver fibrosis in patients with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD.