Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retinol-binding protein 2 (RBP2) binds monoacylglycerols and modulates gut endocrine signaling and body weight

Retinol-binding protein 2 (RBP2) binds 2-monoacylglycerols affecting their intestinal levels and enteroendocrine responses. Expressed in the small intestine, retinol-binding protein 2 (RBP2) facilitates dietary retinoid absorption. Rbp2-deficient (Rbp2−/−) mice fed a chow diet exhibit by 6-7 months-of-age higher body weights, impaired glucose metabolism, and greater hepatic triglyceride levels compared to controls. These phenotypes are also observed when young Rbp2−/− mice are fed a high fat diet. Retinoids do not account for the phenotypes. Rather, RBP2 is a previously unidentified monoacylglycerol (MAG)-binding protein, interacting with the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and other MAGs with affinities comparable to retinol. X-ray crystallographic studies show that MAGs bind in the retinol binding pocket. When challenged with an oil gavage, Rbp2−/− mice show elevated mucosal levels of 2-MAGs. This is accompanied by significantly elevated blood levels of the gut hormone GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). Thus, RBP2, in addition to facilitating dietary retinoid absorption, modulates MAG metabolism and likely signaling, playing a heretofore unknown role in systemic energy balance.
Psychomotor Abilities of Elderly People and Their Motivation to Participate in Organized Physical Activity

ABSTRACT Background: Functional training has an effect on the physical parameters of people, but the motivation of the elderly people practicing sports varies depending on the events taking place in their close environment and the specifics of their relationships. Methods: Participants were recruited in the City Leisure Center for Elderly People and Social Care Home for Elderly People and randomly assigned to two groups: a study group and control group. The survey sample consisted of 40 respondents (aged 68 ± 8 years), who met the inclusion criteria. Respondents exercised to the Adapted Physical Activity Program, which consisted of a study of motivation to exercise, testing of physical parameters and adaptation of functional training to respondents physical needs. Results: Before starting functional training, the balance of study group was 44% (p < .05) lower if compared to the control group. We determined statistically significant change of coordination after FT - 17.75% (p < .05). The data of semi-structured interview were coded and attributed to specific subcategories, four categories were established: self-expression, self-awareness, body image, and self-esteem. Conclusions: Certain living environments may limit the need and possibility for the elderly people to exercise while enjoying the sense of communion through physical activity.
AgNO3 Sterilizes Grains of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) without Inhibiting Germination—A Necessary Tool for Plant–Microbiome Research

To understand and manipulate the interactions between plants and microorganisms, sterile seeds are a necessity. The seed microbiome (inside and surface microorganisms) is unknown for most plant species and seed-borne microorganisms can persist and transfer to the seedling and rhizosphere, thereby obscuring the effects that purposely introduced microorganisms have on plants. This necessitates that these unidentified, seed-borne microorganisms are removed before seeds are used for studies on plant–microbiome interactions. Unfortunately, there is no single, standardized protocol for seed sterilization, hampering progress in experimental plant growth promotion and our study shows that commonly applied sterilization protocols for barley grains using H2O2, NaClO, and AgNO3 yielded insufficient sterilization. We therefore developed a sterilization protocol with AgNO3 by testing several concentrations of AgNO3 and added two additional steps: Soaking the grains in water before the sterilization and rinsing with salt water (1% (w/w) NaCl) after the sterilization. The most efficient sterilization protocol was to soak the grains, sterilize with 10% (w/w) AgNO3, and to rinse with salt water. By following those three steps, 97% of the grains had no culturable, viable microorganism after 21 days based on microscopic inspection. The protocol left small quantities of AgNO3 residue on the grain, maintained germination percentage similar to unsterilized grains, and plant biomass was unaltered. Hence, our protocol using AgNO3 can be used successfully for experiments on plant–microbiome interactions.
The oncogenic role of REG γ is exerted by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in osteosarcoma.

BACKGROUND Proteasome activator γ (REG γ) expression was found to be upregulated and to play critical roles in several cancers. However, the effect of REG γ on osteosarcoma (OS) remains unclear. The objective of the present study was to explore the clinical significance of REG γ and its function in regulating the progression of OS. METHODS Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses were performed to detect the expression levels of REG γ in OS tissues and cell lines. Then, the effects of REG γ expression on OS cell behavior in vitro were analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), ethylene deoxyuridine (EdU), colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing and transwell assays. The protein and mRNA levels of components involved in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway were evaluated using WB and qRT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS We found that REG γ expression was significantly upregulated in both OS tissues and cell lines. Our in vitro assay results confirmed that knockdown of REG γ inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in OS. Additionally, through WB and qRT-PCR analyses, we found that REG γ depletion markedly decreased the β-catenin, cyclin D1 and c-myc expression levels and increased the GSK-3β expression levels in OS cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Our results revealed that REG γ plays an oncogenic role in OS by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, indicating that REG γ may be a promising therapeutic target for OS patients.
Platelet P-selectin initiates cross-presentation and dendritic cell differentiation in blood monocytes

Platelet-monocyte “adhesion synapse” initiates physiologic biogenesis of cross-presenting dendritic cells. Dendritic cells (DCs) are adept at cross-presentation and initiation of antigen-specific immunity. Clinically, however, DCs produced by in vitro differentiation of monocytes in the presence of exogenous cytokines have been met with limited success. We hypothesized that DCs produced in a physiological manner may be more effective and found that platelets activate a cross-presentation program in peripheral blood monocytes with rapid (18 hours) maturation into physiological DCs (phDCs). Differentiation of monocytes into phDCs was concomitant with the formation of an “adhesion synapse,” a biophysical junction enriched with platelet P-selectin and monocyte P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1, followed by intracellular calcium fluxing and nuclear localization of nuclear factor κB. phDCs were more efficient than cytokine-derived DCs in generating tumor-specific T cell immunity. Our findings demonstrate that platelets mediate a cytokine-independent, physiologic maturation of DC and suggest a novel strategy for DC-based immunotherapies.
Investigating the Whole-Genome Sequence of a New Locus of Enterocyte Effacement-Positive Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strain Isolated from River Water

Diverse Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains have been isolated from several environmental samples. Rivers are associated with the distribution of STEC pathogens in the environment. Thus, we report the complete genome sequence of a locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-positive STEC O157:H7 strain isolated from the Mississippi River. ABSTRACT Diverse Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains have been isolated from several environmental samples. Rivers are associated with the distribution of STEC pathogens in the environment. Thus, we report the complete genome sequence of a locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-positive STEC O157:H7 strain isolated from the Mississippi River.
IPV victimization in pregnancy increases postpartum STI incidence among adolescent mothers in Durban, South Africa

ABSTRACT Women, and specifically, adolescents, are at high risk of HIV and STIs during the postpartum period. Biological and behavioral factors contribute to adolescents’ susceptibility. However, the influence of behavioral factors, like intimate partner violence (IPV), on postpartum STI acquisition has been understudied. The study’s purpose is to determine whether IPV victimization during pregnancy predicts incident STIs in the first 6 months postpartum. Adolescent mothers (14–19 years) were recruited at a township hospital’s maternity ward near Durban. Adolescent mothers who were HIV-negative and had no laboratory-diagnosed STIs at baseline (6 weeks postpartum) were included in the analysis (n = 61). We used a modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors to assess differences in postpartum STI risk by IPV victimization during pregnancy controlling for covariates. At baseline, 25 (41%) adolescent mothers reported IPV victimization during pregnancy. Adolescent mothers who reported IPV during pregnancy were at higher risk of receiving an STI diagnoses at 6 months postpartum (aRR: 4.43; 95% CI: 1.31–14.97). Our findings heighten understanding of HIV risk among a vulnerable subset of adolescent girls: adolescent mothers. Non-combined interventions that help young mothers and their partners navigate partnership dynamics to reduce IPV and STIs are needed to reduce HIV risk.
The EGFL7-ITGB3-KLF2 axis enhances survival of multiple myeloma in preclinical models.

Angiogenic factors play a key role in multiple myeloma (MM) growth, relapse, and drug resistance. Here we show that malignant plasma cells (cell lines and patient-derived MM cells) express angiocrine factor EGF like-7 (EGFL7) mRNA and protein. MM cells both produced EGFL7 and expressed the functional EGFL7 receptor integrin β 3 (ITGB3), resulting in ITGB3 phosphorylation and focal adhesion kinase activation. Overexpression of ITGB3 or EGFL7 enhanced MM cell adhesion and proliferation. Intriguingly, ITGB3 overexpression upregulated the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), which further enhanced EGFL7 transcription in MM cells, thereby establishing an EGFL7-ITGB3-KLF2-EGFL7 amplification loop that supports MM cell survival and proliferation. EGFL7 expression was found in certain plasma cells of patients with refractory MM and of patients at primary diagnosis. NOD.CB17-Prkdc/J mice transplanted with MM cells showed elevated human plasma EGFL7 levels. EGFL7 knockdown in patient-derived MM cells and treatment with neutralizing antibodies against EGFL7 inhibited MM cell growth in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate that the standard-of-care MM drug bortezomib upregulates EGFL7, ITGB3, and KLF2 expression in MM cells. Inhibition of EGFL7 signaling in synergy with BTZ may provide a novel strategy for inhibiting MM cell proliferation.
Design of chip character recognition system based on neural network

At present, the sample comparison of intelligent electric meters in power grid companies mainly relies on manual inspection. With the development of semiconductor technology and the increasing demand of intelligent electric meters, the disadvantages of this method, such as low detection efficiency, high misjudgment rate, are becoming more prominent. In this paper, a method for automatically detecting and identifying the intelligent electric meter circuit board chip is proposed, and a chip character recognition system based on convolutional neural network (CNN) is designed. The system is mainly divided into two parts: chip positioning and character recognition. The chip is positioned based on the method of layout analysis and edge detection. According to the difference between the characteristics of the chip and the characteristics of the PCB background, preprocess the images, detect the chip identification and obtain multiple candidate regions. Finally, candidate regions are screened based on chip characteristics. The gray-level projection method is used to segment characters. A single character image is obtained by row segmentation and column segmentation. At the same time, the optimization algorithm for character adhesion and fracture problem is proposed to improve the segmentation accuracy. For the character recognition module, build a convolutional neural network to extract character features, and the normalized character is input into the trained neural network for recognition. The recognition accuracy of test sets is high, and the time for recognizing a single character is about 0.35 seconds. Compared with the traditional detection methods, the proposed method has higher detection efficiency and recognition accuracy.
An H3K9 methylation-dependent protein interaction regulates the non-enzymatic functions of a putative histone demethylase

H3K9 methylation (H3K9me) specifies the establishment and maintenance of transcriptionally silent epigenetic states or heterochromatin. The enzymatic erasure of histone modifications is widely assumed to be the primary mechanism that reverses epigenetic silencing. Here, we reveal an inversion of this paradigm where a putative histone demethylase Epe1 in fission yeast, has a non-enzymatic function that opposes heterochromatin assembly. Mutations within the putative catalytic JmjC domain of Epe1 disrupt its interaction with Swi6HP1 suggesting that this domain might have other functions besides enzymatic activity. The C-terminus of Epe1 directly interacts with Swi6HP1, and H3K9 methylation stimulates this protein-protein interaction in vitro and in vivo. Expressing the Epe1 C-terminus is sufficient to disrupt heterochromatin by outcompeting the histone deacetylase, Clr3 from sites of heterochromatin formation. Our results underscore how histone modifying proteins that resemble enzymes have non-catalytic functions that regulate the assembly of epigenetic complexes in cells.
Vascular Anatomy of the Inferior Turbinate and Its Clinical Implications

Background Published reports on the vascular anatomy of the inferior turbinate (IT) are limited. Historical papers report the IT artery as a tributary off the posterior lateral nasal artery (PLNA), but this has not been our clinical experience. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the arterial blood supply to and the branching pattern within the IT. We discuss this is the context of IT surgery and relate it to postoperative bleeding complication rates. Methods Endoscopic dissection was performed on 16 cadaver heads (24 sides) to determine the origin of the IT artery. Intraoperative surgical videos were analyzed in 50 patients to uncover the vascular branching pattern within the IT. A retrospective review of bleeding complications in patients undergoing IT reduction surgery was also conducted. Results In 17 of 24 sides (70.8%), the IT artery arose either exclusively (54.2%) or partly (16.6%) off the descending palatine artery (DPA). As a branch off the DPA, the IT artery exited the pterygopalatine fossa through a foramen located 7.7 ± 3.0 mm from posterior edge of the IT, 8.4 ± 3.1 mm above the nasal floor and 1.6 ± 2.1 mm below the insertion of the IT bone onto the lateral nasal wall. The mean number of arteries cascading within the IT was 2.7 ± 0.5. Moreover, 112 patients underwent IT reduction surgery and 2 (1.8%) experienced postoperative epistaxis. Conclusion The IT artery has major contributions from the DPA. Most commonly 3 arteries branch within the IT. Knowledge of this vascular anatomy may minimize bleeding associated with IT reduction surgery.
Phylogeography of the insular populations of common octopus, Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797, in the Atlantic Macaronesia

Exploited, understudied populations of the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797, occur in the northeastern Atlantic (NEA) throughout Macaronesia, comprising the Azores, Madeira and Canaries, and also the Cabo Verde archipelago. This octopus species, found from the intertidal to shallow continental-shelf waters, is largely sedentary, and the subject of intense, frequently unregulated fishing effort. We infer connectivity among insular populations of this octopus. Mitochondrial control region and COX1 sequence datasets reveal two highly divergent haplogroups (α and β) at similar frequencies, with opposing clinal distributions along the sampled latitudinal range. Haplogroups have different demographic and phylogeographic patterns, with origins related to the two last glacial maxima. FST values suggest a significant differentiation for most pairwise comparisons, including insular and continental samples, from the Galicia and Morocco coasts, with the exception of pairwise comparisons for samples from Madeira and the Canaries populations. Results indicate the existence of genetically differentiated octopus populations throughout the NEA. This emphasizes the importance of regulations by autonomous regional governments of the Azores, Madeira and the Canaries, for appropriate management of insular octopus stocks.
Ta@Ag Porous Array with High Stability and Biocompatibility for SERS Sensing of Bacteria.

The reliable sensing of bacteria by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology necessitates a rational design of substrate with high sensitivity, stability and minimal invasion. Hence, a bimetallic Ta@Ag film with porous array is developed by magnetron sputtering technique, and the structure could be controlled by Ta dopant. Porous array connected by ligaments with compact granular nano-protrusion is a fascinating substrate for SERS sensing. It makes steady SERS signals even in harsh chemical environments, due to its high structural and chemical stability. The configuration of binary Ta@Ag has higher surface free energy than that of pure Ag, and the strong bactericidal activity of Ag is suppressed effectually. Using E. coli as a model pathogen, the Ta@Ag porous film could maintain the long-term survival rate of E. coli up to 95%, limit of SERS detection of E. coli down to 102 CFU/mL, which is measured by standard colony-counting method. In sum, this work provides a promising strategy to fabricate corrosion-resistant and biocompatible bimetallic Ta@Ag film with porous array, availing for the SERS sensing of microbial cell.
A method for metal artifacts reduction using virtual dual-energy CT images generated from single energy CT scans

A new method to remove metal artifacts utilizing virtual dual-energy CT image sets generated from monoenergetic CT images and dual-energy CT subtraction is presented in this work. CT images were derived from Optima CT580 (General Electric Company, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA). Optimized conversion model from CT numbers to linear attenuation coefficients (LAC) was applied to calculate an accurate LAC map at specific energy. According to mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) of base materials from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a LAC map at another higher energy was obtained, and then a set of CT images was derived from the LAC map, which is at different but a known energy. Then, dual-energy subtraction was applied to remove metal artifacts. Results: Between the CT image sets of virtual high energy and the original, there is no significant difference in STD (standard deviation) (no more than 1.91%), while Merror (a parameter for quantification of the CT value differences between two images at the same position) varies from 58.83 to 101.6442. CNRs (Contrast-noise-ratio) in dual-energy subtracted CT images are 1.9% higher than those in the CT images processed by polar coordinate transformation. Conclusions: The Dual-energy subtraction is proved to be a better method for reduction of metal artifacts than the polar coordinate transformation scheme. Moreover, the dual-energy subtraction method is based on the reconstructed CT images obtained with a single energy CT scanner, which is more convenient for users not having access to the projection data.
Inverse control of Rab proteins by Yersinia ADP-ribosyltransferase and glycosyltransferase related to clostridial glucosylating toxins

Two Yersinia toxins activate or inactivate Rab proteins involved in vesicle traffic by ADP-ribosylation or glycosylation. We identified a glucosyltransferase (YGT) and an ADP-ribosyltransferase (YART) in Yersinia mollaretii, highly related to glucosylating toxins from Clostridium difficile, the cause of antibiotics-associated enterocolitis. Both Yersinia toxins consist of an amino-terminal enzyme domain, an autoprotease domain activated by inositol hexakisphosphate, and a carboxyl-terminal translocation domain. YGT N-acetylglucosaminylates Rab5 and Rab31 at Thr52 and Thr36, respectively, thereby inactivating the Rab proteins. YART ADP-ribosylates Rab5 and Rab31 at Gln79 and Gln64, respectively. This activates Rab proteins by inhibiting GTP hydrolysis. We determined the crystal structure of the glycosyltransferase domain of YGT (YGTG) in the presence and absence of UDP at 1.9- and 3.4-Å resolution, respectively. Thereby, we identified a previously unknown potassium ion–binding site, which explains potassium ion–dependent enhanced glycosyltransferase activity in clostridial and related toxins. Our findings exhibit a novel type of inverse regulation of Rab proteins by toxins and provide new insights into the structure-function relationship of glycosyltransferase toxins.
QuadStack: An Efficient Representation and Direct Rendering of Layered Datasets

We introduce QuadStack, a novel algorithm for volumetric data compression and direct rendering. Our algorithm exploits the data redundancy often found in layered datasets which are common in science and engineering fields such as geology, biology, mechanical engineering, medicine, etc. QuadStack first compresses the volumetric data into vertical stacks which are then compressed into a quadtree that identifies and represents the layered structures at the internal nodes. The associated data (color, material, density, etc.) and shape of these layer structures are decoupled and encoded independently, leading to high compression rates (4× to 54× of the original voxel model memory footprint in our experiments). We also introduce an algorithm for value retrieving from the QuadStack representation and we show that the access has logarithmic complexity. Because of the fast access, QuadStack is suitable for efficient data representation and direct rendering. We show that our GPU implementation performs comparably in speed with the state-of-the-art algorithms (18-79 MRays/s in our implementation), while maintaining a significantly smaller memory footprint.