Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Convergence Property of MINRES Method for Solving a Complex Shifted Hermitian Linear System

We discuss the convergence property of the minimum residual (MINRES) method for the solution of complex shifted Hermitian system (αI + H)x = f . Our convergence analysis shows that the method has a faster convergence than that for real shifted Hermitian system (Re(α)I +H)x = f under the condition Re(α) + λmin(H) > 0, and a larger imaginary part of the shift α has a better convergence property. Numerical experiments show such convergence properties. Keywords—complex shifted linear system, Hermitian matrix, MINRES method.
Determination of total flavonoids and three isoflavonoids in Pueraria lobata of Shanxi

Objective: To determine the contents of total flavonoids and three isoflavonoids in Pueraria lobata.Methods: The ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry was used for the determination of total flavonoids in Pueraria lobata at the detection wavelength of 250nm.The high-performance liquid chromatography was adopted for the determination of three isoflavonoids in Pueraria lobata.Chromatographic column: Uvis-201 column(4.6mm×250mm,5μm);mobile phase: methanol(A)-water(B)(gradient elution);flow rate: 1.0mL/min;column temperature: ambient temperature;detection wavelength: 250nm.Results: The linear relation of total flavonoids was good in the range of 4.32-21. 60μg/mL.The average recovery rate was 99.20%,RSD was 1.57%. The linear relations of puerarin,daidzin and daidzein were good in the range of 0.2124-4. 2480μg,0.1207-2. 4140μg,and 0.0883-1. 7660μg respectively.The average recovery was 99.96%,99.02%,99.12%;RSD was 1.68%,2.50%,2.19% respectively.Conclusion: This method is simple and accurate in operation and good in repeat.It is suitable for the determination of total flavonoids and three isoflavonoids in Pueraria lobata.
Effect of Human or Mouse IL-7 on the Homeostasis of Porcine T Lymphocytes

Due to the inconsistent fluctuation of blood supply for transfusion, much attention has been paid to the development of artificial blood using other animals. Although mini-pigs are candidate animals, contamination of mini-pig T cells in artificial blood may cause a major safety concern. Therefore, it is important to analyze the cross-reactivity of IL-7, the major survival factor for T lymphocytes, between human, mouse, and mini-pig. Thus, we compared the protein sequences of IL-7 and found that porcine IL-7 was evolutionarily different from human IL-7. We also observed that when porcine T cells were cultured with either human or mouse IL-7, these cells did not increase the survival or proliferation compared to negative controls. These results suggest that porcine T cells do not recognize human or mouse IL-7 as their survival factor.
Determination of intermediate state structures in the opening pathway of SARS-CoV-2 spike using cryo-electron microscopy†

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of COVID-19, a highly infectious disease that is severely affecting our society and welfare systems. In order to develop therapeutic interventions against this condition, one promising strategy is to target spike, the trimeric transmembrane glycoprotein that the virus uses to recognise and bind its host cells. Here we use a metainference cryo-electron microscopy approach to determine the opening pathway that brings spike from its inactive (closed) conformation to its active (open) one. The knowledge of the structures of the intermediate states of spike along this opening pathway enables us to identify a cryptic pocket that is not exposed in the open and closed states. These results underline the opportunities offered by the determination of the structures of the transient intermediate states populated during the dynamics of proteins to allow the therapeutic targeting of otherwise invisible cryptic binding sites.
Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Anteromedial Portal Versus Transtibial Technique in ACL Reconstruction: A Systematic Review

Background: The drilling technique used to make a femoral tunnel is critically important for determining outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The 2 most common methods are the transtibial (TT) and anteromedial (AM) techniques. Purpose: To determine whether graft orientation and placement affect clinical outcomes by comparing clinical and radiological outcomes after single-bundle ACL reconstruction with the AM versus TT technique. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Articles in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and MEDLINE were searched from inception until April 25, 2020, using the following Boolean operators: transtibial OR trans-tibial AND (anteromedial OR trans-portal OR independent OR three portal OR accessory portal) AND anterior cruciate ligament. Results: Of 1270 studies retrieved, 39 studies involving 11,207 patients were included. Of these studies, 14 were clinical, 13 were radiological, and 12 were mixed. Results suggested that compared with the TT technique, the AM technique led to significantly improved anteroposterior and rotational knee stability, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, and recovery time from surgery. A higher proportion of negative Lachman (P = .0005) and pivot-shift test (P = .0001) results, lower KT-1000 arthrometer maximum manual displacement (P = .00001), higher Lysholm score (P = .001), a higher incidence of IKDC grade A/B (P = .05), and better visual analog scale score for satisfaction (P = .00001) were observed with the AM technique compared with the TT technique. The AM drilling technique demonstrated a significantly shorter tunnel length (P = .00001). Significant differences were seen between the femoral and tibial graft angles in both techniques. Low overall complication and revision rates were observed for ACL reconstruction with the AM drilling technique, similar to the TT drilling technique. Conclusion: In single-bundle ACL reconstruction, the AM drilling technique was superior to the TT drilling technique based on physical examination, scoring systems, and radiographic results. The AM portal technique provided a more reproducible anatomic graft placement compared with the TT technique.
Fe3O4-Polyaniline Nanocomposite for Non-enzymatic Electrochemical Detection of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

This study proposes the development of an electrochemical sensor based on fabrication of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with Fe3O4-polyaniline (Fe3O4-PANI) nanocomposite, which was further used for enzyme-less detection of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in aqueous medium. Spectroscopic studies, microstructural studies, and elemental analysis established the formation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with polyaniline coating. The fabricated Fe3O4-PANI-GCE was characterized by electrochemical techniques like cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical response of 2,4-D on Fe3O4-PANI-GCE was evaluated by performing cyclic voltammetry and amperometry experiments. The synergistic effect of the composite causes the superior electrochemical behavior of Fe3O4-PANI-GCE toward the detection of 2,4-D. Amperometric measurements exhibited a linear concentration range from 1.35 to 2.7 μM. The sensitivity and detection limit were evaluated from the amperometric responses, which were found to be 4.62 × 10–7 μA μM–1 cm–2 and 0.21 μM, respectively. The electrochemical sensing response could be attributed to adsorption of 2,4-D onto the Fe3O4-PANI-modified GCE (Fe3O4-PANI-GCE) surface. Fe3O4-PANI-GCE is found to be a simple, low-cost, and biocompatible non-enzymatic sensor for detection of 2,4-D in aqueous medium at ambient temperature.
Comparative population genetics of swimming crab host (Portunus pelagicus) and common symbiotic barnacle (Octolasmis angulata) in Vietnam

Background By comparing spatial geographical structures of host populations with that of their symbionts light can be shed on their biological interactions, and the degree of congruence between host and symbiont phylogeographies should reflect their life histories and especially dispersal mechanisms. Methods Here, we analyzed the genetic diversity and structure of a host, the blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus, and its symbiotic pedunculate barnacle Octolasmis angulata from six location sites representing three geographic regions (north, central and south) along the Vietnam coastline. High levels of congruence in their phylogeographic patterns were expected as they both undergo planktonic larval stages. Results Based on the COI mtDNA markers, O. angulata populations showed higher genetic diversity in comparison with their host P. pelagicus (number of haplotype/individuals, haplotype and nucleotide diversity are 119/192, 0.991 ± 0.002 and 0.02; and 89/160, 0.913 ± 0.02 and 0.015, respectively). Pairwise Fst and AMOVA analyses showed a more pronounced population structure in the symbiotic barnacle than in its crab host. The DAPC analyses identified three genetic clusters. However, both haplotype networks and scatter plots supported connectivity of the host and the symbiotic barnacle throughout their distribution range, except for low subdivision of southern population. Isolation by distance were detected only for the symbiont O. angulata (R2 = 0.332, P = 0.05), while dbMEM supported spatial structure of both partners, but only at MEM-1 (Obs. 0.2686, P < 0.01 and Obs. 0.2096, P < 0.01, respectively).
About the iron carbonyl complex with C60 and C70 fullerene: [Fe(CO)4(η2C60)] and [Fe(CO)4(η2C70)]

ABSTRACT The iron carbonyl complexes with C60 and C70 fullerenes were synthesized in high yield by photochemical irradiation of solutions of C60 and C70 in presence of Fe(CO)5. The resulting complexes were studied by FT-IR, Raman and electronic absorption spectroscopy. All the data are consistent with the structures [Fe(CO)4(η2C60)] and [Fe(CO)4(η2C70)]. The thermal stability and decomposition reaction of the two complexes were studied by TGA-FTIR and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Both complexes decompose at moderate temperatures releasing CO and Fe(CO)5 in the vapor phase leaving a residue of metallic iron and free C60 or C70 fullerenes that can be recovered by solvent extraction of the decomposition residue.
Mitochondrial DNA Damage and Brain Aging in Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract Background Neurocognitive impairment (NCI) remains common in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH), despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART), but the reasons remain incompletely understood. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of aging and of neurodegenerative diseases. We hypothesized that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or ART may lead to mitochondrial abnormalities in the brain, thus contributing to NCI. Methods We studied postmortem frozen brain samples from 52 PLWH and 40 HIV-negative controls. Cellular mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and levels of large-scale mtDNA deletions were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Heteroplasmic mtDNA point mutations were quantified by deep sequencing (Illumina). Neurocognitive data were taken within 48 months antemortem. Results We observed a decrease in mtDNA content, an increase in the mtDNA “common deletion,” and an increase in mtDNA point mutations with age (all P < .05). Each of these changes was exacerbated in HIV-positive cases compared with HIV-negative controls (all P < .05). ART exposures, including nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors, were not associated with changes in mtDNA. The number of mtDNA point mutations was associated with low CD4/CD8 ratio (P = .04) and with NCI (global T-score, P = .007). Conclusions In people with predominantly advanced HIV infection, there is exacerbation of age-associated mtDNA damage. This change is driven by HIV per se rather than by ART toxicity and may contribute to NCI. These data suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction may be a mediator of adverse aging phenotypes in PLWH.
Comparison of cecal microbiota composition in hybrid pigs from two separate three-way crosses

Objective The intestinal microbiota plays an important role in host physiology, metabolism, immunity, and behavior. And host genetics could influence the gut microbiota of hybrid animals. The three-way cross model is commonly utilized in commercial pig production; however, the use of this model to analyse the gut microbial composition is rarely reported. Methods Two three-way hybrid pigs were selected, with Saba pigs as the starting maternal pig: Duroc× (Berkshire×Saba) (DBS) pig, Berkshire×(Duroc×Saba) (BDS) pig. One hundred pigs of each model were reared from 35 days (d) to 210 d. The body weight or feed consumption of all pigs were recorded and their feed/gain (F/G) ratio was calculated. On day 210, 10 pigs from each three-way cross were selected for slaughter, and cecal chyme samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results The final body weight (FBW) and average daily gain (ADG) of DBS pigs were significantly higher than those of BDS pigs (p<0.05), while the F/G ratios of DBS pigs were significantly lower than those of BDS pigs (p<0.05). The dominant phyla in DBS and BDS pigs were Bacteroidetes (55.23% vs 59%, respectively) and Firmicutes (36.65% vs 34.86%, respectively) (p>0.05). At the genus level, the abundance of Prevotella, Roseburia, and Anaerovibrio in DBS pigs was significantly lower than in BDS pigs (p<0.01). The abundance of Eubacterium, Clostridium XI, Bacteroides, Methanomassiliicoccus, and Parabacteroides in DBS pigs was significantly higher than in BDS pigs (p<0.05). The FBWs and ADGs were positively correlated with Bacteroides, ClostridiumXI, and Parabacteroides but negatively correlated with the Prevotella, Prevotella/Bacteroides (P/B) ratio, Roseburia, and Anaerovibrio. Conclusion These results indicated that host genetics affect the cecal microbiota composition and the porcine gut microbiota is associated with growth performance, thereby suggesting that gut microbiota composition may be a useful biomarker in porcine genetics and breeding.
Immunohistochemical Study of Mitochondrial Ferritin in the Midbrain of Patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Mitochondrial ferritin (FtMt) is a novel ferritin that is localized in the mitochondria. FtMt expression is low in the liver and spleen, and high in the heart, testis, and brain. We previously detected FtMt in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) in human and monkey midbrains. We investigated the localization and expression of FtMt in the midbrain of patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and controls using a monoclonal antibody (C65-2) against human FtMt. FtMt immunoreactivity was weakly detected in neuromelanin-containing neurons in the SNc and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of control cases compared with PSP, which exhibited a remarkable increase in FtMt immunoreactivity. Preincubation of C65-2 with the immunizing FtMt peptide significantly reduced the staining, indicating the specificity of C65-2. Several puncta were observed outside the neurons of PSP, in contrast with the control cases. Double immunofluorescence histochemistry for FtMt and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), glial fibrillary acidic protein, and Iba1 showed localization of FtMt in dopaminergic neurons, microglia, and astrocytes in PSP. Furthermore, FtMt immunoreactivity was detected in a few TH-negative neurons. In the SNc and VTA, FtMt immunoreactivity colocalized with phosphorylated tau immunoreactivity. Our results indicate that FtMt is involved in the pathology of PSP. Clarifying the involvement of FtMt in PSP is of great interest.
Effects of exercise training with blood flow restriction on vascular function in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Blood flow restricted exercise (BFRE) improves physical fitness, with theorized positive effects on vascular function. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to report (1) the effects of BFRE on vascular function in adults with or without chronic health conditions, and (2) adverse events and adherence reported for BFRE. Methodology Five electronic databases were searched by two researchers independently to identify studies reporting vascular outcomes following BFRE in adults with and without chronic conditions. When sufficient data were provided, meta-analysis and exploratory meta-regression were performed. Results Twenty-six studies were included in the review (total participants n = 472; n = 41 older adults with chronic conditions). Meta-analysis (k = 9 studies) indicated that compared to exercise without blood flow restriction, resistance training with blood flow restriction resulted in significantly greater effects on endothelial function (SMD 0.76; 95% CI [0.36–1.14]). No significant differences were estimated for changes in vascular structure (SMD −0.24; 95% CI [−1.08 to 0.59]). In exploratory meta-regression analyses, several experimental protocol factors (design, exercise modality, exercised limbs, intervention length and number of sets per exercise) were significantly associated with the effect size for endothelial function outcomes. Adverse events in BFRE studies were rarely reported. Conclusion There is limited evidence, predominantly available in healthy young adults, on the effect of BFRE on vascular function. Signals pointing to effect of specific dynamic resistance exercise protocols with blood flow restriction (≥4 weeks with exercises for the upper and lower limbs) on endothelial function warrant further investigation.
Impact of a Visual Support Dedicated to Prognosis on Symptoms of Stress of ICU Family Members: A Before-and-After Implementation Study

OBJECTIVES: Family members commonly have inaccurate expectations of patient’s prognosis in ICU. Adding to classic oral information, a visual support, depicting day by day the evolution of the condition of the patient, improves the concordance in prognosis estimate between physicians and family members. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of this tool on symptoms of anxiety/depression of family members. DESIGN: Bicenter prospective before-and-after study. SETTING: A nonacademic and a university hospital. SUBJECTS: Relatives of consecutive patients admitted in the two ICUs. INTERVENTIONS: In the period “before,” family members received classic oral information, and in the period “after,” they could consult the visual support in the patient’s room. The primary endpoint was the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score of relatives at day 5. Secondary outcomes were the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety subscale score > 7) and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression subscale score > 7) at day 5 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score at day 90. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 140 patients and their referent family members were included (77 in period before and 63 after). Characteristics of patients of the two groups were similar regarding age, reason for admission, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II at admission, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at day 5. At day 5, median Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score was 17 (9–25) before and 15 (10–22) after the implementation of the visual support (p = 0.43). The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression was similar in the two groups (66.2% and 49.4% before and 68.3% and 36.5% after [not significant], respectively). At day 90, median Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score was 11 before (7–16) and 9 (5–16) after the implementation of the tool (p = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the use of a visual support tool dedicated to prognosis did not modify the level of stress of family members.
Image-Charge Detection - Novel Instrumentation and Applications

Image-Charge Detection – Novel Instrumentation and Applications Brandon Lee Barney Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, BYU Doctor of Philosophy Image-charge detection is an analytical technique in which a highly-charged particle is detected by the magnitude of the image current that it generates in a detecting electrode. This current is represented as a voltage between the charged particle and the sensing electrode. It is a single particle detection method, ideal for the analysis of large, variable mass particles such as biological cells. Some of the physical properties of Bacillus subtilis spores were explored using different applications of image-charge detection. B. subtilis is a gram-negative spore-forming bacteria that has been shown to exhibit extremophile behavior. The particular extremophile behavior that was investigated in this study is the resistance to extreme mechanical stress. The effects of high-velocity impacts upon these spores were studied using image-charge detection. The elastic properties of these spores as well as spore survivability to high-velocity impacts were investigated. Spores were shown to survive impacts at velocities up to 299 ± 28 m/s. The average kinetic energy loss experienced by impacting spores, regardless of velocity at impact, was between 71 and 72%. Both conventional and novel image-charge detection techniques were used for these studies. The novel version of a charge detector that was demonstrated was fabricated using patterned metal electrodes on printed circuit boards. The simplicity and versatility of this method was demonstrated with a multi-stage charge detector, a unique bouncing detector, and charge-detection mass spectrometry detector which is capable of measuring the absolute mass of a single highly-charged particle.
Targeted Drug Delivery for Cardiovascular Disease: Modeling of Modulated Extracellular Vesicle Release Rates

Invasive and medical therapy has led to major improvements in cardiovascular disease management, but important challenges remain open. The discovery of a nano-sized system of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is opening new possibilities for reprogramming malfunctioning cells and indicates that EVs can be employed in therapeutic biomedical applications as engineered drug vehicles. Molecular communication (MC) has applications for treating cells with directed drug delivery, employing special targeting transmembrane proteins. In this paper, we propose a novel drug delivery system for cardiovascular diseases using an EV-mediated MC platform and exemplify the potential use in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We utilize intracellular calcium signaling as a natural mediator of EVs released from synthetic cells and model the release rate. We propose to use the cells as a therapeutic release system with a control signal input which modulates the EVs release rate as the output signal. We also study the frequency domain of the proposed model and estimate the transfer function of the therapeutic release system model numerically where the root-mean-square error for two separate estimated output signals are 0.0353 and 0.0124. The proposed EV-mediated targeted drug delivery system can make breakthroughs in future healthcare, in cardiovascular and other diseases where targeting is required.