Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exogenous antibiotic resistance gene contributes to intestinal inflammation by modulating the gut microbiome and inflammatory cytokine responses in mouse

ABSTRACT Dysregulation of the gut microbiota by environmental factors is associated with a variety of autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases. In addition, naturally-occurring extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs) might directly enter the gut via the food chain. However, following gut microbiota exposure to eARGs, the ecological processes shaping the microbiota community assembly, as well as the interplay between the microbiota composition, metabolic function, and the immune responses, are not well understood. Increasing focus on the One Health approach has led to an urgent need to investigate the direct health damage caused by eARGs. Herein, we reveal the significant influence of eARGs on microbiota communities, strongly driven by stochastic processes. How eARGs-stimulate variations in the composition and metabolomic function of the gut microbiota led to cytokine responses in mice of different age and sex were investigated. The results revealed that cytokines were significantly associated with immunomodulatory microbes, metabolites, and ARGs biomarkers. Cytokine production was associated with specific metabolic pathways (arachidonic acid and tryptophan metabolic pathways), as confirmed by ex vivo cytokine responses and recovery experiments in vivo. Furthermore, the gut microbial profile could be applied to accurately predict the degree of intestinal inflammation ascribed to the eARGs (area under the curve = 0.9616). The present study provided a comprehensive understanding of the influence of an eARGs on immune responses and intestinal barrier damage, shedding light on the interplay between eARGs, microbial, metabolites, and the gut antibiotic resistome in modulating the human immune system. Graphical Abstract
Natural selection of immune and metabolic genes associated with health in two lowland Bolivian populations

Significance Humans have adapted to diverse environments, but few studies have linked regions of the genome with evidence of selection to phenotypes. We generated an integrative dataset of genomic, transcriptomic, and biomarker data for the Tsimane and the Moseten—two indigenous Amerindian populations in Bolivia. From analyses focused on Tsimane individuals, we found evidence for adaptation at genes and traits involved in immunity, which makes sense given that infection has strong effects on physiology and fitness in this population. Using phenotypic data from both populations, we were able to link genotypes to the immune and metabolic traits that are potentially advantageous. This study expands our knowledge of natural selection in Amerindians and uncovers previously undescribed loci of evolutionary and biomedical relevance.
Phenolic-Degrading Enzymes: Effect on Haze Active Phenols and Chill Haze in India Pale Ale Beer

The development of green and sustainable biotechnological approaches for preventing chill haze formation is currently under investigation. In this preliminary study, laccase and tannase (pure or combined) were applied as phenolic-degrading enzymes during two crucial brewing steps (i. post-mashing and ii. before the yeast inoculum). In post-mashing and irrespective of the dosage applied (100 μL/L or 1 mL/L), tannase-based treatment ensured the complete removal of haze active (HA) phenols, which was proved by the full prevention of chill haze (about 1 EBC vs. 22 EBC in the control sample). Before yeast inoculum for the alcoholic fermentation, the removal of haze active phenols and the prevention of chill haze were both tannase-dosage-dependent (15 and 2 EBC for the lowest and the highest dosages, respectively) although they failed to completely break down the HA phenols. This biotechnological approach did not significantly affect the chromatic properties of treated beer.
Carbon nanofiber-reinforced shape memory polyurethanes based on HTPB/PTMG blend as anticorrosive coatings

ABSTRACT Aiming at an easy-processing shape memory polymer, we report different thermo-responsive shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) nanocomposites derived from Hydroxyl Terminated Poly-Butadiene (HTPB) and the Poly Tetra Methylene Glycol (PTMG) encapsulated with different concentrations of carbon nanofiber (CNF) in a cross-linked shape memory polyurethane (PU) matrix. By introducing the optimum concentration of the nanofiller with the PU matrix, we can improve essential properties of PU composites such as morphology, mechanical flexibility, as well as shape memory properties, which are considered the crucial requirement for the effective design of PU composites for a precise application. Two compositions of PU composites were prepared by encapsulating CNF, viz. PU-0.1CNF and PU-0.5CNF, the content of CNF being 1 wt. % and 5 wt. %, respectively. Morphological, thermal, and mechanical studies of these two PU composites show that CNF is homogeneously blended within the PU matrix and well dispersed. The thermal stability of prepared polymer films was evaluated with the help of Thermo-Gravimetry, indicating increased stability with the addition of CNF nanofillers. DSC analysis helps to determine the glass transition temperature (Tg ) as well as the shape transition temperature (Ttrans ). The tensile study confirmed that PU-0.5CNF possesses a greater Young’s modulus value and is not constant in elastic loads. The anti-corrosion property of the prepared SMPU nanocomposite coatings coated over the SS plate was evaluated using a 3.0 wt% NaCl (simulated seawater) solution. Extrapolation of Tafel plots and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) provided a higher value of positive corrosion potential (Ecorr ) and a lower value of corrosion current (Icorr ). The electrochemical experiment results demonstrated that PU-0.1CNF nanocomposite coating on SS has better anti-corrosive properties and protection efficiency (PEF% = 98.43%) and behaves like a physical barrier to resist corrosion. These HTPB/PTMG PU nanocomposites exhibit excellent shape memory properties and have a unique composition having both the properties of anti-corrosion and shape memory effects. The results show that by properly selecting the composition we can tailor-make a PU having both anticorrosion and shape memory properties. Graphical Abstract
Transcutaneous Vagal Stimulation in Knee Osteoarthritis (TRAVKO): Protocol of a Superiority, Outcome Assessor- and Participant-Blind, Randomised Controlled Trial

Current treatments for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) are partially effective. It is, therefore, necessary to find new strategies that can complement the existing ones. In this scenario, transcutaneous vagal stimulation (TVS) neurophysiological effects could be a helpful solution. However, there is no evidence of the efficacy of TVS in KOA. This trial aims to assess the efficacy of TVS in decreasing pain in participants aged 55 years or older with KOA. A randomised controlled, two-arm, double-blind (participants and outcome assessors) and clinical superiority trial will be conducted for 70 patients with KOA. All the participants will carry out an exercise program. It consists of 12 sessions over four weeks. In addition, they will be randomly assigned to (1) active TVS plus physical exercise or (2) sham TVS plus physical exercise. The application of active TVS consists of electronic stimulation of the auricular concha using a portable device. Sham TVS condition consists of the stimulation of the earlobe that does not cause neurophysiological effects. The primary outcome is the reduction in pain intensity. Additionally, functional capacity, physical performance, pain-related interference, pain-related distress, quality of life in older adults and global change will be measured. Assessments will be conducted at the beginning of the study (baseline), at the end of the intervention and after 1 and 3 months of follow-up. This trial will generate evidence regarding the efficacy of TVS in pain perception in individuals with KOA. This information will serve as an input in the clinical decision-making on the use or non-use of TVS in individuals with KOA. Thus, if the efficacy of TVS is confirmed, a new therapeutic tool may be included in the rehabilitation of individuals with KOA.
Statistical mechanics of Fermi-Pasta-Ulam chains with the canonical ensemble

Thermodynamics constitutes functions of the state, and statistical mechanics establishes the bridge between the dis- tribution functions and the functions of the state. Until the paradigm shift in 1955 created by Fermi, Pasta, and Ulam ~FPU ! @ 1 #, these working definitions had been thought to be valid only in the case of a mechanical system containing very large number of degrees of freedom ~DOF! for which ergodicity is very likely satisfied. The raison d'etre of the so-called FPU analysis was to test the ergodicity for a system with a considerably smaller number of DOF. This analysis necessitates numerical experiments. These ''experiments'' are basically numerical integrations of the equations of mo- tion of the system under consideration. The mechanical sys- tem used in the original FPU study is a one-dimensional chain consisting of 64 repeat units ~masses! The historical perspective of the developments since then may be found in an excellent review by Ford @2#, with his personal reflections. For the mechanical systems with relatively small DOF, con- sensus has been established in that there exists a threshold energy for each mechanical system above which the system satisfies equipartition. Inasmuch as the system equilibrates, the laws of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics may be utilized. Some modifications in the equations of statistical mechan- ics are necessary when we deal with small systems. Hill @3# was the one who generalized the differential equations of macroscopic thermodynamics so as to consider small ~micro- scopic! systems. Berdichevsky and his collaborators @4-6# have taken a different path, along which they have studied Henon-Heiles @5# and FPU problems @6# both numerically and theoretically. Theoretical formulations are based on the work of Berdichevky @4#. In this work, the author showed that the laws of statistical mechanics based upon the micro- canonical ensemble must be slightly modified for small sys- tems. In the applications, ergodicity was checked with the aid of numerical simulations @5,6#. And it has been shown that numerical and theoretical probability distribution func- tions are in very good agreement when ergodicity is achieved during the numerical studies. Numerical experiments performed on FPU systems to date may be viewed as microcanonical formulations. In this study, we consider canonical dynamics formulations @7-19#. Andersen @7# proposed that the interaction with a thermal bath may be simulated by stochastization of the system. This may be achieved by the Brownian dynamics ~BD! technique which guarantees an approach to equilibrium. The BD tech- nique includes a phenomenological dissipation coefficient and a Gaussian white-noise forcing term, two of which are related via fluctuation-dissipation theorem. With these two ingredients, BD simulations takes account of the interaction with a thermal bath, which resembles infinite degrees of free- dom. Nose ´@8#, in his pioneering work, demonstrated that the
The Future of Cardiothoracic Surgical Critical Care Medicine as a Medical Science: A Call to Action

Cardiothoracic surgical critical care medicine (CT-CCM) is a medical discipline centered on the perioperative care of diverse groups of patients. With an aging demographic and an increase in burden of chronic diseases the utilization of cardiothoracic surgical critical care units is likely to escalate in the coming decades. Given these projections, it is important to assess the state of cardiothoracic surgical intensive care, to develop goals and objectives for the future, and to identify knowledge gaps in need of scientific inquiry. This two-part review concentrates on CT-CCM as its own subspeciality of critical care and cardiothoracic surgery and provides aspirational goals for its practitioners and scientists. In part one, a list of guiding principles and a call-to-action agenda geared towards growth and promotion of CT-CCM are offered. In part two, an evaluation of selected scientific data is performed, identifying gaps in CT-CCM knowledge, and recommending direction to future scientific endeavors.
CHALLENGES IN ASSESSING SPEAKING PROFICIENCY IN ONLINE LEARNING DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The purpose of this research is to describe the challenges faced by high school English teachers in teaching and evaluating during online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative research. The researcher used observation, an open-ended questionnaire, and an interview to collect the data. The result showed that the teachers face some challenges in teaching speaking and assessing speaking in online learning. First, limited or shorter duration of teaching causes less speaking practice in the process of teaching and learning. Second, limited access to the online platform, this condition happened since not all students have sufficient internet connections during online learning. Third, less learning motivation from the students. Fourth, limited speaking performance activities, such as dialogue, role play, and other performing activities, are difficult to do in online learning. Those problems forced teachers to be innovative in redesigning teaching activities and authentic assessments for students’ speaking proficiency.
Syntrophic Butyrate-Oxidizing Consortium Mitigates Acetate Inhibition through a Shift from Acetoclastic to Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenesis and Alleviates VFA Stress in Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion

In anaerobic digestion (AD), butyrate is degraded by syntrophic consortium, but can accumulate in highly loaded AD systems. The effect of butyrate on the AD process attracts much less attention than propionate or acetate. In this work, an enrichment culture of the thermophilic butyrate-oxidizing syntrophic consortium was obtained by gradually increasing the initial butyrate concentration from 20 to 170 mM. Surprisingly, even the highest butyrate concentration did not significantly inhibit the methanogenic community, and the stage of acetate degradation was the limiting overall rate of the process. At 170 mM butyrate, the bacterial community changed towards the dominance of syntrophic acetate-oxidizing (SAO) bacteria related to Syntrophaceticus (42.9%), Syntrophomonas (26.2%) and Firmicutes (26.2%), while the archaeal community experienced a sharp decrease in the abundance of Methanosarcina thermophila (from 86.0 to 25.0%) and increase in Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus (from 3.2 to 53.1%) and Methanomassiliicoccus (from 3.2 to 21.9%). Thus, the shift from acetoclastic methanogenesis to SAO coupled to hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis occurred as an adaptive strategy to overcome high acetate (~200 mM) build-up. Bioaugmentation with the obtained enrichment culture was effective in mitigating the butyrate-dominated VFA build-up during the AD of readily biodegradable waste, increasing the methane production rate, methane yield and volatile solids removal by more than 3.5, 6.2 and 2.9 times, respectively. Our study revealed that the thermophilic butyrate-oxidizing consortia as bioaugmented culture could be the potential strategy to alleviate the high organic load and VFA stress of AD.
Effect of Stress on Quality of Life of Shift Nurses in Tertiary General Hospital: The Mediating Effect of Mindfulness

The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effects of mindfulness on the relationships between stress and quality of life among shift nurses. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was conducted using purposive sampling of 206 shift nurses in a tertiary general hospital in Korea. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 26.0 program. There were significant correlations among stress, mindfulness and quality of life. The quality of life had a positive correlation with mindfulness (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) and a negative correlation with stress among nurses. Mindfulness acts as a mediator in explaining relationship between stress and quality of life. This study provide evidence for the role of mindfulness in the relationship between stress and quality of life in shift nurses. Mindfulness appears to be a protective factor against nurses’ stress. If mindfulness-based interventions are developed and applied to improve the quality of life of shift nurses based on this study, it can help reduce their stress and improve the quality of life, which could ultimately improve the quality of nursing care for patients.
Electrical excitation of microcavity polaritons by radiative pumping from a weakly coupled organic semiconductor

In an organic semiconductor, the population of microcavity polariton states occurs via an uncoupled exciton reservoir. Consequently, this results in the inefficient excitation of the upper polariton branch, and a significant population of uncoupled excitons in the active material. Here, an alternate excitation approach is demonstrated that permits the direct population of microcavity polariton states under both electrical and optical excitation without first forming an exciton reservoir. This is realized by introducing a weakly coupled emitter into an optical microcavity containing an organic semiconductor suitable for strong exciton-photon coupling. In contrast to previous work on microcavity polariton luminescence in organic semiconductors, angle-resolved measurements of the photoluminescence and electroluminescence show variations in upper and lower branch emission intensity consistent with the branch photon character. These results confirm that the excitation of the microcavity polariton states is by radiative pumping from the weakly coupled emitter.
MicroRNAs miR-584-5p and miR-425-3p Are Up-Regulated in Plasma of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Patients: Targeting with Inhibitor Peptide Nucleic Acids Is Associated with Induction of Apoptosis in Colon Cancer Cell Lines

Simple Summary Starting from a list of nine miRNAs found to be dysregulated in the bloodstream of early-stage colon cancer (CRC) patients, the biological effects of the targeting of the most relevant up-regulated miRNAs with anti-miRNA peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) were verified. The down-regulation of these target miRNAs with PNAs is associated with apoptosis induction in CRC cellular models. Apoptosis induction, which is one of the most important anticancer mechanisms, reaches very high levels when anti-miRNAs PNAs are combined with other pro-apoptotic compounds such as sulforaphane. Abstract Liquid biopsy has dramatically changed cancer management in the last decade; however, despite the huge number of miRNA signatures available for diagnostic or prognostic purposes, it is still unclear if dysregulated miRNAs in the bloodstream could be used to develop miRNA-based therapeutic approaches. In one author’s previous work, nine miRNAs were found to be dysregulated in early-stage colon cancer (CRC) patients by NGS analysis followed by RT-dd-PCR validation. In the present study, the biological effects of the targeting of the most relevant dysregulated miRNAs with anti-miRNA peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) were verified, and their anticancer activity in terms of apoptosis induction was evaluated. Our data demonstrate that targeting bloodstream up-regulated miRNAs using anti-miRNA PNAs leads to the down-regulation of target miRNAs associated with inhibition of the activation of the pro-apoptotic pathway in CRC cellular models. Moreover, very high percentages of apoptotic cells were found when the anti-miRNA PNAs were associated with other pro-apoptotic agents, such as sulforaphane (SFN). The presented data sustain the idea that the targeting of miRNAs up-regulated in the bloodstream with a known role in tumor pathology might be a tool for the design of protocols for anti-tumor therapy based on miRNA-targeting molecules.
SLC3A2 and SLC7A2 Mediate the Exogenous Putrescine-Induced Adipocyte Differentiation

Exogenous polyamines are able to induce life span and improve glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. However, the effects of exogenous polyamines on adipocyte differentiation and which polyamine transporters mediate them have not been elucidated yet. Here, we identified for the first time that exogenous polyamines can clearly stimulate adipocyte differentiation through polyamine transporters, solute carrier family 3 member A2 (SLC3A2) and SLC7A1. Exogenous polyamines markedly promote 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation by increasing the intracellular lipid accumulation and the expression of both adipogenic and lipogenic genes in a concentration-dependent manner. In particular, exogenous putrescine mainly regulates adipocyte differentiation in the early and intermediate stages. Moreover, we have assessed the expression of polyamine transporter genes in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes. Interestingly, the putrescine-induced adipocyte differentiation was found to be significantly suppressed in response to a treatment with a polyamine transporter inhibitor (AMXT-1501). Furthermore, knockdown experiments using siRNA that specifically targeted SLC3A2 or SLC7A2, revealed that both SLC3A2 and SLC7A2 act as important transporters in the cellular importing of exogenous putrescine. Thus, the exogenous putrescine entering the adipocytes via cellular transporters is involved in adipogenesis through a modulation of both the mitotic clonal expansion and the expression of master transcription factors. Taken together, these results suggest that exogenous polyamines (such as putrescine) entering the adipocytes through polyamine transporters, can stimulate adipogenesis.
Quantum vector fields in the background of a (1 + 1)-dimensional black hole

We apply the Stueckelberg formalism to describe massive and massless quantum vector fields propagating in the static metric of a (1+1) black hole. We find exact solutions of the field equations and compute the expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor. In the massless case, the renormalized stress-energy tensor vanishes identically. In the massive one, it agrees with the results obtained for scalar and Dirac fields in the region near the event horizon, yielding a temperature of M/2 pi for the black hole.
Percolation of interdependent networks with degree-correlated inter-connections

In interdependent networks, failures of nodes in one constituent network lead nodes in another network to fail. This happens recursively and leads to a cascade of failures. It is known that the interdependent networks with random inter-connections have weaker robustness than the individual networks. However, if the interdependent networks have degree correlations between the networks constructing them as in the actual cases, the robustness of the interdependent networks may be changed. In this paper, we perform numerical simulations on interdependent networks and obtain the giant cluster sizes after the cascade of failures in order to evaluate the robustness. We show that when a interdependent network has a positive degree inter-correlation, it has the stronger robustness than that for the networks with no degree correlation. We show not only the numerical simulation results but theoretical ones for the robustness of the interdependent networks.