Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tn6188 - A Novel Transposon in Listeria monocytogenes Responsible for Tolerance to Benzalkonium Chloride

Controlling the food-borne pathogen Listeria (L.) monocytogenes is of great importance from a food safety perspective, and thus for human health. The consequences of failures in this regard have been exemplified by recent large listeriosis outbreaks in the USA and Europe. It is thus particularly notable that tolerance to quaternary ammonium compounds such as benzalkonium chloride (BC) has been observed in many L. monocytogenes strains. However, the molecular determinants and mechanisms of BC tolerance of L. monocytogenes are still largely unknown. Here we describe Tn6188, a novel transposon in L. monocytogenes conferring tolerance to BC. Tn6188 is related to Tn554 from Staphylococcus (S.) aureus and other Tn554-like transposons such as Tn558, Tn559 and Tn5406 found in various Firmicutes. Tn6188 comprises 5117 bp, is integrated chromosomally within the radC gene and consists of three transposase genes (tnpABC) as well as genes encoding a putative transcriptional regulator and QacH, a small multidrug resistance protein family (SMR) transporter putatively associated with export of BC that shows high amino acid identity to Smr/QacC from S. aureus and to EmrE from Escherichia coli. We screened 91 L. monocytogenes strains for the presence of Tn6188 by PCR and found Tn6188 in 10 of the analyzed strains. These isolates were from food and food processing environments and predominantly from serovar 1/2a. L. monocytogenes strains harboring Tn6188 had significantly higher BC minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) (28.5 ± 4.7 mg/l) than strains without Tn6188 (14 ± 3.2 mg/l). Using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR we could show a significant increase in qacH expression in the presence of BC. QacH deletion mutants were generated in two L. monocytogenes strains and growth analysis revealed that ΔqacH strains had lower BC MICs than wildtype strains. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that Tn6188 is responsible for BC tolerance in various L. monocytogenes strains.
Color modification of black locust depending on the steaming parameters

In this study wet and dried black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) wood samples were steamed under laboratory conditions to determine the parameters for proper color changes. Th e color change was evaluated by objective color measurement and color data were presented in CIE L*a*b* color co-ordinate system. Th rough the change of steaming parameters (steaming time and temperature), a large diversity of colors for black locust wood can be created from greenish yellow to dark brown. Th is change is highly sensitive to the temperature and duration of the treatment. If a specifi c color is desired, the proper process parameters have to be set and monitored carefully. Th e color change of dried wood material is slower at the beginning of the steaming than that of wet wood at low temperature. Th e color change of dry and wet black locust samples are similar above 95°C, therefore the steaming of dried black locust wood is recommended above this temperature value. Experiments refute that the robinetin plays the main roll in the creation of brown color during steaming.
Loss of dendritic connectivity in southern California's urban riverscape facilitates decline of an endemic freshwater fish

Life history adaptations and spatial configuration of metapopulation networks allow certain species to persist in extreme fluctuating environments, yet long‐term stability within these systems relies on the maintenance of linkage habitat. Degradation of such linkages in urban riverscapes can disrupt this dynamic in aquatic species, leading to increased extinction debt in local populations experiencing environment‐related demographic flux. We used microsatellites and mtDNA to examine the effects of collapsed network structure in the endemic Santa Ana sucker Catostomus santaanae of southern California, a threatened species affected by natural flood–drought cycles, “boom‐and‐bust” demography, hybridization and presumed artificial transplantation. Our results show a predominance of drift‐mediated processes in shaping population structure and that reverse mechanisms for counterbalancing the genetic effects of these phenomena have dissipated with the collapse of dendritic connectivity. We use approximate Bayesian models to support two cases of artificial transplantation and provide evidence that one of the invaded systems better represents the historic processes that maintained genetic variation within watersheds than any remaining drainages where C. santaanae is considered native. We further show that a stable dry gap in the northern range is preventing genetic dilution of pure C. santaanae persisting upstream of a hybrid assemblage involving a non‐native sucker and that local accumulation of genetic variation in the same drainage is influenced by position within the network. This work has important implications for declining species that have historically relied on dendritic metapopulation networks to maintain source–sink dynamics in phasic environments, but no longer possess this capacity in urban‐converted landscapes.
Clay-based Polymer Nano-composites (CPN)

As is well established in these reviews, CPN research is a complex subject that is both timely and developing rapidly. While the term “polymer-clay nanocomposite” is more conventional in the literature, the term CPN is employed in this volume in order to stress the importance of the clay science. The number of publications on CPN has increased exponentially since the first Toyota report and patent for clay mineral nylon-6 nanocomposites, although surprisingly their commercial applications are comparatively rare. This may be partly because a broad description of the processing-morphology/structure properties complex relationship is still lacking. The variations of layered filler, organic modifier, polymer matrix, processing parameters and characterization methods, leave endless combinations for study. In the voluminous published literature, one often finds contradictory materials behavior. It is becoming apparent that morphological effects are absolutely crucial to properties, but this is a parameter that is difficult to quantify experimentally.
The effect of curcumin on bladder tumor in rat model.

OBJECTIVE Bladder cancer is the most commonly malignant tumor in the urogenital tract, only next to prostate cancer with a higher incidence in China. Curcumin is the major component of curcuma longa and has multiple biological effects including anti-tumor. This study aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin on bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS SPF-grade Wistar rats were used for establishing bladder cancer model through injection of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). Rats were then randomly divided into experimental, model and control group. 160 μmol/L curcumin were applied in the experimental group while model group received an equal volume of saline. General condition, morphology changes and cell cycle of bladder cancer cells were examined. Meanwhile, apoptotic proteins including Bcl-2, Bax and surviving were also measured by Western blot. RESULTS Model rats displayed fever, hematuria, decreased food and water intake, dispersed fur, lower body mass and decreased activity. Under microscopy, the bladder wall was thickened with the cauliflower-like lesion, in which significant necrotic and hemorrhagic lesions were found. Experimental group rats improved general condition without decrease of body mass. The only minor lesion was found without significant necrosis or hemorrhage without invasion into the muscular layer. The number of G1 phase cells was increased while S phase cell number was decreased after drug intervention, suggesting suppression of G1/S transition (p < 0.05). In curcumin-treated rats, the expression of Bcl-2 and Survivin were significantly decreased while Bax protein expression was significantly elevated (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Curcumin can inhibit the growth and invasion of rat bladder cancer cells, possibly through the arresting of G1/S transition and subsequently increased apoptosis.
Semantic principal video shot classification via mixture Gaussian

As digital cameras become more affordable, digital video now plays an important role in medical education and healthcare. In this paper, we propose a novel framework to facilitate semantic classification of surgery education videos. Specifically, the framework includes: (a) semantic-sensitive video content characterization via principal video shots, (b) semantic video classification via a mixture Gaussian model to bridge the semantic gap between low-level visual features and semantic visual concepts in a specific surgery education video domain.
Finding Heavily-Weighted Features in Data Streams

We introduce a new sub-linear space data structure---the Weight-Median Sketch---that captures the most heavily weighted features in linear classifiers trained over data streams. This enables memory-limited execution of several statistical analyses over streams, including online feature selection, streaming data explanation, relative deltoid detection, and streaming estimation of pointwise mutual information. In contrast with related sketches that capture the most commonly occurring features (or items) in a data stream, the Weight-Median Sketch captures the features that are most discriminative of one stream (or class) compared to another. The Weight-Median sketch adopts the core data structure used in the Count-Sketch, but, instead of sketching counts, it captures sketched gradient updates to the model parameters. We provide a theoretical analysis of this approach that establishes recovery guarantees in the online learning setting, and demonstrate substantial empirical improvements in accuracy-memory trade-offs over alternatives, including count-based sketches and feature hashing.
Innovative Concept Modelling of sandwich beam-like structures

Sandwich structures are widely used in many technical applications, because their composition combines high rigidity and strength with a good energy absorption, keeping low weights. Their static and dynamic behaviour can be studied by performing series of experimental tests, which, however, are expensive and require much setting and execution times. For this reason, it is common to use Finite Element (FE) simulation models, achieving good static and dynamic accuracy. However, difficulties in defining and modifying a complex model led to the development of simplified models, such as 3D equivalent models. These homogeneous models are based on specific laws and have geometric and stiffness characteristics equivalent to those of complex models. Many efforts have been spent to obtain models resembling the characteristics of honeycomb structures. These models have reached accurate static prediction performance, but obtaining a good accuracy for dynamic loads is still a challenge. Concept modelling approaches proved very useful for defining equivalent reduced models, able to reduce computational resources as well as the time needed for model modifications. In this paper, a dynamic FE-based method is used to obtain a concept model of honeycomb sandwich beams, that can reproduce accurately their static and dynamic behaviours. The method consists of two steps. First, a detailed FE model of one honeycomb beam-structure is developed and validated against experimental data obtained from literature. Its natural frequencies are estimated by means of a modal analysis in free-free conditions. Then, the analytical modal model of the beam is used to derive cross-sectional stiffness properties of the equivalent 1D concept beam from the frequencies estimated by analysing the original 3D model. The analysis of a sandwich beam with a honeycomb aluminium core is presented as an application case to assess the accuracy of the proposed method. Giovanni De Gaetano, Francesco I. Cosco, Carlos Garre, Carmine Maletta, Stijn Donders, Domenico Mundo 2
Mutations in the UQCC1-Interacting Protein, UQCC2, Cause Human Complex III Deficiency Associated with Perturbed Cytochrome b Protein Expression

Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is responsible for generating the majority of cellular ATP. Complex III (ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase) is the third of five OXPHOS complexes. Complex III assembly relies on the coordinated expression of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes, with 10 subunits encoded by nuclear DNA and one by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Complex III deficiency is a debilitating and often fatal disorder that can arise from mutations in complex III subunit genes or one of three known complex III assembly factors. The molecular cause for complex III deficiency in about half of cases, however, is unknown and there are likely many complex III assembly factors yet to be identified. Here, we used Massively Parallel Sequencing to identify a homozygous splicing mutation in the gene encoding Ubiquinol-Cytochrome c Reductase Complex Assembly Factor 2 (UQCC2) in a consanguineous Lebanese patient displaying complex III deficiency, severe intrauterine growth retardation, neonatal lactic acidosis and renal tubular dysfunction. We prove causality of the mutation via lentiviral correction studies in patient fibroblasts. Sequence-profile based orthology prediction shows UQCC2 is an ortholog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae complex III assembly factor, Cbp6p, although its sequence has diverged substantially. Co-purification studies show that UQCC2 interacts with UQCC1, the predicted ortholog of the Cbp6p binding partner, Cbp3p. Fibroblasts from the patient with UQCC2 mutations have deficiency of UQCC1, while UQCC1-depleted cells have reduced levels of UQCC2 and complex III. We show that UQCC1 binds the newly synthesized mtDNA-encoded cytochrome b subunit of complex III and that UQCC2 patient fibroblasts have specific defects in the synthesis or stability of cytochrome b. This work reveals a new cause for complex III deficiency that can assist future patient diagnosis, and provides insight into human complex III assembly by establishing that UQCC1 and UQCC2 are complex III assembly factors participating in cytochrome b biogenesis.
Pomegranate extract-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: design, optimization, and in vitro cytotoxicity study

Background Pomegranate extract (PE) is a natural product with potent antioxidant and anticancer activity because of its polyphenols content. The main purpose of this study was to maximize the PE chemotherapeutic efficacy by loading it in an optimized solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) formula. Materials and methods The influence of independent variables, which were lipid concentration (X1), surfactant concentration (X2) and cosurfactant concentration (X3), on dependent ones, which were particle size (Y1), polydispersity index (Y2), zeta potential (Y3), entrapment efficiency (Y4) and cumulative % drug release (Y5), were studied and optimized using the Box–Behnken design. Fifteen formulations of PE-SLNs were prepared using hot homogenization followed by ultra-sonication technique. Response surface plots, Pareto charts and mathematical equations were produced to study the impact of independent variables on the dependent quality parameters. The anti-proliferative activity of the optimized formula was then evaluated in three different cancer cell lines, namely, MCF-7, PC-3 and HepG-2, in addition to one normal cell line, HFB-4. Results The results demonstrated that the particle sizes ranged from 407.5 to 651.9 nm and the entrapment efficiencies ranged from 56.02 to 65.23%. Interestingly, the 50% inhibitory concentration of the optimized formula had more than a 40-fold improved effect on the cell growth inhibition in comparison with its free counterpart. Furthermore, it was more selective against cancer cells than normal cells particularly in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Conclusion These data proved that nanoencapsulation of PE enhanced its anticancer efficacy. Therefore, our results suggested that a PE-loaded SLNs optimized-formula could be a promising chemo therapeutic agent.
Knowledge Construction as Movement via Boundary Constructions and Dialogue

Knowledge construction is described across both verbal and non-verbal interactions between group members observed within an ethnographic case study. Two levels of movements are first observed: one involving the dialogical movement of perspectives between Self and Other, and a second involving non-verbal interactions as a dynamic entanglement of objects and subjects across a process coined as boundary constructions. Both levels are simultaneously involved within the process of knowing. A less visible movement is also present in the form of a dialectical interplay between knowledge possession and knowledge emergence. For such movement to occur social engagement by group participant is vital.
Thrombolysis: Improving door-to-needle times for ischemic stroke treatment – A narrative review

Background The effectiveness of thrombolysis is highly time dependent. For this reason, short target times have been set to reduce time to treatment from hospital arrival, which is called door-to-needle time. Summary of review There has been considerable work done at single centers and across multiple hospitals to improve door-to-needle time. There have been reductions of 8 to 47 min when applying one or more improvement strategies at single centers, and there have been many multi-hospital initiatives. The delays to treatment have been attributed to both patient and hospital factors, and strategies to address these delays have been proven to reduce door-to-needle time. The most effective strategies include pre-notification of arrival by Emergency Medical Services (EMS), single-call activation of stroke team, rapid registration process, moving the patient to computed tomography on EMS stretcher, and administration of alteplase in the scanner. There are many exciting areas of future direction including reduction of door-to-needle time in developing countries, improving pre-hospital response times, and improving the efficiency of endovascular treatment. Conclusions There is now a broad understanding of the causes of delays to fast treatment and the strategies that can be employed to improve door-to-needle time such that most centers could achieve median door-to-needle time of 30 min.
Investigation the Effect of Polyaniline Modification of Carbon Nanotubes/Nickel Foam Based Electrodes Using in Supercapacitors

supercapacitiveperformances of carbon nanotube (CNT) based electrodes, before and afterelectrochemical deposition of polyaniline (PANI) were compared. The PANImodified CNT/Nickel foam based electrodes were compared with the bare carbonnanotubes/Ni foam based electrodes. The modified electrode prepared by coatingCNT based electrodes which were directly grown on a Ni-foam framework by aChemical Vapor deposition (CVD) technique. The PANI modified electrode exhibitsbetter capacitive performance and lower internal resistance than the bareCNT/Ni foam electrode. The specific capacitance of this CNT/PANI based electrodeis 70 F/g which is 37 percent higher than the value of the CNT/Nifoam electrode before deposition of PANI. This work proposes that modificationCNTs with PANI is a simple, effective and economical approach for preparing asuitable supercapacitor electrode which possess enhanced capacitance and rateperformance.
Reorganization of sensorimotor gating after peripheral facial palsy starts at brainstem*

ABSTRACT Background and objective We aimed to analyze the alterations in sensorimotor gating at brainstem after peripheral facial palsy (PFP). To examine sensorimotor gating, we used prepulse modulation (PPM) of blink reflex (BR). We also recorded BR recovery to identify excitability changes in the facial nucleus. Patients and method We included 33 patients and 39 recordings. Control group was composed of 16 healthy subjects. Simultaneous bilateral baseline BR, BR recovery at ISI of 300-ms and BR-PPM at ISI of 100-ms recordings were performed after stimulation of trigeminal nerve on right sides of healthy subjects and on both sides of patients. Severity of PFP and time lapse from the onset was noted. Results Mean R1 amplitude was increased, whereas mean R2 and R2c magnitude were reduced in all groups after prepulse stimulation. However, multivariate ANOVA showed significance at group level (patients and healthy subjects), at prepulse level (no prepulse and 100-ms prepulse) and group and prepulse level. Suppression of R2 or R2c was lower on both sides of patients compared to healthy subjects and the deficit first started on the symptomatic side. Conclusion Suppression of R2 and R2c after prepulse stimulation is reduced in PFP suggesting decreased filtering of facial sensory input at brainstem level. Trigeminal sensitization at brainstem develops early after PFP.
Transforming Cultural Competence into Cross‐cultural Efficacy in Women's Health Education

To prepare students to be effective practitioners in an increasingly diverse United States, medical educators must design cross-cultural curricula, including curricula in women's health. One goal of such education is cultural competence, defined as a set of skills that allow individuals to increase their understanding of cultural differences and similarities within, among, and between groups. In the context of addressing health care needs, including those of women, the author states that it is valid to define cultural groups as those whose members receive different and usually inadequate health care compared with that received by members of the majority culture. The author proposes, however, that cross-cultural efficacy is preferable to cultural competency as a goal of cross-cultural education because it implies that the caregiver is effective in interactions that involve individuals of different cultures and that neither the caregiver's nor the patient's culture offers the preferred view. She then explains why cross-cultural education needs to expand the objectives of women's health education to go beyond the traditional ones, and emphasizes that learners should be trained in the real-world situations they will face when aiding a variety of women patients. There are several challenges involved in both cross-cultural education and women's health education (e.g., resistance to learning; fear of dealing openly with issues of discrimination; lack of teaching tools, knowledge, and time). There is also a need to assess the student's acquisition of cross-cultural efficacy at each milestone in medical education and women's health education. Components of such assessment (e.g., use of various evaluation strategies) and educational objectives and methods are outlined. The author closes with an overview of what must happen to effectively integrate cross-cultural efficacy teaching into the curriculum to produce physicians who can care effectively for all their patients, including their female patients.