Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Obesity on the Inflammatory, Cardiovascular, and Neurobiological Responses to Exercise in Older Adults

Simple Summary Our growing aging population and increased prevalence of obesity have become an emerging health problem as these conditions lead to the development of related diseases. Specifically, obesity and aging are associated with cardiovascular disease and a decline in cognitive function underlying the inflammatory mechanisms. However, the literature regarding how both interact and impact these complex physiological processes across the lifespan remains to be elucidated. As such, this review discusses how obesity in aging adults mediates inflammatory, cardiovascular, and neurobiological effects of exercise in this population. Abstract Obesity with advancing age leads to increased health complications that are involved in various complex physiological processes. For example, inflammation is a critical cardiovascular disease risk factor that plays a role in the stages of atherosclerosis in both aging and obesity. Obesity can also induce profound changes to the neural circuitry that regulates food intake and energy homeostasis with advancing age. Here we discuss how obesity in older adults impacts inflammatory, cardiovascular, and neurobiological functions with an emphasis on how exercise mediates each topic. Although obesity is a reversible disorder through lifestyle changes, it is important to note that early interventions are crucial to prevent pathological changes seen in the aging obese population. Lifestyle modifications such as physical activity (including aerobic and resistance training) should be considered as a main intervention to minimize the synergistic effect of obesity on age-related conditions, such as cerebrovascular disease.
Development of a Multiplex Quantitative PCR for Detecting Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus, and Porcine Deltacoronavirus Simultaneously in China

Simple Summary For centuries, diarrhea disease has caused massive economic losses to the pig industry globally. Among RNA viruses causing pig diseases with the symptom of diarrhea include porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), which all belong to the category of swine enteric coronaviruses and can result similar clinical symptoms in pigs, such as diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and so on. As a consequence, it is therefore necessary to develop a method that can detect and differentiate all three porcine enteric coronaviruses (PEDV, TGEV, and PDCoV) with a high sensitivity and specificity. In our study, we developed a multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. We collected 462 samples of feces or small intestine from Jiangsu, Shandong, Hubei, Guangdong and Hunan provinces, following which the samples were detected for the evaluation of the application of the multiplex qPCR. The results indicated that the discrete positive rates of PEDV, TGEV, and PDCoV were 19.70%, 0.87%, and 10.17%, respectively. The mixed infection rates of PEDV/TGEV, PEDV/PDCoV, TGEV/PDCoV, and PEDV/TGEV/PDCoV were 3.25%, 23.16%, 0.22%, and 11.90%, respectively. The multiplex qPCR, a tool for differential and rapid diagnosing, can be put on the prevention and control of PEDV, TGEV, and PDCoV practically. Abstract Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) belong to the category of swine enteric coronavirus that cause acute diarrhea in piglets, which has resulted in massive losses to the pig husbandry. Therefore, a sensitive and rapid detection method which can differentially detect these viruses that lead to mixed infections in clinical cases, is urgently needed. According to the conserved regions of the PEDV M gene, TGEV S gene, and PDCoV N gene, and the reference gene of porcine (β-Actin), we designed new specific primers and probes for the multiplex qPCR assay capable of simultaneously detecting three RNA viruses. This method, with a great specificity, did not cross-react with the common porcine virus. Moreover, the limit of detection of the method we developed could reach 10 copies/μL ,and the intra- and inter-group coefficients of variation of it below 3%. Applying this assay to detect 462 clinical samples which were collected in 2022–2023, indicated that the discrete positive rates of PEDV, TGEV, and PDCoV were 19.70%, 0.87%, and 10.17%, respectively. The mixed infection rates of PEDV/TGEV, PEDV/PDCoV, TGEV/PDCoV, and PEDV/TGEV/PDCoV were 3.25%, 23.16%, 0.22%, and 11.90%, respectively. All in all, the multiplex qPCR assay we developed as a tool for differential and rapid diagnosing can be put on the active prevention and control of PEDV, TGEV, and PDCoV, , which can create great value in the diagnosis of swine diarrhea diseases.
Genotypic Determination of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases and Carbapenemase Production in Clinical Isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Southwest Nigeria

Introduction: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major pathogen implicated in healthcare-associated infections. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae isolates are a public health concern. This study investigated the existence of some ESBL and carbapenemase genes among clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae in Southwest Nigeria and additionally determined their circulating clones. Materials and Methods: Various clinical samples from 420 patients from seven tertiary hospitals within Southwestern Nigeria were processed between February 2018 and July 2019. These samples were cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar, and the isolated bacteria were identified by Microbact GNB 12E. All K. pneumoniae were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the 16s rRNA gene. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) was done on these isolates, and the PCR was used to evaluate the common ESBL-encoding genes and carbapenem resistance genes. Genotyping was performed using multi-locus sequencing typing (MLST). Results: The overall prevalence of K. pneumoniae in Southwestern Nigeria was 30.5%. The AST revealed high resistance rates to tetracyclines (67.2%), oxacillin (61.7%), ampicillin (60.2%), ciprofloxacin (58.6%), chloramphenicol (56.3%), and lowest resistance to meropenem (43.0%). All isolates were susceptible to polymyxin B. The most prevalent ESBL gene was the TEM gene (47.7%), followed by CTX-M (43.8%), SHV (39.8%), OXA (27.3%), CTX-M-15 (19.5%), CTX-M-2 (11.1%), and CTX-M-9 (10.9%). Among the carbapenemase genes studied, the VIM gene (43.0%) was most detected, followed by OXA-48 (28.9%), IMP (22.7%), NDM (17.2%), KPC (13.3%), CMY (11.7%), and FOX (9.4%). GIM and SPM genes were not detected. MLST identified six different sequence types (STs) in this study. The most dominant ST was ST307 (50%, 5/10), while ST258, ST11, ST147, ST15, and ST321 had (10%, 1/10) each. Conclusion: High antimicrobial resistance in K. pneumoniae is a clear and present danger for managing infections in Nigeria. Additionally, the dominance of a successful international ST307 clone highlights the importance of ensuring that genomic surveillance remains a priority in the hospital environment in Nigeria.
EXPERJMENTS ON THE RECONSTRUCTION OF HISTORICAL ONTHLY MEAN NORTHERN HEMISPHERIC 500HPA HEIGHTS FROM SURFACE DATA

The atmospheric circulation in 500hPa heights is related significantly to the surface climatic elements. This paper demonstrates an objective method of computing historical monthly mean 500hPa height anomalies of Northern Hemisphere using observed sea level pressure and surface temperature data. The authors applied a forward stepwise program to derive linear multiple regression equations. The 500hPa heights of winter and summer are reconstructed for the periods of 1873 to 1957.The results of reconstruction are compared to the independent data. It seems feasible to reconstruct the monthly 500hPa heights back to 1873 for all 12 months.
Polyolefin Recyclates for Rigid Packaging Applications: The Influence of Input Stream Composition on Recyclate Quality

In order to shift to a circular plastics economy, high quality recyclates are required to effectively substitute virgin materials. Current approaches to empirically quantify the substitutability for recyclates are mainly limited by the abundance of virgin material grades along with a lack of adequate application-specific property profiles. In contrast, this work aims for a holistic analysis of the substitution potential of polyolefin recyclates intended for rigid packaging applications. This approach is fundamentally based on the classification of virgin polyolefins into different application-specific sub-groups with defined property windows derived from supplier data sheets, which allows for a generalization within one polymer type without neglecting the various available material grades. Moreover, the findings should provide valuable information for improvements of quality-defining process steps along the value chain of mechanical recycling. Therefore, it is of great importance to correlate the input stream composition of the investigated recyclates with the obtained qualities. The investigation of the substitution potential for selected recyclates clearly highlights the necessity of functional recycling for enhanced quality levels, which especially affects the sorting step in the recycling value chain. This work illustrates that a homogeneous waste stream directly correlates with a high substitution potential. Thus, the development of economically viable sorting strategies which take the functionality of plastic waste products into account must be targeted in future research. Furthermore, the development of detailed application-specific property windows in a joint effort with manufacturers should be pursued, as it allows for a meaningful empirical quantification of the substitutability for recyclates obtained from mechanical recycling.
Microbial Profiling of Amniotic Fluid, Umbilical Blood and Placenta of the Foaling Mare

Simple Summary Although previously the placenta was assumed to be sterile, with microbes only being present in association with pathology, recent studies have suggested that this assumption may not be correct. Some researchers argue for the presence of a microbial community in the placenta, which is important to help the foal to adapt to life outside the uterus. Therefore, we examined the placenta, amniotic fluid and umbilical blood of 24 foaling mares, as well as jugular blood from the foals. All of the mares and foals were healthy, and foaling was normal. Some bacterial growth was isolated in most of the umbilical blood samples. Bacterial DNA was extracted and sequenced from placental samples. The most abundant phyla were Proteobacteria (approximately 44%) and Actinobacteria (approximately 28%). In conclusion, bacteria were found in the fetal compartments and placenta of healthy equine pregnancies, perhaps lending support to the theory that the placenta has its own bacterial community. Abstract The presence of a microbiome/microbiota in the placenta is hotly debated. In previous studies, the presence of bacteria in equine amniotic fluid and umbilical blood was independent of foal health. The objective of the present study was to determine if the same bacteria are present in the equine placenta as in amniotic fluid and umbilical blood. Samples were obtained from 24 parturient mares and foals. Placental bacterial DNA was extracted, and the microbiome was identified using 16S rRNA sequencing. All amniotic fluid samples contained some polymorphonucleocytes; bacteria were isolated from four samples. Aerobic or anaerobic growth was found in 18 and 3 umbilical blood samples, respectively. Serum amyloid A was <5 mg/L in all 24 samples, total WBC varied between 2900 and 10,700/µL, and fibrinogen varied between 0 and 5.16 g/L. In jugular blood, serum amyloid A was <5 mg/L in all 24 foals, total white blood count was 3200 to 8100/µL, and fibrinogen was 0.44 to 4.42 g/L. The diversity of bacterial microbiota was similar in all placental regions at the phylum level but differed at the genus level; the most abundant phyla were Proteobacteria (42–46.26%) and Actinobacteria (26.91–29.96%). In conclusion, bacteria were found in the fetal compartments and placenta of healthy equine pregnancies; however, we can neither prove nor disprove the hypothesis that the placenta has its own microbiome.
Children’s Stress in the Time of COVID-19: Relationships with School, Social and Recreational Experiences

Introduction: In response to the public health threats during the pandemic, many schools shifted to online instructional delivery, and many children experienced changes to their social and recreational activities. While an emerging body of literature is documenting these changes or how these experiences may be related to parents’ and children’s functioning, no known study has examined all of these constructs. We investigated the degree to which schooling, social, and recreational experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the stress levels of school-age children. Further, recognizing the interconnectedness of parents’ and children’s lives, we examined whether parental stress mediated the relations between children’s experiences and child stress. Method: Parents of school-age children (N = 701) completed an online questionnaire with items focused on school modality (i.e., fully online or not), sufficiency of school resources, change in relationships, change in social/recreational activities, parental stress, and child stress. Results: The findings indicated that fully online school was not associated with child stress. Lower sufficiency of school resources, greater change in relationships, and greater change in social/recreational activities predicted higher child stress. Parental stress fully or partially mediated these relations. Discussion: Implications for educators are provided.
Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber Based on Ni–Mn–Sn Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Alloy Films

Terahertz absorbers have been extensively investigated by researchers due to their applications in thermophotovoltaic energy conversion and sensors, but a key factor limiting their development is the lack of vital and versatile materials. Ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs) offer a novel remedy for tunable metamaterials due to their brilliant recovery of deformation, remote control, and transient response. In this study, we propose a tunable absorber based on magnetic field tuning, consisting of Ni–Mn–Sn ferro-magnetic shape memory alloy films in fractal geometry and optically excited Si plates. Numerical analysis shows that the proposed absorber has an absorbance bandwidth of 1.129 THz above 90% between 1.950 THz and 3.079 THz. The absorber geometry can be regulated by an external magnetic field, allowing dynamic switching between broadband and narrowband absorption modes, the latter showing an ultra-narrow bandwidth and a high-quality factor Q of ~25.8. The proposed terahertz absorber has several advantages over current state-of-the-art bifunctional absorbers, including its ultra-thin structure of 10.39 μm and an additional switching function. The absorption can be continuously tuned from 90% to 5% when the light-excited silicon plate is transferred from the insulator state to the metal state. This study presents a promising alternative strategy for developing actively regulated and versatile terahertz-integrated devices.
Diversity and Dynamics of Bacterial Communities in the Digestive and Excretory Systems across the Life Cycle of Leafhopper, Recilia dorsalis

Simple Summary Recilia dorsalis is a destructive insect pest in rice-producing regions of Asia. It causes enormous damage to rice crops by directly feeding on phloem-sap or transmitting various viral diseases. Like other insects, R. dorsalis harbors numerous symbiotic microorganisms that play important roles in host nutrition, adaptation, and stress resistance. To understand the interactions between microorganisms and their host insects, we analyzed the bacterial community structure and dynamics of the digestive and excretory systems of R. dorsalis at different developmental stages using high-throughput sequencing. We investigated the initial source of microorganisms in R. dorsalis and compared the bacterial community structure and abundance of each tissue at different developmental stages. In addition, we conducted an analysis of the core bacterial community of R. dorsalis and predicted its function. Our findings enhance our comprehension of the interactions between insects and symbiotic microorganisms, which may facilitate the establishment of novel biological control techniques against R. dorsalis. Abstract Recilia dorsalis is a notorious rice pest that harbors numerous symbiotic microorganisms. However, the structure and dynamics of bacterial communities in various tissues of R. dorsalis throughout its life cycle remain unclear. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze the bacterial communities in the digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems of R. dorsalis at different developmental stages. The results showed that the initial microbiota in R. dorsalis mostly originated from vertical transmission via the ovaries. After the second-instar nymphs, the diversity of bacterial communities in the salivary gland and Malpighian tubules gradually decreased, while the midgut remained stable. Principal coordinate analysis revealed that the structure of bacterial communities in R. dorsalis was primarily influenced by the developmental stage, with minimal variation in bacterial species among different tissues but significant variation in bacterial abundance. Tistrella was the most abundant bacterial genus in most developmental stages, followed by Pantoea. The core bacterial community in R. dorsalis continuously enriched throughout development and contributed primarily to food digestion and nutrient supply. Overall, our study enriches our knowledge of the bacterial community associated with R. dorsalis and provides clues for developing potential biological control technologies against this rice pest.
Symbiotic Variations among Wheat Genotypes and Detection of Quantitative Trait Loci for Molecular Interaction with Auxin-Producing Azospirillum PGPR

Crop varieties differ in their ability to interact with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), but the genetic basis for these differences is unknown. This issue was addressed with the PGPR Azospirillum baldaniorum Sp245, using 187 wheat accessions. We screened the accessions based on the seedling colonization by the PGPR and the expression of the phenylpyruvate decarboxylase gene ppdC (for synthesis of the auxin indole-3-acetic acid), using gusA fusions. Then, the effects of the PGPR on the selected accessions stimulating Sp245 (or not) were compared in soil under stress. Finally, a genome-wide association approach was implemented to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with PGPR interaction. Overall, the ancient genotypes were more effective than the modern genotypes for Azospirillum root colonization and ppdC expression. In non-sterile soil, A. baldaniorum Sp245 improved wheat performance for three of the four PGPR-stimulating genotypes and none of the four non-PGPR-stimulating genotypes. The genome-wide association did not identify any region for root colonization but revealed 22 regions spread on 11 wheat chromosomes for ppdC expression and/or ppdC induction rate. This is the first QTL study focusing on molecular interaction with PGPR bacteria. The molecular markers identified provide the possibility to improve the capacity of modern wheat genotypes to interact with Sp245, as well as, potentially, other Azospirillum strains.
Temperature-Dependent Optical Properties of Bismuth Triborate Crystal in the Terahertz Range: Simulation of Terahertz Generation by Collinear Three-Wave Mixing in the Main Crystal Planes

Terahertz (THz) frequency generation via nonlinear optical techniques is of particular interest due to the immense potential of this type of radiation in various scientific fields, ranging from medicine to telecommunications. Selecting suitable nonlinear media for laser frequency down-conversion presents a challenging task. Considering an approach that uses nonlinear crystals with high radiation resistance, pumped by intense laser pulses near their damage threshold, we suggest the crystal of bismuth triborate (BiB3O6, BIBO). Compared to other borate-class crystals, BIBO exhibits relatively high coefficients of quadratic susceptibility. In this paper, we have studied the optical properties of BIBO samples in a wide spectral range from 0.1 to 2.1 THz at temperatures of 473, 383, 295, and 77 K using Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS). Furthermore, we simulated collinear three-wave interactions with nonzero efficiency for difference frequency generation (DFG) in the THz range. For the pump wavelengths of about 800 nm, we determined phase-matching (PM) conditions and compared the generation efficiency for different crystal cuts. The potential of utilizing BIBO crystal for terahertz frequency generation is discussed.
Pro-Gastrin-Releasing Peptide as a Biomarker in Lung Neuroendocrine Neoplasm

Simple Summary The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) and chromogranin A (CgA) in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the lung (LNENs), (290 cases) and compared these results with controls (54 cases). The median ProGRP levels in LNEN patients were higher compared to controls (136.4 pg/mL vs. 6.5 pg/mL). The majority of the LNEN was well-differentiated tumors (262) (typical and atypical carcinoid). Based on the results ( sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve) of ProGRP in LNENs vs. controls, we can conclude that ProGRP should be considered as an effective marker for the diagnosis of LNEN patients. Abstract There is a lack of effective biomarkers for diagnosing lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (LNENs). A known small cell lung cancer (SCLC) biomarker is a pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP), but not for all LNENs, especially for bronchopulmonary carcinoids. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of ProGRP and chromogranin A (CgA) in diagnosing LNENs. The ProGRP and CgA levels in 290 cases of LNENs and 54 healthy controls (HCs) were measured. The median ProGRP concentration in the group of LNEN patients was 136.4 pg/mL, higher than that of HCs at 6.5 pg/mL. Most of the LNEN cohort was well-differentiated tumors (typical and atypical carcinoids, n = 262, 91.7% of all LNENs). The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of ProGRP when distinguishing LNENs vs. HCs were 94.8%, 100%, and 0.995. CgA (AUC = 0.375) could not determine LNENs vs. HCs. Therefore, based on these results, ProGRP may be considered as an effective marker for diagnosing LNENs.