Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Determination of Bioactive Constituents in Noni Juice by High-performance Liquid Chromatography with Electrospray Ionization Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

Background: Noni juice has been extensively used as folk medicine for the treatment of arthritis, infections, analgesic, colds, cancers, and diabetes by Polynesians for many years. Due to the lack of standard scientific evaluation methods, various kinds of commercial Noni juice with different quality and price were available on the market. Objective: To establish a sensitive, reliable, and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method for separation, identification, and simultaneous quantitative analysis of bioactive constituents in Noni juice. Materials and Methods: The analytes and eight batches of commercially available samples from different origins were separated and analyzed by the HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method on an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 (150 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm) column using a gradient elution of acetonitrile-methanol-0.05% glacial acetic acid in water (v/v) at a constant flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Results: Seven components were identification and all of the assay parameters were within the required limits. Components were within the correlation coefficient values (R2 ≥ 0.9993) at the concentration ranges tested. The precision of the assay method was <0.91% and the repeatability between 1.36% and 3.31%. The accuracy varied from 96.40% to 103.02% and the relative standard deviations of stability were <3.91%. Samples from the same origin showed similar content while different origins showed significant different result. Conclusions: The developed methods would provide a reliable basis and be useful in the establishment of a rational quality control standard of Noni juice. Abbreviations used: HPLC-ESI-MS/MS: High-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, LOD: Limit of detection, LOQ: Limit of quantitation, S/N: Signal-to-noise ratio, RSD: Relative standard deviations, DP: Declustering potential, CE: Collision energy, MRM: Multiple reaction monitoring, RT: Retention time.
Immune-Specific Expression and Estrogenic Regulation of the Four Estrogen Receptor Isoforms in Female Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Genomic actions of estrogens in vertebrates are exerted via two intracellular estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes, ERα and ERβ, which show cell- and tissue-specific expression profiles. Mammalian immune cells express ERs and are responsive to estrogens. More recently, evidence became available that ERs are also present in the immune organs and cells of teleost fish, suggesting that the immunomodulatory function of estrogens has been conserved throughout vertebrate evolution. For a better understanding of the sensitivity and the responsiveness of the fish immune system to estrogens, more insight is needed on the abundance of ERs in the fish immune system, the cellular ratios of the ER subtypes, and their autoregulation by estrogens. Consequently, the aims of the present study were (i) to determine the absolute mRNA copy numbers of the four ER isoforms in the immune organs and cells of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and to compare them to the hepatic ER numbers; (ii) to analyse the ER mRNA isoform ratios in the immune system; and, (iii) finally, to examine the alterations of immune ER mRNA expression levels in sexually immature trout exposed to 17β-estradiol (E2), as well as the alterations of immune ER mRNA expression levels in sexually mature trout during the reproductive cycle. All four ER isoforms were present in immune organs—head kidney, spleen-and immune cells from head kidney and blood of rainbow trout, but their mRNA levels were substantially lower than in the liver. The ER isoform ratios were tissue- and cell-specific, both within the immune system, but also between the immune system and the liver. Short-term administration of E2 to juvenile female trout altered the ER mRNA levels in the liver, but the ERs of the immune organs and cells were not responsive. Changes of ER gene transcript numbers in immune organs and cells occurred during the reproductive cycle of mature female trout, but the changes in the immune ER profiles differed from those in the liver and gonads. The correlation between ER gene transcript numbers and serum E2 concentrations was only moderate to low. In conclusion, the low mRNA numbers of nuclear ER in the trout immune system, together with their limited estrogen-responsiveness, suggest that the known estrogen actions on trout immunity may be not primarily mediated through genomic actions, but may involve other mechanisms, such as non-genomic pathways or indirect effects.
INFLUENCE OF CURING CONDITIONS ON THE FATIGUE STRENGTH AND CYCLIC CREEP OF COMPRESSIVE CONCRETE

The paper discusses influence of curing conditions (steam and normal curing) on the fatigue strength and cyclic creep of compressive concrete. The cyclic loading (up to four million cycles) was subjected to 46 plain concrete prisms and 13 prestressed concrete beams. The comparative regression analysis of the high-cycle fatigue strength of compressive concrete, in terms of maximum stress level versus the number of load cycles (S-N curve) have been performed. The statistical analysis has shown that curing conditions had no significant effect on the S-N curve. On the contrary, curing conditions have significantly influenced the cyclic creep of compressive concrete. On average, the steam cured prisms had from 30 up to 80% larger strains than the specimens cured under natural conditions.
Escherichia coli Mutants Lacking All Possible Combinations of Eight Penicillin Binding Proteins: Viability, Characteristics, and Implications for Peptidoglycan Synthesis

ABSTRACT The penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) synthesize and remodel peptidoglycan, the structural component of the bacterial cell wall. Much is known about the biochemistry of these proteins, but little is known about their biological roles. To better understand the contributions these proteins make to the physiology ofEscherichia coli, we constructed 192 mutants from which eight PBP genes were deleted in every possible combination. The genes encoding PBPs 1a, 1b, 4, 5, 6, and 7, AmpC, and AmpH were cloned, and from each gene an internal coding sequence was removed and replaced with a kanamycin resistance cassette flanked by two ressites from plasmid RP4. Deletion of individual genes was accomplished by transferring each interrupted gene onto the chromosome of E. coli via λ phage transduction and selecting for kanamycin-resistant recombinants. Afterwards, the kanamycin resistance cassette was removed from each mutant strain by supplying ParA resolvase in trans, yielding a strain in which a long segment of the original PBP gene was deleted and replaced by an 8-bpres site. These kanamycin-sensitive mutants were used as recipients in further rounds of replacement mutagenesis, resulting in a set of strains lacking from one to seven PBPs. In addition, thedacD gene was deleted from two septuple mutants, creating strains lacking eight genes. The only deletion combinations not produced were those lacking both PBPs 1a and 1b because such a combination is lethal. Surprisingly, all other deletion mutants were viable even though, at the extreme, 8 of the 12 known PBPs had been eliminated. Furthermore, when both PBPs 2 and 3 were inactivated by the β-lactams mecillinam and aztreonam, respectively, several mutants did not lyse but continued to grow as enlarged spheres, so that one mutant synthesized osmotically resistant peptidoglycan when only 2 of 12 PBPs (PBPs 1b and 1c) remained active. These results have important implications for current models of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, for understanding the evolution of the bacterial sacculus, and for interpreting results derived by mutating unknown open reading frames in genome projects. In addition, members of the set of PBP mutants will provide excellent starting points for answering fundamental questions about other aspects of cell wall metabolism.
The Passive Yet Successful Way of Planktonic Life: Genomic and Experimental Analysis of the Ecology of a Free-Living Polynucleobacter Population

Background The bacterial taxon Polynucleobacter necessarius subspecies asymbioticus represents a group of planktonic freshwater bacteria with cosmopolitan and ubiquitous distribution in standing freshwater habitats. These bacteria comprise <1% to 70% (on average about 20%) of total bacterioplankton cells in various freshwater habitats. The ubiquity of this taxon was recently explained by intra-taxon ecological diversification, i.e. specialization of lineages to specific environmental conditions; however, details on specific adaptations are not known. Here we investigated by means of genomic and experimental analyses the ecological adaptation of a persistent population dwelling in a small acidic pond. Findings The investigated population (F10 lineage) contributed on average 11% to total bacterioplankton in the pond during the vegetation periods (ice-free period, usually May to November). Only a low degree of genetic diversification of the population could be revealed. These bacteria are characterized by a small genome size (2.1 Mb), a relatively small number of genes involved in transduction of environmental signals, and the lack of motility and quorum sensing. Experiments indicated that these bacteria live as chemoorganotrophs by mainly utilizing low-molecular-weight substrates derived from photooxidation of humic substances. Conclusions Evolutionary genome streamlining resulted in a highly passive lifestyle so far only known among free-living bacteria from pelagic marine taxa dwelling in environmentally stable nutrient-poor off-shore systems. Surprisingly, such a lifestyle is also successful in a highly dynamic and nutrient-richer environment such as the water column of the investigated pond, which was undergoing complete mixis and pronounced stratification in diurnal cycles. Obviously, metabolic and ecological versatility is not a prerequisite for long-lasting establishment of abundant bacterial populations under highly dynamic environmental conditions. Caution should be exercised when generalizing the obtained insights into the ecology and adaptation of the investigated lineage to other Polynucleobacter lineages.
80/160-GHz Transceiver and 140-GHz Amplifier in SiGe Technology

A dual-band mm-wave imaging transceiver, transmitting and receiving simultaneously in the 80-GHz and 160-GHz bands, is fabricated in SiGe HBT technology. The circuit features an 80-GHz quadrature Colpitts oscillator with differential outputs at 160 GHz, a double-balanced Gilbert-cell mixer, and two broadband 70-270 GHz vertically stacked transformers for single-ended to differential conversion. The differential down-conversion gain is -20.5 dB for RF inputs between 70 GHz and 94 GHz and -23.5 dB for inputs in the 150-170 GHz band. The oscillator generates a total of +5.5 dBm at 80 GHz and -5 dBm differentially at 160 GHz. The transceiver with pads occupies 650 mum times 700 mum, is biased from 3.3 V, and consumes 280 mW. A 5-stage amplifier with 17 dB gain and -1 dBm output compression power at 140 GHz is also fabricated and characterized over temperature up to 125degC and over 14 different wafer splits. These results demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of SiGe BiCMOS technology for products in the 100-160 GHz range.
Corrosion Behavior of Ferrous Metals Exposed to the Yangtse River in Wuhan of China

By using field exposure tests,the corrosion behaviors of seven typical ferrous metals,mild steel/stainless steel couple and mild steel/copper couple were studied in the Yangtse River in Wuhan of China.HT200,QT500-7,Q235 and 16Mn had higher corrosion rate and more serious pitting in the Yangtse River in Wuhan.Corrosion resistance of QT500-7 was better than that of HT200.After exposure to the Yangtse River in Wuhan for 4 years,corrosion of 304 and 316L was not obvious,and pitting of 430 was not serious.Galvanic corrosion of Q235/304 couple and Q235/T2 couple in the Yangtse River in Wuhan was relatively serious.
Ruthenium counterstaining for imaging mass cytometry

Imaging mass cytometry is a novel imaging modality that enables simultaneous antibody‐based detection of >40 epitopes and molecules in tissue sections at subcellular resolution by the use of isotopically pure metal tags. Essential for any imaging approach in which antigen detection is performed is counterstaining, which reveals the overall structure of the tissue. Counterstaining is necessary because antigens of interest are often present in only a small subset of cells, and the rest of the tissue structures are not visible. As most biological tissues are nearly transparent or non‐fluorescent, chromogenic reagents such as haematoxylin (for immunohistochemistry) or fluorescent dyes such as 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (which stains nuclei for epifluorescence and confocal microscopy) are utilized. Here, we describe a metal‐based counterstain for imaging mass cytometry based on simple oxidation and subsequent covalent binding of the tissue components to ruthenium tetroxide (RuO4). RuO4 counterstaining reveals general tissue structure both in areas with high cell content and in stromal areas with low cellularity and fibrous or hyaline material in a manner analogous to haematoxylin in immunohistochemical counterstaining or eosin or other anionic dyes in conventional histology. Our new counterstain approach is applicable to any metal‐based imaging technique, and will facilitate the adaptation of imaging mass cytometry for routine applications in clinical and research laboratories. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vegetative reproduction by species with different adaptations to shallow‐flooded habitats

In shallow flooded parts of rich fens Mentha aquatica might thrive in deeper water than Epilobium hirsutum but previous experiments have provided no clear indication that the flooding tolerance of these species differs. In this study we investigated, by measuring growth, biomass allocation and vegetative reproduction, whether the impact of water level on vegetative reproduction might produce different lower boundaries on water level gradients. There was a striking contrast between biomass production at high water levels and the field distribution of both species. After 18 wk, the mean biomass of E. hirsutum grown in waterlogged and flooded conditions was 82% and 54%, respectively, of the mean biomass production of drained plants. Biomass of waterlogged and flooded M. aquatica was reduced to 57% and 37% in drained conditions. Waterlogged and flooded E. hirsutum had swollen stem bases and invested a high proportion of biomass in adventitious roots. Stems of M. aquatica did not swell, formed few adventitious roots and maintained an equal proportion of below-ground roots at all water levels. The effect of water level on vegetative reproduction corresponded well with the lower hydrological boundaries of both species. When waterlogged and flooded, most rhizomes of E. hirsutum emerged from above-ground parts of the stem base and were oriented in an upward direction. Plants in flooded soil allocated less biomass to rhizomes and also reduced the number and size of rhizomes. Rhizome formation of M. aquatica on the other hand was not directly affected by water level and only depended on plant size. These differences in vegetative reproduction are discussed in relation to the different abilities of both species to oxygenate their below-ground roots. It was concluded that the mode of adaptation to soil flooding might also affect vegetative reproduction and, therefore, a species' ability for long-term persistence in soil-flooded habitats.
Influence of Annealing Treatment on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Fe-Cu-Si-Al Amorphous Composites

In this study, the bulk amorphous alloys with 3mm in diameter were prepared at different voltages adopting copper mould suction casting method by adding microelement Al to Fe-Cu-Si based amorphous alloy respectively. The microstructures, glass-forming ability, mechanical compressive properties of (Fe0.34Cu0.47Si0.19)95Al5 amorphous composites annealed in different temperature were investigated. The results showed that re-melting of master alloy refined the solidified microstructure and homogenize the composition and microstructure. Moreover, the microstructure was stable with the increase of re-melting times. After relaxation and annealing at low temperature the majority of residual thermal stress was released during annealing at low temperature, with the enlargement of short-range order of amorphous microstructure and the decrease of the most adjacent inter-atomic distance. After proper annealing treatment the hardness and thermal stability of alloy were improved, indicating that the annealing treatment could improve the properties of amorphous alloy.
Adsorption-induced distortion of F16CuPc on Cu(111) and Ag(111): an X-ray standing wave

The adsorption geometry of perfluorinated copper-phthalocyanine molecules $({\mathrm{F}}_{16}\mathrm{CuPc})$ on Cu(111) and Ag(111) is studied using x-ray standing waves. A detailed, element-specific analysis taking into account nondipolar corrections to the photoelectron yield shows that on both surfaces the molecules adsorb in a lying down, but significantly distorted configuration. While on copper (silver) the central carbon rings reside 2.61 \AA{} (3.25 \AA{}) above the substrate, the outer fluorine atoms are located 0.27 \AA{} (0.20 \AA{}) further away from the surface. This nonplanar adsorption structure is discussed in terms of the outer carbon atoms in ${\mathrm{F}}_{16}\mathrm{CuPc}$ undergoing a partial rehybridization $(s{p}^{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}s{p}^{3}). $
Characterization of Odorant Receptors from a Non-ditrysian Moth, Eriocrania semipurpurella Sheds Light on the Origin of Sex Pheromone Receptors in Lepidoptera

Abstract Pheromone receptors (PRs) are essential in moths to detect sex pheromones for mate finding. However, it remains unknown from which ancestral proteins these specialized receptors arose. The oldest lineages of moths, so-called non-ditrysian moths, use short-chain pheromone components, secondary alcohols, or ketones, so called Type 0 pheromones that are similar to many common plant volatiles. It is, therefore, possible that receptors for these ancestral pheromones evolved from receptors detecting plant volatiles. Hence, we identified the odorant receptors (ORs) from a non-ditrysian moth, Eriocrania semipurpurella (Eriocraniidae, Lepidoptera), and performed functional characterization of ORs using HEK293 cells. We report the first receptors that respond to Type 0 pheromone compounds; EsemOR3 displayed highest sensitivity toward (2S, 6Z)-6-nonen-2-ol, whereas EsemOR5 was most sensitive to the behavioral antagonist (Z)-6-nonen-2-one. These receptors also respond to plant volatiles of similar chemical structures, but with lower sensitivity. Phylogenetically, EsemOR3 and EsemOR5 group with a plant volatile-responding receptor from the tortricid moth Epiphyas postvittana (EposOR3), which together reside outside the previously defined lepidopteran PR clade that contains the PRs from more derived lepidopteran families. In addition, one receptor (EsemOR1) that falls at the base of the lepidopteran PR clade, responded specifically to β-caryophyllene and not to any other additional plant or pheromone compounds. Our results suggest that PRs for Type 0 pheromones have evolved from ORs that detect structurally-related plant volatiles. They are unrelated to PRs detecting pheromones in more derived Lepidoptera, which, in turn, also independently may have evolved a novel function from ORs detecting plant volatiles.
Contemporaneous Social Environment and the Architecture of Late-Life Gene Expression Profiles

Environmental or social challenges can stimulate a cascade of coordinated physiological changes in stress response systems. Unfortunately, chronic activation of these adaptations under conditions such as low socioeconomic status (SES) can have negative consequences for long-term health. While there is substantial evidence tying low SES to increased disease risk and reduced life expectancy, the underlying biology remains poorly understood. Using pilot data on 120 older adults from the Health and Retirement Study (United States, 2002-2010), we examined the associations between SES and gene expression levels in adulthood, with particular focus on a gene expression program known as the conserved transcriptional response to adversity. We also used a bioinformatics-based approach to assess the activity of specific gene regulation pathways involved in inflammation, antiviral responses, and stress-related neuroendocrine signaling. We found that low SES was related to increased expression of conserved transcriptional response to adversity genes and distinct patterns of proinflammatory, antiviral, and stress signaling (e.g., sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) transcription factor activation.
Low expression of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein is associated with poor prognosis in ovarian cancer patients

Background Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) was initially identified as a key receptor interacting protein 3 downstream component of tumor-necrosis-factor-induced necrosis. In this study, we characterized the expression of MLKL in ovarian carcinomas and evaluated the prognostic value of MLKL in patients with ovarian cancer. Materials and methods The ovarian cancer tissue specimens were collected from 153 patients diagnosed as primary ovarian cancer after operation at The Second Xiangya Hospital from January 2005 to December 2008. Immunohistochemistry was performed for MLKL and the protein expression score was quantified using an established scoring system. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were generated for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients. MLKL expression levels were correlated with DFS and OS using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results Seventy-five patients (49%) were defined as having high MLKL expression and 67 patients (43.7%) had >80% of cells staining for MLKL. Remarkably, low MLKL expression was significantly associated with decreased DFS (median 40 months versus 25 months, P=0.0282) and OS (median 43 months versus 28 months, P=0.0032). In multivariate analysis, retained significance was also observed. Conclusion Low MLKL expression was significantly associated with both decreased DFS and OS in patients with primary ovarian cancer. MLKL expression may serve as a potential prognostic marker in patients with ovarian cancer.
A Short Review on In Vitro Bioactivity Behavior of Magnesium Composites

Research and development on the biomaterials are increasing due to the demand for materials that can bond to the living bones and by any chance can avoid second surgery procedure. Good bonding between bones and biomaterials or artificial implant can avoid loosening that due to the friction and wear. Currently, magnesium alloys are being actively researched because of their ability to serve as structural support in short term and can be absorbed in the body after healing process is completed. The addition of bioactive components such as hydroxyapatite and bioglass into magnesium is made to improve the bioactivity behavior of magnesium alloys. This paper summarizes the past and current studies of magnesium alloys in regards of in vitro bioactivity behavior, biomineralization and apatite formation mechanism.