Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance of Exoelectrogenic Bacteria Used in Microbial Desalination Cell Technology

The tri-functional purpose of Microbial Desalination Cell (MDC) has shown a great promise in our current scarcity of water, an increase in water pollution and the high cost of electricity production. As a biological system, the baseline force that drives its performance is the presence of exoelectrogens in the anode chamber. Their presence in the anodic chamber of MDC systems enables the treatment of water, desalination of seawater, and the production of electrical energy. This study reviews the characteristics of exoelectrogens, as a driving force in MDC and examines factors which influence their growth and the performance efficiency of MDC systems. It also addresses the efficiency of mixed cultures with certain predominant species as compared to pure cultures used in MDC systems. Furthermore, the study suggests the need to genetically modify certain predominant strains in mixed cultures to enhance their performance in COD removal, desalination and power output and the integration of MDC with other technologies for cost-effective processes.
Targeted editing of transcriptional activator MXR1 on the Pichia pastoris genome using CRISPR/Cas9 technology

A highly efficient and targeted clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 gene editing system was constructed for Pichia pastoris (syn Komagataella phaffii). Plasmids containing single guide RNA and the methanol expression regulator 1 (MXR1) homology arms were used to precisely edit the transcriptional activator Mxr1 on the P. pastoris genome. At the S215 amino acid position of Mxr1, one, two, and three nucleotides were precisely deleted or inserted, and S215 was also mutated to S215A via a single‐base substitution. Sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons in the region spanning MXR1 showed that CRISPR/Cas9 technology enabled efficient and precise gene editing of P. pastoris. The expression levels of several of the Mxr1‐targeted genes, AOX1, AOX2, DAS1, and DAS2, in strains containing the various mutated variants of MXR1, were then detected through reverse transcription PCR following induction in methanol‐containing culture medium. The frameshift mutations of Mxr1 led to almost zero transcription of AOX1, DAS1, and DAS2, while that of AOX2 was reduced to 60%. For the Mxr1 S215A mutant, the transcription of AOX1, AOX2, DAS1, and DAS2 was also reduced by nearly 60%. Based on these results, it is apparent that the transcription of AOX1, DAS1, and DAS2 is exclusively regulated by Mxr1 and serine phosphorylation at Mxr1 residue 215 is not critical for this function. In contrast, the transcription of AOX2 is mainly dependent on the phosphorylation of this residue. CRISPR/Cas9 technology was, therefore, successfully applied to the targeted editing of MXR1 on the P. pastoris genome, and it provided an effective method for the study of this transcription factor and its targets.
Brassinosteroid and Hydrogen Peroxide Interdependently Induce Stomatal Opening by Promoting Guard Cell Starch Degradation

Starch degradation in guard cells is induced by the phytohormone brassinosteroid and the redox signal hydrogen peroxide to promote stomatal opening. Starch is the major storage carbohydrate in plants and functions in buffering carbon and energy availability for plant fitness with challenging environmental conditions. The timing and extent of starch degradation appear to be determined by diverse hormonal and environmental signals; however, our understanding of the regulation of starch metabolism is fragmentary. Here, we demonstrate that the phytohormone brassinosteroid (BR) and redox signal hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induce the breakdown of starch in guard cells, which promotes stomatal opening. The BR-insensitive mutant bri1-116 accumulated high levels of starch in guard cells, impairing stomatal opening in response to light. The gain-of-function mutant bzr1-1D suppressed the starch excess phenotype of bri1-116, thereby promoting stomatal opening. BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT1 (BZR1) interacts with the basic leucine zipper transcription factor G-BOX BINDING FACTOR2 (GBF2) to promote the expression of β-AMYLASE1 (BAM1), which is responsible for starch degradation in guard cells. H2O2 induces BZR1 oxidation, enhancing the interaction between BZR1 and GBF2 to increase BAM1 transcription. Mutations in BAM1 lead to starch accumulation and reduce the effects of BR and H2O2 on stomatal opening. Overall, this study uncovers the critical roles of BR and H2O2 in regulating guard cell starch metabolism and stomatal opening.
Lespedeza bicolor Extract Ameliorated Renal Inflammation by Regulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome-Associated Hyperinflammation in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The chronic hyperglycemic condition causes hyperinflammation via activation of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like pyrin domain containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and abnormally leads to morphological and functional changes in kidney. A previous study showed a protective effect of Lespedeza bicolor extract (LBE) on endothelial dysfunction induced by methylglyoxal glucotoxicity. We aimed to investigate whether LBE ameliorated renal damage through regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent hyper-inflammation in T2DM mice. After T2DM induction by a high fat diet and low dose of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg), the mice were administered with different dosages of LBE (100 or 250 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 12 weeks. LBE supplementation ameliorated kidney dysfunction demonstrated by urine albumin-creatinine at a low dose and plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and glomerular hypertrophy at a high dose. Furthermore, a high dose of LBE supplementation significantly attenuated renal hyper-inflammation associated with NLRP3 inflammasome and oxidative stress related to nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) in T2DM mice. Meanwhile, a low dose of LBE supplementation up-regulated energy metabolism demonstrated by phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate kinase (AMPK) and Sirtuin (SIRT)-1 in T2DM mice. In conclusion, the current study suggested that LBE, in particular, at a high dose could be used as a beneficial therapeutic for hyperglycemia-induced renal damage in T2DM.
Role of Endogenous Regulators of Hem- And Lymphangiogenesis in Corneal Transplantation

Under normal conditions, the cornea, being the transparent “windscreen” of the eye, is free of both blood and lymphatic vessels. However, various diseases of the eye, like infections, can interfere with the balance between promoting and inhibiting factors, which leads to ingrowth of blood and lymphatic vessels. The newly formed lymphatic vessels increase the risk of graft rejection after subsequent corneal transplantation. Corneal transplantation is one of the most commonly performed transplantations worldwide, with more than 40,000 surgeries per year in Europe. To date, various anti-hem- and anti-lymphangiogenic treatment strategies have been developed specifically for the corneal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. Currently, however, no treatment strategies are clinically available to specifically modulate lymphangiogenesis. In this review, we will give an overview about endogenous regulators of hem- and lymphangiogenesis and discuss potential new strategies for targeting pathological lymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, we will review recently identified modulators and demonstrate that the cornea is a suitable model for the identification of novel endogenous modulators of lymphangiogenesis. The identification of novel modulators of lymphangiogenesis and a better understanding of the signaling pathways involved will contribute to the development of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of pathological lymphangiogenesis. This, in turn, will improve graft rejection, not only for the cornea.
A population-based study from the Finnish Arthroplasty Register

Background and purpose Although total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is a recognized procedure for the treatment of the painful arthritic elbow, the choice of implant is still obscure. We evaluated the survival of different TEA designs and factors associated with survival using data from a nationwide arthroplasty register. Methods 1,457 primary TEAs for rheumatoid elbow destruction were performed during 1982 to 2006 in one hospital specialized in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (n = 776) and in 19 other hospitals (n = 681). The mean age of the patients was 59 years and 87% of the TEAs were performed in women. We selected different contemporary TEA designs, each used in more than 40 operations including the Souter-Strathclyde (n = 912), i.B. P./Kudo (n = 218), Coonrad-Morrey (n = 164), and NESimplavit/Norway (n = 63) to assess their individual survival rates. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Cox regression model were used for survival analysis. Results The most frequent reason for revision was aseptic loosening (47%). We found no differences in survival rates between different TEA designs. We did, however, find a 1.5-fold (95% CI: 1.1–2.1) elevated risk of revision in unspecialized hospitals as compared to the one hospital specialized in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In the Souter-Strathclyde subgroup, there was a reduced risk of revision (RR 0.6, p = 0.001) in TEAs implanted over 1994–2006 as compared to those implanted earlier (1982– 1993). The 10-year survivorship for the whole TEA cohort was 83% (95% CI: 81–86), which agrees with earlier reports. Interpretation The influence of implant choice on the survival of TEA is minor compared to hip and knee arthroplasties. Inferior survival rates of the TEAs performed in the unspecialized hospitals demonstrates the importance of proper indications, surgical technique, and postoperative follow-up, and endorses the need for centralization of these operations at specialized units.
Social anxiety within a network of mild delusional ideations, negative symptoms and insight in outpatients with early psychosis: A psychopathological path analysis

ABSTRACT Background and objectives: Social anxiety disorder is a common comorbidity in psychotic disorders and impacts significantly on functioning and recovery. Conflicting theories and evidence exist on its relationship with other psychopathologies. This study examined this complex network of relationship using path analysis. Design: Clinical assessment and self-report in a cross-sectional consecutive outpatient sample. Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted in 137 outpatients with early psychosis. A theoretical model of relationship between social anxiety, insight, persecutory delusions, ideas of reference, negative symptoms, and depression was tested using path analysis. Results: Clinically significant social anxiety was observed in 45% of this sample. The final model suggested a direct link between ideas of reference (standardized path coefficient, β = 0.26, p < 0.002) and negative symptoms (β = 0.29, p < 0.001) to social anxiety. Insight was related to both persecutory delusions and negative symptoms but had no direct relationship with social anxiety. The model has excellent goodness-of-fit (Chi-square 6.62, comparative fit index 1.00, root mean square error of approximation 0.00). Conclusions: This model provided a new framework for understanding the complex interplay between psychosis symptoms and social anxiety, which may be unique to outpatients with early psychosis and require further confirmatory research and targeted intervention strategies.
Potential Protective Role Exerted by Secoiridoids from Olea europaea L. in Cancer, Cardiovascular, Neurodegenerative, Aging-Related, and Immunoinflammatory Diseases

Iridoids, which have beneficial health properties, include a wide group of cyclopentane [c] pyran monoterpenoids present in plants and insects. The cleavage of the cyclopentane ring leads to secoiridoids. Mainly, secoiridoids have shown a variety of pharmacological effects including anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, and anti-obesity, which increase the interest of studying these types of bioactive compounds in depth. Secoiridoids are thoroughly distributed in several families of plants such as Oleaceae, Valerianaceae, Gentianaceae and Pedialaceae, among others. Specifically, Olea europaea L. (Oleaceae) is rich in oleuropein (OL), dimethyl-OL, and ligstroside secoiridoids, and their hydrolysis derivatives are mostly OL-aglycone, oleocanthal (OLE), oleacein (OLA), elenolate, oleoside-11-methyl ester, elenoic acid, hydroxytyrosol (HTy), and tyrosol (Ty). These compounds have proved their efficacy in the management of diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and viral and microbial infections. Particularly, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties of secoiridoids from the olive tree (Olea europaea L. (Oleaceae)) have been suggested as a potential application in a large number of inflammatory and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated diseases. Thus, the purpose of this review is to summarize recent advances in the protective role of secoiridoids derived from the olive tree (preclinical studies and clinical trials) in diseases with an important pathogenic contribution of oxidative and peroxidative stress and damage, focusing on their plausible mechanisms of the action involved.
Compensatory Interventions for Cognitive Impairments in Psychosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE Cognitive compensatory interventions aim to alleviate psychosocial disability by targeting functioning directly using aids and strategies, thereby minimizing the impact of cognitive impairment. The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive compensatory interventions for psychosis by examining the effects on functioning and symptoms, and exploring whether intervention factors, study design, and age influenced effect sizes. METHODS Electronic databases (Ovid Medline, PsychINFO) were searched up to October 2018. Records obtained through electronic and manual searches were screened independently by two reviewers according to selection criteria. Data were extracted to calculate estimated effects (Hedge's g) of treatment on functioning and symptoms at post-intervention and follow-up. Study quality was assessed using Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. RESULTS Twenty-six studies, from 25 independent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis (1654 participants, mean age = 38.9 years, 64% male). Meta-analysis revealed a medium effect of compensatory interventions on functioning compared to control conditions (Hedge's g = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.33, 0.60, P < .001), with evidence of relative durability at follow-up (Hedge's g = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.54, P < .001). Analysis also revealed small significant effects of cognitive compensatory treatment on negative, positive, and general psychiatric symptoms, but not depressive symptoms. Estimated effects did not significantly vary according to treatment factors (ie, compensatory approach, dosage), delivery method (ie, individual/group), age, or risk of bias. Longer treatment length was associated with larger effect sizes for functioning outcomes. No evidence of publication bias was identified. CONCLUSION Cognitive compensatory interventions are associated with robust, durable improvements in functioning in people with psychotic illnesses.
Facile Preparation of Stable Solid-State Carbon Quantum Dots with Multi-Peak Emission

Aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect, known as the main cause to restrain solid-state luminescence of carbon quantum dots (CQDs), hinders further application of CQDs in white light-emitting diodes (WLED). Here, a complex of CQDs and phthalimide crystals (CQDs/PC) was prepared through a one-step solvothermal method. CQDs/PC prevented CQDs from touching directly by embedding the CQDs in phthalimide crystal matrix in situ, which effectively reduced the ACQ effect. Furthermore, CQDs/PC exhibited multi-peak fluorescence spectra that span the green, yellow and orange spectral regions. Finally, a WLED fabricated based on CQDs/PC achieved a color-rendering index of 82 and a correlated color temperature of 5430 K. This work provides a quick and effective strategy to apply CQDs to WLED.
Religiosity as a mediating factor in alcohol use and alcohol related problems among students attending a historically black college (HBCU)

Abstract Previous research suggests that students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) frequently have lower rates of drinking and alcohol-related problems. The etiology of such findings is still under debate although some research has suggested the African–American religious experience might account for the differences. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and religiosity among HBCU students and to test the hypothesis that religiosity moderates problematic drinking behavior. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the College Alcohol Problems Scale Revised (CAPS-R), the Religious Maturity Scale, and the Salience in Religious Commitment Scale was administered to 144 students at a small southern HBCU. We found that, overall, the subjects were moderate drinkers and experienced few alcohol-related problems. The relationship between religiosity and alcohol-related problems was complex and gender mediated that relationship. The results suggest that although religiosity may act as a buffer to alcohol abuse in some HBCU students, it cannot fully account for the differences in alcohol use between students at HBCUs and other institutions.
Improving Identification of In-organello Protein-Protein Interactions Using an Affinity-enrichable, Isotopically Coded, and Mass Spectrometry-cleavable Chemical Crosslinker

By using an enrichable, isotopically labeled, MS-cleavable crosslinking reagent, a targeted MS2 acquisition strategy, and a novel software pipeline tailored to integrating crosslinker-specific mass spectral information we improved the detection, acquisition, and identification of crosslinker-modified peptides. Our method applied to isolated yeast mitochondria allowed us to observe protein-protein interactions involving approximately one quarter of the proteins in the mitochondrial proteome. Our approach is suitable for proteome-wide applications, and facilitates investigations into condition-specific protein conformations, protein-protein interactions, system-wide protein function or dysfunction, and diseases. Graphical Abstract Highlights Used affinity-enrichable, isotopically coded, and MS-cleavable crosslinker. Targeted acquisition strategy based on isotopic-coding described and evaluated. Novel data analysis pipeline developed provides improved crosslink identification. Large dataset reveals hundreds of mitochondrial protein-protein interactions. An experimental and computational approach for identification of protein-protein interactions by ex vivo chemical crosslinking and mass spectrometry (CLMS) has been developed that takes advantage of the specific characteristics of cyanurbiotindipropionylsuccinimide (CBDPS), an affinity-tagged isotopically coded mass spectrometry (MS)-cleavable crosslinking reagent. Utilizing this reagent in combination with a crosslinker-specific data-dependent acquisition strategy based on MS2 scans, and a software pipeline designed for integrating crosslinker-specific mass spectral information led to demonstrated improvements in the application of the CLMS technique, in terms of the detection, acquisition, and identification of crosslinker-modified peptides. This approach was evaluated on intact yeast mitochondria, and the results showed that hundreds of unique protein-protein interactions could be identified on an organelle proteome-wide scale. Both known and previously unknown protein-protein interactions were identified. These interactions were assessed based on their known sub-compartmental localizations. Additionally, the identified crosslinking distance constraints are in good agreement with existing structural models of protein complexes involved in the mitochondrial electron transport chain.
Promising models for cancer-induced cachexia drug discovery

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cachexia is a frequent, multifactorial syndrome associated with cancer afflicting patients’ quality of life, their ability to tolerate anti-neoplastic therapies and the therapies efficacy, as well as survival. Currently, there are no approved cancer cachexia treatments other than those for the treatment of the underlying cancer. Cancer cachexia (CC) is poorly understood and hence makes clinical trial design difficult at best. This underlines the importance of well-characterized animal models to further elucidate the pathophysiology of CC and drug discovery/development. Areas covered: This review gives an overview of the available animal models and their value and limitations in translational studies. Expert opinion: Using more than one CC model to test research questions or novel compounds/treatment strategies is strongly advisable. The main reason is that models have unique signaling modalities driving cachexia that may only relate to subgroups of cancer patients. Human xenograph CC models require the use of mice with a compromised immune system, limiting their value for translational experiments. It may prove beneficial to include standard care chemotherapy in the experimental design, as many chemotherapeutic agents can induce cachexia themselves and alter the metabolic and signaling derangements of CC and thus the response to new therapeutic strategies.
Chemopreventive Effect of the Germinated Oat and Its Phenolic-AVA Extract in Azoxymethane/Dextran Sulfate Sodium (AOM/DSS) Model of Colon Carcinogenesis in Mice

The consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains has been associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) due to the content of natural compounds with antioxidant and anticancer activities. The oat (Avena sativa L.) is a unique source of avenanthramides (AVAs), among other compounds, with chemopreventive effects. In addition, oat germination has shown enhanced nutraceutical and phytochemical properties. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the chemopreventive effect of the sprouted oat (SO) and its phenolic-AVA extract (AVA) in azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced CRC mouse model. Turquesa oat seeds were germinated (five days at 25 °C and 60% relative humidity) and, after 16 weeks of administration, animals in the SO- and AVA-treated groups had a significantly lower inflammation grade and tumor (38–50%) and adenocarcinoma (38–63%) incidence compared to those of the AOM+DSS group (80%). Although both treatments normalized colonic GST and NQO1 activities as well as erythrocyte GSH levels, and significantly reduced cecal and colonic β-GA, thus indicating an improvement in the intestinal parameters, the inflammatory states, and the redox states of the animals, SO exerted a superior chemopreventive effect, probably due to the synergistic effects of multiple compounds. Our results indicate that oats retain their biological properties even after the germination process.