Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recent advances in the therapeutic application of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs): An updated review

Abstract Over the past decade, the gut microbiota has emerged as an important frontier in understanding the human body's homeostasis and the development of diseases. Gut flora in human beings regulates various metabolic functionalities, including enzymes, amino acid synthesis, bio-transformation of bile acid, fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs), generation of indoles and polyamines (PAs), and production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Among all the metabolites produced by gut microbiota, SCFAs, the final product of fermentation of dietary fibers by gut microbiota, receive lots of attention from scientists due to their pharmacological and physiological characteristics. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of SCFAs in the interaction between diet, gut microbiota, and host energy metabolism is still needed in-depth research. This review highlights the recent biotechnological advances in applying SCFAs as important metabolites to treat various diseases and maintain colonic health.
Electrochemical and magnetic properties of nanostructured CoMn2O4 and Co2MnO4

In this study, we have focused on the synthesis of cobalt manganite nanostructures using a simplistic hydrothermal route. We have explored these spinels as alternative low-cost bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER). Herein, we have developed energy-saving, facile and rapid synthetic methodologies for highly active spinel electrocatalysts. Two spinel phases, cubic Co2MnO4 and tetragonal CoMn2O4 have been successfully obtained by tuning the stoichiometric ratio of Co and Mn salts respectively. These CoMn2O4 and Co2MnO4 nanocubes have been used as bifunctional catalysts towards OER and ORR. Electrocatalytic experiments show that cubic Co2MnO4 nanocubes show five times higher activity towards ORR than tetragonal CoMn2O4 nanocubes while the tetragonal phase is a better electrocatalyst towards OER than the cubic Co2MnO4 phase. XPS studies revealed two types of oxygen (lattice O and surface adsorbed O species like OH−) and the efficiency of the catalyst could be related to the binding affinity of oxygen. This explains the better catalytic activity of cubic Co2MnO4 which has a large percentage of adsorbed oxygen species. The stability of the catalyst was confirmed by carrying out TEM studies on a sample after carrying out 25 cycles. Magnetization experiments reveal that both the tetragonal CoMn2O4 as well as cubic Co2MnO4 show hysteresis at 10 K and 100 K without reaching saturation, which confirms an existing ferrimagnetic order in the samples. Both the tetragonal and cubic phases show Tc ∼ 110 K and 150 K respectively.
Development of an automatic chamber system for long-term measurements of CO2 flux from roots

To separate CO2 efflux from roots (Rr) and soil (Rs), we developed a system to measure Rr continuously. Using this system, seasonal variation in Rr was obtained in a temperate forest in Japan. We measured Rs, CO2 efflux from mineral soil (Rm) and environmental factors simultaneously, and the characteristic and seasonality of Rr were analysed in comparison with Rs. Rr and Rs showed different responses to soil water content: Rs decreased with decreasing soil water content, whereas Rr peaked at relatively low soil water content. Rr/Rs decreased from 64.8% to 27.3% as soil water content increased from 0.075 to 0.225 cm cm-3. The relationship between respiration and temperature appears to change seasonally in response to phenological and biological factors. Rr showed clear seasonal variation as a function of soil temperature. During the growing period, Rr exhibited a higher rate at the same soil temperature than during other periods, which may be due to phenological influences such as fine root dynamics. Rs decreased during the summer despite high soil temperatures. The seasonal peak for Rs occurred earlier than that for soil temperature. Rr/Rs ranged between 25% and 60% over the course of the year.
A Human Milk-Based Protein Concentrate Developed for Preterm Infants Retains Bioactive Proteins and Supports Growth of Weanling Rats.

BACKGROUND Bovine milk-based protein modulars are currently available to nutrient-enrich enteral feedings; however, they have limitations for use in very-low-birth-weight infants. OBJECTIVES Our objectives were to develop a human milk-based protein (HMP) concentrate and to conduct a preclinical assessment of the HMP concentrate in weanling rats. METHODS An HMP concentrate was produced from donor milk using pressure-driven membrane filtration processes and high hydrostatic pressure processing. Protein and lactoferrin concentrations and lysozyme activity were determined by Kjeldahl, HPLC, and turbidimetric assay, respectively. Male Sprague Dawley rats 24 d old (n = 30) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 isocaloric AIN-93G diets for 4 wk containing 100% casein (control) or with 50% of the casein replaced with the HMP concentrate (treatment) or a bovine whey protein isolate (treatment). Body weight, food intake, fat mass, plasma amino acid profiles, and organ weights were measured. Data were analyzed using linear regression models. RESULTS Raw donor milk contained (mean ± SD) 101 ± 6 g protein/kg and 5 ± 1 g lactoferrin/kg of milk solids. Postprocessing, protein and lactoferrin concentrations were 589 ± 3 g/kg and 29 ± 10 g/kg, respectively. Lysozyme activity was initially 209 ± 4 U/kg and increased to 959 ± 39 U/kg in the HMP concentrate. There were no statistically significant differences in body weight, food intake, fat mass, or plasma amino acid profiles between rats fed diets containing the HMP concentrate and the control diet. Full cecum weights were higher in rats fed the HMP concentrate than in those fed control diets (mean difference: 5.59 g; 95% CI: 4.50, 6.68 g; P < 0.0001), likely reflecting the concentration of human milk oligosaccharides. No differences were found for other organ weights. CONCLUSIONS The HMP concentrate retained important bioactive proteins and supported normal rat growth in the preclinical assessment.
Nanoparticles: complex and multifaceted additives for liquid crystals

In this review article we provide an overview of our work on nanoparticle-doped liquid crystal phases including nematic, smectic and columnar phases. Over the past years, we have shown that nanoparticles can serve as alignment mediators and chiral dopants for nematic liquid crystals all while affecting the electro-optic parameters of the nematic host. We have started to establish some size–property, core material–property and capping agent–property relationships in these composites, which show that nanoparticle/liquid crystal compatibility (i.e. miscibility) and segregation effects need to be finely tuned for a particular application of nanoparticles as dopant for nematic liquid crystals. Finally, we also discuss the self-assembly and liquid crystal phase formation of nanoparticles and our own research on bent-core liquid crystal-decorated gold nanoparticles.
Regulating Metabolic Energy Among Joints During Human Walking Using a Multiarticular Unpowered Exoskeleton

Researchers have found that the walking economy can be enhanced by recycling ankle metabolic energy using an unpowered ankle exoskeleton. However, how to regulate multiarticular energy to enhance the overall energy efficiency of humans during walking remains a challenging problem, as multiarticular passive assistance is more likely to interfere with the human body’s natural biomechanics. Here we show that the metabolic energy of the hip and knee musculature can be regulated to a more energy-effective direction using a multiarticular unpowered exoskeleton that recycles negative mechanical energy of the knee joint in the late swing phase and transfers the stored energy to assist the hip extensors in performing positive mechanical work in the stance phase. The biarticular spring-clutch mechanism of the exoskeleton performs a complementary energy recycling and energy transfer function for hip and knee musculature. Through the phased regulation of the hip and knee metabolic energy, the target muscle activities decreased during the whole assistive period of the exoskeleton, which was the direct reason for 8.6 ± 1.5% (mean ± s.e.m) reduction in metabolic rate compared with that of walking without the exoskeleton. The proposed unpowered exoskeleton enhanced the user’s multiarticular energy efficiency, which equals improving musculoskeletal structure by adding a complementary loop for efficient energy recycling and energy transfer.
The latitude gradient for multiple sclerosis prevalence is established in the early lifecourse.

The strongest epidemiological clue that the environment at the population level has a significant impact on the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) is the well-established, and in many instances, increasing latitudinal gradient of prevalence, incidence and mortality globally, with prevalence increasing by up to 10-fold between the equator and 60 degrees North and South. The drivers of this gradient are thought to be environmental with latitude seen as a proxy for ultraviolet radiation and thus vitamin D production, however other factors may also play a role. However several important questions remain unanswered, particularly when in the life course is the gradient established, does lifetime migration mitigate or exacerbate previously reported latitude gradients at location of diagnosis, and do factors such as sex or MS disease phenotype influence the timing or significance of the gradient? Utilising life time residence calendars collected as part of the New Zealand national MS prevalence study, we constructed lifetime latitudinal gradients for MS from birth to prevalence day 2006 taking into account migration internally and externally and then analysed by sex and MS clinical course phenotype. 2127 of 2917 people living in NZ on prevalence day 7 March 2006 with MS completed the life course questionnaire and of these 1587 were born in NZ. All cohorts and sub cohorts were representative of the overall MS population in NZ on prevalence day. We found that the prevalence gradient was present at birth and was in fact stronger than at census day, and the slope of the gradient persisted until the age of 12 before gradually declining. We found that internal and external migration into NZ had little if any effect on the gradient except to decrease the significance of the gradient somewhat. Finally, we found as we had reported previously that the lifetime prevalence gradients were largely driven by females with relapse onset MS. These findings confirm for the first time the importance of early life environmental exposures in the risk of MS indicating strongly that exposures as early as in utero and at birth drive the latitudinal gradient. Consequently, prevention studies should be focussed on high risk individuals and populations from the earliest possible time points especially, when appropriate, on females.
A magnetic heat pump with porous magneto caloric material

At present magnetic refrigeration shows a realistic potential to penetrate into some niche markets in the field of cold and hot "production". It is well known that a refrigerator for cooling and a heat pump for heating are machines based on the same principle. A small review on magnetic heat pump studies is outlined and a simple engineering calculation scheme to determine the coefficient of performance for a magnetic heat pump with a rotary porous structure heat exchanger is presented. Magnetic heat flux line distributions are calculated by a 2-d finite element method numerical simulation program with the objective to obtain high field's mu H-0 with not too heavy permanent magnets assemblies. The porous structures are geometrically optimised to obtain maximal magnetic field inductions. It is shown that for a water/ethylene-glycol magnetic heat pump the coefficient of performance is higher than that of a conventional heat pump. (c) 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Outcome of early‐onset fetal growth restriction with or without abnormal umbilical artery Doppler flow

Early‐onset fetal growth restriction is a pregnancy complication often coinciding with abnormal Doppler flow in the umbilical artery. Absent or reversed end‐diastolic flow in the umbilical artery is associated with adverse perinatal outcome. As the optimal management of this condition is unclear, the objective of this study was to analyze the time interval from admission to delivery of pregnancies with early‐onset fetal growth restriction, while pursuing a policy of postponing delivery unless active management of labor would be required because of fetal distress or maternal condition. We also assessed short‐ and long‐term perinatal outcome.
Intrinsic reaction kinetics of microporous carbons. 1. Noncatalyzed chars

Resultats de l'etude cinetique de deux materiaux carbonises (sucrose et spherocarb) afin de tester et d'ameliorer les modeles de la structure poreuse. Les donnees cinetiques sont obtenues par une analyse thermogravimetrique et la caracterisation structurelle de ces carbonisats se fait par l'analyse de mesures d'adsorption de gaz et par l'application du modele poreux aleatoire
Polyelectrolyte complexes in solution and in bulk

The review surveys the thermodynamics, kinetics and reaction mechanisms of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes in aqueous solutions giving rise to insoluble stoichiometric or soluble non-stoichiometric interpolyelectrolyte complexes. The mechanisms of polyelectrolyte exchange reactions are discussed. Equilibrated non-stoichiometric interpolyelectrolyte complexes show a dual behaviour in aqueous solutions. On the one hand, they behave as usual linear polyelectrolytes and, on the other hand, they exhibit properties of amphiphilic block copolymers. The addition of low-molecular-weight salts to solutions of interpolyelectrolyte complexes usually leads to redistribution of electrostatically bound chains and phase separation. Analysis of these processes is of key importance in assigning these complexes to a special family of polymeric materials. Selected data on the conformations of polyions in solid interpolyelectrolyte complexes are given and their thermomechanical properties in the swollen state are considered.
An analysis of chronic kidney disease as a prognostic factor in pediatric cases of COVID-19

Abstract Advanced age is a risk factor for severe infection by acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Children, however, often present with milder manifestations of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Associations have been found between COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Patients with the latter condition present more severe involvement. Adults with comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more severely affected. This narrative review aimed to look into whether CKD contributed to more severe involvement in pediatric patients with COVID-19. The studies included in this review did not report severe cases or deaths, and indicated that pediatric patients with CKD and previously healthy children recovered quickly from infection. However, some patients with MIS-C required hospitalization in intensive care units and a few died, although it was not possible to correlate MIS-C and CKD. Conversely, adults with CKD reportedly had increased risk of severe infection by SARS-CoV-2 and higher death rates. The discrepancies seen between age groups may be due to immune system and renin-angiotensin system differences, with more pronounced expression of ACE2 in children. Immunosuppressant therapy has not been related with positive or negative effects in individuals with COVID-19, although current recommendations establish decreases in the dosage of some medications. To sum up with, CKD was not associated with more severe involvement in children diagnosed with COVID-19. Studies enrolling larger populations are still required.
Potential Pollutants from Farm, Food and Yard Waste Composts at Differing Ages: Part I. Physical and Chemical Properties

There is little information about the changes in physical and chemical properties of compost as a function of compost feedstocks and age of the compost mixture. As a consequence of this gap, the potential of compost to serve as a pollutant source relative to compost age (from initial mixing of raw feedstocks to mature compost) and feedstocks (i.e. % of food, manure, bedding, leaves, etc.) during the composting operation is not well known. This study was conducted to assess the variation of physical and chemical properties of compost under different mixes of source material and at differing ages (from freshly mixed to mature compost). The change in compost C:N ratio with age during composting was represented well (R2 ≥ 0.81) by the equation Y = CNf + (CNi-CNf)e(−X/r), where Y is the C:N ratio at any time X. CNf is the value of the C:N ratio as the composting time approaches infinity. CNi is the initial C:N ratio at the beginning of the composting process and 1/r is the rate of decrease of the C:N ratio. The total (tot) N concentration of the mature composts was higher than the initial tot N concentration for all mixes investigated. There was a net decrease from the initial NH4-N concentrations at mixing to the final NH4-N concentrations at maturity for all compost mixtures. However, the variations of compost tot N and NH44-N concentrations with compost age were different between compost mixtures and years of experiment. The phosphorus (P) concentrations increased linearly with compost age. These results indicated that the potential of the compost as a source for N and P pollution changes during the composting process. The results also showed that the combination of C:N ratio, compost temperature, and compost NH4-N concentration could be used as simple but reliable indices for compost stability and maturity.
Estrogen disorders: Interpreting the abnormal regulation of aromatase in granulosa cells (Review)

Ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) are the most important source of estrogen. Therefore, aromatase (estrogen synthase), which is the key enzyme in estrogen synthesis, is not only an important factor of ovarian development, but also the key to estrogen secretion by GCs. Disorders of the ovarian estrogen secretion are more likely to induce female estrogen-dependent diseases and fertility issues, such as ovarian cancer and polycystic ovary syndrome. Hence, aromatase is an important drug target; treatment with its inhibitors in estrogen-dependent diseases has attracted increasing attention. The present review article focuses on the regulation and mechanism of the aromatase activity in the GCs, as well as the specific regulation of aromatase promoters. In GCs, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is dependent on the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway to regulate the aromatase activity, and the regulation of this enzyme is related to the activation of signaling pathways, such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In addition, endocrine-disrupting substance and other related factors affect the expression of aromatase, which eventually create an imbalance in the estrogen secretion by the target tissues. The present review highlights these useful factors as potential inhibitors for target therapy.
S-nitrosylated TDP-43 triggers aggregation, cell-to-cell spread, and neurotoxicity in hiPSCs and in vivo models of ALS/FTD

Significance Aggregation and cell-to-cell spread of TDP-43 are thought to underlie many cases of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Additionally, the aging process and environmental toxins stimulate excessive generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), thus contributing to the pathological processes of these neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we show that nitric oxide (NO)-related species promote TDP-43 proteinopathy in cell-based and animal models of FTD/ALS via S-nitrosylation of TDP-43 at critical cysteine residues that facilitate disulfide bond formation and abnormal aggregation of the protein. In contrast, expression of nonnitrosylatable mutant TDP-43 ameliorates TDP-43 aggregation, RNA binding, and cell toxicity. Thus, our study provides mechanistic insight into the ROS/RNS-induced TDP-43 proteinopathy and neurotoxicity observed in FTD/ALS patients. Rare genetic mutations result in aggregation and spreading of cognate proteins in neurodegenerative disorders; however, in the absence of mutation (i.e., in the vast majority of “sporadic” cases), mechanisms for protein misfolding/aggregation remain largely unknown. Here, we show environmentally induced nitrosative stress triggers protein aggregation and cell-to-cell spread. In patient brains with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/frontotemporal dementia (FTD), aggregation of the RNA-binding protein TDP-43 constitutes a major component of aberrant cytoplasmic inclusions. We identify a pathological signaling cascade whereby reactive nitrogen species cause S-nitrosylation of TDP-43 (forming SNO-TDP-43) to facilitate disulfide linkage and consequent TDP-43 aggregation. Similar pathological SNO-TDP-43 levels occur in postmortem human FTD/ALS brains and in cell-based models, including human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons. Aggregated TDP-43 triggers additional nitrosative stress, representing positive feed forward leading to further SNO-TDP-43 formation and disulfide-linked oligomerization/aggregation. Critically, we show that these redox reactions facilitate cell spreading in vivo and interfere with the TDP-43 RNA-binding activity, affecting SNMT1 and phospho-(p)CREB levels, thus contributing to neuronal damage in ALS/FTD disorders.
A cooperative game solution approach for intensity modulated radiation therapy design: Nash Social Welfare optimization

We study the fluency map optimization problem in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy from a cooperative game theory point of view. We consider the cancerous and healthy organs in a patient’s body as players of a game, where cancerous organs seek to eliminate the cancerous cells and healthy organs seek to receive no harm. The goal is to balance the trade-offs between the utility of players by forming a grand coalition between them. We do so by proposing a methodology that solves a few convex optimization problems in order to transform the fluency map optimization problem into a bargaining game. To solve the bargaining game, we employ the concept of Nash Social Welfare (NSW) optimization due to the desirable efficiency and fairness properties of its outcomes. The proposed NSW optimization is convex and can be solved by powerful commercial solvers such as CPLEX. An additional advantage of the proposed approach is that it has a new control lever for the fluency map optimization, the so-called negotiation powers, which enables practitioners to put more emphasis on an organ by changing its negotiation power. To show the efficacy of our proposed methodology, we apply it to the TG-119 case and a liver case. We compare our proposed approach with a state-of-the-art approach through creating Dose Volume Histograms.