Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plant-Derived Micronutrients Suppress Monocyte Adhesion to Cultured Human Aortic Endothelial Cell Layer by Modulating Its Extracellular Matrix Composition

Monocyte adhesion to endothelium plays an important role in atherosclerosis. We investigated the effects of micronutrients on monocyte-binding properties of extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by human aortic endothelial cells (AoEC). Confluent cultures of AoEC were exposed to ascorbic acid, quercetin, gotu kola extract (10% asiatic acid), green tea extract (40% epigallocatechin gallate), or a mixture of these micronutrients for 48 hours. AoEC-produced ECM was exposed by differential treatment. U937 monocyte adhesion was assayed by fluorescence. ECM composition was assayed immunochemically and with radiolabeled metabolic precursors. AoEC exposure to micronutrients reduced ECM capacity to bind monocytes in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was accompanied by profound changes in the ECM composition. Correlation analysis revealed that changes in monocyte adhesion to ECM had the strongest positive correlation with ECM content for laminin (CC = 0.9681, P < 0.01), followed by fibronectin, collagens type III, I, and IV, biglycan, heparan sulfate, and elastin. The strongest negative correlation was with chondroitin sulfate (CC = −0.9623, P < 0.01), followed by perlecan and versican. Individual micronutrients had diverse effects on ECM composition and binding properties, and their mixture was the most effective treatment. In conclusion, micronutrient-dependent reduction of monocyte adhesion to endothelium is partly mediated through specific modulation of ECM composition and properties.
Physicochemical and drug metabolism characterization of a series of 4-aminoquinoline-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one hybrid molecules with antimalarial activity

Background and objective: Drug resistance by Plasmodium falciparum remains a challenge in malaria chemotherapy. This paper will focus on physicochemical and drug metabolism characterization of a series of 4-aminoquinoline-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one hybrid shown to have antimalarial activity against chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum. The aim is to identify potential liabilities that could arise from covalently linking two pharmacophoric units of different drug classes into one functional drug. Methods: Metabolism and biotransformation of hybrids were investigated using cryopreserved human hepatocytes. Generic incubation conditions with respect to substrate concentration, cell concentration and incubation time were used. Evaluation of the hybrids for metabolism-based drug–drug interaction (DDI) risk was done with recombinant CYPs. A generic UPLC-MSMS bioanalytical method was used for quantitation and metabolite identification. Prediction of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) properties of the hybrid compounds was done using various software. Results: The analogs generally had good physicochemical profiles. Metabolism was mainly via the linker chain and was predicted to be intermediate to fast in cryopreserved human hepatocytes. However, analogs had potential to cause DDIs as they were potent inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. Conclusions: Although the efficacy of the compounds is promising, they carry a potentially limiting liability of CYP inhibition and rapid metabolic clearance.
Unemployment and crime in the Northern-border states of Mexico: a spatial-Bayesian autoregressive vector approach

Despite the recent episodes of criminal activity intensification in Mexico, it is striking the scarcity of studies analyzing its relationship with unemployment rate fluctuations. The aim of this research is to evaluate the impact that an external shock of a surprising increase in unemployment rates would have upon crime activity, particularly, robberies in Mexico’s northern Border States. To this end, a spatial Bayesian VAR that follows LeSage and Cashell (2015) is applied. Results suggest a heterogeneous response of robberies across northern Border States. For instance, in some states such as Chihuahua, the number of robberies seems to deploy transitory effects, while Tamaulipas appears to be less sensitive to own and neighbor state unemployment fluctuations.
The two TonB systems of Vibrio cholerae: redundant and specific functions

The two TonB systems in Vibrio cholerae were found to have unique as well as common functions. Both systems can mediate transport of haemin and the siderophores vibriobactin and ferrichrome. However, TonB1 specifically mediates utilization of the siderophore schizokinen, whereas TonB2 is required for utilization of enterobactin by V. cholerae. Although either TonB system was sufficient for the use of haemin as an iron source, in vitro competition between TonB1 and TonB2 system mutants indicates a preferential role for TonB1 in haemin utilization. This was most pronounced in conditions of high osmolarity, in which TonB1 system mutants were unable to grow with haemin as the sole iron source. Sequence analysis predicted that the two TonB proteins differ in both amino acid sequence and protein size. An internal deletion in TonB1 was constructed in order to generate a protein of approximately the same size as TonB2. A strain expressing the TonB1 deletion protein, and no other TonB, used haemin as the iron source in low‐osmolarity medium, but could not use haemin in high osmolarity. This is the same phenotype as a strain expressing only TonB2 and suggests that TonB1, but not TonB2, can span the increased periplasmic space in high osmolarity and thus mediate haemin transport. Mouse colonization assays indicated a role for both TonB systems, and mutations in either system resulted in reduced ability to compete with the wild type in vivo.
The Transformation of Educational Systems in the Visegrád Countries: Introduction to the Context of Comparative Research

This study, using a common theoretical framework, analyses the process of educational change in the Czech Republic since the political changes in 1989. It starts with a brief introduction to the country and its educational system. Its main concern is focused on the phases and particular dimensions of the transformation process in school education at the primary and secondary level. Social and political incoherence, non-linearity, imbalances, atomization and diffussion as a consequence of tensions between continuity and discontinuity are identified as characteristic features of the process. In spite of positive shifts concerning educational policy, legislation, management, financing regulation, the curriculum, teacher professionalisation and support structure development, there are still barriers, e.g. lack of political consensus and the lack of a steering and monitoring mechanism in the educational sector. Real systemic reform reaching the intermediate and microlevels of the educational system has not been implemented yet.
Prudence, justice and the good life : a typology of ethical reasoning in selected European national biodiversity strategies

Communication, participation and education (CEPA) are considered key to the implementation of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). To improve biodiversity communication, the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation commissioned an ethical expertise on good arguments in favour of biodiversity in 2011. This final report presents findings from an analysis of the German, Austrian, Swiss and EU biodiversity strategies with regard to their concepts of communication and ethics. The triad “Prudence, Justice and the Good Life” serves as an analytical tool to group and evaluate the arguments to be found in the strategies analysed. The study is addressed to people working in the field of biodiversity communication and education who are interested in ethical aspects of biodiversity politics. It provides an insight into the field of environmental ethics for non-philosophers and is meant to promote and enhance ethical debate in biodiversity communication.
Farmers’ intrinsic values for adopting climate-smart practices in Kenya: empirical evidence from a means-end chain analysis

This study assesses intrinsic values and motivations farmers have for adopting various climate-smart agricultural practices in Kenya. The qualitative method of laddering was employed as an interview technique, and means-end chain analysis was used for hierarchical mapping in order to depict farmers’ decision-making processes concerning the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices as well as their envisioned goals and values underpinning these actions. The findings show that farmers decided on measures that improved farm productivity, food security and household income. The study highlights that an irreconcilable conflict between values exists due to changing climate conditions. It will be difficult for women attached to conservative values to pursue achievement or benevolence values. Similarly, male-differentiated values suggest a need for a trade-off of their self-enhancement values that oppose universalism values related to environmental sustainability and welfare for all. The findings call for the design of climate change policies and adaptation interventions that take into account farmers’ fundamental values and their gendered preferences.
Ligamentum flavum thickening at lumbar spine is associated with facet joint degeneration: An MRI study.

OBJECTIVE Degenerative changes in posterior elements of the spine such as thickening or hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum (LF) may result in spinal stenosis. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential factors including age, intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), facet joint degeneration (FJD), end plate degeneration (EPD), which may affect LF thickening and to reveal the relationship among those factors at each level of lumbar spine by evaluating the magnetic resonance images (MRI). METHODS A total of 200 individuals with low back and/or leg pain complaints who had undergone lumbar MRI were included in this study. The thickness of LF, FJD, IDD and EPD were assessed at all lumbar levels. RESULTS Totally 1000 end plates, 1000 intervertebral discs and 2000 facet joints were evaluated and the thicknesses of 2000 LFs were measured from MRI images of 200 patients (100 males and 100 females). The mean age was 46.87 ± 12.47 years. LF thickness was strongly associated with FJD especially on the ipsilateral side. Age and IDD were correlated at whole vertebral levels. The age related changes (LF thickness, FJD, IDD and EPD) were more prominent at L4-L5 vertebral level. However, gender had no effect on LF thickness. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that LF thickening may occur independently or could be associated with FJD especially on the ipsilateral side and this relationship is due to the vertebral level. The degree of disc degeneration increases with age and age related changes may be predominantly observed at L4-L5 vertebral level.
Molecular interactions and immune responses between Maize fine streak virus and the leafhopper vector Graminella nigrifrons through differential expression and RNA interference

Graminella nigrifrons is the only known vector for Maize fine streak virus (MFSV). In this study, we used real‐time quantitative PCR to compare the expression profiles of transcripts that putatively function in the insect immune response: four peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRP‐SB1, ‐SD, ‐LC and LB), Toll, spaetzle, defensin, Dicer‐2 (Dcr‐2), Argonaut‐2 (Ago‐2) and Arsenic resistance protein 2 (Ars‐2). Except for PGRP‐LB and defensin, transcripts involved in humoral pathways were significantly suppressed in G. nigrifrons fed on MFSV‐infected maize. The abundance of three RNA interference (RNAi) pathway transcripts (Dcr‐2, Ago‐2, Ars‐2) was significantly lower in nontransmitting relative to transmitting G. nigrifrons. Injection with double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) encoding segments of the PGRP‐LC and Dcr‐2 transcripts effectively reduced transcript levels by 90 and 75% over 14 and 22 days, respectively. MFSV acquisition and transmission were not significantly affected by injection of either dsRNA. Knock‐down of PGRP‐LC resulted in significant mortality (greater than 90%) at 27 days postinjection, and resulted in more abnormal moults relative to those injected with Dcr‐2 or control dsRNA. The use of RNAi to silence G. nigrifrons transcripts will facilitate the study of gene function and pathogen transmission, and may provide approaches for developing novel targets of RNAi‐based pest control.
Regulation of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 1 activity by dynamin-mediated endocytosis

Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MT1-MMP) plays a critical role in extracellular matrix remodeling under both physiological and pathological conditions. However, the mechanisms controlling its activity on the cell surface remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that MT1-MMP is regulated by endocytosis. First, we determined that Con A induces proMMP-2 activation in HT1080 cells by shifting endogenous MT1-MMP from intracellular compartments to cell surface. This phenotype was mimicked by the cytoplasmic truncation mutant MT1ΔC with more robust pro-MMP-2 activation and cell surface expression than wild-type MT1-MMP in transfected cells. MT1ΔC was subsequently shown to be resistant to Con A treatment whereas MT1-MMP remains competent, suggesting that Con A regulates MT1-MMP activity through cytoplasmic domain-dependent trafficking. Indeed, MT1-MMP was colocalized with clathrin on the plasma membrane and with endosomal antigen 1 in endosomes. Internalization experiments revealed that MT1-MMP is internalized rapidly in clathrin-coated vesicles whereas MT1ΔC remains on cell surface. Coexpression of a dominant negative mutant of dynamin, K44A, resulted in elevation of MT1-MMP activity by interfering with the endocytic process. Thus, MT1-MMP is regulated by dynamin-dependent endocytosis in clathrin-coated pits through its cytoplasmic domain.
Enhanced Soft Interference Cancellation Algorithm for V-BLAST Systems

In this paper, we investigate soft interference cancellation algorithms for vertical Bell Laboratories layered space- time (V-BLAST) systems. By using Gaussian-forcing technique and fast matrix computation, we first derive a simplified version of the conventional generalized probabilistic data association (GPDA) algorithm, called the fast soft interference cancellation (FSIC) algorithm, whose complexity is only cubic in the number of transmit/receive antennas. Then, based on the FSIC algorithm, we develop an enhanced soft interference cancellation (ESIC) algorithm by making use of the properties of MIMO channels. It is shown that with efficient iterative processing, the ESIC algorithm can achieve near-optimal performance in both uncoded systems and coded systems.
Study of dielectric behavior of ester transformer liquids under ac voltage

As replacement of mineral oil, the application of ester liquids in large power transformers has become a hot topic in recent years. Understanding esters' dielectric behaviors under ac voltage is of vital importance for the insulation design of power transformers. This paper presents experimental studies on the ac dielectric strengths of synthetic ester and natural ester in quasi-uniform electric field, using mineral oil as a benchmark. The results show that esters have similar breakdown voltages to mineral oil when filtered and dehydrated. However, their breakdown voltages are significantly higher than mineral oil with the presence of particle and water contaminations. Furthermore, the breakdown voltages of esters are reduced more sharply than that of mineral oil with the increase of electrodes' Effective Stressed Area (ESA). Based on the experimental results, an estimation of the withstand voltages of transformer liquids in practical qualities was made when considering the particle effect, water effect and electrode area effect, and it was found that the 1-mm-gap withstand voltages of esters are higher than that of mineral oil.
Semi-automated fluorogenic PCR assays (TaqMan) forrapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other shiga toxigenic E. coli.

Semi-automated detection of Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) was achieved using fluorogenic polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These PCR assays were designed to amplify 80, 120 and 150 bp regions of virulence genes stx1, stx2 and eaeA, respectively, using specific primers. The fluorogenic probes were used for specific detection of amplified products of the stx1 and stx2 genes of STEC, and the eaeA gene of EHEC O157:H7. For multiplex PCR assay, the three sets of primers and fluorogenic probes were included in one reaction to simultaneously amplify and detect any of the three targeted virulence genes. In non-multiplex PCR assay, each of the three virulence genes was amplified and detected in independent reactions. The specificity of these assays was evaluated using suspensions of STEC and other bacterial species lacking stx1, stx2 and eaeA. The multiplex assay detected all STEC harbouring any combination of three virulence genes. Three non-multiplex PCR reactions identified types of Shiga toxin genes carried by a STEC and identified STEC as either EHEC O157:H7 or non-O157:H7 STEC. Sensitivity limits of these assays in beef and faeces inoculated with EHEC O157:H7 were 5.8 to 580 cfu and 1.2 to 1200 cfu, respectively. These assays can be completed within 8-10 h when performed simultaneously or within 13 h if the multiplex assay is used as an initial screen for detecting STEC and the non-multiplex assay is used for subsequent detection of stx1 and stx2 of STEC and eaeA of EHEC O157:H7
Cell response of Escherichia coli to cisplatin‐induced stress

Cisplatin is undoubtedly one of the most common and successful anticancer drugs worldwide. Though its DNA‐based mechanism of action is well established, the contribution of the proteome to this process remains unclear. The possible impact of particular Escherichia coli proteins on the cytostatic activity of cisplatin was the subject of this study. Our main focus was not only the ”bottom‐up” identification of novel cisplatin protein targets through LC/LC‐MS/MS analysis, but also a label‐free quantification of their regulation profile by spectral‐counting. The regulation of two proteins, aconitate hydratase 2 and 60 kDa chaperonin 1, could be linked to a platinated amino acid in the protein sequence, whereas in the cases of 30S ribosomal protein S1 and enolase, it could be shown that cisplatin fragments are coordinated to an essential site for the functionality of the protein. Nucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase (MazG) regulates the programmed cell death and was found to be platinated on the protein surface, which probably correlates with the established mode of action. A possible new chapter in the understanding of cisplatin's mechanism of action and its severe side effects is opened, since evidence is provided that platinated proteins are not only involved in cellular stress response but also in energy metabolism through glycolysis and catabolic processes, in gene regulatory mechanisms and protein synthesis.
The emergence of life from iron monosulphide bubbles at a submarine hydrothermal redox and pH front

Here we argue that life emerged on Earth from a redox and pH front at c. 4.2 Ga. This front occurred where hot (c. 150°C), extremely reduced, alkaline, bisulphide-bearing, submarine seepage waters interfaced with the acid, warm (c. 90°C), iron-bearing Hadean ocean. The low pH of the ocean was imparted by the ten bars of CO2 considered to dominate the Hadean atmosphere/hydrosphere. Disequilibrium between the two solutions was maintained by the spontaneous precipitation of a colloidal FeS membrane. Iron monosulphide bubbles comprising this membrane were inflated by the hydrothermal solution upon sulphide mounds at the seepage sites. Our hypothesis is that the FeS membrane, laced with nickel, acted as a semipermeable catalytic boundary between the two fluids, encouraging synthesis of organic anions by hydrogenation and carboxylation of hydrothermal organic primers. The ocean provided carbonate, phosphate, iron, nickel and protons; the hydrothermal solution was the source of ammonia, acetate, HS −, H2 and tungsten, as well as minor concentrations of organic sulphides and perhaps cyanide and acetaldehyde. The mean redox potential (ΔEh) across the membrane, with the energy to drive synthesis, would have approximated to 300 millivolts. The generation of organic anions would have led to an increase in osmotic pressure within the FeS bubbles. Thus osmotic pressure could take over from hydraulic pressure as the driving force for distension, budding and reproduction of the bubbles. Condensation of the organic molecules to polymers, particularly organic sulphides, was driven by pyrophosphate hydrolysis. Regeneration of pyrophosphate from the monophosphate in the membrane was facilitated by protons contributed from the Hadean ocean. This was the first use by a metabolizing system of protonmotive force (driven by natural ApH) which also would have amounted to c. 300 millivolts. Protonmotive force is the universal energy transduction mechanism of life. Taken together with the redox potential across the membrane, the total electrochemical and chemical energy available for protometabolism amounted to a continuous supply at more than half a volt. The role of the iron sulphide membrane in keeping the two solutions separated was appropriated by the newly synthesized organic sulphide polymers. This organic take-over of the membrane material led to the miniaturization of the metabolizing system. Information systems to govern replication could have developed penecontemporaneously in this same milieu. But iron, sulphur and phosphate, inorganic components of earliest life, continued to be involved in metabolism.
The effect of out-of-plane strain on the electronic properties of zigzag graphene nanoribbons

We have studied the influence of out-of-plane strain on the electronic properties of zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) using first principles methods. We find that the electronic properties of ZGNRs are highly sensitive to the strains. As the strain increases, the band gap first remains almost invariant and then decreases monotonically, which could be used to design high precision strain sensors. ZGNRs based sensors would possess higher sensitivity and quicker response compared to the conventional sensors.
Diagnosis of human brucellosis using PCR

Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by facultative intracellular bacteria of the genus Brucella, which are widely distributed in both humans and animals, especially in the developing world. The diagnosis of human brucellosis requires isolation of the bacteria or confirmation through serologic tests. However, culture sampling sensitivity is often low, depending on the disease stage, Brucella species, culture medium, quantity of circulating bacteria and blood culture technique employed. The development of the PCR has offered a new dimension in the diagnosis of different microorganisms, which is possible in just a few hours. Over the past decade, there have been major advancements in all aspects of molecular diagnostics with regard to human brucellosis. PCR-based tests are proving to be faster and more sensitive than traditional methods. However, the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR for Brucella vary between laboratories and no standardization of sample preparation, target genes and detection methods have been established yet. Therefore, in this study, all the important aspects of the PCR for Brucella DNA detection and its utility in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with brucellosis are reviewed.