Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Altered Fluorescence of Buccal Cells as a Candidate Biomarker for Areca Nut Chewing

Abstract Background: Betel nut is used by an estimated 600 million people globally and is the 4th most widely used psychoactive substance in the world. Its use has been shown to cause oral and esophageal cancers. Therefore, cessation programs are needed in which an effective biomarker can be employed. Objectives: Buccal cells are highly exposed to the betel nut during its use and are also easy to collect. However, it is unknown if there are significant changes to these cells upon exposure or how long any changes may last as the turnover of buccal cells is relatively fast. We sought to determine if optical changes could be detected on buccal cells after exposure to betel nut and if detected, how long these changes were sustained. Methods: Flow cytometry was employed to determine whether fluorescence intensities differ between buccal cells exposed to betel nut and naïve cells. We further characterized the optical signature of buccal cells exposed to betel nut and other polyphenol-rich substances using lambda scans performed on a laser scanning confocal microscope. Results: We demonstrate that the fluorescence of betel nut exposed cells is greater than that of cells exposed to other optically active compounds such as polyphenol-rich foods. We also demonstrate that the fluorescence spectra of betel nut quid exposed cells are distinct from that of cells exposed to other polyphenol-rich substances. Conclusions: We conclude that detecting the altered fluorescence of buccal cells following exposure to betel nut quid may serve as a candidate biomarker for betel nut quid use.
Plausible Minimal Substrate for Erm Protein

Erm proteins methylate a specific adenine residue (A2058, Escherichia coli coordinates) conferring macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) antibiotic resistance on a variety of microorganisms, ranging from antibiotic producers to pathogens. To identify the minimal motif required to be recognized and methylated by the Erm protein, various RNA substrates from 23S rRNA were constructed, and the substrate activity of these constructs was studied using three Erm proteins, namely, ErmB from Firmicutes and ErmE and ErmS from Actinobacteria. ABSTRACT Erm proteins methylate a specific adenine residue (A2058, Escherichia coli coordinates) conferring macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) antibiotic resistance on a variety of microorganisms, ranging from antibiotic producers to pathogens. To identify the minimal motif required to be recognized and methylated by the Erm protein, various RNA substrates from 23S rRNA were constructed, and the substrate activity of these constructs was studied using three Erm proteins, namely, ErmB from Firmicutes and ErmE and ErmS from Actinobacteria. The shortest motif of 15 nucleotides (nt) could be recognized and methylated by ErmS, consisting of A2051 to the methylatable adenine (A2058) and its base-pairing counterpart strand, presumably assuming a quite similar structure to that in 23S rRNA, an unpaired target adenine immediately followed by an irregular double-stranded RNA region. This observation confirms the ultimate end of each side in helix 73 for methylation, determined by the approaches described above, and could reveal the mechanism behind the binding, recognition, induced fit, methylation, and conformational change for product release in the minimal context of substrate, presumably with the help of structural determination of the protein-RNA complex. In the course of determining the minimal portion of substrate from domain V, protein-specific features could be observed among the Erm proteins in terms of the methylation of RNA substrate and cooperativity and/or allostery between the region in helix 73 furthest away from the target adenine and the large portion of domain V above the methylatable adenine.
Germination of Bacillus cereus spores : the role of germination receptors

The Bacillus cereus sensu lato group forms a highly homogeneous subdivision of the genus Bacillus and comprises several species that are relevant for humans. Notorious is Bacillus anthracis, the cause of the often-lethal disease anthrax, while the insect pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis is of economical importance, being used worldwide as an insecticide. B. cereus is a food pathogen, and can cause two types of foodborne diseases leading to an emetic- or diarrheal syndrome. The capacity of these bacteria to form highly resistant dormant particles, called spores, enables them to survive extreme conditions. Under favorable conditions, spores may germinate, herewith instantaneously loosing their resistance capacities, and grow out to vegetative cells. The research in this thesis describes the germination of spores of B. cereus. Precise timing of germination is crucial for survival. Therefore, the spore contains specific sensors, called germination receptors, which monitor the environment continuously for components necessary for growth. By systematically disrupting the complete set of B. cereus ger operons, coding for germination receptors, we revealed new germination-initiating molecules for the receptors. The GerR receptor was found to have a prominent role in germination, and appeared to be involved in initiation of germination by most of the amino acid- and purine ribosides. GerG showed participation in L-glutamine-initiated germination, while GerI played a role in purine riboside-initiated germination and the combined amino acid/purine riboside responses. Exposure of B. cereus spores to Caco-2 cells, that mimic the epithelial layer of the human small intestine, induced a strong germination response. The involvement of the germination receptors in this response was shown and found to be mainly mediated by GerI. It was furthermore shown that the nutrient content during sporulation defined the transcription levels of the ger operons and affected spore germination properties, suggesting that sporulation conditions influence the number of Ger receptors in the spore. The obtained knowledge was used to develop an improved cleaning-in-place method for inactivation of attached B. cereus spores. These spores are a frequent problem in processing equipment used in the food industry and the cause of a continuous source of contamination. The results presented are expected to contribute to a better understanding of Bacillus spore germination, and to facilitate the development of new food preservation strategies that will contribute to a better control of spores in our food products.
Sex‐Based Differences in Unrecognized Myocardial Infarction

Background Myocardial infarction is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in both men and women. Atypical or the absence of symptoms, more prevalent among women, may contribute to unrecognized myocardial infarctions and missed opportunities for preventive therapies. The aim of this research is to investigate sex‐based differences of undiagnosed myocardial infarction in the general population. Methods and Results In the Lifelines Cohort Study, all individuals ≥18 years with a normal baseline ECG were followed from baseline visit till first follow‐up visit (≈5 years, n=97 203). Individuals with infarct‐related changes between baseline and follow‐up ECGs were identified. The age‐ and sex‐specific incidence rates were calculated and sex‐specific cardiac symptoms and predictors of unrecognized myocardial infarction were determined. Follow‐up ECG was available after a median of 3.8 (25th and 75th percentile: 3.0–4.6) years. During follow‐up, 198 women experienced myocardial infarction (incidence rate 1.92 per 1000 persons‐years) compared with 365 men (incidence rate 3.30; P<0.001 versus women). In 59 (30%) women, myocardial infarction was unrecognized compared with 60 (16%) men (P<0.001 versus women). Individuals with unrecognized myocardial infarction less often reported specific cardiac symptoms compared with individuals with recognized myocardial infarction. Predictors of unrecognized myocardial infarction were mainly hypertension, smoking, and higher blood glucose level. Conclusions A substantial proportion of myocardial infarctions are unrecognized, especially in women. Opportunities for secondary preventive therapies remain underutilized if myocardial infarction is unrecognized.
Effects of Massage on Post-Operative Pain in Infants with Complex Congenital Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND Pain management is an essential component of care for pediatric patients following surgery. Massage reduces self-reported post-operative pain in adults with heart disease but has received little attention in post-operative pediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CCHD). OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of massage compared to a rest period on post-operative pain scores and physiologic responses in infants with CCHD. METHODS We used a two-group randomized clinical trial design with a sample of 60 infants with CCHD between 1 day and 12 months of age following their first cardiothoracic surgery. Both groups received standard post-operative care. Group 1 received a daily 30-minute restriction of non-essential caregiving (Quiet Time), and Group 2 received a daily 30-minute massage. Interventions continued for seven consecutive days. Pain was measured 6 times daily using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability Pain Assessment Tool (FLACC). Average daily doses of analgesics were recorded. Heart rates (HR), respiratory rates (RR), and oxygen saturations (SpO2) were recorded continuously. Daily averages and pre- and post- intervention FLACC scores and physiologic responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, GLMM repeated measures, latent growth models, and/or regression discontinuity analysis. Fentanyl-equivalent narcotic values were used as a time-varying covariate. RESULTS Adjusted pain scores were lower for the massage group on all days except day 7. Overall there were no group effects on level of pain or differential rate of change in pain. However, the massage group had lower daily pain scores with small to medium effect size differences, largest at days 4, 5 and 6, and lower average daily HR and RR. There was little difference between groups in SpO2. Infants demonstrated immediate effects of massage, with HR and RR decreasing and oxygen saturations increasing. DISCUSSION This study provides beginning evidence that post-operative massage may reduce pain and improve physiologic parameters in infants with congenital heart disease. This non-pharmacological adjunct to pain management may provide a particular benefit for this population by reducing demand on the cardiorespiratory system.
Use of rsfMRI-fALFF for the detection of changes in brain activity in patients with normal-tension glaucoma

Background We know little about the changes of brain activity in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). Purpose To investigate the altered spontaneous brain activity in patients with NTG through the resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging–fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (rsfMRI-fALFF) technique, and to explore the relationship with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and field of vision. Material and Methods Twenty patients with NTG and 20 healthy controls (HCs) (matched for sex, age, and level of education) were enrolled. Spontaneous cerebral activity variations were investigated using the rsfMRI-fALFF technique in all individuals. The average fALFF values of patients with NTG and HCs were compared. Results Compared with HCs, patients with NTG had significantly lower fALFF values in the right angular gyrus and precuneus; however, higher fALFF values in the brain regions were not observed. The values showed statistically significant negative correlation with those of the retinal nerve fiber layer (right angular gyrus: r = −0.607, P = 0.010; right precuneus: r = −0.504, P = 0.020). There was no significant correlation between the fALFF value and cup-disc ratio (right angular gyrus: r = 0.158, P = 0.494; right precuneus: r = −0.087, P = 0.706), mean deviation (right angular gyrus: r = 0.096, P = 0.468; right precuneus: r = 0.026, P = 0.845), and pattern SD value (right angular gyrus: r = 0.064, P = 0.626; right precuneus: r = −0.145, P = 0.268). Conclusion Abnormal spontaneous activities were detected in numerous brain regions of patients with NTG, which may provide useful information for understanding the dysfunction in NTG. These activity changes in brain regions may be used as effective clinical indicators for NTG.
Sensory properties of low fat cheddar cheese:effect of salt content and adjunct culture

The influence of salt concentration and of direct-to-vat culture adjuncts (DVCA) on the sensory properties of low fat hard cheese of the cheddar type has been investigated. Salt content has a major influence, and, at a level of 1·8%, low fat cheese with high levels of cheddar flavour and low bitter scores was produced. In addition, further enhancement of flavour was achieved by use of DVCA. Using the methodology described in this report, low fat cheese was manufactured which corresponded in flavour level and balance to that of commercial mature full fat cheese. Nevertheless, textural differences between low fat and full fat product remain to be resolved.
Comparative effects of water deficit on Medicago laciniata and Medicago truncatula lines sampled from sympatric populations

We evaluated the responses to water deficit of twelve lines of Medicago laciniata and Medicago truncatula including eight lines from four Tunisian sympatric populations of both species, and four references lines of M. truncatula. They were exposed to two water treatments, well irrigated and drought-stress (33% of field capacity) for a period of 45 days. At harvest, we measured five quantitative traits including the length of stems (LS), aerial dry weight (ADW), root dry weight (RDW), RDW/ADW ratio and leaf area (LA). Analysis of variance showed that the variation of measured traits among studied lines was significantly explained by the effects of species, line, treatment, and their interactions. Treatment and species had the largest effects. We also analyzed the broad-sense heritability of the drought response index (DRI), defined as the ratio between the observed values with and without water deficit treatment. DRI of most measured traits had high broad-sense heritability ( H²). The length of stems (LS) was the trait most affected by drought stress, while RDW/ADW ratio was not affected by drought. Generally, few significant differences were observed between DRI values of measured traits between lines within species as well as between lines of M. laciniata and M. truncatula collected from sympatric populations. Most of the correlations established between DRI values were positive. The environmental factors that most influenced variation of DRI values among populations were available phosphorus (P) and mean annual rainfall.
Nonreciprocal partial cross-incompatibility in maize

A case of cross-incompatibility among crosses in our genetics nursery was first observed in 1975. These crosses though involving controlling elements in maize (Zea mays L.) do not necessarily implicate these elements. When the derivative genotypes from the genetic stocks were crossed by specific male parents, ears with reduced seed set (RSS) were produced. In the reciprocal cross where these same genetic stocks were used as the male parent, ears with normal seed set (NSS) were obtained. The RSS effect is a heritable character caused by an incompatibility interaction between the female tissue and a specific pollen type. The genetic control of the incompatibility interaction has been hypothesized to be influenced by a cytoplasmic–chromosomal interaction in the female and a chromosomal factor in the pollen. The site of the incompatibility interaction is not on the silk surface because the incompatible pollen germinated and developed normally on the silk surface. Thus, the incompatibility interaction can occu.
An Asynchronous IEEE Floating-Point Arithmetic Unit

An asynchronous floating-point arithmetic unit is designed and tested at the transistor level using Cadence software. It uses CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) and DCVS (differential cascode voltage switch) logic in a 0.35 µm process using a 3.3 V supply voltage, with dual-rail data and single-rail control signals using four-phase handshaking. Using 17,085 transistors, the unit handles single-precision (32-bit) addition/subtraction, multiplication, division, and remainder using the IEEE 754-1985 Standard for Binary Floating-Point Arithmetic, with rounding and other operations to be handled by separate hardware or software. Division and remainder are done using a restoring subtractive algorithm; multiplication uses an additive algorithm. Exceptions are noted by flags (and not trap handlers) and the output is in single-precision. Previous work on asynchronous floating-point arithmetic units have mostly focused on single operations such as division. This is the first work to the authors' knowledge that can perform floating-point addition, multiplication, division, and remainder using a common datapath.
Effects of zinc on cell viability and cell surface components of Rhizobium sp isolated from root nodules of Trifolium alexandrinum

In this study, thirty three isolates of Rhizobium isolated from root nodules of Trifolium alexandrinum were selected for their cell viability in terms of log 10 cfu/ml under zinc stress (0-100 mg/l zinc) at different time intervals i.e. 24, 48 and 72 hours The results showed that rhizobial cell viability was maintained throughout the 72 hours incubation period at all concentration of zinc, Maximum growth in terms of log 10 cfu was recorded at 48 hours incubation period. Population count of nineteen isolates kept on increasing up to 50 mg/l zinc concentration and thereafter it declined with the increase in zinc concentration, on the basis of these results nineteen isolates were grouped as zinc tolerant strains and rest fourteen isolates were considered as zinc sensitive strains because population count of these isolates was increasing up to 25 mg/l zinc and thereafter it declines with the increase in zinc concentration The cell surface components of Rhizobium play an important role for maintaining nodulation in leguminous plants, The zinc tolerant and sensitive strains were also screened for cell surface component.The experimental results of our study reveal that under zinc stress, the tolerant organisms are better to adapted the stressful environmental conditions Therefore supplementation of soil with optimum amount of zinc in soils along with biological formulation will be beneficial so as to enhance the process of symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Observations on the biology and ecology of the chrysomelid beetle Gastrophysa polygoni in cereal fields

Abstract. 1. Observations were made on the biology of Gastrophysu polygoni (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in cereal fields in southern England in 1977, 1978 and 1979. Adults of the overwintering generation emerged in late April/ May and there were usually two generations during the spring and summer months. In 1979 there was some evidence for at least a partial third generation.
Big Data, Information Technology and Information Professionals: Some Considerations for Digital Ethics

It is generally accepted that the global evolution of health information technology, both in design and usage, raises ethical issues that should be addressed. However, the terms in which this concern is expressed are shrouded in ambiguity. Even what constitutes an ethical issue itself is never clearly defined. The present discussion attempts to clarify the landscape and suggests how the concern should be addressed.
Evolutionary Trajectories and Biogeochemical Impacts of Marine Eukaryotic Phytoplankton

▪ Abstract The evolutionary succession of marine photoautotrophs began with the origin of photosynthesis in the Archean Eon, perhaps as early as 3.8 billion years ago. Since that time, Earth's atmosphere, continents, and oceans have undergone substantial cyclic and secular physical, chemical, and biological changes that selected for different phytoplankton taxa. Early in the history of eukaryotic algae, between 1.6 and 1.2 billion years ago, an evolutionary schism gave rise to “green” (chlorophyll b–containing) and “red” (chlorophyll c–containing) plastid groups. Members of the “green” plastid line were important constituents of Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic oceans, and, ultimately, one green clade colonized land. By the mid-Mesozoic, the green line had become ecologically less important in the oceans. In its place, three groups of chlorophyll c–containing eukaryotes, the dinoflagellates, coccolithophorids, and diatoms, began evolutionary trajectories that have culminated in ecological dominance in the con.
The influence of light fermented carbohydrates on the exocrine pancreatic secretion in cows

Zusammenfassung Der Einflus leicht fermentierbarer Kohlenhydrate auf die exokrine Pankreas-Sekretion bei Kuhen Vier trockenstehende Kuhe erhielten permanente Fisteln zur Sammlung von Pankreassaft. Je zwei Kuhe erhielten eine Ration auf der Basis von Getreide und auf der Basis von Melasse/Harnstoff mit gleichem Gehalt an umsetzbarer Energie und Stickstoff. Nach einer Adaptationszeit von 2 Wochen wurde eine 48-stundige Pankreassekretion gemessen. Nach der Messung von Volumen und pH-Wert des Pankreassaftes wurde er zuruck in das Duodenum der Tiere gegeben, dabei wurden 5% des Pankreassaftes fur analytische Zwecke zuruckgehalten. Bei Futterung von Melasse/Harnstoff war das Pankreassaft-Volumen signifikant erhoht, der pH-Wert des Pankreassaftes blieb bei beiden Futterungsregimen gleich. Es wurde ebenfalls kein Unterschied hinsichtlich Amylase-, Trypsin- und Chymotrypsin-Aktivitaten und von Blut-Insulin- bzw. -Glucose-Werten gefunden. Die Plasma-Harnstoff-Konzentration lag bei der Melasse/Harnstoff-Ration hoher. Der Pansen-pH-Wert dagegen bei der Ration auf der Basis von Getreide. Aus den aufgefuhrten Daten last sich ein Zusammenhang zwischen Pansenfermentation und Pankreassaftvolumen ableiten.
Investigation of binding modes of spider toxin–human voltage-gated sodium channel subtybe 1.7

ABSTRACTS The human voltage-gated sodium channel subtype 1.7 (hNaV1.7) is an attractive target for the development of potent and selective novel analgesics. HwTx-IV, a spider derived peptide toxin with 35-residue, inhibits hNaV1.7 with high potency by influencing the kinetics and gating behaviors of the channel, kinetics refers to the control of ion channels on and off by binding to a voltage sensor domains, so it is classified as gating modifier toxins (GMTs). In this study, we study how HwTx-IV and its variant exert its inhibitory potency on hNav1.7 using a range of biophysical techniques including homology modelling, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and umbrella sampling. The results show that the binding free energy of HwTx-IV and m3-HwTx-IV to hNaV1.7 is -15.00 kJ/mol and -16.2 kJ/mol, respectively, which are consistent with the experiential results；hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction both are important concerns about toxin blocking ion channels：the interactions of m3-HwTx-IV-hNaV1.7 are enhanced by mutating several residues in HwTx-IV. In comparison with the other peptide toxins of NaSpTx-F1, it is found that NaSpTx-F1 also had a similar binding characteristic. Combined above results, it was concluded that K32, W30 and F6, K7 and A8 in N-groove were critical for the interaction strength；G1, L3, G4, I5 in the N terminus and W33, I35 in the C terminus together can determine the peptide binding orientation relative to the channel and ultimately altered the inhibitory effect. This conclusion would be useful for designing high potency peptide inhibitor for hNav1.7. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma