Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Acidic Microenvironment: Is It a Phenotype of All Cancers? A Focus on Multiple Myeloma and Some Analogies with Diabetes Mellitus

Simple Summary Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy characterized by an abnormal clone of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Currently, both the disease progression and its therapy are too often followed by a series of complications and the standard treatment for MM is aimed at improving the quality of life and to prolong progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of patients. This review looks at MM therapies from a different sight. It starts from a clear scientific background, suggesting that many malignant tumors have some common phenotype that isolates the tumor from the rest of the body. Between these phenotypes, extracellular acidity exerts a key role and data collected in the last two decades support the use of anti-acidic drugs in the treatment of cancers, including MM. Lastly, as many cancers, MM has some similarities with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) in the mechanism leading to the extracellular acidity, supporting the use of both a wide panel of proton transporters inhibitors and probably also of some anti-DM drugs in the treatment of both MM and DM. Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy with a poor prognosis while with a long and progressive outcome. To date, the therapeutic options are restricted to few drugs, including thalidomide or its derivates and autologous transplantation including stem-cell transplantation. More recently, the use of both proteasome inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies have been included in MM therapy, but the clinical results are still under evaluation. Unfortunately, death rates (within the 5-year overall survival rates) are still very high (45%), with no relevant improvement over the past 10 years. Here, we discuss data supporting a new therapeutic approach against MM, based on a common phenotype of tumor malignancies, which is the acidic microenvironment. Extracellular acidity drastically reduces the efficacy of both anti-tumor drugs and the immune reaction against tumors. Pre-clinical data have shown that anti-acidic drugs, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), have a potent cytotoxic effect against human MM cells, thus supporting their use in the treatment of this malignancy. Here, we discuss also similarities between MM and type II diabetes mellitus (DM) with high risk of developing MM, suggesting that both anti-diabetic drugs and a hypocaloric diet may help in curing MM patients.
A method for choosing the power converter control strategy to reduce the acoustic noise by taking into account the mechanical structure response

Acoustic noise generated by the association of an electric machine and its converter becomes of prime importance for choosing an electrical drive. Most studies deal with the electromechanical aspects (radial stress on the stator) and mechanical aspects (vibrations and acoustic) in a disassociated way. The presented study proposes to treat the whole problem with one same tool, based on the rotating field theory and a two-dimensions associated spectrum analysis. The aim is to find a control strategy and its parameters (e.g. chopping frequency) associated with electromechanical (slot number and aperture, winding type) and mechanical machine characteristics. The paper is illustrated by an example using a 1.25 kW induction machine associated with a natural sampling power converter.
Characterization and usability of powders from renewable raw materials for 3D printing

Innovative materials and new manufacturing technologies can make a substantial contribution to conserving resources. Such a path can be taken by adapting additive manufacturing processes for the use of renewable raw materials. It is particularly important to consider residual materials, for which both cost of procurement are low and interest in using them as raw materials is substantial. Such powders have to be characterized in the first step. In the following steps, a printable mixture must be produced, suitable binders chosen and the powder must be 3D-printed by means of binder jetting. Subsequently, an assessment can be made based on component strength as well as surfaceand geometric properties. In the study, the first step in the described process chain powder characterization will be examined in more detail. Typical synthetic powders have a particle size of 40 to 100 μm and a close to spherical shape. Their properties allow for good thin powder layer creation using a rake system. The renewable substances considered here are mostly fibrous, have high length-to-width ratios and low flowabilities. The particle size and particle shape distributions, the moisture and the density have to be determined for characterization. Statements about special distribution functions, flowability or squeegee suitability, solid volume fraction or porosity and producible layer thickness are expected. The aim is to be able to assess usability for binder jetting for newly available raw materials. With the help of the findings on powders made from renewable raw materials, it should be possible to make a statement about printability already from particle analysis or to verify a powder made from renewable raw materials specifically for 3D printing. In further investigations, specific properties of the 3D components will be analysed. Additive Manufacturing, 3D printing, Parameter, Powder Characterisation
Fried Chicken Quality As Affected By Probiotic Feeding Supplementation

Probiotics had been found promising in controlling food spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms thus maintaining the integrity of meat during processing. The study meant to determine the effect of locally-prepared probiotics from different growth media as feed supplement on the fried chicken’s sensory characteristics in terms of color, flavor, juiciness, tenderness, and general acceptability. Results showed that sensory acceptability of fried chicken flavor was significantly influenced by the probiotic from milk substrate (T1) with the highest mean acceptability rating of 8.17 and is characterized as moist, soft and light to brown color. Fried chicken flavor from other probiotic substrates, except from fish and from commercial probiotic, likewise exhibited significantly high mean acceptability on flavor. The Color, juiciness, tenderness, and overall mean acceptability rating had no significant difference throughout treatments. Highest gross margin was realized in T4 (probiotic from fish) and the least was from the commercial probiotics due to its high cost. This suggests that the sensory quality of the fried chicken using probiotics from different growth media was at par with the sensory quality of fried chicken from commercial probiotic but offers lower cost.
The efficacy of nanotechnological disinfectants on heterotrophic biofilms

Objective: Silver sulfadiazine and benzalkonium chloride are biocidal agents known to be effective against microorganisms. Although planktonic cells are easily affected by these agents, bacteria in the biofilm are more resistant to the same chemicals. Agents fixed on nanoparticles are reported to have higher antimicrobial activity against biofilm bacteria. The effects of nanotechnological disinfectants on biofilm bacteria vary with dose and time. The type of surface on which these disinfectants are sprayed also changes their activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of silver sulfadiazine and benzalkonium immobilized on nanoparticles to adhere to surfaces and their effect on biofilm. Methods: Stainless steel coupons were sprayed with nano benzalkonium chloride and nano silver sulfadiazine were air-dried to cure for 24 hours, then the coupons were placed into the biofilm reactor. Bacterial counts in the biofilm layer formed on these surfaces were compared at monthly intervals with control coupons. Bacterial biofilms allowed to form naturally were analyzed by microbiological culture methods and number of live and dead microorganisms were ÖZET Amaç: Gümüş sülfadiazin ve benzalkonyum klorür mikroorganizmalara karşı etkin olduğu bilinen biyosidal ajanlardır. Planktonik hücreler bu ajanlardan kolay etkilenmelerine rağmen biyofilm içindeki bakteriler aynı kimyasallara karşı daha dayanıklı olmaktadırlar. Öte yandan, nano tanecikler üzerine fikse edilmiş ajanların ise biyofilm bakterilerine karşı antimikrobiyal etkinliğinin yüksek olduğu bildirilmektedir. Fakat nanoteknolojik dezenfektanların doz ve süresinin biyofilm bakterilerine etkileri değişiklik göstermektedir. Bu dezenfektanların püskürtüldüğü yüzeylerin tipi de etkinliklerini değiştirmektedir. Bu çalışmada, piyasaya sürülecek olan nano partiküllere immobilize edilmiş gümüş sülfadiazin ve benzalkonyum’un yüzeylere tutunma yeteneklerinin ve biyofilm tabakası üzerine etkilerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Paslanmaz çelik kuponlar üzerine üretici firmadan temin edilen nano benzalkonyum klorür ve nano gümüş sülfadiazin püskürtülüp 24 saat kürleşmesi beklenmiş, ardından kuponlar biyofilm reaktörüne konulmuştur. Birer aylık aralıklarla bu yüzeylerde oluşan biyofilm tabakasındaki bakteri sayıları, dezenfektan ile kaplanmamış kontrol kuponlarıyla kıyaslanarak 1İstanbul Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoloji Bölümü, İstanbul Geliş Tarihi / Received : Kabul Tarihi / Accepted : İletişim / Corresponding Author : İrfan TÜRETGEN İstanbul Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Biyoloji Bölümü, Fatih, Istanbul Türkiye Tel : +90 535 966 20 77 E-posta / E-mail : turetgen@istanbul.edu. tr DOI ID : 10.5505/TurkHijyen.2018. 57778 Türk Hijyen ve Deneysel Biyoloji Dergisi Yavuz G, Türetgen İ. Nanoteknolojik dezenfektanların heterotrofik biyofilmler üzerine etkisi. Turk Hij Den Biyol Derg, 2018; 75(4): 323-332 19.12. 2017 16.05. 2018 Makale Dili “Türkçe”/Article Language “Turkish”
The Degradation of Chlorophyll Pigments in Dairy Silage: The Timeline of Anaerobic Fermentation.

BACKGROUND Detection of chlorophyll metabolites in milk has recently been suggested to be an indicator of a grass-fed diet fed for cattle. Such a means of detection, however, is complicated when the grazing season is over because cattle can be fed fermented silage ingredients, such as alfalfa and corn silage. During fermentation, chlorophyll compounds and other pigments undergo degradation due to the accumulation of lactic acid and the resultant decline in pH. RESULTS We monitored degradation of chlorophyll compounds by measuring the fluorescence and absorption spectra of silage extracts. The spectroscopic evidence supports the hypothesis that chlorophylls are converted into fluorescent products, such as pheophytin, and further cleaved into pheophorbide. The degradation starts with dechelation and removal of the magnesium ion to produce pheophytin. Further removal of the phytol chain from pheophytin results in the production of pheophorbide. CONCLUSIONS The fluorescence intensity of these degradation products is reduced compared to that of the parent molecule. These findings are important in understanding the fluorescent signal in milk when cows consume silage rather than fresh pasture grass. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The Effect of Emulsifying Protein and Addition of Condensed Tannins on n-3 PUFA Enriched Emulsions for Functional Foods

This paper examines the effect of the type of the emulsifying protein (EP) (sodium caseinate (SC) and whey protein isolate (WPI)) on both oil-in-water liquid-like emulsions (Es) and the corresponding cold gelled emulsions (GEs), and also the effect of addition of carob extract rich in condensed tannins (T). The systems, intended as functional food ingredients, were studied in various different respects, including rheological behaviour, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion with determination of the release of non-extractable proanthocyanidins (NEPA) from T, antioxidant activity and lipolysis. EP significantly affects the rheological behaviour of both Es and GEs. T incorporation produced a structural reinforcement of GEs, especially in the case of SC. The digests from Es displayed a higher antioxidant activity than those from GEs. T lipase inhibition was observed only in the formulations with WPI. Our results highlight the importance, in the design of functional foods, of analyzing different variables when incorporating a bioactive compound into a food or emulsion in order to select the better combination for the desired objective, owing to the complex interplay of the various components.
Analysis of PingAn Submission in the VoicePrivacy 2020 Challenge

This paper shows the post-evaluation analysis of our efforts in the VoicePrivacy 2020 Challenge. The VoicePrivacy 2020 Challenge focuses on the task of speech anonymization which is related to speech synthesis, voice conversion, automatic speech recognition, and speaker verification. In this study, we focus on speaker verification. Based on speaker embedding x-vectors, we study different front-end feature extraction, data augmentations
CENTRIFUGAL PREPARATION OF HIGH FILLER CONTENT EPOXY–CALCITE/TALC–NANOSILICA HYBRID COMPOSITES

High-filler content composites are difficult to prepare in synthetic systems because of the high viscosity of the resin-filler dispersion, need to compact irregular filler particles into minimum volume and entrapment of air that gives voids in the cured composite. The aim of this investigation was to employ planetary–centrifugal dispersion to mix, disperse and degas high filler content of calcite/talc-nanosilica epoxy suspensions. The combination of nanoand micro-particles allowed more complete space filling within the composite. The high calcitenanosilica epoxy composite was uniformly dispersed with relatively few minute voids. In contrast, talc platelets were randomly oriented and resisted compaction leading to decline in glass transition temperature at higher filler loading. The high-density composites were dimensionally stable with enhanced modulus, flexural strength and thermal stability.
The effects of extended polymerization time for different resin composites on reactive oxygen species production and cell viability.

PURPOSE The present study was conducted to determine oxidative stress and cell viability after contact with resin composites polymerized for different times. METHODS Disk-shaped specimens of Admira Fusion, Ceram X One Universal, Solare x and Filtek Z550 (n = 12) were prepared, and two subgroups with polymerization times of 20 and 40 s were employed. The specimens were incubated with mouse fibroblast cells for 48 and 72 h, and changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cellular viability were determined by an assay with a cell-permeable fluorescent dye, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCF-DA), and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, respectively. RESULTS At 72 h, ROS production in the presence of Admira Fusion polymerized for 40 s was reduced relative to that in the presence of Admira Fusion polymerized for 20 s (P < 0.05). Cell viability was maximal in the Admira Fusion and Solare x groups and there was no difference relative to the control group at 48 h. Cell viability was higher in the Admira Fusion and Solare x groups polymerized for 40 s than for the same materials polymerized for 20 s at 72 h (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Extension of the polymerizaton time has a material-specific effect and may be used as a strategy to increase the biocompability of resin composites.
La Estrategia de Ingreso en carreras de Ingeniería Agronómica y Forestal en la UNLP (1995-2015). Perspectivas, cambios y tensiones

Este articulo describe y analiza la Estrategia de Ingreso a las carreras de Ingenieria Agronomica y Forestal de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata, durante el periodo 1995-2015. El trabajo reconstruye las principales preocupaciones que dieron origen a esa propuesta, sus caracteristicas y los cambios o innovaciones que han realizado durante el recorte temporal efectuado. Asimismo, analiza la relacion de los lineamientos establecidos a nivel central de la Universidad con su expresion en la estrategia de ingreso estudiada, al mismo tiempo que recupera las perspectivas que sustentan los actores institucionales, los acuerdos y tensiones o conflictos suscitados con relacion al procesamiento de esa politica. A partir de un diseno metodologico cualitativo, descriptivo y analitico fue posible caracterizar, desde la perspectiva de los actores, la estrategia de ingreso en la Facultad elegida. Estos hallazgos son consistentes con las perspectivas teoricas referenciales, dado que se evidencio el nivel de autonomia relativa de los actores para la elaboracion de estrategias de ingreso, con antelacion a la definicion de una politica nacional y en el ambito local. El analisis realizado permite comprender las dinamicas especificas, la intervencion de actores academicos dentro de un entramado institucional singular. Los resultados mostraron que la adopcion de una determinada politica de acceso es un proceso complejo en cuya configuracion intervienen factores internos y externos.
Colistin Update on Its Mechanism of Action and Resistance, Present and Future Challenges

Colistin has been extensively used since the middle of the last century in animals, particularly in swine, for the control of enteric infections. Colistin is presently considered the last line of defense against human infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms such as carbapenemase-producer Enterobacterales, Acinetobacter baumanni, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Transferable bacterial resistance like mcr-genes was reported in isolates from both humans and animals. Researchers actively seek strategies to reduce colistin resistance. The definition of guidelines for colistin therapy in veterinary and human medicine is thus crucial. The ban of colistin use in swine as a growth promoter and for prophylactic purposes, and the implementation of sustainable measures in farm animals for the prevention of infections, would help to avoid resistance and should be encouraged. Colistin resistance in the human–animal–environment interface stresses the relevance of the One Health approach to achieve its effective control. Such measures should be addressed in a cooperative way, with efforts from multiple disciplines and with consensus among doctors, veterinary surgeons, and environment professionals. A revision of the mechanism of colistin action, resistance, animal and human use, as well as colistin susceptibility evaluation is debated here.
Performances of the WEPP and WaNuLCAS models on soil erosion simulation in a tropical hillslope, Thailand

Effective soil erosion prediction models and proper conservation practices are important tools to mitigate soil erosion in hillside agricultural areas. The Water Nutrient and Light Capture in Agroforestry Systems (WaNuLCAS) and Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) models are capable tools in soil erosion simulation in the conventional and conservation cropping systems in hillslopes. We calibrated both the models in maize monocropping and simultaneously validated them in maize-chili intercropping with Leucaena hedgerow for nine rainfall events in 2010, with the aim to evaluate their performances in runoff and sediment prediction on a skeleton soil in a hillslope, Western Thailand. The results showed that the calibrated WaNuLCAS model poorly predicts runoff prediction in the validation. In contrast, the calibrated WEPP model had a better performance in runoff prediction in the validation. For sediment prediction, the calibrated WaNuLCAS model predicted sediment yield better than the calibrated WEPP model in the validation because the WEPP model shows more variability of the sediment yield in the calibration (5.84 kg m–2) than the WaNuLCAS (5.18 kg m–2). Thus, the WEPP model was more suitable for runoff prediction than sediment prediction in the monocropping system, whereas the WaNuLCAS model was better suited for sediment yield prediction than runoff prediction, especially in complex intercropping systems.
Gastrodin promotes CNS myelination via a lncRNA Gm7237/miR-142a/MRF pathway

ABSTRACT Treatment of central nervous system (CNS) demyelination is greatly hindered by lack of the knowledge regarding to underlying molecular mechanisms as well as therapeutic agents. Here, we report a novel small molecule agent, gastrodin (GAS), which can significantly promote CNS myelination in in vivo mice models. By using high-throughput sequencing analysis, we discover a key long non-coding RNA Gm7237 that can enhance CNS myelination and is up-regulated by GAS. Through using bioinformatic analysis and experimental validations, we further unravel that microRNA-142a (miR-142a) and its target myelin gene regulatory factor (MRF) is under the direct regulation by Gm7237. Finally, we demonstrate that Gm7237/miR-142a/MRF axis is the key pathway involved in CNS myelination mediated by GAS. Overall, our results provide not only a novel agent for therapeutic treatment of CNS demyelination but also a molecular basis responsible for GAS-promoted CNS myelination.
Multiclonal complexity of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the prognostic relevance of subclonal mutations

Genomic studies of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have shown remarkable heterogeneity in initial diagnosis, with multiple (sub)clones harboring lesions in relapse-associated genes. However, the clinical relevance of these subclonal alterations remains unclear. We assessed the clinical relevance and prognostic value of subclonal alterations in the relapse-associated genes IKZF1, CREBBP, KRAS, NRAS, PTPN11, TP53, NT5C2, and WHSC1 in 503 ALL cases. Using molecular inversion probe sequencing and breakpoint-spanning polymerase chain reaction analysis we reliably detected alterations with an allele frequency below 1%. We identified 660 genomic alterations in 285 diagnostic samples of which 495 (75%) were subclonal. RAS pathway mutations were common, particularly in minor subclones, and comparisons between RAS hotspot mutations revealed differences in their capacity to drive clonal expansion in ALL. We did not find an association of subclonal alterations with unfavorable outcome. Particularly for IKZF1, an established prognostic marker in ALL, all clonal but none of the subclonal alterations were preserved at relapse. We conclude that, for the genes tested, there is no basis to consider subclonal alterations detected at diagnosis for risk group stratification of ALL treatment.
Depth‐resolved variations in visibility of retinal nerve fibre bundles across the retina in enface OCT images of healthy eyes

Recent developments in optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology enable direct enface visualisation of retinal nerve fibre bundle (RNFB) loss in glaucoma. However, the optimum depth at which to visualise RNFBs across the retina is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the range of depths and optimum depth at which RNFBs can be visualised across the retina in healthy eyes.
Advances and Prospects in Vaccine Development against Enterococci

Enterococci are the second most common Gram-positive pathogen responsible for nosocomial infections. Due to the limited number of new antibiotics that reach the medical practice and the resistance of enterococci to the current antibiotic options, passive and active immunotherapies have emerged as a potential prevention and/or treatment strategy against this opportunistic pathogen. In this review, we explore the pathogenicity of these bacteria and their interaction with the host immune response. We provide an overview of the capsular polysaccharides and surface-associated proteins that have been described as potential antigens in anti-enterococcal vaccine formulations. In addition, we describe the current status in vaccine development against enterococci and address the importance and the current advances toward the development of well-defined vaccines with broad coverage against enterococci.