Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrating Spatial Planning of Protected Areas and Transportation Infrastructures

Our study focuses on the position of protected areas in relation to the transport infrastructure planning and their specific requirements (fragmentation, artificial edge effects, buffer zones, etc.). The presence of transport infrastructure in protected areas is discouraged by the European Union legislation and although their avoidance should be easy, there are numerous cases in which knowledge of the protected areas lacked from the transport infrastructure planning. Our chapter presents the theoretical aspects of integrating protected areas with transportation infrastructures and the main software and methodologies which can be used in the planning process exemplified with case studies. The multitude of challenges found in transportation and conservation planning requires complex decision support systems (DSS), such are the tools based on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) we showcased in this chapter.
Modulation of Microglial Function by ATP-Gated P2X7 Receptors: Studies in Rat, Mice and Human

P2X receptors are a family of seven ATP-gated ion channels that trigger physiological and pathophysiological responses in a variety of cells. Five of the family members are sensitive to low concentrations of extracellular ATP, while the P2X6 receptor has an unknown affinity. The last subtype, the P2X7 receptor, is unique in requiring millimolar concentrations to fully activate in humans. This low sensitivity imparts the agonist with the ability to act as a damage-associated molecular pattern that triggers the innate immune response in response to the elevated levels of extracellular ATP that accompany inflammation and tissue damage. In this review, we focus on microglia because they are the primary immune cells of the central nervous system, and they activate in response to ATP or its synthetic analog, BzATP. We start by introducing purinergic receptors and then briefly consider the roles that microglia play in neurodevelopment and disease by referencing both original works and relevant reviews. Next, we move to the role of extracellular ATP and P2X receptors in initiating and/or modulating innate immunity in the central nervous system. While most of the data that we review involve work on mice and rats, we highlight human studies of P2X7R whenever possible.
Streptococcal arginine deiminase system defences macrophage bactericidal effect mediated by XRE family protein XtrSs

ABSTRACT The arginine deiminase system (ADS) has been identified in various bacteria and functions to supplement energy production and enhance biological adaptability. The current understanding of the regulatory mechanism of ADS and its effect on bacterial pathogenesis is still limited. Here, we found that the XRE family transcriptional regulator XtrSs negatively affected Streptococcus suis virulence and significantly repressed ADS transcription when the bacteria were incubated in blood. Electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA) and lacZ fusion assays further showed that XtrSs directly bind to the promoter of ArgR, an acknowledged positive regulator of bacterial ADS, to repress ArgR transcription. Moreover, we provided compelling evidence that S. suis could utilize arginine via ADS to adapt to acid stress, while ΔxtrSs enhanced this acid resistance by upregulating the ADS operon. Moreover, whole ADS-knockout S. suis increased arginine and antimicrobial NO in the infected macrophage cells, decreased intracellular survival, and even caused significant attenuation of bacterial virulence in a mouse infection model, while ΔxtrSs consistently presented the opposite results. Our experiments identified a novel ADS regulatory mechanism in S. suis, whereby XtrSs regulated ADS to modulate NO content in macrophages, promoting S. suis intracellular survival. Meanwhile, our findings provide a new perspective on how Streptococci evade the host’s innate immune system.
Fluctuations of Glacier Mass Balance in Watersheds of Qilian Mountain and Their Impact on Water Resources of Hexi Region

In inland watersheds on north slope of Qilian mountain, there are \{2 166\} existing glaciers with a total area of \{1 308\} km 2 and ice volume 60 km 3 . Melt water of these glaciers from year to year feeds to river, and annual recharge reach up to about 8×10 8 m 3 \5a\+\{-1\}, constitute about 11% of total runoff in surface water resources of Hexi region. Using method of statistical mechanics and maximum entropy principle, we obtain that distributions pf precipitation, mean depth and coefficient of runoff in a watershed can be described by a negative exponential function. In a high mountains basin with partial glacier cover, the maximum distributive area of precipitation, depth and coefficient of runoff is glacierized area. In this case, a calculation method of average mass balance for glaciers in a watershed has been suggested. The calculation method is employed to recovery of mass balance for glaciers in the Qilian Mountains. In the past 40 years, glacier changes in eastern section and west section of Qilian Mountains present a spatial variation: Glacier mass balance in Shiyanghe drainage basin of east section has a signification negative balance, \%B \% n in \{-80\}～\{-120\} mm;In Shulehe, Taolehe and Danghe watersheds of west section, glacier mass balance have a characteristic of positive mass balance, \%B \% n at \{+50\}～\{+90\} mm; In Heihe watershed, glacier mass balance get off to transition zone, average mass balance for many years at \{-40\}～\{+40\} mm. Variance in glacier mass balance influence directly to variance in river runoff, \%B\% n and runoff has a negative correlation relation. Difference of glacial size in different watershed will effect to vary of glacial melt water supply rate. Glacial melt water supply rate in Hongshuibahe, Danghe and Changmahe watersheds are in more than 30%～40%; Dongdahe, Dazhemahe, Mayinghe and Taolehe watersheds in 12%～14%; and Xiyinghe and Liyuanhe watersheds have just about 7%. Year to year change of glacier mass balance shows that glaciers in 1950s\_1970s presented a predominating negative mass balance, and from 1980s glacier mass balance begin inverting to positive statue and in 1990s mass balance predominating with positive, is a result of air temperature rising in winter induced increasing of snow fall. Under scenario of global air temperature warming, future glacier mass balance in eastern section of Qilian mountain will trend to increasing, and but glacier mass balance in western section would trended descending, and result in runoff increasing of glacial melt water alimentative rivers in western section, whereas runoff declining apparent of Shiyanghe watershed in eastern section.
Association between Short Stature at Grade 1 and Permanent Teeth Caries at Grade 6 in Elementary School Children in Japan: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Short stature in children is a marker of low nutritional status and has been suggested to be associated with dental caries. However, longitudinal studies on this topic are scarce. Data from a longitudinal study of elementary school children in Adachi City, Tokyo, Japan, were analyzed. In 2015, caregivers of children at grade 1 answered questionnaires, and information on dental caries and height measured at school health checkups was merged and followed to grade 6 (N = 3576; follow up rate = 83.3%). The association between short stature at grade 1 (−2.01 standard deviation (SD)–−3.00 SD, or <−3.00 SD in height-for-age according to the World Health Organization criteria) and the number of decayed, missing, or filled permanent teeth (DMFT) at grade 6 was examined using multivariable Poisson regression with robust standard error. After adjusting for confounders, children with a short stature at grade 1 had a higher DMFT number at grade 6: the mean ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.17 (0.89–1.54) and 2.18 (1.03–4.64) for children with a height-for-age −2.01 SD–−3.00 SD, and those with a height-for-age < −3.00, respectively. Short stature at grade 1 could be a marker of future dental caries in the permanent teeth at grade 6.
Enhanced methane gas generation by reutilization of acidogenic off-gas during two-phase anaerobic digestion of food waste

Recently, two-phase anaerobic digestion is gaining attention from researchers because of its increased stability as well as the great potential for specific optimization and improvement. However, the advantage of two-phase process of methane recovery over single phase is only marginal due to the unavailability of the hydrogen and carbon dioxide produced in the acidogenic reactor to the hydrogenotrophic methanogens in the methanogenic reactors. Hence, transferring the off-gas from acidogenic reactor to methanogenic reactor to provide H2 and CO2 for hydrogenotrophic methanogens should be a rewarding measure to improve overall energy recovery. Acidogenic off-gas transfer from acidogenic to methanogenic reactor was supposed to increase overall methane gas production. Results showed that gas transfer increased the biogas production up to 38.6%. In addition, hydrolysis rate and COD production were also achieved in the acidogenic reactor. In order to identify whether off-gas transfer or change in the acidogenic leachate quality was the major reason for the methane gas increase, another set of experiment was conducted, in which all the UASBs with and without gas transfer were fed with the same leachate. Results showed that without the contribution of leachate, there was still 8% increase 74 of methane gas, which should be related to off-gas transfer. Results of these two experiments indicated that increase of overall methane gas recovery by reutilization of acidogenic off-gas is a viable technique.
Real-Time Exposure to 3D-Printing Emissions Elicits Metabolic and Pro-Inflammatory Responses in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Three-dimensional (3D) printer usage in household and school settings has raised health concerns regarding chemical and particle emission exposures during operation. Although the composition of 3D printer emissions varies depending on printer settings and materials, little is known about the impact that emissions from different filament types may have on respiratory health and underlying cellular mechanisms. In this study, we used an in vitro exposure chamber system to deliver emissions from two popular 3D-printing filament types, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA), directly to human small airway epithelial cells (SAEC) cultured in an air–liquid interface during 3D printer operation. Using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and an optical particle sizer (OPS), we monitored 3D printer particulate matter (PM) emissions in terms of their particle size distribution, concentrations, and calculated deposited doses. Elemental composition of ABS and PLA emissions was assessed using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Finally, we compared the effects of emission exposure on cell viability, inflammation, and metabolism in SAEC. Our results reveal that, although ABS filaments emitted a higher total concentration of particles and PLA filaments emitted a higher concentration of smaller particles, SAEC were exposed to similar deposited doses of particles for each filament type. Conversely, ABS and PLA emissions had distinct elemental compositions, which were likely responsible for differential effects on SAEC viability, oxidative stress, release of inflammatory mediators, and changes in cellular metabolism. Specifically, while ABS- and PLA-emitted particles both reduced cellular viability and total glutathione levels in SAEC, ABS emissions had a significantly greater effect on glutathione relative to PLA emissions. Additionally, pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, MMP-9, and RANTES were significantly increased due to ABS emissions exposure. While IL-6 and IL-8 were stimulated in both exposure scenarios, VEGF was exclusively increased due to PLA emissions exposures. Notably, ABS emissions induced metabolic perturbation on amino acids and energy metabolism, as well as redox-regulated pathways including arginine, methionine, cysteine, and vitamin B3 metabolism, whereas PLA emissions exposures caused fatty acid and carnitine dysregulation. Taken together, these results advance our mechanistic understanding of 3D-printer-emissions-induced respiratory toxicity and highlight the role that filament emission properties may play in mediating different respiratory outcomes.
Hospital outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriales associated with an OXA-48 plasmid carried mostly by Escherichia coli ST399

A hospital outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriales was detected by routine surveillance. Whole genome sequencing and subsequent analysis revealed a conserved promiscuous OXA-48 carrying plasmid as the defining factor within this outbreak. Four different species of Enterobacteriales were involved in the outbreak. Escherichia coli ST399 accounted for 20/55 of all the isolates. Comparative genomics with publicly available E. coli ST399 sequence data showed that the outbreak isolates formed a unique clade. The OXA-48 plasmid identified in the outbreak differed from other known plasmids by an estimated five homologous recombination events. We estimated a lower bound to the plasmid conjugation rate to be 0.23 conjugation events per lineage per year. Our analysis suggests co-evolution between the plasmid and its main bacterial host to be a key driver of the outbreak. This is the first study to report carbapenem-resistant E. coli ST399 carrying OXA48 as the main cause of a plasmid-borne outbreak within a hospital setting. This study supports complementary roles for both plasmid conjugation and clonal expansion in the emergence of this outbreak.
Structural Identification of Ginsenoside Based on UPLC-QTOF-MS of Black Ginseng (Panax Ginseng C.A. Mayer)

Black ginseng (BG) is processed ginseng traditionally made in Korea via the steaming and drying of ginseng root through three or more cycles, leading to changes in its appearance due to the Maillard reaction on its surface, resulting in a dark coloration. In this study, we explored markers for differentiating processed ginseng by analyzing the chemical characteristics of BG. We elucidated a new method for the structural identification of ginsenoside metabolites and described the features of processed ginseng using UPLC-QTOF-MS in the positive ion mode. We confirmed that maltose, glucose, and fructose, along with L-arginine, L-histidine, and L-lysine, were the key compounds responsible for the changes in the external quality of BG. These compounds can serve as important metabolic markers for distinguishing BG from conventionally processed ginseng. The major characteristics of white ginseng, red ginseng, and BG can be distinguished based on their high-polarity and low-polarity ginsenosides, and a precise method for the structural elucidation of ginsenosides in the positive ion mode is presented.
Management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in patients with alcohol-associated liver disease

Alcohol-associated liver disease is a common and severe sequela of excessive alcohol use; effective treatment requires attention to both liver disease and underlying alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) can be dangerous, is a common barrier to AUD recovery, and may complicate inpatient admissions for liver-related complications. Hepatologists can address these comorbid conditions by learning to accurately stage alcohol-associated liver disease, identify AUD using standardized screening tools (eg, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test), and assess risk for and symptoms of AWS. Depending on the severity, alcohol withdrawal often merits admission to a monitored setting, where symptom-triggered administration of benzodiazepines based on standardized scoring protocols is often the most effective approach to management. For patients with severe liver disease, selection of benzodiazepines with less dependence on hepatic metabolism (eg, lorazepam) is advisable. Severe alcohol withdrawal often requires a “front-loaded” approach with higher dosing, as well as intensive monitoring. Distinguishing between alcohol withdrawal delirium and HE is important, though it can be difficult, and can be guided by differentiating clinical characteristics, including time to onset and activity level. There is little data on the use of adjuvant medications, including anticonvulsants, dexmedetomidine, or propofol, in this patient population. Beyond the treatment of AWS, inpatient admission and outpatient hepatology visits offer opportunities to engage in planning for ongoing management of AUD, including initiation of medications for AUD and referral to additional recovery supports. Hepatologists trained to identify AUD, alcohol-associated liver disease, and risk for AWS can proactively address these issues, ensuring that patients’ AWS is managed safely and effectively and supporting planning for long-term recovery.
A PROPOS DE LA PRÉSENCE DÚM AMBLYPYGE: Heterophrynus longicornis BUTLER, DANS LE "CERRADO"DU DISTRICT FÉDÉRAL (BRÉSIL).

A presenca de um Amblipige, provavelmente pertencente a especie Heterophrynus longicornisButler, e mencionada pela primeira vez para o Cerrado do Distrito Federal, Brasil. Alguns aspectos relativos ao biotopo sao comentados.
Translational PK/PD for the Development of Novel Antibiotics—A Drug Developer’s Perspective

Antibiotic development traditionally involved large Phase 3 programs, preceded by Phase 2 studies. Recognizing the high unmet medical need for new antibiotics and, in some cases, challenges to conducting large clinical trials, regulators created a streamlined clinical development pathway in which a lean clinical efficacy dataset is complemented by nonclinical data as supportive evidence of efficacy. In this context, translational Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) plays a key role and is a major contributor to a “robust” nonclinical package. The classical PK/PD index approach, proven successful for established classes of antibiotics, is at the core of recent antibiotic approvals and the current antibacterial PK/PD guidelines by regulators. Nevertheless, in the case of novel antibiotics with a novel Mechanism of Action (MoA), there is no prior experience with the PK/PD index approach as the basis for translating nonclinical efficacy to clinical outcome, and additional nonclinical studies and PK/PD analyses might be considered to increase confidence. In this review, we discuss the value and limitations of the classical PK/PD approach and present potential risk mitigation activities, including the introduction of a semi-mechanism-based PK/PD modeling approach. We propose a general nonclinical PK/PD package from which drug developers might choose the studies most relevant for each individual candidate in order to build up a “robust” nonclinical PK/PD understanding.
Increased Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in People with Diagnosis of Neuromuscular Disorders: A Nationwide Retrospective Population-Based Case–Control Study

The existing literature has explored carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and determined that it could be a risk for coronary artery disease (CAD), but there has been little research comparing the relevance of CAD with other neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) to CTS. This case–control study explored the association between CTS, stenosing tenosynovitis (ST), and ulnar side NMDs and CAD. The study utilized data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, focusing on health insurance claims. Between January 2000 and December 2011, we employed the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnostic codes to identify 64,025 CAD patients as the case group. The control group consisted of an equal number of individuals without CAD, matched for age, sex, and index year of CAD. Logistic regression analysis was employed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each variable. Multivariate analysis, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities, revealed a significantly higher likelihood of a previous diagnosis of CTS in the CAD group compared to the comparison control group. However, neither ST nor the ulnar side NMDs had any statistical significance. These results indicated that median nerve injury, rather than other NMDs, may uniquely serve as a predisposing factor of CAD.
A DCT based Imperceptible Color Image Watermarking Scheme

The paper proposes a novel scheme for watermarking color images. Majority of the papers published on color image watermarking consider color image watermarking process as a normal extension to grayscale image watermarking techniques without attending to the specific characteristics of color images. In color image watermarking, the host color image is embedded using a unique mark with the sole intention of making the host image identifiable. The objective of this work is to find suitable regions in a color image where the watermark embedding could be effected robustly without significantly degrading the image and at same time ensuring the impact of embedding will remain imperceptible. The proposed algorithm uses Discrete Cosine Transform to transform the host image into frequency domain for selecting appropriate coefficients for watermark embedding. Also, instead of resorting to global embedding of watermark over host image, safer regions that are oblivious to watermark embedding are selected for watermark integration. The measures discussed ensures that the watermarking process do not introduce visible distortions. A new metric, named as GEI (Global Embedding Impact), is also defined for measuring the impact of embedded watermark information over each host image pixel.
AEN Suppresses the Replication of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus by Inducing the Expression of Type I IFN and ISGs in MARC-145 Cells

Apoptosis-enhancing nuclease (AEN), which shares close evolutionary relationships with the interferon-stimulated gene 20 protein (ISG20) homologs in humans, is a member of the DEDDh exonuclease family. Numerous studies on various pathogens have identified the essential roles of ISG20 in inhibiting virus replication. However, the fundamental functions of AEN during viral infection remain largely unknown. This study discovered that AEN expression was significantly upregulated in MARC-145 cells infected with Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strain 85-7. In contrast, the amount of AEN protein decreased as viral replication increased. It was found that PEDV nsp1 and nsp5 mediated the decrease in AEN production, suggesting that an increase in AEN was not conducive to virus replication. By comparing AEN and its exonuclease-inactive mutant AEN-4A, we determined that the antiviral activity of AEN was independent of its exonuclease function. qPCR analyses revealed that AEN and AEN-4A could induce a significant increase in the transcription levels of IFN-α, IFN-β, and ISGs (OASL, IFI44, IFIT2, ISG15, Mx1, Mx2), and that AEN-4A has a higher induction ability. Overexpression of AEN and AEN-4A in MARC-145 cells targeting IFN-β knockdown or IFN-deficient Vero cells showed reduced or a complete loss of antiviral activity of both, suggesting that AEN may activate the type I IFN immune response and promote the expression of ISGs, thereby inhibiting PEDV replication. Taken together, our data prove the novel mechanism of AEN-mediated virus restriction.