Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Changes of the Chemical , Rheological and Organoleptic Characteristics of Ras Cheese during Ripening

Changes in the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of local Ras cheese were examined. Chemical, rheological and organoleptic properties of the cheese were examined during the ripening period of 30, 60 and 90 days. The relationship between chemical and rheological data was estimated by the Canonicial Correlation Analysis. Ras cheese were collected from six different local cheese factories in fayoum governorate, at the age of 15 days. All experimental cheeses were transported and stored at 12±2°C and 88 % relative humidity for 90 days. The PCA describe three groups of cheese samples including 30, 60, and 90 days aged cheeses by testing the chemical and rheological changes during the ripening period. The PC1 (30 days cheeses) characterized with higher moisture content, pH and cohesiveness values than PC3 samples (90 days cheese) which were of the highest water soluble nitrogen /total nitrogen, firmness, chewiness and gumminess values. The PC2 distinguished the cheese being characterized by the highest fat and protein contents at 60 days. Strong correlations were established between the chemical and rheological CCA results. Continuous and gradual improvement in the sensory quality of all cheeses were observed during ripening period, attaining the highest score at the end of ripening period (90 days).
Morphophysiology of buffel grass grown under different water supplies in the dry and dry-rainy seasons

ABSTRACT The lack of information on the growth of forage grasses in semi-arid environment, especially from the perspective of irrigation, is one of the obstacles to regular forage supply, as well as to the rational use of irrigation water. The objective with this study was to evaluate the leaf gas exchanges, biomass flow and structural characteristics of buffel grass cultivar Gayndah under different water supplies (30, 60, 90 and 120% of the reference evapotranspiration - ETo) during the dry season and dry-rainy season, in completely randomized design in a split-plot scheme with three repetitions. The experiment was conducted in Sobral, CE, Brazil (3° 45’ 00.77” S and 40° 20’ 38.55” W, altitude of 101 m) from September 2015 to January 2016. A higher photosynthetic rate was verified during the dry season, evidencing the adaptability of buffel grass to environments with water restriction. Overall, the best morphogenic and structural characteristics and the biomass production were observed in the dry season. The 90% ETo regime leads to maximum amount of forage accumulation, whereas the 30% ETo allows the maintenance of the cultivar Gayndah of buffel grass in a state of latency during the dry season.
Assessment of the possible protective effect of lycopene on monosodium glutamate-induced nephrotoxicity in adult male albino rat

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), known as AJI-NO-MOTO, is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. Glutamate is one of the most common amino acids found in nature, and is the main component of many proteins and peptides of most tissues. Glutamate is also produced in the body and plays an essential role in human metabolism. MSG is commonly used as a flavor enhancer. Lycopene (LPN) is a member of carotenoids, and it is an antioxidant substance found in tomato, and in other red fruits, and vegetables. The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of LPN on MSG-induced nephrotoxicity in adult male albino rats. 40 adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups with 10 rats in each group. Group I (control group). Group ІІ animals received lycopene orally in a dose of 4 mg/kg b.w. per day for 14 days. Group ІІI animals received MSG subcutaneously in a dose of 4 mg/g b.w. per day for 14 days. Group ІV animals received MSG Plus LPN. At the end of the experiment, kidney specimens were processed for histopathological, immunohistochemistry and biochemical studies. Administration of lycopene decreased elevated serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and immunoexpression of the proapoptotic protein (Bax), induced by MSG. It increased the immunoexpression of the antiapoptotic protein (Bcl2). It also ameliorated the morphological changes induced by MSG. MSG has toxic effects on the kidneys as indicated by biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical results. Lycopene has protective effects against MSG-nephrotoxicity by reducing elevated serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, kidney damage, and apoptosis.
Effect of precious metal particle size and support type on catalytic activity as revealed by X-ray methods

For supported nanoparticulate catalysts, the effect of their properties, such as size and interaction with support, on a catalytic process is still in debate. This is partially caused by the limited control that typical nanoparticle preparation methods offer which may lead to the presence of nanoparticles possessing a range of sizes and shapes, leading to a lack of clarity in the correlation between properties and catalysis. The work presented in this thesis focuses on producing size-selected monometallic supported nanoparticles and their detailed characterisation, both ex situ and in situ (under reaction conditions) mainly through the application of the technique of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAFS). Chapter 3 of this thesis focuses on understanding the mechanism of formation of Au nanoparticles produced by reverse micelle encapsulation, through a combination of various techniques (transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV-vis, combined small angle X-ray scattering/XAFS). From the combined data, it is possible to rationalise the synthesis process, which can be divided into three steps: fast reduction of Au (III) species to Au (I), slow reduction and agglomeration of Au atoms in sub-nanometric clusters and a final agglomeration to form the nanoparticles. Chapter 4 and 5 focus on the application of monometallic nanoparticles to the catalytic hydrogenation of 1,3-butadiene, used as a model reaction, using in situ XAFS to correlate size and support effect with their catalytic activities. For Au nanoparticles (chapter 4) it appears that a restructuring process takes places under reaction conditions. Depending on the sample, this process can be favourable (Au/SiO2) or detrimental (Au/Al2O3) and is highly dependent on particle size. For Pd nanoparticles (chapter 5) it was possible to identify the active species necessary (Pd0), and detrimental (PdH and PdC) for the selective hydrogenation of 1,3-butadiene in Pd as well as the role of support and size in promoting the presence of each phase.
A proximity-based in silico approach to identify redox-labile disulfide bonds: The example of FVIII

Allosteric disulfide bonds permit highly responsive, transient ‘switch-like’ properties that are ideal for processes like coagulation and inflammation that require rapid and localised responses to damage or injury. Haemophilia A (HA) is a rare bleeding disorder managed with exogenous coagulation factor(F) VIII products. FVIII has eight disulfide bonds and is known to be redox labile, but it is not known how reduction/oxidation affects the structure-function relationship, or its immunogenicity—a serious complication for 30% severe HA patients. Understanding how redox-mediated changes influence FVIII can inform molecular engineering strategies aimed at improving activity and stability, and reducing immunogenicity. FVIII is a challenging molecule to work with owing to its poor expression and instability so, in a proof-of-concept study, we used molecular dynamics (MD) to identify which disulfide bonds were most likely to be reduced and how this would affect structure/function; results were then experimentally verified. MD identified Cys1899-Cys1903 disulfide as the most likely to undergo reduction based on energy and proximity criteria. Further MD suggested this reduction led to a more open conformation. Here we present our findings and highlight the value of MD approaches.
Herbal Anti-Hyperglycemic Compound Increases Expression of Glucose Transporter Molecules in Diabetic Rats

Background: In previous studies, Sharma et al. has already isolated an anti-hyperglycemic compound from the fruit pulp of Eugenia jambolana using HPLC and other chromatographic techniques. However, the effect of antihyperglycemic compound (FIIc) on the expression of Glucose transporters and Kv 1.3 potassium channel in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide induced diabetic rats has not been studied so far. Objective: To study the effect of HPLC purified herbal anti-hyperglycemic compound (FIIc) on the expression of GLUT-4, GLUT-8 and Kv 1.3 potassium channel in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. Methods: 24 Male Wistar rats were taken and diabetes was induced in group B, C and D rats (n=6 each) by injecting Streptozotocin at a dose of 45 mg/kg of body weight 15 minutes after the administration of Nicotinamide at a dose of 230 mg/kg of body weight, intra-peritoneally to overnight fasted rats. Active compound (FIIc) was orally administered to group C and Pioglitazone to group D at a dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight for 6 weeks respectively. Serum was separated for the estimation of Adiponectin and TNF alpha at week 0 and week 6 of the study. Real time mRNA expression of GLUT-4, GLUT-8 and Kv 1.3 potassium channel was measured and compared between healthy and diabetic control rats. Expression of GLUT-4, GLUT-8 and Kv 1.3 potassium channel was also measured at protein level through Immunohistochemistry and compared between healthy and diabetic controls. Results: After treatment with FIIc for 6 weeks there was a 1.28 folds increase in GLUT-4 mRNA expression in skeletal muscles and 2.67 folds increase in GLUT-8 mRNA expression in liver tissues of group C rats as compared to group B rats. However, Kv 1.3 potassium channel mRNA expression was found to be at par among the four study groups. TNF alpha levels were found to be significantly decreased in group C rats as compared to group B. A slight increase in serum Adiponectin level was observed in group C as compared to group B, which was found to be statistically insignificant. Conclusion: FIIc treatment for 6 weeks significantly increases the expression of GLUT-4, GLUT-8 mRNA expression in liver and skeletal muscles leading to increased peripheral insulin sensitivity.
PNPLA3 I148M Variant Impairs Liver X Receptor Signaling and Cholesterol Homeostasis in Human Hepatic Stellate Cells

The patatin‐like phospholipase domain‐containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) I148M variant predisposes to hepatic steatosis and progression to advanced liver injury with development of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) drive the wound healing response to chronic injury, and lack of liver X receptor (LXR) signaling exacerbates liver fibrogenesis by impairing HSC cholesterol homeostasis. However, the contribution of the I148M variant to this process is still unknown. We analyzed LXR expression and transcriptional activity in primary human HSCs and overexpressing LX‐2 cells according to PNPLA3 genotype (wild type [WT] versus I148M). Here we demonstrate that LXRα protein increased whereas LXR target gene expression decreased during in vitro activation of primary human HSCs. Notably, LXRα levels and signaling were reduced in primary I148M HSCs compared to WT, as displayed by decreased expression of LXR target genes. Moreover, reduced expression of cholesterol efflux and enzymes generating oxysterols was associated with higher total and free cholesterol accumulation whereas endogenous cholesterol synthesis and uptake were diminished in I148M HSCs. Luciferase assays on LXR response element confirmed decreased LXR transcriptional activity in I148M HSCs; in contrast the synthetic LXR agonist T0901317 replenished LXR functionality, supported by adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) induction, and reduced collagen1α1 and chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 5 expression. Conversely, the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist rosiglitazone had only partial effects on the LXR target gene ABCA1, and neither diminished expression of proinflammatory cytokines nor increased de novo lipogenic genes in I148M HSCs. Conclusion: As a consequence of reduced PPARγ activity, HSCs carrying I148M PNPLA3 show impaired LXR signaling, leading to cholesterol accumulation. The use of a specific LXR agonist shows beneficial effects for diminishing sustained HSC activation and development of liver fibrogenesis.
The Impact of Potassium Chloride Salt on the Properties of Caerphilly Cheese as Sodium Chloride Salt Substitute

The association of dietary NaCl with arterial hypertension has led to a reduction in the levels of this salt in food and dairy products. For salting, Kcl has been used as a partial substitute for NaCl, without affecting product acceptability. In this study a sensually adequate saline solution was simultaneously diffused during salting of Caerphilly cheese in brine. Caerphilly cheese was made from mixtures of cow and buffalo milks (1:1) with added liquid rennet and starter (Lactococcus lactis Sub.sp& Lactococcus lactic Sub.sp cremoris. biovar diacetyl lactis and leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides). Dry salt was added at a level of 1% (w: w) of the wet curd. Brine constituting of 25% of only NaCl without salt substitutes as a control, and mixes of NaCl: Kcl (90:10, 80:20and 70; 30, respectively, were examined. Cheese brined by using NaCl: Kcl 70:30 characterized with higher scoring points of 84.8 and 89.2 %, either when fresh or during storage, compared with the control cheese, being treated with 100% NaCl, which gained the lowest scoring points of 70.5-74.4 %. Higher yield of 16.20 % was found in control cheese, compared with either cheese brined with NaCl: Kcl 70:30, which was of the lowest yield of 15.85%. Meanwhile, control treatment contained lower total bacterial counts, lactic acid bacteria and moulds and yeasts, compared with other treatments. Using only NaCl (without added substitutes) in the control treatment had a higher total solid, compared with other treatment. Brining by substituting 10, 20 and 30 % NaCl by Kcl was not markedly different from the traditional cheese salted with sodium chloride.
Chlorquinaldol, a topical agent for skin and wound infections: anti-biofilm activity and biofilm-related antimicrobial cross-resistance

Purpose Persistence of skin and wound infections is nowadays accepted being linked to bacterial biofilms, which are highly recalcitrant to treatments and contribute to maintain a constant inflammation state and prevent a correct healing. Topical antimicrobials are the most common first-line self-medications; however, treatment failure is not uncommon and emerging resistance to antibiotics is alarming. Chlorquinaldol is an antimicrobial with a wide spectrum of activity and desirable characteristics for topical application. Aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of chlorquinaldol to prevent or eradicate S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms, in comparison to classic topical antibiotics like gentamicin and fusidic acid. Methods Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were assessed for each strain and subinhibitory concentrations (½ and ¼ MIC) were used in the biofilm assay. Antimicrobial assays were performed during biofilm formation or were applied on mature biofilms and were evaluated by means of crystal violet assay and confocal laser scan microscopy. Results Chlorquinaldol and gentamicin were the most effective antimicrobials in both eradicating and preventing pathogens biofilm; however, resistance to methicillin and impermeability to carbapenems impaired chlorquinaldol effect. In addition, similarly to other hydroxyquinolines, aspecific metal chelation is here proposed as chlorquinaldol mode of action. Conclusion Relying on an acceptable antibiofilm and a wide spectrum of activity, an aspecific mode of action and consequent absence of resistance development, chlorquinaldol proved to be a good antimicrobial for topical use.
Towards Data-Driven Learning Paths to Develop Computational Thinking with Scratch

With the introduction of computer programming in schools around the world, a myriad of guides are being published to support educators who are teaching this subject, often for the first time. Most of these books offer a learning path based on the experience of the experts who author them. In this paper we propose and investigate an alternative way of determining the most suitable learning paths by analyzing projects developed by learners hosted in public repositories. Therefore, we downloaded 250 projects of different types from the Scratch online platform, and identified the differences and clustered them based on a quantitative measure, the computational thinking score provided by Dr. Scratch. We then triangulated the results by qualitatively studying in detail the source code of the prototypical projects to explain the progression required to move from one cluster to the next one. The result is a data-driven itinerary that can support teachers and policy makers in the creation of a curriculum for learning to program. Aiming to generalize this approach, we discuss a potential recommender tool, populated with data from public repositories, to allow educators and learners creating their own learning paths, contributing thus to a personalized learning connected with students’ interests.
N-acetyl-L-Cysteine ameliorates oxidative stress and reproductive toxicity induced by nicotine in male rats

Background: The current study assessed the protective role of N-acetyl-L-Cysteine in alleviating the detrimental effect of nicotine on reproductive functions in male rats. Methods: twenty four adult male albino rats were divided into four groups of six rats. Control group was treated orally with 0.5ml/kg normal saline, nicotine treated group received 1.0 mg/kg of nicotine i.p, N-acetyl-L-Cysteine treated group received 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg i.p for four weeks. Results: Nicotine caused significant reduction in serum level of total antioxidant, testosterone and luteinizing hormone. It also caused a significant reduction in sperm count. There was impairment in testicular histology of rats treated with nicotine. N-acetyl-L-Cysteine improved the reduction in sperm count, hormone levels and testicular alterations observed in nicotine treated rats. Conclusion: The study shows that nicotine exerts significant deleterious effects on male reproductive system and the concurrent administration of N-acetyl-L-Cysteine ameliorated these detrimental effects.
Low Lactose White Soft Cheese Made with Bioprocessing Treats and Ultrafiltration Technique

The diversity of products with reduced lactose levels is still limited, despite the worldwide deficiency of the βgalactosidase enzyme. Therefore, the aim of this study was to make low lactose white soft cheese from pasteurized buffalo's milk recombined retentate by applying different bioprocessing treatments, such addition of lactase, or different starters or using UFtechnique, compared with that made from recombined retentate as control. Chemical composition and sensory properties as well as curd tension of the resultant cheeses were performed during storage at 6 ±1C for 21 days. The curd tension values were statistically (P≤0.001) affected by the UF-technique, adding lactase or starter cultures. A decrease in lactose content in all cheese treatments was detected during the storage period. The highest rate of lactose degradation was observed in cheese treatment that treated with lactase; which showed an improvement in its sensory properties, compared to the control.
Redox Emulsion Polymerization of Terpenes: Mapping the Effect of the System, Structure, and Reactivity

Synthesis of biobased polymers from renewable feedstocks has been the focus of research on sustainability. The family of acyclic terpenes, particularly β-myrcene, β-ocimene, and β-farnesene from renewable feedstocks, imparts a classical chemistry close to isoprene (unsaturated hydrocarbon from petroleum). In this work, redox emulsion polymerization of these terpenes was carried out. The polymerization of β-myrcene produced a high molecular weight rubbery polymer (Mn = 1.68 × 105 Da) with a maximum yield of 65%. The spectroscopic measurements showed that polymyrcene predominantly contained a 1,4-microstructure. The polymyrcene from the best redox initiator system was characterized in detail. Its microstructure was established using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Polymyrcenes synthesized using different recipes displayed a glass transition temperature from −70 to −58 °C, indicating a rubbery nature. However, β-ocimene and β-farnesene polymerization yielded low molecular weight polymers with preferable 1,4-addi.
Ex vivo generation and maturation of dendritic cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic HCV or hepatocellular carcinoma using Toll-like receptor 3 ligand poly(I:C)

1Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt; 2Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt 3Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Damanhur University, Damanhur, Egypt 4Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt 5 Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt 6Cancer biology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt 7Tanta Cancer Center, Tanta, Egypt
Haemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of High-Fat Diet/Streptozotocine-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats Treated with Ethanol Extract of a Herbal Mixture (Aju Mbaise)

Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract of Aju Mbaise herbal mixture on some haematological indices of diabetic Wistar albino rats. Sample: Packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration was estimated in diabetic rats treated with ethanol extract of Aju Mbaise herbal mixture. Study Design: In the course of the experiment, fifty-four (54) rats with initial weight range of 30 – 40 g were grouped into 6 of 9 rats per group. The first group served as the normal control (NC) while the remaining five groups were induced with diabetes type 2 using high-fat diet for 8 weeks and streptozotocin at 35 mg/kg body weight. Group II served as the diabetic control while the remaining groups (III, IV, V & VI) were treated with metformin and three different concentrations of the plant extract respectively. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Animal house of the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, between July 2018 and January 2019. Methodology: The haemoglobin and packed cell volume were estimated after 4th, 8th and 12th week of treatment using MINDRAY Auto-Haematology analyzer. Results: From the results obtained, it was observed that the diabetic control group has a PCV and haemoglobin concentration that is significantly (P<.05) lower when compared to that of the normal control group and the other treated groups. Conclusion: The study has shown that Aju Mbaise herbal mixture is a haematopoietic agent as it had the tendency to synthesize blood cells.