Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Cucumis prophetarum Aqueous Leaf Extract and Their Antibacterial and Antiproliferative Activity Against Cancer Cell Lines

Biosynthesized nanoparticles are gaining attention because of biologically active plant secondary metabolites that help in green synthesis and also due to their unique biological applications. This study reports a facile, ecofriendly, reliable, and cost-effective synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the aqueous leaf extract of Cucumis prophetarum (C. prophetarum) and their antibacterial and antiproliferative activity. Silver nanoparticles were biosynthesized using the aqueous leaf extract of C. prophetarum, which acted as a reducing and capping agent. The biosynthesized C. prophetarum silver nanoparticles (Cp-AgNPs) were characterized using different techniques, such as UV–visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). Phytochemical analysis was performed to determine the phytochemicals responsible for the reduction and capping of the biosynthesized Cp-AgNPs. The antioxidant activity of the biosynthesized nanoparticles was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays. Their antibacterial activity was checked against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Salmonella typhi (Gram-negative) bacteria. The biosynthesized nanoparticles showed dosage-dependent inhibition activity with a significant zone of inhibition and were more effective toward S. typhi as compared to S. aureus. Their antiproliferative activity was evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on selected cancer cell lines. The IC50 values of Cp-AgNPs on A549, MDA-MB-231, HepG2, and MCF-7 were found to be 105.8, 81.1, 94.2, and 65.6 μg/mL, respectively, and this showed that the Cp-AgNPs were more potent toward MCF-7 as compared to other cell lines used in this study. This work revealed that the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using C. prophetarum leaf extract were associated with good antibacterial activity and antiproliferative potential against selected cancer cell lines. The biosynthesized C. prophetarum AgNPs can be further exploited as a potential candidate for antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer agents.
Analysis of Risk Factors for Development of Cognitive Disorders in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients – Pilot Study

Abstract Prevalence of cognitive disorders is high in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) is used for detecting and evaluation of cognitive disorder degree in this patient population. In examined patient population, only 5 (12.5%) of them had normal cognitive function (MoCA ≥26). Mild cognitive impairment (MoCA 18-26) was found in 65.9% (29) patients, while moderate cognitive disorder (MoCA 10-17) was detected in 6 (21.6%) patients. Major cognitive disorder wasn’t detected in examined population. Statistically significant correlation was not established between laboratory parameters and overall MoCA score. Statistically significant correlation, however, was established between MoCA item that evaluates space and time orientation and intermediate secondary hyperparathyroidism and space and time orientation and severe secondary hyperparathyroidism. Hemodynamic instability during hemodialysis and silent ischemia of the brain are increasing risk of appearance of cognitive disorders in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
A clinical study of ventral hernia

A ventral hernia is defined by a protrusion through the anterior abdominal wall fascia. These defects can be categorized as spontaneous or acquired or by their location on the abdominal wall. Epigastric hernias occur from the xiphoid process to the umbilicus, umbilical hernias occur at the umbilicus, and hypogastric hernias are rare spontaneous hernias that occur below the umbilicus in the midline. Acquired hernias typically occur after surgical incisions and are therefore termed incisional hernias. Ventral hernias are one of the most common problems confronting general surgeons. Incisional hernia is a common long-term complication of abdominal surgery and is estimated to occur in 3% to 13% of laparotomy incisions. However, its incidence is ABSTRACT
Functional Analysis of DNMT3A DNA Methyltransferase Mutations Reported in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

In mammals, DNA methylation is necessary for the maintenance of genomic stability, gene expression regulation, and other processes. During malignant diseases progression, changes in both DNA methylation patterns and DNA methyltransferase (MTase) genes are observed. Human de novo MTase DNMT3A is most frequently mutated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a striking prevalence of R882H mutation, which has been extensively studied. Here, we investigate the functional role of the missense mutations (S714C, R635W, R736H, R771L, P777R, and F752V) found in the catalytic domain of DNMT3A in AML patients. These were accordingly mutated in the murine Dnmt3a catalytic domain (S124C, R45W, R146H, R181L, P187R, and F162V) and in addition, one-site CpG-containing DNA substrates were used as a model system. The 3–15-fold decrease (S124C and P187R) or complete loss (F162V, R45W, and R146H) of Dnmt3a-CD methylation activity was observed. Remarkably, Pro 187 and Arg 146 are not located at or near the Dnmt3a functional motives. Regulatory protein Dnmt3L did not enhance the methylation activity of R45W, R146H, P187R, and F162V mutants. The key steps of the Dnmt3a-mediated methylation mechanism, including DNA binding and transient covalent intermediate formation, were examined. There was a complete loss of DNA-binding affinity for R45W located in the AdoMet binding region and for R146H. Dnmt3a mutants studied in vitro suggest functional impairment of DNMT3A during pathogenesis.
An experimental investigation of screech noise generation

The screech noise generation process from supersonic underexpanded jets, issuing from a sonic nozzle at pressure ratios of 2.4 and 3.3 (fully expanded Mach number, Mj=1.19 and 1.42), was investigated experimentally. The extremely detailed data provide a fresh, new look at the screech generation mechanism. Spark schlieren visualization at different phases of the screech cycle clearly shows the convection of the organized turbulent structures over a train of shock waves. The potential pressure field (hydrodynamic fluctuations) associated with the organized structures is fairly intense and extends outside the shear layer. The time evolution of the near-field pressure fluctuations was obtained from phase-averaged microphone measurements. Phase-matched combined views of schlieren photographs and pressure fluctuations show the sound generation process. The individual compression and rarefaction parts of the sound waves are found to be generated from similar hydrodynamic fluctuations. A partial interference between the upstream-propagating sound waves and the downstream-propagating hydrodynamic waves is found to be present along the jet boundary. The partial interference manifests itself as a standing wave in the root-mean-square pressure fluctuation data. The standing wavelength is found to be close to, but somewhat different from, the shock spacing. An outcome of the interference is a curious ‘pause and go’ motion of the sound waves along the jet periphery. Interestingly, a length scale identical to the standing wavelength is found to be present inside the jet shear layer. The coherent fluctuations and the convective velocity of the organized vortices are found to be modulated periodically, and the periodicity is found to match with the standing wavelength distance rather than the shock spacing. The reason for the appearance of this additional length scale, different from the shock spacing, could not be explained. Nevertheless, it is demonstrated that an exact screech frequency formula can be derived from the simple standing wave relationship. The exact relationship shows that the correct spacing between the sources, for a point source model similar to that of Powell (1953), should be a standing wavelength (not the shock spacing).
Pediatric Emergency Room Revisits in Urban Ontario: Does Being an Immigrant Matter?

Objectives: To test the association of unscheduled 7-day emergency department (ED) revisits and immigrant status for all children living in urban Ontario and within subgroups of immigrant children. Methods: Population-based cohort study using linked health administrative and demographic datasets of immigrant and non-immigrant children in urban Ontario, who visited an ED between April 2003 and March 2010 (n = 3322901). Associations were tested using logistic regression
A two-dimensional model for extensional motion of a pre-stressed incompressible elastic layer near cut-off frequencies

A two-dimensional model for extensional motion of a pre-stressed incompressible elastic layer near its cut-ofi frequencies is derived. Leading order solutions for dis- placement and pressure are obtained in terms of the long wave amplitude by direct asymptotic integration. A governing equation, together with corrections for displace- ment and pressure, is derived from the second order problem. A novel feature of this (two-dimensional) hyperbolic governing equation is that, for certain pre-stressed states, time and one of the two (in-plane) spatial variables can change roles. Although whenever this phenomenon occurs the equation still remains hyperbolic, it is clearly not wave-like. The second order solution is completed by deriving a reflned governing equation from the third order problem. Asymptotic consistency, in the sense that the dispersion relation associated with the two-dimensional model concurs with the ap- propriate order expansion of the three-dimensional relation at each order, is verifled. The model has particular application to stationary thickness vibration of, or transient response to high frequency shock loading in, thin walled bodies.
Determination of Virulence Factors in Clinical Multidrug Resistance Enterococci Isolates at Southeast of Iran

Background: The enterococci are responsible for infections including bacteremia and endocarditis which are usually resistant to multipleantibiotics. Thisnosocomialagentprobablyharborsputativevirulencefactorswhichincreasestheircapabilitytocolonize hospitalized patients. Objectives: This study was aimed in order to ﬁnd the frequency of various virulence factors in enterococci and their relationship with multidrug resistance (MDR). Methods: Thesampleswerecollectedfromdiﬀerenthospitalwardsincluding;Intensivecareunit(ICU),cardiaccareunit(CCU),pe-diatricsdepartment,internalwards,andtransplantation. Theisolatesweredetectedbybiochemicaltestsandinordertodetermine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern, disk diﬀusion agar (kirby-bauer) was accomplished. Then, MICs (Minimum inhibitory concen-trations) of vancomycin were determined by E-test strips. For molecular examinations and detection of drug resistance genes, the simple polymerase chain reaction was used. The multiplex PCR was used in order to detect virulence factors. Results: Totalof 85isolateswereobtainedfromoneuniversityteachinghospitalinsoutheastof Iran. Approximately95% of isolated whichwerefromurinespecimensand34% of isolateswerecollectedfrompediatricsunitsathospital. Tetracyclineresistance(48%) has been observed with a high frequency and related to the tetM gene. Furthermore, eighteen isolates were recognized as MDR strainsthatcarried vanA , aac (6)- Ie-aph (2)- Ia,ermB ,and tetM genes. Amongvirulencefactorgenes, asa1 (69%)and gelE (55%)aremore frequentlyobservedinbothspecies. Ingeneral,wefound Enterococcusfaecalis strainsmoreprevalent. Also, E.faecium wasrelatedto antibiotic resistance genes in nosocomial infection. Conclusions: Thedatawasindicatedahighprevalenceof multipleantibioticsresistancegeneswithvirulencedeterminantsinen-terococci and also considered resistant isolate in pediatrics unit. The current results can be recommended in order to change new strategies for antibiotic therapy, because this serious pathogen is important for treatment and eradication in hospitals. Further-more, the bioﬁlm formation was regulated and constructed by virulence determinants that could be a candidate for enterococcal treatment.
Treatment Outcome Evaluation in Therapeutic Communities in the Czech Republic: Changes in Methamphetamine Use and Related Problems One Year After Discharge

ABSTRACT The knowledge available on the effectiveness of treatment interventions for methamphetamine users in Europe remains scarce. The present study investigated the patterns of use and treatment outcomes of 176 clients, predominantly injecting methamphetamine users, in 4 residential therapeutic communities in the Czech Republic. Most of the clients were multiple drug users. Overall, methamphetamine users showed favorable outcomes with significant improvements in their substance misuse, injecting, health and criminal behavior at 1 year after discharge from treatment. Findings suggest that many methamphetamine users are able to complete the treatment and achieve considerable improvements.
The experience and prevalence of PTSD in Palestinian adults living in the Gaza Strip

Objective: This study aims to explore the traumatic experiences and to estimate prevalence and predictor factors for PTSD, depression and general psychiatric morbidity amongst Palestinian adults living in the Gaza Strip. Method: A total of 500 Palestinian adults were recruited from four areas of the Gaza Strip using a snowball sampling. The same sample was used for both quantitative studies. Four scales were employed to identify predictors for trauma, PTSD, depression and general mental health. Participants were divided into three age groups: young adults (18 to 25 years), adults (26 to 49 years) and older adults (50 to 65 years). The third qualitative study was aimed at exploring the traumatic experiences of adults living in the Gaza Strip to expand upon the outcomes from the quantitative studies. Results: For Studies 1 and 2, the prevalence rate of PTSD symptoms was 90% and 36.7% met the criteria of DSM-IV for PTSD. Study 2 found depression was 38.4%, and general mental health comorbidity was 67.1%. Study 2 revealed significant differences in PTSD between age groups. Novel results were found amongst adults and older adults on the reexperiencing subscale for PTSD. Participants who lived in Gaza City scored significantly higher on the PTSD subscale for hyperarousal compared to those living in the middle Gaza region. Study 3 expanded on the psychometric data through interviewing members of the Gaza community. When analysed five main themes were identified: Siege related stressors; war related trauma; psychological negative effects; re-experiencing initial event and coping strategies. Conclusions: The findings indicated that blockade was the predominant cause of the increased prevalence rate of PTSD. These studies found that the Palestinian adult participants in Gaza had been exposed to a variety of traumatic events on an ongoing basis that was having a detrimental impact on their mental health. Running Head: PTSD IN PALESTINIAN ADULTS
Efficacy of single versus four repeated doses of praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni infection in school-aged children from Côte d'Ivoire based on Kato-Katz and POC-CCA: An open-label, randomised controlled trial (RePST)

Background Preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel (PZQ) is the cornerstone of schistosomiasis control. However, a single dose of PZQ (40 mg/kg) does not cure all infections. Repeated doses of PZQ at short intervals might increase efficacy in terms of cure rate (CR) and intensity reduction rate (IRR). Here, we determined the efficacy of a single versus four repeated treatments with PZQ on Schistosoma mansoni infection in school-aged children from Côte d’Ivoire, using two different diagnostic tests. Methods An open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted from October 2018 to January 2019. School-aged children with a confirmed S. mansoni infection based on Kato-Katz (KK) and point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) urine cassette test were randomly assigned to receive either a single or four repeated doses of PZQ, administered at two-week intervals. The primary outcome was the difference in CR between the two treatment arms, measured by triplicate KK thick smears 10 weeks after the first treatment. Secondary outcomes included CR estimated by POC-CCA, IRR by KK and POC-CCA, and safety of repeated PZQ administration. Principal findings During baseline screening, 1,022 children were assessed for eligibility of whom 153 (15%) had a detectable S. mansoni infection, and hence, were randomized to the standard treatment group (N = 70) and the intense treatment group (N = 83). Based on KK, the CR was 42% (95% confidence interval (CI) 31–52%) in the standard treatment group and 86% (95% CI 75–92%) in the intense treatment group. Observed IRR was 72% (95% CI 55–83%) in the standard treatment group and 95% (95% CI 85–98%) in the intense treatment group. The CR estimated by POC-CCA was 18% (95% CI 11–27%) and 36% (95% CI 26–46%) in the standard and intense treatment group, respectively. Repeated PZQ treatment did not result in a higher number of adverse events. Conclusion/significance The observed CR using KK was significantly higher after four repeated treatments compared to a single treatment, without an increase in adverse events. Using POC-CCA, the observed CR was significantly lower than measured by KK, indicating that PZQ may be considerably less efficacious as concluded by KK. Our findings highlight the need for reliable and more accurate diagnostic tools, which are essential for monitoring treatment efficacy, identifying changes in transmission, and accurately quantifying the intensity of infection in distinct populations. In addition, the higher CR in the intense treatment group suggests that more focused and intense PZQ treatment can help to advance schistosomiasis control. Trial registration www.clinicaltrials. gov NCT02868385.
Conformational change and GTPase activity of human tubulin: A comparative study on Alzheimer’s disease and healthy brain

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, microtubules (MTs) play a pivotal role through their highly dynamic structure and instability. They mediate axonal transport that is crucial to synaptic viability. MT assembly, dynamic instability and stabilization are modulated by tau proteins, whose detachment initiates MT disintegration. Albeit extensive research, the role of GTPase activity in molecular mechanism of stability remains controversial. We hypothesized that GTPase activity is altered in AD leading to microtubule dynamic dysfunction and ultimately to neuronal death. In this paper, fresh tubulin was purified by chromatography from normal young adult, normal aged, and Alzheimer's brain tissues. Polymerization pattern, assembly kinetics and dynamics, critical concentration, GTPase activity, interaction with tau, intermolecular geometry, and conformational changes were explored via Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) and various spectroscopy methods. Results showed slower MT assembly process in samples from the brains of people with AD compared with normal young and aged brains. This observation was characterized by prolonged lag phase and increased critical and inactive concentration of tubulin. In addition, the GTPase activity in samples from AD brains was significantly higher than in both normal young and normal aged samples, concurrent with profound conformational changes and contracted intermolecular MT‐tau distances as revealed by FRET. These alterations were partially restored in the presence of a microtubule stabilizer, paclitaxel. We proposed that alterations of both tubulin function and GTPase activity may be involved in the molecular neuropathogenesis of AD, thus providing new avenues for therapeutic approaches.
Redefining Pyropia (Bangiales, Rhodophyta): four new genera, resurrection of Porphyrella and description of Calidia pseudolobata sp. nov. from China.

The cosmopolitan red algal genus Pyropia sensu lato is the most speciose of the bladed Bangiales genera. In a major revision of the Bangiales, Pyropia was resurrected from Porphyra, although there was evidence at the time that species of Pyropia could be separated into several genera. Subsequent global phylogenetic analyses continued to resolve species assigned to Pyropia into several major clades with strong support, and the latest biogeographic analyses indicated that species distribution was also a pointer to the underlying phylogeny of Pyropia sensu lato. Therefore, in the present study, we have redefined the genus Pyropia, resurrected Porphyrella, and proposed four new genera: Calidia, Neoporphyra, Neopyropia and Uedaea. Based on a molecular phylogenetic study of the bladed Bangiales of China, a species which did not match any known taxa, was resolved in the new genus Calidia. The species, Calidia pseudolobata sp. nov., is described based on both morphological and molecular data. Molecular sequence data for rbcL, 18S and COI-5P were amplified for fifteen samples in the present study. All the obtained rbcL sequences were identical to each other except for one (LYCN117) with one base pair difference. Two haplotypes of 18S (V9 region) were observed with one base pair difference (C/T30 ). All the obtained COI-5P sequences were identical. Morphological comparisons were conducted not only with species in Calidia, but also with generically uncertain species currently assigned to Porphyra.
Molecular Genetic Characteristics of Colorectal Cancer in Patients 90 Years and Older Differ from the Findings in Younger Patients

Aim: Only limited information is available on the molecular characteristics of colorectal cancers diagnosed in patients 90 years and older. There are indirect suggestions that in cancers from very elderly patients, molecular genetic changes may be either more, or less prevalent; thus, raising the question as to the similarity in genetic changes found in colorectal cancers between very elderly and younger patients. We examined several molecular changes associated with colorectal cancers in 41 very elderly patients, and compared the results to the findings of a younger cohort, between ages 55 and 79 years. Methods: We evaluated MSI, loss of heterozygosity for APC and DCC genes, KRAS and BRAF gene mutations, and DNA methylation in colon cancer tissue samples using standard PCR techniques. Results: our data indicate that colorectal cancers from very elderly patients are more frequently right-sided and more likely to demonstrate microsatellite instability. If the cancers contain a KRAS mutation, it is less likely to be in the second codon position. Finally, KRAS 61 may be more frequent in the very elderly. Conclusions: Overall, the colorectal cancers from our very elderly patients, 90 years and older, have at least as many, if not more, molecular genetic changes than the cancers from younger.