Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
pilA Gene Contributes to Virulence, Motility, Biofilm Formation, and Interspecific Competition of Bacteria in Acidovorax citrulli

Acidovorax citrulli, the causative agent of bacterial fruit blotch, can be divided into two main groups based on factors such as pathogenicity and host species preference. PilA is an important structural and functional component of type IV pili (T4P). Previous studies have found significant differences in pilA DNA sequences between group I and group II strains of A. citrulli. In this study, we characterized pilA in the group I strain pslb65 and the group II strain Aac5. pilA mutants, complementation strains, and cross-complementation strains were generated, and their biological phenotypes were analyzed to identify functional differences between pilA in the two groups. pilA deletion mutants (pslb65-ΔpilA and Aac5-ΔpilA) showed significantly reduced pathogenicity compared with the wild-type (WT) strains; pslb65-ΔpilA also completely lost twitching motility, whereas Aac5-ΔpilA only partially lost motility. In King’s B medium, there were no significant differences in biofilm formation between pslb65-ΔpilA and WT pslb65, but Aac5-ΔpilA showed significantly reduced biofilm formation compared to WT Aac5. In M9 minimal medium, both mutants showed significantly lower biofilm formation compared to the corresponding WT strains, although biofilm formation was recovered in the complementation strains. The biofilm formation capacity was somewhat recovered in the cross-complementation strains but remained significantly lower than in the WT strains. The interspecies competitive abilities of pslb65-ΔpilA and Aac5-ΔpilA were significantly lower than in the WT strains; Aac5-ΔpilA was more strongly competitive than pslb65-ΔpilA, and the complementation strains recovered competitiveness to WT levels. Furthermore, the cross-complementation strains showed stronger competitive abilities than the corresponding WT strains. The relative expression levels of genes related to T4P and the type VI secretion system were then assessed in the pilA mutants via quantitative PCR. The results showed significant differences in the relative expression levels of multiple genes in pslb65-ΔpilA and Aac5-ΔpilA compared to the corresponding WT stains. This indicated the presence of specific differences in pilA function between the two A. citrulli groups, but the regulatory mechanisms involved require further study.
The Accuracy of Third-Trimester Ultrasound in Predicting Large for Gestational Age or Macrosomic Fetuses in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background : The accuracy of third-trimester ultrasound in detecting large for gestational age and macrosomic fetuses in diabetic and non-diabetic pregnant women is unclear in the literature. The aim of the study is to examine the precision of the 4-parameter Hadlock formula for the prediction of large fetuses in these two populations. Methods : A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed, and only studies evaluating the accuracy of third-trimester ultrasound using the 4-parameter Hadlock formula were included. Data were extracted, and the meta-analysis was performed using STATA software and Meta-disk 2.0 aiming to obtain the pooled sensitivity and specificity. Quality assessment of the risk of bias was performed using the QUADS-2 tool. Results : Nine articles were included in the final analysis together with 24,693,702 pregnancies screened and 2336 real large fetuses. The included articles were judged to be at high risk of bias in more than half of the cases and at doubtful risk in the remaining cases. Comparison between diabetic and non-diabetic populations was impossible because the studies considered mixed pregnancies (diabetic and non-diabetic) or only healthy, so the comparison was made between the latter two groups. The pooled sensitivity was 0.54 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40–0.68), and the pooled specificity was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.90–0.97). The heterogeneity estimated by the Bivariate I 2 was 0.92, and the area under the summary Receiver Operating Characteristics curve was 0.19. The subgroup analysis revealed a higher level of heterogeneity for the mixed group (I 2 = 0.92) and a lower one for the healthy group (I 2 = 0.67). The relative sensitivity between the mixed population and the healthy one was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.49–1.45; p = 0.57), and the relative specificity between the mixed population and the healthy one was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.91–1.04; p = 0.54), the difference between healthy and mixed groups was not significant ( p = 0.11). Conclusions : Despite the high heterogeneity of the data, the overall accuracy of ultrasound is similar in mixed and healthy populations and is overall moderate in predicting large fetuses.
Southerly Transversal Moisture Flux into the Extremely Heavy Rainfall Zone in the Baiu Season

Detailed analysis on the field of horizontal moisture flux and moisture budget is made in the vicinity of the Japan Islands for the 16 days period between 29 June and 14 July 1972, which includes the period of extremely heavy rainfalls. The results of the analysis indicates that the strong precipitation is primarily related to the increase of the horizontal moisture convergence in the lower layer below 700 mb, while the role of the moisture convergence in the upper layer above 700mb is insignificant. The areal mean amounts of the observed precipitations, whichare accurately estimated from the data of about 2000 rain-gauge stations, are well agreed with the amounts of the calculated precipitations (apparent moisture sink). By comparing the situations of moisture budgets for subdivided periods (i.e., light, heavy and extremely heavy rainfall periods), we are able to show that the situations in the extremely heavy rainfall period is remarkably different from those in remainders. During the extremely heavy rainfall period, the low-level moisture convergence mentioned above is mainly caused by the southerly transversal moisture influx across the lateral boundary of the cloud zone rather than the longitudinal flux within the cloud zone. It is also concluded that the moistureflux from the subtropical Pacific, i.e., from the outside of the cloud zone, into the cloud zone is primarily important to the occurrence of heavy and extremely heavy rainfalls.
TEN YEARS OF RETROSPECTIVE PROFILING OF THE ABANDONED FETUSES AND NEWBORNS

Objectives: Despite the problem being present in every corner of our country, research studies are scarce on the topic of the abandonment of fetuses or newborns. In this light, this research seeks to look at the prevalence and autopsy profiling into the cases of abandonment of newborns/fetuses and the possible suggestions. Methods: The present 10 years prospective study was conducted to observe the profiling of the abandoned newborns/fetuses after taking permission from the institutional ethical committee. The records of all the medico-legal autopsies conducted under 317 IPC at Government Medical College, Amritsar, from January 2014 to February 2023, were analyzed. Results: The total number of autopsy cases conducted under 317 IPC. In the present study, 02 (9.1%) females were known cases, while among the unknown cases, there 06 (27.3%) were males and 14 (63.6%) were female. Most cases were females, 16 (72.7%) and 6 (27.3%) were males. The maximum number of cases reported in 2019 was 4 (18.2%), while 03 (13.6%) were reported in 2016 and 2021, respectively. The most common were homicidal deaths in 14 (63.6%) cases, followed by natural deaths in 5 (22.7%) cases, and the cause of death could not be ascertained in 3 (13.7%) cases. Conclusion: Whatever the reason or motive for the newborn or fetuses’ abandonment, this issue needs urgent attention.
Intermittent Fasting Promotes Weight Loss without Decreasing Performance in Taekwondo

Intermittent fasting (IF) is commonly used by combat sports athletes for weight loss. However, IF can decrease performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of IF on total body mass (TBM) and Taekwondo performance. Nine athletes (seven male, two female; 18.4 ± 3.3 years) underwent 4 weeks of 12 h IF. TBM, countermovement jump (CMJ), mean kicks (MK), and total number of kicks (TNK) were compared weekly. Performance was measured in the fed state (FED) and fast state (FAST). Results showed decreased TBM in week 1 (62.20 ± 6.56 kg; p = 0.001) and week 2 (62.38 ± 6.83 kg; p = 0.022) compared to pre-intervention (63.58 ± 6.57 kg), stabilizing in week 3 (62.42 ± 6.12 kg), and no significant change in week 4 (63.36 ± 6.20 kg). CMJ performance in week 1 was lower in FED (35.26 ± 7.15 cm) than FAST (37.36 ± 6.77 cm; p = 0.003), but in week 3, FED (38.24 ± 6.45 cm) was higher than FAST (35.96 ± 5.05 cm; p = 0.047). No significant differences were found in MK and TNK in FSKTmult. RPE, KDI, and HR were similar between FED and FAST (p < 0.05). [LAC] was higher post-test compared to pre-test (p = 0.001), with higher concentrations in FED than FAST (p = 0.020). BG was higher in FED than FAST (p < 0.05) before physical tests. Therefore, IF promotes decreased TBM without decreasing performance.
Pressure-induced superconductivity in AgxBi2-xSe3

We investigated the pressure dependence of electric transport and crystal structure of Ag-doped Bi2Se3. In the sample prepared by Ag doping of Bi2Se3, the Bi atom was partially replaced by Ag, i.e., Ag0.05Bi1. 95Se3. X-ray diffraction patterns of Ag0.05Bi1. 95Se3 measured at 0–30 GPa showed three different structural phases, with rhombohedral, monoclinic, and tetragonal structures forming in turn as pressure increased, and structural phase transitions at 8.8 and 24 GPa. Ag0.05Bi1. 95Se3 showed no superconductivity down to 2.0 K at 0 GPa, but under pressure, superconductivity suddenly appeared at 11 GPa. The magnetic field (H) dependence of the superconducting transition temperature Tc was measured at 11 and 20.5 GPa, in order to investigate whether the pressure-induced superconducting phase is explained by either p-wave polar model or s-wave model.
The Influence of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Vitamin D Receptor Protein Levels and Function in Chronic Liver Disease

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been associated with chronic liver disease. We investigated the role of VDR SNPs on VDR protein levels and function in patients with chronic liver disease. VDR expression levels were determined in peripheral T lymphocytes (CD3+VDR+), monocytes (CD14+VDR+), and plasma from patients (n = 66) and healthy controls (n = 38). Genotyping of SNPs and the determination of expression of VDR/vitamin D-related genes were performed by using qPCR. The effect of FokI SNP on vitamin D-binding to VDR was investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. CD14+VDR+ cells were correlated with the MELD score. The ApaI SNP was associated with decreased CD3+VDR+ levels in cirrhotic patients and with higher liver stiffness in HCV patients. The BsmI and TaqI SNPs were associated with increased VDR plasma concentrations in cirrhotic patients and decreased CD14+VDR+ levels in HCV patients. The FokI SNP was associated with increased CD3+VDR+ levels in cirrhotic patients and controls. VDR polymorphisms were significantly related to the expression of genes critical for normal hepatocyte function and immune homeostasis. VDR expression levels were related to the clinical severity of liver disease. VDR SNPs may be related to the progression of chronic liver disease by affecting VDR expression levels.
Knowledge and practice of infant exposure to sunlight among mothers in the rural villages of Mettu district, southwest Ethiopia

Background Sunlight is essential for the synthesis of vitamin D and supports bone growth and strength. The awareness of mothers about the benefit of exposing their infants to sunlight, as well as the practice of doing so, is important to a child’s proper growth and development. The current study looked into mothers’ knowledge, practice, and factors related to infant sunlight exposure in rural villages in the Mettu district, southwest Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study design was utilized with randomly selected mothers of newborns from rural areas in the Mettu district. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information. Analysis of the data was performed using the SPSS version 21 software. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were carried out, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Among the 600 mothers who participated in the present study, 397 (66.2%) had good knowledge and 346 (57.7%) practiced proper exposure of their infants to sunlight. Out of the 482 mothers who practiced sunning, 382 (79.3%) did it daily, and 409 (84.8%) began sunning before 45 days of birth. However, 453 (94%) of the mothers used lubricants while sunbathing. Sociodemographic characteristics were found to have statistically significant associations with the level of knowledge and practice of mothers. Mothers with four to six children [AOR = 0.511, 95% CI: (0.352–0.741)] and those who got the information from health professionals [AOR = 3.285, 95% CI: (2.154, 5.011)] for the knowledge level, and mothers aged 36 years old and above [AOR = 0.801, 95% CI: (0.533, 0.161)], who were married during the data collection period [AOR = 0.370, 95% CI: (0.155, 0.884)], and employed by the government [AOR = 4.081, CI: (1.477, 11.280)] for the practice level were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the level of infant sunning. Conclusion Despite the fact that the majority of mothers in the study area had good knowledge and practice of infant sunlight exposure, there are clear signs that further work is needed to narrow the large gap seen in the present findings. Thus, district and zonal health offices, as well as stakeholders working with children, should start periodical maternity health education, and professional development training for health post workers.
Solution approchée pour un problème d'assimilation de données météorologiques avec prise en compte de l'erreur de modèle

We consider the general meteorological data assimilation problem including model error estimate. For a linear model, the solution is obtained in the space of observations using a gradient method. The gradient is given by a backward integration of the adjoint equations and a forward integration of the direct equations forced by the adjoint variable. With a computational cost of the same order as for the exact model case, the algorithm may apply for large-dimension systems. The method is illustrated by a numerical example and some indications on the condition number of the system are given.
INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE PRECISION OF MEASUREMENT OF SOUND ABSORPTION COEFFICIENTS IN A REVERBERATION ROOM

しい 。 ひば りヶ丘団地 に お い て もそ の 例に も れ な か っ た 。 そ こ で 本論 に おい て は団地周 辺 地域 の 地価変動 を 観 察する対象 と して 下記 の もの を と っ た。 イ )団地建設以前に存在し た住宅地 。 ロ )団地建設以前に存在した店舗地 。 ハ )団地建設後に発生し た住宅地。 二 )団地建設後に発生 した店舗地 。 ホ )そ の 他第 1 同 の 調査時に は 農地 で あ った がそ れ 以 降住宅地 も し くは店舗地と し て 発展する可能性の 大 き い 場所 (第 2 回以降の 調査時に は こ れ等 の 場所 の 多 くに市街地化 の 進行が み られた)。 1−3 考察の 方法 1−3−1 団地建設 の 周辺地価に対す る影響 の とらえ方 団地建設によ っ て周辺地価に もた らされた変動は次 の よ うな仮説 を設け て 求めた 。 ま ず , ひ ば リケ丘 と諸条件 (交通 ,環 境,都市施設等 々 )の ほ S ’ 類似 し た地域を近傍 に 求 め ,そ の 地域 と の 比較を行 な う。 こ の 両対象地域に 団地建設以外 の 地価に影響を与 え る大きな因子 が存在せ ずに 団地建設後両者間 の 地価に 著し い 相異が認め られ る ならば , そ の差を一応団地建設に よ る影響 と看做すこ と に す る 。 本論の場合比較対象地域と し て西武池袋線で ひ ば りケ 丘駅 に 隣接す る保谷駅周辺 を と っ た 。 候補地と し て は他 に東久留米駅周辺 も考え られたが住宅公団東久留米団地 の 影響が考え られ た の で , あえ て 保谷 を と っ た次第で あ る 。 1−3−2 地価 の 調査方法 周辺地域 の 地価を知 る方法 と し て は 現地 で の 間き込み 調査 に よ っ た 。 現地 に事務所 を も 不動産業者の 内か ら 任意に数人 を選出 し , こ ち らで指定する一定の 地点に対 し てあ る仮定の もと に評価 させ た 。 設けた仮定に つ い て は 後述す る 。 きき込み に よ っ て得 られた各地点 の 価額を決定する に 当 っ て は得 られ た価額 の 内極端に高か っ た り低か っ た り
Case report: Coexistence of Labbe vein thrombosis and autoimmune encephalitis with two different antibodies

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune encephalitis well- known to pediatric neurologists. The characteristic combination of symptoms and detection of NMDA receptor antibody can confirm the diagnosis. Most children respond well to immunosuppressive therapy. Anti-GABAB receptor encephalitis usually occurs in adult patients. Most patients present clinically with symptoms of limbic encephalitis. Cases in pediatric patients are rare. Cerebral venous thrombosis also has a very low incidence in children without underlying diseases. Patients usually present with headaches, convulsions, and focal deficits. Anticoagulants are the first choice treatment. We report a boy initially diagnosed with Labbe vein thrombosis and later tested positive for both NMDA and GABAB receptors. Anticoagulants did not relieve the boy's symptoms, and immunosuppressive therapy achieved good results. The antibody titers were significantly reduced or even turned negative. Although the Labbe vein was not recanalized at four months follow-up, the brain lesion was significantly absorbed. We learn from this case that a child can be inflicted with cerebral venous thrombosis and autoimmune encephalitis simultaneously. Child patients respond well to treatment.
Catalytic Degradation of Triphenylmethane Dyes with an Iron Porphyrin Complex as a Cytochrome P450 Model

The organic dyes used in printing and dyeing wastewater have complex components, diverse structures and strong chemical stability, which make them not suitable for treatment and difficult to degrade in the environment. Porphyrins are macromolecules with 18 π electrons formed by four pyrrole molecules connected with a methylene bridge that has a stable structure. Porphyrin combines with iron to form an active intermediate with a structure similar to the cytochrome P450 enzyme, so they are widely used in the biomimetic field. In the current study, 5,10,15,20-tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphine ferric chloride (III) (Fe(III)TCPP) was used as a catalyst and iodosobenzene was used as an oxidant to explore the catalytic degradation of triphenylmethane dyes, such as rhodamine B (RhB) and malachite green (MG). The results of UV-Vis spectral analysis have shown that the conversion rate of the rhodamine B was over 90% when the amount of Fe(III)TCPP was 0.027 mM and the amount of iodosobenzene was eight equivalents. When the catalyst was 0.00681 mM and the amount of the oxidant was five equivalents, the conversion rate of the malachite green reached over 95%. This work provides a feasible method for the degradation of triphenylmethane dyes.
Role of Selected Circulating Tumor Biomarkers in Patients with Skeletal Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

We investigated the diagnostic capacity of selected circulating biomarkers (CBMs) for the early detection of bone metastasis (BMets) in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs). A total of 115 patients with PanNENs and 40 controls were enrolled. We measured the serum levels of ferritin, cytokeratin 18 (CY18), CA19-9, CA125, AFP, CEA, and beta-2 microglobulin (B2M). A total of eight PanNEN patients developed BMets, and one hundred seven remained BMets-free. We observed a significantly higher level of CA125 and CY18 in BMets patients vs. non-BMets patients (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively). CA125, CY18, and B2M area under receiver operator characteristic (AUROC) analyses differentiated both patients groups; CA125 area under the curve (AUC) 0.77, p < 0.01; CY18 AUC data were 0.72, p = 0.03, and B2M AUC 0.67, p = 0.02. On the basis of CBM metrics in both subgroups, we reached a sensitivity/specificity for CA125 of 75/76%; for CY18 of 75/69%, for B2M of 100/50%, for CA125, and the CY18 combination of 93/90%, respectively. According to current results, CA125 and CY18 seem to have the potential capacity as fair biomarkers for BMets detection, despite the small number of cases. Further studies are warranted in the larger PanNEN patient group.
Generalized Young equation for a spherical droplet inside a smooth and homogeneous cone involved by quadratic parabola

We thermodynamically investigate the wetting characteristics of a spherical droplet in a smooth and homogeneous cone rotated by the quadratic parabola through the mechanisms of both Gibbs’s dividing surfaces and Rusanov’s dividing line. For the triple phase system including the solid, liquid and vapor phases, the derivation of a generalized Young equation containing the influences of the line tension is successfully carried out. Additionally, we as well analyze various approximate forms for this generalized Young equation by using the corresponding assumptions.
The effect of an anti-inflammatory diet on chronic pain: a pilot study

Objective Rheumatic diseases result in chronic pain (CP) and require treatment with drugs whose prolonged administration is associated with side effects. However, publications in the academic literature have suggested that diet modification and food supplementation can play a crucial role in alleviating the symptoms of inflammatory disease. Thus, it is hoped that the use of an anti-inflammatory diet for pain management might result in improved quality of life. Hence, here we aimed to investigate the effect of anti-inflammatory foods in patients with CP caused by rheumatic diseases. Methods After an exhaustive bibliography search, we designed a 13-item anti-inflammatory dietary guide based on a Mediterranean diet without red meat, gluten, or cow’s milk (the AnMeD-S). We then conducted a pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of this anti-inflammatory diet in patients with CP. A food consumption score (with a maximum of 156 points) was then applied to evaluate patient adhesion to the proposed diet. Forty-five patients with CP were followed-up for 4 months. Variables related with quality of life (including pain perception, depression status, and sleep satisfaction) were measured using 9 validated questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were recorded before and after the participants followed the anti-inflammatory diet. Results We found a correlation between increased anti-inflammatory food intake and improved physical characteristics, stress, and pain in the patients we assessed. Moreover, decreased consumption of pro-inflammatory foods was positively correlated with sleep satisfaction. Following the AnMeD-S was associated with improved physical characteristics and quality-of-life in patients with CP. Conclusion The AnMeD-S, includes anti-inflammatory foods and restricts the consumption of certain pro-inflammatory foods (such as those containing gluten). This dietary pattern could provide relief from CP and improve the symptoms of stress and depression, as well as reducing sleep disturbances.
The Effect of Additional Treatment with Empagliflozin or Semaglutide on Endothelial Function and Arterial Stiffness in Subjects with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus—ENDIS Study

We investigated the effect of additional treatment with newer antidiabetic drugs on endothelium function and arterial stiffness in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) without cardiovascular diseases. A total of 89 participants, all users of CGMS (continuous monitoring glucose system), were randomized into three comparable groups, receiving empagliflozin (E; n = 30), receiving semaglutide (S; n = 30), and a control group (C; n = 29). At baseline and 12 weeks post treatment, we measured FMD (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation) and FBF (forearm blood flow as reactive hyperemia assessed with strain gauge plethysmography) as parameters of endothelial function, as well as pulse wave velocity (PWV) and peripheral resistance as parameters of arterial stiffness. Improvement in FMD was significant in both intervention groups compared to controls (E group 2.0-fold, p = 0.000 and S group 1.9-fold, p = 0.000), with no changes between those two groups (p = 0.745). During the evaluation of FBF, there were statistically insignificant improvements in both therapeutic groups compared to controls (E group 1.39-fold, p = 0.074 and S group 1.22-fold, p = 0.701). In arterial stiffness parameters, improvements were seen only in the semaglutide group, with a decline in peripheral resistance by 5.1% (p = 0.046). We can conclude that, for arterial stiffness, semaglutide seems better, but both drugs positively impact endothelial function and, thus, could also have a protective role in T1DM.