Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Identification of Thermophilic Bacteria Isolated from Different Sites Located in Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia

This study aims to investigate the morphological and biochemical characteristics of thermophilic bacteria isolated from thermophilic biotopes in the Al-Jouf region of Saudi Arabia for the first time. Additionally, the production of thermostable bacterial enzymes (proteases, amylases, cellulases, gelatinases, and lipases) was investigated. Six main bacterial species were identified via 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Twenty water and soil samples were collected from several thermophilic sites in the Dumat Al-Jandal and Al-Qurayyat cities. In total, 28 bacterial strains were isolated and biochemically characterized. Most isolated strains showed high protease and amylase production. 46 and 28% of isolated strains showed the production of cellulase and gelatinase, respectively. However, lipase production was not observed in any isolated bacteria. Four Bacillus licheniformis and two Bacillus subtilis strains exhibited high GC content (55%). Our findings suggest thermophilic bacteria as a source of thermostable enzymes for pharmaceutical and industrial applications.
Poor Applicability of Currently Available Prognostic Scoring Systems for Prediction of Outcome in KIT D816V-Negative Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis

Simple Summary Most patients (>95%) with systemic mastocytosis (SM) carry a mutation in the KIT gene (KIT D816V). Especially aggressive forms of SM are associated with pronounced clinical symptoms, blood count abnormalities, additional mutations in other genes and a shortened survival. Only a small minority of patients with SM have another mutation on position D816 (e.g., D816H) or do not harbor any mutation in KIT, and data on these small subgroups are scarce. The aim of our study was to characterize these rare subgroups: we examined 7 SM patients with either KIT D816H or KIT D816Y and 12 SM patients without any KIT mutation. We found that (a) both groups frequently appear as mast cell leukemia (the most aggressive SM subgroup), (b) those patients cannot be assessed using conventional risk scores, (c) response to treatment is poor and (d) overall survival is worse than in KIT D816V-positive SM. Abstract Within our nationwide registry, we identified a KIT D816V mutation (KIT D816Vpos.) in 280/299 (94%) patients with advanced systemic mastocytosis (AdvSM). Age, cytopenias and the presence of additional somatic mutations confer inferior overall survival (OS). However, little is known about the characteristics of KIT D816V-negative (D816Vneg.) AdvSM. In 19 D816Vneg. patients, a combination of clinical, morphological and genetic features revealed three subgroups: (a) KIT D816H- or Y-positive SM (KIT D816H/Ypos., n = 7), predominantly presenting as mast cell leukemia (MCL; 6/7 patients), (b) MCL with negative KIT sequencing (KITneg. MCL, n = 7) and (c) KITneg. SM with associated hematologic neoplasm (KITneg. SM-AHN, n = 5). Although >70% of patients in the two MCL cohorts (KIT D816H/Ypos. and KITneg.) were classified as low/intermediate risk according to prognostic scoring systems (PSS), treatment response was poor and median OS was shorter than in a KIT D816Vpos. MCL control cohort (n = 29; 1.7 vs. 0.9 vs. 2.6 years; p < 0.04). The KITneg. SM-AHN phenotype was dominated by the heterogeneous AHN (low mast cell burden, presence of additional mutations) with a better median OS of 4.5 years. We conclude that (i) in MCL, negativity for D816V is a relevant prognostic factor and (ii) PSS fail to correctly classify D816Vneg. patients.
A case of adrenal cortical carcinoma arising from a regularly monitored sub-centimetre adrenal incidentaloma

Summary Approximately 80% of adrenal incidentalomas are benign, and development into adrenal cortical cancer is extremely rare. This is a major reason behind clinical guidelines recommending surveillance of incidentalomas for a relatively short duration of up to 5 years. Surveillance of lesions less than 1 cm is not routinely recommended. A 70-year-old lady was diagnosed with a non-hyperfunctioning 8 mm right adrenal lesion. She underwent annual biochemical and radiological assessment for 5 years before surveillance was extended to 2-yearly intervals. The lesion was stable in size, and radiological characteristics were consistent with a benign adenoma. Seven years after the initial detection of the adrenal lesion, she developed acute abdominal pain. Imaging revealed a 7 cm right adrenal lesion, which was surgically resected and histologically confirmed to be adrenal cortical cancer. She died 1 year later. Clinical guidelines have moved towards a shortened duration of surveillance of incidentalomas. Even though malignant transformation is a rare event, it is possible that this will result in a delayed diagnosis of adrenal cortical cancer, a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. To our knowledge, this is the first published case of an adrenal lesion of less than 1 cm developing into adrenal cortical cancer. Learning points Adrenal incidentalomas are increasingly common. Clinical practice guidelines exist to aid in differentiating benign and malignant lesions and assessing functional status. Transformation of adrenal incidentalomas to adrenal cortical carcinomas is a rare but recognised event.
Novel Conductive Polymer Composite PEDOT:PSS/Bovine Serum Albumin for Microbial Bioelectrochemical Devices

A novel conductive composite based on PEDOT:PSS, BSA, and Nafion for effective immobilization of acetic acid bacteria on graphite electrodes as part of biosensors and microbial fuel cells has been proposed. It is shown that individual components in the composite do not have a significant negative effect on the catalytic activity of microorganisms during prolonged contact. The values of heterogeneous electron transport constants in the presence of two types of water-soluble mediators were calculated. The use of the composite as part of a microbial biosensor resulted in an electrode operating for more than 140 days. Additional modification of carbon electrodes with nanomaterial allowed to increase the sensitivity to glucose from 1.48 to 2.81 μA × mM−1 × cm−2 without affecting the affinity of bacterial enzyme complexes to the substrate. Cells in the presented composite, as part of a microbial fuel cell based on electrodes from thermally expanded graphite, retained the ability to generate electricity for more than 120 days using glucose solution as well as vegetable extract solutions as carbon sources. The obtained data expand the understanding of the composition of possible matrices for the immobilization of Gluconobacter bacteria and may be useful in the development of biosensors and biofuel cells.
REVIEW ARTICLE Reported foodborne outbreaks due to noroviruses in Belgium : the link between food and patient investigations in an international context

SUMMARY The Belgian data for foodborne norovirus (NoV) outbreaks became available for the ﬁrst time with the introduction of an extraction and detection protocol for NoV in the National Reference Laboratory for foodborne outbreaks in September 2006. In 2007, 10 NoV foodborne outbreaks were reported aﬀecting 392 persons in Belgium. NoV became the most detected agent in foodborne outbreaks followed by Salmonella (eight foodborne outbreaks). The major implicated foods were sandwiches (4/10), where food handlers reported a history of gastroenteritis in two outbreaks. A food handler was implicated in the limited number of Belgian NoV outbreaks which is in accord with internationally recorded data. Forty foodborne and waterborne outbreak events due to NoV, epidemiological and/or laboratory conﬁrmed, from 2000 to 2007 revealed that in 42.5% of the cases the food handler was responsible for the outbreak, followed by water (27.5%), bivalve shellﬁsh (17.5%) and raspberries (10.0%).
Effect of s-Klotho Protein, GPX, Visfatin, Leptin and ROS of Iraqi Women with Breast Cancer

The most prevalent cancer is breast cancer, and the incidence of breast cancer in women worldwide is increasing at a remarkably rapid rate. This study was conducted on 90 samples (45 newly diagnosed breast cancer samples and 45 control group samples), ranging in age from 35 to 70 years. Blood samples were collected from the Alawia Teaching Hospital and the Oncology Teaching Hospital between October 2020 and March 2021. ELISA assessed ROS, GPX, visfatin, IGF-1, vitamin A, leptin, and soluble al-Klotho. The results indicate that the breast cancer patients had significantly higher (ROS 3.57, visfatin 17.44) (ng/mL) (p<0.0001) and leptin 16.11 (ng/mL). In the group of patients, there was a significant increase (p<0.004) compared with the control group, whereas there were no significant differences between IGF-1 (624.72 pg/mL) (p>0.507), s-Klotho 398.22 ng/L (p>0.653), and vitamin A 69.49 umol/L (p<0.05). The results showed a negative correlation among the levels of patients with BC (ROS and vitamin A, GPX, IGF-1, GPX, leptin, and vitamin A). Finally, the current study concludes that vitamin A deficiency is one of the important factors that may influence the clinical evolution and prognosis of patients with breast cancer. Moreover, it was shown that the higher levels of leptin and visfatin could increase the danger in BC cases. The study measured levels of leptin and visfatin, which can increase the danger in BC cases, and measured ROS in patients.
Self-Regulated Learning Phases in Interpretive Reading Course: How are They Presented in the Lesson Plan?

This paper aims to provide insight on how Self-regulated learning strategy is implemented in a classroom by presenting how three phases of the strategy; Forethought and Planning phase, Monitoring Performance phase, and Reflection on Performance phase; are shown in the lesson plan of Literal Reading Course at university level to support independent learning skill. This is a case study observing the lesson plan of Literal Reading course in a private university in Central Java, Indonesia. It shows the examples on how each phase of the strategy is realized in the lesson plan considering the aim of the phase which is mentioned to be important to help student become familiar with the course and prepare themselves before joining the sessions of the lecture. Integrating the phases in the lesson plan helps students to be more confident and motivated in joining the lecture since they know what they will face in advance instead of getting sudden materials from the lecturer. It can be inferred that the implementation of the strategy is considered complete by arranging a lesson plan that matches the phases of Self-regulated learning strategy to support the process of Literal Reading learning that is expected to guide students during the lecture.
Effect of clinical and laboratory techniques of cementation on the assessment of marginal and internal fit of prosthetic elements

Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare machine and manual cementation of prosthetic elements by measuring internal and marginal fits. Methods: Eighteen anatomic prefabricated abutments were used to manufacture zirconia copings in the Ceramill (n=9) and Lava systems (n=9). The copings were cemented with a fluid consistency addition silicone using a machine (n=18) and manually (n=18) according to the replica technique. They were then cut in the buccal-palatal and mesial-distal directions. The film thickness was photographed using an optical microscope and measured in the internal and marginal regions. The data collected were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test (∂=.05). The Bland-Altman test was performed to evaluate the agreement between the methods. Results: In the evaluation of the internal and marginal misfits, the mean values observed for the cementation performed with the aid of a machine and manually, were as follows: angular regions, 76.7 μm and 76.2 μm; linear regions, 60.6 μm and 60.7 μm; incisal region, 144.8 μm and 145.2 μm; marginal region, 40.1 μm and 40.2 μm; and overall mean, 80.4 μm and 80.6 μm, respectively. No significant differences were found between the 2 methods, for any of regions and systems (P>.05). The Bland-Altman test showed agreement between the methods (P>.05) and that the limits of agreement found were clinically acceptable. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, we can conclude that cementation using manual techniques or mechanical aid produces the same cement films.
Water quality assessment of Nwangele river in Imo State, Nigeria

Water quality assessment of Nwangele river was undertaken using standard methods. Water samples were drawn from upstream, midstream and downstream of the river and assessed for quality. Results obtained for physicochemical characteristics showed pH (4.83±.0.01-5.00±0.31), total solid (200.00±2.40-613.19±1.10 mg/L), and total suspended solid (49.98±0.11-399.04±2.09 mg/L). Heavy metals found in the river water were iron (0.132±0.010.144±0.02 mg/L), zinc (0.034±0.020.044±0.02 mg/L), mercury (0.004±0.0010.011±0.00 mg/L), lead (0.008±0.000.016±0.00 mg/L) and cadmium (0.03±0.010.011±0.00 mg/L). Microbiological studies on the river revealed the presence of Klebsieilla sp. , Vibro sp. , Pseudomonas sp. , Proteus sp. , Escherichia sp. , Staphylococcus sp. , Shigella sp. , Bacillus sp. , Serratia sp. , Citrobacter sp. , and Enterobacter sp as bacterial isolates with high total heterotrophic bacteria count (THBC), total coliform count (TCC), Salmonella-shigella count (SSC), and total viable count (TVC). Nwangele River water is acidic, with high total suspended solid, phosphate and microbial loads. It is therefore advisable to purify water from the river before consumption. This study has assessed the water quality of Nwangele river in Imo State, Nigeria
The lattice of ideals of a numerical semigroup and its Frobenius restricted variety associated

Let ∆ be a numerical semigroup. In this work we show that J (∆) = { I ∪ { 0 } : I is an ideal of ∆ } is a distributive lattice, which in addition is a Frobenius restricted variety. We give an algorithm which allows us to compute the set J a (∆) = { S ∈ J (∆): max(∆ \ S ) = a } for a given a ∈ ∆ . As a consequence, we obtain another algorithm that computes all the elements of J (∆) with a ﬁxed genus.
When Is a Two-Stage Surgical Procedure Indicated in the Treatment of Pseudotumors of the Hip? A Retrospective Study of 21 Cases and a Review of the Literature

(1) Background: A pseudotumor of the hip is a sterile, non-neoplastic soft tissue mass associated with total hip arthroplasties. Pseudotumors may mimic soft tissue tumors or infections, and thus a differential diagnosis is crucial, and biopsy is recommended. The purpose of this study was to compare the complications and functional results between one-stage and two-stage procedures. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 21 patients surgically treated at our institution with “pseudotumors” associated with hip prosthesis (8 male, 13 female with a mean age of 69 years). One-stage revision was performed in 10 cases and two-stage reversion in 10, with excision only in 1 case. Complications were classified as major and minor and functional results assessed using the Harris Hip Score (HHS). (3) Results: Five patients (24%) reported major complications. The survival rate for all complications was 75%. The overall survival rate was 95% at 5 years. The mean HHS ranged from 35 pre-op to 75 post-op, highlighting improved functional results in all cases. We recorded no differences in complications or functional outcomes between the one- and two-stage procedures. (4) Conclusions: In our experience, the two-stage surgical approach is preferable in cases with major bone defects and larger pseudotumor sizes. The use of custom-made 3D-printed prostheses is increasing and is a further reason to prefer two-stage revision.
Coupled processes in faulted environments

Many hydrothermal ore deposits occur within fault zones, suggesting a relationship between mineralisation and faulting. However, not all faults are mineralised. In order to predict whether a given fault will be ore-bearing, we must improve our understanding of processes that occur within fault zones, focussing in particular on the coupling between such processes, and their relationship to mineralisation. A particular aim of the pmd*CRC is to develop earth process software that is capable of fully-coupled simulation of all relevant processes, to enable identification of particular sets of conditions that favour mineralisation. Such a fully-coupled model does not yet exist, but significant progress has been made in coupling subsets of the relevant processes within numerical models. Here we present results of numerical simulations that illustrate progress in this field.
Climatological changes in rain and non-rain days over the East Asian region using long term rain gauge observation data

Recently, the global warming attracts a big attention. One of the great concerns is the change in the global rain distribution and extreme events of rainfall. In order to identify the changes in rainfall characteristics, we investigated the annual change in the top five days at maximal daily rainfall amount and those for the continuous non-rain periods using Asian Precipitation – Highly Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation of the Water Resources (APHRODITE’s Water Resources) which stores long term (1978–2002) gridded rain gauge observation data around East Asian regions. The maximum daily rainfall amount and non-rain days tend to increase although their inter-annual variation is large. The annual variation in the maximal daily rainfall amounts corresponds to those in non-rain days in Thailand. We also show the relationship between these results and atmospheric fields using reanalysis data. *Corresponding author (mkyamamoto@faculty.chiba-u.jp) V0409 adjusted by the Parameter-Elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) (Xie et al. 2007). This product was constructed from the combination with some data sources using an interpolating method by Chen et al. (2002). The field and the term of the product is the East Asian region in 5 ̊–60 ̊N, 65 ̊–155 ̊E from January 1, 1978 to July 31, 2003. Figure 1 shows the analyzed regions with the location of rain gauge stations (see also Fig. 5 in Xie et al. (2007) for the number of rain gauges in a 0.5 ̊ grid). Almost all nations over East Asia reasonably cover the rain gauge stations, in particular over the Yellow River Basin with dense sampling except for Cambodia, Myanmar, and Nepal. The further explanations of the products are written in Xie et al. (2007). For the atmospheric fields on a moisture flux, we used the National Centers for Environmental Prediction-Department of Energy Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (NCEP-DOP AMIPII) Reanalysis data, which consists of monthly meteorological variables with 2.5 ̊ grid boxes and 17 vertical layers (Kanamitsu et al. 2002). In this study, we count up continuous rainy and non-rainy days and daily rain amount for every year at the grid point with rain gauge observation in 1979–2002 (24 years), because Xie et al. (2007) cautions that grid boxes far from the gauge stations and boundaries such as the coast tends to degrade the quality of the interpolated rain amount. Over most of the analyzed regions, warm-season precipitation is dominated. However, the variety of rainfall is not always characterized by warm-season. Particular in non-rainy days, it may be hard to detect the durations with limited period. Thus, this study deals with the trends through the year. The inter-annual variations and linear trends for an average and a percentile are then estimated. After the significance test is to be carried out using Mann-Kendall rank statistic (Kendall 1938), the grid boxes with 95% confidence level are called as “significant trend”.
SMC for Discrete Semi-Markov Switching Slow Sampling Singularly Perturbed Models With Applications

The sliding mode control (SMC) is addressed for discrete-time semi-Markov switching slow sampling singularly perturbed models. Under only the part known semi-Markov kernel, the $\varepsilon $ -dependent sliding function is designed for the underlying system. Based on the upper bound of the sojourn time of each system mode, sufficient conditions are obtained for mean-square stability. Then, a strategy to estimate the upper bound of the singularly perturbed parameter is given under an incomplete semi-Markov kernel. Moreover, an appropriate SMC scheme is synthesized to drive the system states onto the pre-specified sliding region. An inverted pendulum model is adopted to verify the practicability of the proposed strategy.
Effects of soil crusts and tillage treatment on soil erosion in the Loess Plateau of China

The objective of this laboratory study was to assess the effects of soil crusts and tillage treatments on soil erosion in the Loess Plateau of China. The simulated rainfall storms at 40 mm/h, 60 mm/h and 80 mm/h rates were applied to the soil boxes set to a 17.6% slope, two soil surface conditions (crusted and uncrusted soil surface) and two tillage types (contour tillage and straight slope) were used to investigate the resulting runoff rate and sediment yield. Results show that the runoff rates were greater and total soil loss was lower in crusted than uncrusted soils. Contour tillage treatment resulted in smaller runoff rate and total soil loss than straight slope treatment. Rainfall intensity, soil crusts and tillage treatments had very significant (p < 0.001) effects both on total runoff yield and soil loss. The combined effects of rainfall intensity and tillage treatment on total runoff yield and soil loss were much more significant (p < 0.01) than the other combined effects (p < 0.05). Rainfall intensity had a greatest correlation with the total runoff yield while tillage treatments had a greatest correlation with the total soil loss. As a result, the tillage treatments in the Loess Plateau can reduce the impact of soil crusts on soil erosion effectively. Nat. Env. & Poll. Tech. Website: www.neptjournal. com Received: 21-5-2014 Accepted: 6-7-2014
A Narrative Review of Current Knowledge on Cutaneous Melanoma

Cutaneous melanoma is a public health problem. Efforts to reduce its incidence have failed, as it continues to increase. In recent years, many risk factors have been identified. Numerous diagnostic systems exist that greatly assist in early clinical diagnosis. The histopathological aspect illustrates the grim nature of these cancers. Currently, pathogenic pathways and the tumor microclimate are key to the development of therapeutic methods. Revolutionary therapies like targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are starting to replace traditional therapeutic methods. Targeted therapy aims at a specific molecule in the pathogenic chain to block it, stopping cell growth and dissemination. The main function of immune checkpoint inhibitors is to boost cellular immunity in order to combat cancer cells. Unfortunately, these therapies have different rates of effectiveness and side effects, and cannot be applied to all patients. These shortcomings are the basis of increased incidence and mortality rates. This study covers all stages of the evolutionary sequence of melanoma. With all these data in front of us, we see the need for new research efforts directed at therapies that will bring greater benefits in terms of patient survival and prognosis, with fewer adverse effects.