Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retraction ATPase motors from three orthologous type IVa pilus systems support promiscuous retraction of the Vibrio cholerae competence pilus

Bacterial surface appendages called type IVa pili (T4aP) promote diverse activities including DNA uptake, twitching motility, and virulence. These activities rely on the ability of T4aP to dynamically extend and retract from the cell surface. Dynamic extension relies on a motor ATPase commonly called PilB. Most T4aP also rely on specific motor ATPases, commonly called PilT and PilU, to dynamically and forcefully retract. Here, we systematically assess whether motor ATPases from three orthologous T4aP can functionally complement Vibrio cholerae mutants that lack their endogenous motors. We found that the PilT and PilU retraction ATPases from the three T4aP systems tested are promiscuous and promote retraction of the V. cholerae competence T4aP despite a high degree of sequence divergence. In contrast, the orthologous extension ATPases from the same T4aP systems were not able to mediate extension of the V. cholerae competence T4aP despite exhibiting a similar degree of sequence divergence. Also, we show that one of the PilT orthologs characterized does not support PilU-dependent retraction and provide some data to indicate that the C-terminus of PilT is important for PilU-dependent retraction. Together, our data suggest that retraction ATPases may have maintained a high degree of promiscuity for promoting retraction of T4aP, while extension ATPases may have evolved to become specific for their cognate systems. IMPORTANCE One way that bacteria interact with their environments is via hair-like appendages called type IVa pili (T4aP). These appendages dynamically extend and retract from the cell surface via the action of distinct ATPase motors. T4aP are present in diverse bacterial species. Here, we demonstrate that retraction motors from three T4aP are promiscuous, and capable of promoting retraction of a heterologous T4aP system. By contrast, the extension ATPase motors from these same T4aP systems are specific and cannot promote extension of a heterologous T4aP. Thus, these results suggest that T4aP extension may be more tightly regulated compared to T4aP retraction.
PAH growth assisted by five-membered ring: pyrene formation from acenaphthylene

To investigate the role of five-membered rings in the growth of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in flames, the conversion of acenaphthylene to pyrene with substituted phenalene as intermediate is studied through quantum calculations using CBS-QB3 composite method. Two pathways are considered, where one initiates with H-abstraction from the five membered ring on acenaphthylene, while the other initiates with H-addition on it. Both the pathways are then followed by subsequent C2H2 addition reactions on the radical sites. With the first C2H2 addition, a substituted phenalene-type species is formed, which undergoes another C2H2 addition reaction to lead to pyrene formation. The reaction kinetics are calculated using transition state theory, and the new reactions are added to a detailed hydrocarbon mechanism to test their effect on the profiles of pyrene and other PAHs. Among the H-abstraction-C2H2-addition (HACA)-type mechanisms for pyrene formation, the proposed reactions have a minor contribution in pyrene formation as they mainly form 1-ethynyl-acenaphthylene and phenanthrene. Through mechanism analysis, the reactions primarily responsible for pyrene formation are highlighted that require further investigation.
Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy Effect on Extrahepatic Rheumatic Manifestations in Egyptian Chronic Hepatitis C (HCV) Patients

Background: Hepatitis C virus infection is an important cause of many rheumatic diseases, especially cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, fibromyalgia, arthralgia and Sicca Syndrome. Direct acting antivirals are found to be highly effective for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C virus infection. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and serological course of extrahepatic rheumatic manifestations in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients after treatment with new direct-acting antivirals. Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on 60 Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C with one or more of the HCVrelated rheumatic manifestations treated with sofosbuvir (400 mg daily) plus daclatasvir (60 mg daily) as a direct-acting antivirals for 3 months. All patients were subjected to clinical and serological course of extrahepatic rheumatic manifestations evaluation. Results: show that among the 60 patients, 21 patients (35.0%) met the criteria of mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome (MC), 19 patients (31.7%) were complaining of arthralgia, 17 patients (28.3%) were complaining of fibromyalgia and 3 patients (5.0%) were complaining of Purpura without other criteria of mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome. Complete clinical response was achieved in a significant number of patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome (MCS), the results also show significant clinical improvement in patients with fibromyalgia, arthralgia and purpura. Significant reduction but not complete normalization in auto-antibodies at short term follow-up was observed. Conclusion: It could be concluded that sustained virologic response correlates with clinical and immunological improvement in most patients with extrahepatic rheumatic manifestations among the studied group of chronic hepatitis C Egyptian populations.
Investigating the utility of hyperspectral sounders in the 9.6  μ m band to improve ozone analyses

Hyperspectral sounder brightness temperatures assimilated in the Global Earth Observing System Atmospheric Data Assimilation System (GEOS‐ADAS) were previously limited to assimilating temperature and moisture. The ozone‐sensitive 9.6 μ m region is sensed by several hyperspectral sounders including AIRS (Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder), IASI (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer), and CrIS (Cross‐track Infrared Sounder). Direct assimilation of brightness temperatures in the 9.6 μ m region have been operational at ECMWF for several years. With this study, similar improvements using the GEOS‐ADAS are presented. Channels were selected from available operational subsets evaluating information content and minimizing inter‐channel correlation. Additionally, information such as channel selections made by other studies, and vertical sensitivities of ozone and temperature were considered. The analyses produced show improvements verified against ozonesondes taken from SHADOZ (Southern Hemisphere Additional Ozonesondes) and WOUDC (World Ozone and Ultraviolet Data Center). This work will be added to the GEOS‐ADAS and will provide an improved source of ozone data in NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office products.
Does Trading Volume Activity React To The Announcement of Large-Scale Social Restrictions During The Covid-19 Pandemic?

This research is an event study that aims to examine the information content as measured by trading volume activity as a form of capital market reaction to the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. The purpose of this research study is to determine and analyze the presence or absence of trading volume activity before and after the announcement of Large-Scale Social Restrictions in the context of handling COVID-19 in Indonesia. The analytical method used in the study is a quantitative method in research with an event study approach which is used to analyze the reaction of the capital market to the announcement of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in the context of handling the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. The data analysis technique in this research is using event study. The results showed that there were significant differences in stock trading volume activity before and after the announcement of the PSBB policy during the Covid-19 pandemic in DKI Jakarta.
Immunotherapy after liver transplantation: Where are we now?

BACKGROUND There is limited evidence on the safety of immunotherapy use after liver transplantation and its efficacy in treating post-liver transplant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence. AIM To assess the safety of immunotherapy after liver transplant and its efficacy in treating post-liver transplant HCC recurrence. METHODS A literature review was performed to identify patients with prior liver transplantation and subsequent immunotherapy. We reviewed the rejection rate and risk factors of rejection. In patients treated for HCC, the oncological outcomes were evaluated including objective response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS We identified 25 patients from 16 publications and 3 patients from our institutional database (total n = 28). The rejection rate was 32% (n = 9). Early mortality occurred in 21% (n = 6) and was mostly related to acute rejection (18%, n = 5). Patients who developed acute rejection were given immunotherapy earlier after transplantation (median 2.9 years vs 5.3 years, P = 0.02) and their graft biopsies might be more frequently programmed death ligand-1-positive (100% vs 33%, P = 0.053). Their PFS (1.0 ± 0.1 mo vs 3.5 ± 1.1 mo, P = 0.02) and OS (1.0 ± 0.1 mo vs 19.2 ± 5.5 mo, P = 0.001) compared inferiorly to patients without rejection. Among the 19 patients treated for HCC, the rejection rate was 32% (n = 6) and the overall objective response rate was 11%. The median PFS and OS were 2.5 ± 1.0 mo and 7.3 ± 2.7 mo after immunotherapy. CONCLUSION Rejection risk is the major obstacle to immunotherapy use in liver transplant recipients. Further studies on the potential risk factors of rejection are warranted.
L-methionine γ-lyase from Thermo-tolerant fungi: Isolation, Identification of the potent producers, and Statistical Optimization of Production via Response surface methodology

In the current study, thermo-tolerant fungal isolates were screened for their ability to metabolize L-methionine by L-methionine γ-lyase (MGL). Among 63 fungal isolates, fifteen isolates exhibited ability to MGL induction as evidenced by qualitative assay method using phenol red. Then, quantitative assay method indicates that fungal isolates coded as 26 & 37 were the most potent for MGL production. Fungal mycelium treatment under the sonication process proved that isolate No. 37 could be release MGL with maximum activity, meanwhile isolate No. 26 has been produced MGL extracellularly under the same culture conditions. Thereafter, characterization and identification of these two isolates was carried out by morphological, microscopic examination and molecular techniques. In consequence of this characterization, isolate No. 26 & 37 were identified as Aspergillus fumigates and Rhizomucor miehei respectively. Different culture conditions were screened by Plakket-Burmn design to define the significant parameters that affect the induction of MGL of the two fungal strains. Using the response surface method model, independent culture parameters were optimized through a central composite design (CCD) to maximize the induction of extracellular and intracellular MGL by A. fumigatus and R. miehei . Statistical optimization using Response surface methodology (RSM) revealed that yeast extract, incubation period and temperature were significant factors for MGL production by R. miehei where MGL was 8.27 U/mg. Additionally, glycerol, PH, period and inoculum size were the most efficient factors affect MGL by A. fumigatus where MGL was 12.37 U/mg.
Interleukin gene expression in broiler chickens infected by different Escherichia coli serotypes

Abstract Background and Aim: Escherichia coli is the cause of avian colibacillosis, a significant threat to the poultry industry and public health. Thus, this study investigated the prevalence of E. coli in diseased chicken broilers, pathological effects of these bacteria, and interleukin (IL) gene expression of different serotypes of E. coli (O78, O26, O44, and O55) on experimentally infected chickens. Materials and Methods: A total of 295 organ samples (liver, lungs, heart, and spleen) from 59 diseased broiler chickens were used for conventional identification of E. coli. Chickens were orally infected with one of the following E. coli serotypes (O78, O26, O44, or O55) and examined for clinical signs, mortality, macroscopic and microscopic lesions, and IL gene expression using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: E. coli was isolated from 53.2% of broiler chicken organs with a high prevalence in lungs (26.1%). The most prevalent serotypes were O78, O26, O44, O55, O157, and O127 prevalence of 27.8, 22.2, 16.7, 16.7, 5.6, and 5.6%, respectively. In the experimental design, five groups (G1-G5) of birds were established. G1 served as the negative control group, while G2-G5 were challenged orally with E. coli O78, O26, O55, or O44, respectively. Chickens infected with E. coli O78 or O26 showed significant clinical signs in comparison to the other infected birds. Mortality (13.3%) was only observed in birds infected with E. coli O78. Necropsy of dead birds after E. coli O78 infection showed pericarditis, enteritis, airsacculitis, and liver and lung congestion. More severe histopathological changes were observed in intestines, spleen, liver, and lung from chickens infected with either E. coli O78 or O26 than for birds infected with other serotypes. On the 2nd day post-infection, E. coli challenge, particularly with E. coli O78, displayed significantly upregulated levels of ileal IL-6 and IL-8, but ileal IL-10 level tended to be downregulated in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: This study assessed the application of cytokines as therapeutic agents against infectious diseases, particularly colibacillosis.
Factors Influencing Intentions in Hotel Booking Through Online Travel Intermediaries Applications

The tremendous development of technology and mobile devices at present is making a significant influence on the hotels sector, especially in online hotel reservations via new online travel intermediaries applications like (Booking and Trivago applications). These applications have a prominent role in the hotel sector. Little researches has been done about customers’ perceptions of the use of booking broker applications. This study examined how some factors related to online travel intermediaries tend to influence the intentions of booking hotels. Therefore, customer questionnaires were distributed electronically due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The survey has six variables, i
Readiness and Acceptance of Maternity and Community Undergraduate Nursing Students for Adopting E-Learning during COVID 19 Pandemic

Background: Electronic learning (E-learning) is the most suitable solution for academic universities to continue the education process during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 pandemic). Aim: This study aimed to assess the readiness and acceptance of maternity and community undergraduate nursing students for adopting E-learning during COVID-19 pandemic. Setting: This study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University. Egypt. Subjects: A nonprobability purposive sample of 401 regular maternity and community undergraduate nursing students was enrolled in this study. Data collection tool: An online questionnaire was used to assess the general characteristics, readiness, and acceptance for adopting E-learning of the nursing students. Results: More than half (52.6%) of the students under the study were ready for adopting E-learning. Additionally, less than half (48.4%) of the students accepted E-learning. Conclusion: Around half of the studied students were ready and accept to adopt E-learning during COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations: Organizational investment for technological software, hardware, or license is essential to increase the acceptance and readiness rate of students at universities for adopting E-learning. Moreover, the development of training workshops to increase students’ skills in using technology for education is important.
Pilot-scale study of a structured bed reactor for nitrogen and organic matter removal from sanitary sewage: advances and design challenges

Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) is a process that can remove both nitrogen and organic matter in a single unit. Several bench-scale studies show that the structured bed reactors (STBR) subjected to recirculation and intermittent aeration have achieved a good performance for SND treating different types of wastewater. Thus, this study took a step forward and evaluated the efficiency and stability of treating domestic sewage in a pilot-scale STBR. COD removal efficiencies higher than 87% were achieved in the whole experimental period. The highest Total-N removal efficiency was approximately 74 ± 7% by adopting a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 47.2 h and intermittent aeration (2 h aerated and 1 h non-aerated). The setup of the aeration system was an important mechanism to ensure the optimal balance between nitrification and denitrification in a pilot-scale system.
Nutrient loading Artemisia cana seedlings in greenhouse increases nitrogen tissue content and post‐outplanting survival

Sagebrush (Artemisia) is a vital habitat component for many grassland species and continued loss, fragmentation, and degradation of sagebrush habitats has increased the need for their restoration. Conventional revegetation methods have resulted in extremely low plant establishment and survival inhibiting the success of sagebrush restoration efforts. During greenhouse production, we sought to improve Artemisia cana seedling quality and post‐planting growth and survival by increasing tissue nutrient content. We conducted a preliminary 12‐week greenhouse study and a subsequent 26‐week greenhouse + 2‐season field study, investigating 12 nutrient loading treatments (application of 70, 105, 175, and 245 mg nitrogen [N] plant−1 at single, constant, exponential, and modified exponential rates). Nitrogen content of seedling leaves and roots at 26 weeks indicated that application of 175 and 245 mg N plant−1 on exponential or modified exponential dosing schedules resulted in nutrient‐loaded seedlings. Seedlings were planted into a cleared plot in Grasslands National Park, SK. After 60 weeks in the field, nutrient‐loaded seedlings had significantly greater survival (75%) than non‐loaded seedlings (65%) and greater crown area (1,351 vs. 1,004 cm2). Rhizomatous reproduction (sprouting) occurred within 4 weeks of planting. New sprouts had disproportionately larger crown areas (2,237 cm2) and greater survival (86%) than planted seedlings. Nutrient loading was an effective method to overcome high mortality that has inhibited restoration outcomes. Where plant materials and resources are limited, nutrient loading could be especially useful by improving seedling survival and crown area without increasing planting densities.
The effect of Chronic Administration of Ampicillin/Sulbactum on rat Developing Enamel

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chronic administration of Ampicillin/ Sulbactum on enamel development of Albino rats’ mandibular first molar. Materials & Methods: Eight pregnant female Albino rats were equally divided into two groups: control and treated group. The treated group received intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg BW of Ampicillin/Sulbactum once daily for nine days till delivery. This was followed by injection of the offspring for additional 11 days. Treated offsprings (n=7) were sacrificed at 12 days of birth and H&E stained sections of the mandibular first molar tooth germ were examined. The other half of the treated pups was sacrificed at 28 days of birth, their mandibular first molars were examined by quantitative computerized tomography (QCT), scanning electron microscope (SEM) & ground section statistical analysis was performed for enamel measurements of H&E, ground sections and QCT. Results: Examination of H&E stained sections of the Ampicillin/Sulbactam treated subgroup at 12 days revealed an apparent reduction in enamel matrix thickness which was statistically insignificant compared with control subgroup. QCT showed a significant decrease in enamel density of the treated subgroup compared with untreated subgroup at 28 days. SEM observation showed enamel surface irregularities, pores and fissures. An insignificant reduction in enamel thickness was revealed by statistical analysis of the ground sections under light microscope. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, chronic administration of Ampicillin/ Sulbactam adversely affected the development of enamel in rat’s offspring.
The Efficacy of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging in characterization of parotid tumors

Objectives: Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a valuable technique for the assessment of parotid tumors. This study was designed to investigate the role of conventional MRI in the diagnosis of parotid tumors. Methods: Twenty four patients were included in this study, they presented with pain and swelling in the region of the parotid gland. All patients were subjected to conventional MRI examination. The results were statistically analysed by using chi-square test. Results: It was found that there was statistically significant difference between benign parotid tumors and malignant parotid neoplasms regarding signal intensity on T2, tumor margin and infiltration into surrounding tissue . Conclusions: MRI remains the superior imaging modality for characterization of the parotid tumors. It is sensitive in detection of parotid abnormalities.
Power Variability of Wind and Solar Production Portfolio in the Republic of Croatia

In this work, we analysed multi-annual data set of wind and solar production portfolio with different power frequency approaches and averaging methods in order to characterize power production variability at different temporal scales. All of the methods have their advantages depending on their scale and purpose, but also some shortcomings that limit their use. For the purposes of this work, we selected the method of explicit derivation as the most appropriate for the fast power change frequency analysis and characterization. The variability of power production from wind and solar power plants in Croatia is strongly present on an hourly, daily and seasonal level, while on an annual level the variability is much less pronounced. Since current electricity production and consumption must remain in balance to maintain the stability of the power network, this variability of production can pose significant challenges for the inclusion of large amounts of wind and solar energy in the power system of the Republic of Croatia. A particular challenge for the power system in terms of production variability is the fast change in power. Fast power change affects the quality of production forecasting and consequently causes higher imbalance costs. The impact on the management and balancing of the power system is particularly challenging.