Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of Virulence and Toxin Expression of Vancomycin-Intermediate and Vancomycin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus Strains

Previous studies on vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) have mainly focused on drug resistance, the evolution of differences in virulence between VISA and vancomycin-sensitive S. aureus (VSSA) requires further investigation. To address this issue, in this study, we compared the virulence and toxin profiles of pair groups of VISA and VSSA strains, including a series of vancomycin-resistant induced S. aureus strains—SA0534, SA0534-V8, and SA0534-V16. We established a mouse skin infection model to evaluate the invasive capacity of VISA strains, and found that although mice infected with VISA had smaller-sized abscesses than those infected with VSSA, the abscesses persisted for a longer period (up to 9 days). Infection with VISA strains was associated with a lower mortality rate in Galleria mellonella larvae compared to infection with VSSA strains (≥ 40% vs. ≤ 3% survival at 28 h). Additionally, VISA were more effective in colonizing the nasal passage of mice than VSSA, and in vitro experiments showed that while VISA strains were less virulent they showed enhanced intracellular survival compared to VSSA strains. RNA sequencing of VISA strains revealed significant differences in the expression levels of the agr, hla, cap, spa, clfB, and sbi genes and suggested that platelet activation is only weakly induced by VISA. Collectively, our findings indicate that VISA is less virulent than VSSA but has a greater capacity to colonize human hosts and evade destruction by the host innate immune system, resulting in persistent and chronic S. aureus infection.
Motor Imagery as a Tool for Motor Learning and Improving Sports Performance: A Mini Review on the State of the Art

Motor imagery turned out to be an innovative and valid means for motor learning and improvement of sports performance. Analyzing the instrumental and neurophysiologic investigations that confirm its existence and use in daily practice, this work leads as a reflection and a theoretical analysis on the meaning of the motor imagery as a higher cortical function. Particular attention will be paid on the role of somesthestic (consciousness of the body) and proprioceptive (stimuli within the tissues of the body) input have in the construction of the motor imagery and how this is an advantageous strategy for the central nervous system in motor learning.
Possible role of neutrophils in itch

Interactions between keratinocytes, immune cells, and sensory nerve endings strongly influence the sensation of itch. Mast cells, eosinophils, and T cells are commonly mentioned as immune cells involved in itch, meanwhile the role of neutrophils in pruritus is rarely discussed. However, neutrophils are capable of producing and releasing a variety of pruritogens such as histamine, proteases (neutrophil elastase and cathepsin S), prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, and platelet-activating factor. The purpose of this review is to highlight the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of several pruritic diseases, such as psoriasis, palmoplantar pustulosis, atopic dermatitis, malignant skin tumors (squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma), bullous pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis, chronic prurigo/prurigo nodularis, subacute prurigo, and prurigo pigmentosa.
(Co)variance components and genetics parameter estimation for linear traits in Holstein cattle in Indonesia: traits related to foot/leg and udder

Abstract The availability of (co)variance components and genetics parameter estimates for traits included in a selection program is crucial since the estimated breeding values of the selected traits are computed based on the available (co)variance components and genetics parameters. The present study aimed to estimate (co)variance components and genetics parameters for linear traits related to foot/leg and udder (i.e. rear legs set, foot angle, udder depth, and teat length) in Holstein cattle in Indonesia. Linear traits were measured (instead of scored) on 310 lactating Holstein cows raised in the National Breeding Centre for Dairy Cattle and Forage of Indonesia (BBPTUHPT Baturraden). These were nearly all cows in lactation owned by the centre at the time of study. Lactating cows which were not measured during study were those which are technically difficult to handle. The Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood (AI-REML) method of the DMU program was used to estimate the (co)variances and genetics parameters of the considered linear traits. A four-multivariate animal model was employed by including farm (fixed), animal (random), and age (covariate) effects in the model of analysis. The phenotypic means (standard deviation) for rear legs set, foot angle, udder depth, and teat length were 139.70 (6.03), 50.65 (5.04), 10.67 (6.19), and 5.27 (0.96), respectively. The results showed that the estimated heritability (h2) was 0.334, 0.236, 0.147, and 0.213 for rear legs set, foot angle, udder depth, and teat length, respectively. The genetic (phenotypic) correlations between linear traits rear legs set–foot angle, rear legs set–udder depth, rear legs set–teat length, foot angle–udder depth, foot angle–teat length, and udder depth–teat length were -0.08 (-0.043), -0.6 (0.002), 0.101 (0.036), 0.002 (-0.017), -0.186 (-0.146), and -0.834 (0.019), respectively. The present study concluded that the linear traits could be used in the selection program, though the traits should be properly weighted to avoid deteriorating selection response.
Authentic Assessment Analysis Based on the Curriculum 2013 at SMP Negeri 7 Muaro Jambi

The 2013 curriculum requires the use of authentic assessment, where students are assessed for their readiness, process, and learning outcomes as a whole. This research was conducted at Muaro Jambi 7 Junior High School which aimed to find out the implementation of authentic assessment subjects at Muaro Jambi Junior High School and to find out whether authentic assessment was carried out properly or not. Data collection methods used in the study are documentation studies, interviews and questionnaires. Subjects used in this study were biology teachers who used the 2013 curriculum and VIII grade students at Muaro Jambi 7 Junior High School. The results obtained showed that all biology teachers had carried out authentic assessments. The teacher has carried out an authentic assessment during the learning process which includes three aspects of assessment namely attitudes, knowledge, and skills. However, in the process of authentic assessment there are still some obstacles, namely the number of assessment formats that must be made by the teacher with limited availability of time so that the teacher is not optimal in carrying out authentic assessments. The many aspects that must be assessed in the 2013 Curriculum assessment, so that the teacher takes a long time to make an assessment. Keywords : analysis, authentic assessment, 2013 curriculum. Abstrak: Kurikulum 2013 mensyaratkan penggunaan penilaian autentik, dimana siswa dinilai kesiapannya, proses, dan hasil belajar secara utuh. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Sekolah Menengah Pertama Negeri 7 Muaro Jambi yang bertujuan untuk mengetahui pelaksanaan penilaian autentik di Sekolah Menengah Pertama Negeri Muaro Jambi dan untuk mengetahui apakah penilaian autentik dilaksanakan dengan baik atau tidak. Metode pengumpulan data yang digunakan dalam penelitian adalah studi dokumentasi, wawancara dan angket. Subjek yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu guru mata pelajaran biologi yang menggunakan kurikulum 2013 dan siswa kelas VIII di Sekolah Menengah Pertama Negeri 7 Muaro Jambi. Hasil penelitian yang diperoleh menunjukkan bahwa seluruh guru biologi sudah melaksanakan penilaian autentik. Guru sudah melaksanakan penilaian autentik pada saat proses pembelajaran yang meliputi tiga aspek penilaian yaitu sikap, pengetahuan, dan keterampilan. Namun, pada proses pelaksanaan penilaian autentik masih ada beberapa kendala yaitu banyaknya format penilaian yang harus dibuat oleh guru dengan ketersediaan waktu yang guru miliki terbatas sehingga membuat guru kurang maksimal dalam melaksanakan penilaian autentik. Banyaknya aspek yang harus dinilai dalam penilaian Kurikulum 2013, sehingga guru membutuhkan waktu yang lama untuk melakukan penilaian. Kata kunci: analisis, penilaian autentik, kurikulum 2013.
Correlations and path Analysis of some quantitative characters in barley (Hordeum vulgareum L.) landraces in western Oromia, Ethiopia

Barley is recognized as one of the oldest cereal crop in Ethiopia grown for various uses. The knowledge of the association between various yield components and yield is paramount important for effective selection in crop improvement. The present study was to determine the interrelationship and direct and indirect effects of yield component traits on grain yield of Ethiopian landraces barley for further breeding activities of yield improvement. One hundred barley landraces were laid out in 10 x 10 simple lattice design with two replications in 2017 main cropping season at Mata sub site of Haro-Sabu Agricultural Research Center (HSARC). The analysis of variance revealed highly significant (p≤ 0.01) to low significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference for all the characters. Sixteen parameters were evaluated to assess the inter relationship among yield and yield-related agronomic characters and their effect on grain yield. Grain yield showed positive and significant genotypic correlations with grain weight per spike (rg = 0.36), spike weight per plant (rg = 0.38), 1000-seed weight (rg = 0.66), biological yield (rg = 0.83), awn length (rg = 0.34) and plant height (rg = 0.23). The result revealed that biological yield, 1000-seed weight, productive tillers per plant and grain weight per spike were the most important yield components as they exerted positive direct effect on grain yield as well as positive genetic association with each other explaining the existence of significant correlation. This suggests that simultaneous improvement in these characters might be possible. Keywords: Barley, phenotypic association, genotypic association, direct and indirect effects.
Loss of MeCP2 Function Across Several Neuronal Populations Impairs Breathing Response to Acute Hypoxia

Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss of function of the transcriptional regulator Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2). In addition to the characteristic loss of hand function and spoken language after the first year of life, people with RTT also have a variety of physiological and autonomic abnormalities including disrupted breathing rhythms characterized by bouts of hyperventilation and an increased frequency of apnea. These breathing abnormalities, that likely involve alterations in both the circuitry underlying respiratory pace making and those underlying breathing response to environmental stimuli, may underlie the sudden unexpected death seen in a significant fraction of people with RTT. In fact, mice lacking MeCP2 function exhibit abnormal breathing rate response to acute hypoxia and maintain a persistently elevated breathing rate rather than showing typical hypoxic ventilatory decline that can be observed among their wild-type littermates. Using genetic and pharmacological tools to better understand the course of this abnormal hypoxic breathing rate response and the neurons driving it, we learned that the abnormal hypoxic breathing response is acquired as the animals mature, and that MeCP2 function is required within excitatory, inhibitory, and modulatory populations for a normal hypoxic breathing rate response. Furthermore, mice lacking MeCP2 exhibit decreased hypoxia-induced neuronal activity within the nucleus tractus solitarius of the dorsal medulla. Overall, these data provide insight into the neurons driving the circuit dysfunction that leads to breathing abnormalities upon loss of MeCP2. The discovery that combined dysfunction across multiple neuronal populations contributes to breathing dysfunction may provide insight into sudden unexpected death in RTT.
Geographic variations of wood properties of Larix sibirica naturally grown in Mongolia

Geographic variations in growth, stress-wave velocity of stem, dynamic Young’s modulus of stems and logs, annual ring width, latewood percentage and basic density were investigated for Larix sibirica (Münchh.) Ledeb. naturally grown in Mongolia. A total of 250 trees with 20 to 30 cm in stem diameter at a height of 1.3 m above ground level were selected from each natural stand in five different provenances in Mongolia. In addition, five trees in each stand were cut for measuring dynamic Young’s modulus of stems and logs, annual ring width, latewood percentage and basic density. Mean values of stress-wave velocity of stems in each stand ranged from 2.92 to 3.41 km s–1, and the mean value of five stands was 3.23 km s–1. Mean values of dynamic Young’s modulus of logs in each stand ranged from 5.17 to 9.72 GPa. A significant correlation (r = 0.798, p < 0.01) was found between stress-wave velocity of stems and dynamic Young’s modulus of logs. Among the five stands, the highest and the lowest values of average annual ring number were 193 and 44, respectively. Mean values of basic density in five trees within each stand were examined and ranged from 0.52 to 0.56 g cm–3. Significant differences among five stands were found in tree height, stress-wave velocity of stem, dynamic Young’s modulus of stems and logs, annual ring width and latewood percentage, suggesting that L. sibirica trees naturally grown in Mongolia have geographic variations in mechanical properties of wood.
ALDH Expression in Angiosarcoma of the Lung: A Potential Marker of Aggressiveness?

Background: Primary angiosarcoma of the lung is a very aggressive rare malignant disease resulting in a severe prognosis (1). This type of cancer represents about 2% of all soft tissue sarcomas and has a high rate of metastasis through the hematogenous route. For the rarity of this malignant vascular tumor it is still challenging to set a diagnosis (1). The diagnostic features that have thus far been considered include primarily clinical and radiological findings. In some cases, immunohistochemical characteristics based on the most common markers used in pathology have been described. The aim of this report is to present two cases of angiosarcoma of the lung in which the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) marker was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Methods: We report two cases of angiosarcoma of the lung in patients underwent lung surgery at our Unit. In addition to the standard histopathological analysis for this disease, immunohistochemistry using an ALDH1A1 antibody was performed in both of the cases. For ALDH quantification, a semi-quantitative method based on the positivity of the tumor cells was used: 0 (<5%), 1 (5–25%), 2 (>25–50%), 3 (>50–75%), 4 (>75%). Results: One patient with recurrent lung disease survived, achieving complete remission after chemo- and radiotherapy. The second patient died of recurrent disease within 5 years of diagnosis. ALDH1A1 was evaluated in both of these cases using an immunohistochemistry scoring system based on the positivity for this marker. The scores were consistent with the patients' clinical outcomes, as the lower (score 1) was observed in the patient with the better clinical outcome, while the higher (score 3) was seen in the patient with the worse outcome. Conclusion: Our data suggest that ALDH may be an important clinical marker in angiosarcoma of the lung. Although further studies need to be performed in a larger cohort of patients, we believe that, if the results will be confirmed, ALDH1A1 may be used to stratify patients in terms of prognosis and for targeted therapy.
Influence of post-polymerization processing on the mechanical characteristics of 3D-printed occlusal splints

Occlusal splints are the most common devices for preventing bruxism and its consequences. Their application significantly reduces the pathologies of the dental and periodontal structures. Apart from the well-known technologies of manufacturing occlusal splints – thermo-vacuum forming, wax elimination and CAD/CAM machining, three-dimensional (3D) printing is a novel promising technique. It makes use of stereolithography, whereby the splint is built layer-by-layer through consecutive polymerization of a liquid photo-polymer by ultraviolet laser light. A very important stage in stereolithography following the 3D-printing is the post polymerization processing. It is a key moment in achieving biocompatibility and the final mechanical parameters – hardness, elasticity modulus, and strength. The process comprises two steps – washing with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) followed by post-curing in a polymerization device with an ultraviolet light source. The aim of the present study is determining the influence of the polymerization device’s light source on the mechanical characteristics of the occlusal splint.
Predictors and survival of primary clear cell carcinoma of liver: a population-based study of an uncommon primary liver tumor

Background The clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of primary clear cell carcinoma of the liver (PCCCL) remain unknown for the rarity. We aimed to determine the clinical and therapeutic characteristics of PCCCL and the effects of these factors on the prognosis. Methods Patients were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Data were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier, Cox proportional hazards regression analyses and the multivariable competing risk model. Results We included 223 PCCCL patients and the majority of them had an age under 75 years (82.5%). Most patients were white people (63.2%). The patients diagnosed at localized stage (63.7%), T1 (49.8%), N0 (96.0%), M0 (87.4%) and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) I (44.4%) made up the majority of the population. More PCCCL tumors had a size beneath 4 cm (74.9%) and no vascular invasion (63.2%). The 3-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival (OS) probabilities and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 35.8%, 24.3%, 14.4%, and 41.6%, 29.4%, 22.2%, respectively. The patients with tumor ≥1 cm [OS, hazard ratio (HR) =1.822; DSS, HR =1.959] had a higher risk of death than those patients with tumor <1 cm. Among surgical means, hepatectomy (OS, HR =0.070; DSS, HR =0.050) and total hepatectomy plus transplant (OS, HR =0.074; DSS, HR =0.065) were more beneficial to PCCCL. Conclusions PCCCL patients were inclined to be young, white people-prevalent, localized and early. PCCCL tend to had a slow growth and be weakly aggressive. However, comparing with previous reports, we found that PCCCL had a relatively poor outcome. Tumor size and surgery were the independent prognostic factors for OS and DSS.
Correlation of platelet count and platelet volume indices with coronary artery diseases

Introduction: Coronary artery disease is the most common non-communicable disease in the world. Platelet activation plays a central role in the transformation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) into its potentially major adverse clinical events, such as ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. Aim and objectives: The aim of this study was to study platelet parameters e.g. platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and mean platelet concentrate in the spectrum of ischemic artery disease and to attempt a clinicopathological correlation. Materials and methods: This study was done in the hematological section of the pathology department at tertiary care hospital over a period from January 2016 to December 2018. The study population was divided into three groups healthy control, patients of myocardial infarction, and unstable angina. Results: The difference in mean platelet indices between the 3 study groups was significantly higher in MI and UA groups compared to healthy control. Mean platelet count in the control group was 2.60 Lac (± 0.92), cases of MI 2.34 Lac (±0.67), and in cases of unstable angina 2.56 Lac (±0.89). Mean platelet volume in the control group was 8.07 (±2.11), in cases of MI 12.3 (±1.98) and in cases of unstable angina 11.6 (±2.01). Conclusion: From the present study, it can be conclude that larger platelets can play a significant role in CAD. As platelet volume indices (PVI) can provide an alarming sign for the prethrombotic state in IHD. So in day to day routine hematological analysis of PVI and large platelets can help in the management of coronary artery disease.
Heterogeneous freezing of droplets with immersed surface modified mineral dust particles

(1) Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Physics Department, Leipzig, Germany (hartmann@tropos.de), (2) Michigan Tech University, Houghton, USA (rashaw@mtu.edu), (3) Colorado State University, Department of Atmospheric Science, Fort Collins, USA (rsullivan@atmos.colostate.edu), (4) ETH Zurich, Institute of Atmospheric and Climate Science, Zürich, Switzerland (olaf.stetzer@env.ethz.ch), (5) Goethe University, Institute for Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, Frankfurt/Main, Germany (bundke@iau.uni-frankfurt.de), (6) Research Centre Juelich, ICG-II: Troposphere, Juelich, Germany (t.mentel@fz-juelich.de), (7) Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Particle Chemistry Department, Mainz , Germany (schneider@mpch-mainz.mpg.de), (8) University of Mainz, Institute for Atmospheric Physics, Mainz , Germany (reitz@mpch-mainz.mpg.de)
Condensed-Phase Processes during Solid Propellant Combustion. Part 2: Chemical and Microscopic Examination of Conductively Quenched Samples of RDX, XM39, JA2, M30, and HMX-Binder Compositions

Abstract : Burning propellant samples were quenched, and the burned surfaces were examined microscopically and by chemical analysis. Studies are in progress on a series of propellants including XM39, M30, JA2, RDX, and HMX-polyester compositions. The results to date are consistent with the idea that at least at low pressures (below 2.0 MPa), a liquid layer forms during combustion of most of the propellants, with the possible exception of JA2; scanning electron microscope examination shows the existence of a liquid layer but does not provide evidence of degradation below this layer. The effect of composition and pressure on this liquid layer is discussed. Further gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis confirms our earlier result that at least in the case of XM39, the stabilizer is depleted considerably in the surface layers, presumably by reaction with nitrogen oxides formed by decomposition of RDX and NC. Further high performance liquid chromatography results confirm our earlier result that for XM39, HMX2, and RDX (which contain the cyclic nitramines HMX and RDX), there is a significant increase in concentration of the mechanistically significant nitrosamines MRDX and DRDX over the very small amounts possibly present as impurities In RDX and HMX. FTIR-PAS results provide evidence for condensed-phase reaction in M30 and JA2.