Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of on-farm milk handling practices in Mbarara District Southwestern Uganda

Milk quality has been markedly linked to milk handling practices. In this paper we report on existing milk handling practices in Mbarara district, western Uganda assessed through a cross-sectional survey. A total of 347 dairy farmer households were randomly selected. Results indicated that the main types of milking containers used were plastic (74.6%). The main source of water used during milking was from springs (39.5%). A high proportion (51.9%) of the milking persons did not use any sanitizer when washing hands prior to milking. 58.5% of the farmers washed the udder prior to milking and 22.2% had clean milking area. Only 22.5% of the farmers tested the milk for mastitis and 79.3% of the farmers did not carry out post-milking treatment. Majority (70.3%) of the farmers preserved unsold milk, mainly by boiling. The study also showed a significant positive association between training in milk handling and cleanness of the milking area and milking containers (Somers’ d = 0.492 and 0.500, p = 0.00 and 0.00, respectively). We concluded that training dairy farmers in proper milk handling practices could improve milk quality and possibly alleviate milk post-harvest losses that occur as a result of poor handling.
Error Estimation of Functions by Fourier-Laguerre Polynomials Using Matrix-Euler Operators

Various investigators have studied the degree of approximation of a function using different summability (Cesaro means of order : , Euler , and Norlund ) means of its Fourier-Laguerre series at the point after replacing the continuity condition in Szego theorem by much lighter conditions. The product summability methods are more powerful than the individual summability methods and thus give an approximation for wider class of functions than the individual methods. This has motivated us to investigate the error estimation of a function by -transform of its Fourier-Laguerre series at frontier point , where is a general lower triangular regular matrix. A particular case, when is a Cesaro matrix of order 1, that is, , has also been discussed as a corollary of main result.
Melatonin-induced physiology and transcriptome changes in banana seedlings under salt stress conditions

Soil salinization poses a serious threat to the ecological environment and agricultural production and is one of the most common abiotic stresses in global agricultural production. As a salt-sensitive plant, the growth, development, and production of bananas (Musa acuminata L.) are restricted by salt stress. Melatonin is known to improve the resistance of plants to stress. The study analyzed the effects of 100 μM melatonin on physiological and transcriptome changes in banana varieties (AAA group cv. Cavendish) under 60 mmol/l of NaCl salt stress situation. The phenotypic results showed that the application of exogenous melatonin could maintain banana plants’ health growth and alleviate the damage caused by salt stress. The physiological data show that the application of exogenous melatonin can enhance salt tolerance of banana seedlings by increasing the content of proline content and soluble protein, slowing down the degradation of chlorophyll, reducing membrane permeability and recovery of relative water content, increasing the accumulation of MDA, and enhancing antioxidant defense activity. Transcriptome sequencing showed that melatonin-induced salt tolerance of banana seedlings involved biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components. We also found that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are involved in a variety of metabolic pathways, including amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, cyanoamino acid metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and linoleic acid metabolism. These major metabolism and biosynthesis may be involved in the potential mechanism of melatonin under salt stress. Furthermore, some members of the transcription factor family, such as MYB, NAC, bHLH, and WRKY, might contribute to melatonin alleviating salt stress tolerance of the banana plant. The result laid a basis for further clarifying the salt stress resistance mechanism of bananas mediated by exogenous melatonin and provides theoretical bases to utilize melatonin to improve banana salt tolerance in the future.
Investigation of the influence of turbulence to tribological performance on smooth and multistep journal bearing with hydrodynamics simulation

A bearing is an element that maintains the relative motion between two components in industrial machines, while a journal bearing is often used to maintain the shaft constantly rotating on its axis. Generally, an increase in journal bearings’ performance is essential for industrial development. An increase in engine speed affects the distribution of pressure, temperature, and acoustics. Scientists have proposed various methods to analyze pressure distribution, load-bearing capacity, acoustic power, friction force, cavitation, and elastic phenomena to improve journal bearings’ tribological performance. Therefore, this study aimed to discuss the differences in the flow type modeling between smooth and multistep journal bearings. The results indicated that tribological performance increased significantly in turbulent flow in smooth and multistep journal bearings. The simulation results showed a difference between k-epsilon turbulent flow modeling and k-omega flow modeling.
The bacteriocin Angicin interferes with bacterial membrane integrity through interaction with the mannose phosphotransferase system

In a natural environment, bacteria are members of multispecies communities. To compete with rival species, bacteria produce antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), called bacteriocins. Bacteriocins are small, cationic, ribosomally synthesized peptides, which normally inhibit closely related species of the producing organism. Bacteriocin production is best studied in lactic bacteria (LAB). Streptococcus anginosus, belonging to LAB, produces the potent bacteriocin Angicin, which shows inhibitory activity against other streptococci, Listeria monocytogenes and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE). Furthermore, Angicin shows a high resistance toward pH changes and heat, rendering it an interesting candidate for food preservation or clinical applications. The inhibitory activity of Angicin depends on the presence of a mannose phosphotransferase system (Man-PTS) in target cells, since L. monocytogenes harboring a deletion in an extracellular loop of this system is no longer sensitive to Angicin. Furthermore, we demonstrated by liposome leakage and pHluorin assays that Angicin destroys membrane integrity but shows only low cytotoxicity against human cell lines. In conclusion, we show that Angicin has a detrimental effect on the membrane of target organisms by using the Man-PTS as a receptor.
Prevalence and associated factors of obesity and overweight in Chinese patients with bipolar disorder

Object Despite abundant literature demonstrating a high prevalence of obesity and overweight in people with bipolar disorder (BD), little is known about this topic in China. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence and associated factors of obesity and overweight among inpatients with BD in our hospital, one of the largest public psychiatric hospitals in China. Methods In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, 1,169 inpatients ≥18 years with BD during 2019 were included. Obesity was defined as having a BMI ≥25 kg/m2, and overweight was defined as having a BMI from 23 kg/m2 to <25 kg/m2. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with obesity and overweight. Results The prevalence of obesity and overweight was 21.0% and 32.2% in patients with BD, respectively. Compared to patients with overweight and normal weight, patients with obesity were older, had a longer duration of BD and a longer length of hospital stay, had a higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, and had a higher level of all metabolic indices, except for HDL cholesterol. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that duration of BD, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol were significantly associated with obesity, and male sex and uric acid level were significantly associated with overweight (p < 0.05). Conclusions Obesity and overweight were fairly prevalent in Chinese BD patients, and several factors were related to obesity and overweight. The results of the present study call for the need to implement early screening, prevention and interventions for obesity and overweight in patients with BD in China.
Modeling of extra strengthening in gradient nanotwinned metals based on molecular dynamics

Gradient nanotwinned metals exhibit extra strengthening and work hardening behaviors, which have enormous potential for engineering applications. In this study, molecular dynamics method is performed for analyzing the effects of nanotwinned structure gradient on uniaxial tensile loading behaviors of gradient nanotwinned metals. Results show that the elasticity, dislocation stored ability and dislocation evolution of the nanotwinned lamellar are affected by the surrounding nanotwinned structure. Moreover, we established a quantitative phenomenological plastic flow stress model for gradient nanotwin metals based on physical connotation, and discussed the effects of nanotwinned thickness and nanotwinned structure gradient on the strength. Particularly, the back stress associated with the nanotwinned structure gradient and the contribution of geometrically necessary dislocations to statistically stored dislocations is included in our model. The tensile response the theoretical model descripted is in good agreement with the experimental results. We hold the opinion that the promotion effect of geometrically necessary dislocations to statistically stored dislocations will not be manifested until the nanotwinned structure gradient reaches a critical value. This research provides guidance for the structural design of gradient nanotwinned metals.
Cardiac alterations following experimental hip fracture - inflammaging as independent risk factor

Background Cardiac injuries following trauma are associated with a worse clinical outcome. So-called trauma-induced secondary cardiac injuries have been recently described after experimental long bone fracture even in absence of direct heart damage. With the progressive aging of our society, the number of elderly trauma victims rises and therefore the incidence of hip fractures increases. Hip fractures were previously shown to be associated with adverse cardiac events in elderly individuals, which have mainly been attributed to pre-conditioned cardiac diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of hip fractures on the heart in healthy young and middle-aged mice. Materials and Methods Young (12-week-old) and middle-aged (52-week-old) female C57BL/6 mice either received an intramedullary stabilized proximal femur fracture or sham treatment. The observation time points included 6 and 24 h. Systemic levels of pro-inflammatory mediators as well as local inflammation and alterations in myocardial structure, metabolism and calcium homeostasis in left ventricular tissue was analyzed following hip fracture by multiplex analysis, RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Results After hip fracture young and middle-aged mice showed increased systemic IL-6 and KC levels, which were significantly elevated in the middle-aged animals. Furthermore, the middle-aged mice showed enhanced myocardial expression of HMGB1, TLR2/4, TNF, IL1β and NLRP3 as well as considerable alterations in the myocardial expression of glucose- and fatty acid transporters (HFABP, GLUT4), calcium homeostasis proteins (SERCA) and cardiac structure proteins (desmin, troponin I) compared to the young animals following hip fracture. Conclusion Young and middle-aged mice showed local myocardial alterations, which might predispose for the development of secondary cardiac injury following hip fracture. Age and the age-associated phenomenon of ‘inflammaging’ seemed to be an independent risk factor aggravating and accelerating cardiac alterations following hip fracture.
A new multiplex PCR for the accurate identification and differentiation of Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum biovars Pullorum and Gallinarum

Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum biovars Gallinarum and Pullorum cause severe chicken salmonellosis, a disease associated with high mortality and morbidity among chickens worldwide. The conventional serotyping and biochemical reactions have been used to identify Salmonella serovars. However, the conventional methods are complicated, time-consuming, laborious, and expensive. Furthermore, it is challenging to distinguish S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum via biochemical assays and serotyping because of their antigenic similarity. Although various PCR methods were established, a PCR protocol to detect and discriminate S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum simultaneously is lacking. Herein, a one-step multiplex PCR method was established for the accurate identification and discrimination of S. Pullorum and S. Gallinarum. Three specific genes were used for the multiplex PCR method, with the I137_14445 and ybgL genes being the key targets to identify and differentiate S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum, and stn being included as a reference gene for the Salmonella genus. In silico analysis showed that the I137_14445 gene is present in all Salmonella serovars, except for S. Gallinarum, and could therefore be used for the identification of S. Gallinarum. A 68-bp sequence deficiency in ybgL was found only in S. Pullorum compared to other Salmonella serovars, and this could therefore be used for the specific identification of S. Pullorum. The developed PCR assay was able to distinguish S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum among 75 various Salmonella strains and 43 various non-Salmonella pathogens with excellent specificity. The detection limit for the genomic DNA of S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum was 21.4 pg. /μL, and the detectable limit for bacterial cells was 100 CFU. The developed PCR method was used for the analysis of Salmonella isolates in a chicken farm. This PCR system successfully discriminated S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum from other different Salmonella serovars. The PCR results were confirmed by the conventional serotyping method. The newly established multiplex PCR is a simple, accurate, and cost-effective method for the timely identification and differentiation of S. Pullorum and S. Gallinarum.
Hydrogen-bond networks for proton couplings in G-Protein coupled receptors

G-protein signaling pathways mediate communication across cell membranes. The first steps of this communication occur at the cell membrane, where upon receiving an external signal –the binding of an agonist ligand– the membrane-embedded G-Protein Coupled Receptor adopts a conformation recognized by a cytoplasmatic G protein. Whereas specialized GPCRs sense protons from the extracellular milieu, thus acting as pH sensors in specialized cells, accumulating evidence suggests that pH sensitivity might be common to distinct GPCRs. In this perspective article we discuss general principles of protonation-coupled protein conformational dynamics and how these apply to GPCRs. To dissect molecular interactions that might govern the protonation-coupled conformational dynamics of GPCRs, we use graph-based algorithms to compute graphs of hydrogen bond networks. We find that the internal H-bond networks contain sites where structural rearrangements upon protonation change could be transmitted throughout the protein. Proton binding to bulk-exposed clusters of titratable protein sidechains ensures the pH sensing mechanism is robust.
Systematic analysis of prognostic and immunologic characteristics associated with coronavirus disease 2019 regulators in acute myeloid leukemia

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has so far damaged the health of millions and has made the treatment of cancer patients more complicated, and so did acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The current problem is the lack of understanding of their interactions and suggestions of evidence-based guidelines or historical experience for the treatment of such patients. Here, we first identified the COVID-19-related differentially expressed genes (C-DEGs) in AML patients by analyzing RNA-seq from public databases and explored their enrichment pathways and candidate drugs. A total of 76 C-DEGs associated with the progress of AML and COVID-19 infection were ultimately identified, and the functional analysis suggested that there are some shared links between them. Their protein–protein interactions (PPIs) and protein–drug interactions were then recognized by multiple bioinformatics algorithms. Moreover, a COVID-19 gene-associated prognostic model (C-GPM) with riskScore was constructed, patients with a high riskScore had poor survival and apparently immune-activated phenotypes, such as stronger monocyte and neutrophil cell infiltrations and higher immunosuppressants targeting expressions, meaning which may be one of the common denominators between COVID-19 and AML and the reason what complicates the treatment of the latter. Among the study’s drawbacks is that these results relied heavily on publicly available datasets rather than being clinically confirmed. Yet, these findings visualized those C-DEGs’ enrichment pathways and inner associations, and the C-GPM based on them could accurately predict survival outcomes in AML patients, which will be helpful for further optimizing therapies for AML patients with COVID-19 infections.
Early psychiatric referral after attempted suicide helps prevent suicide reattempts: A longitudinal national cohort study in South Korea

Introduction Although people who attempted suicide tend to repeat suicide attempts, there is a lack of evidence on the association between psychiatric service factors and suicide reattempt among them. Methods We used a nationwide, population-based medical record database of South Korea to investigate the use of psychiatric services before and after the index suicide attempt and the association between psychiatric service factors after the index suicide attempt with the risk of suicide reattempt. Results Among 5,874 people who had attempted suicide, the all-cause mortality within 3 months after the suicide attempt was 11.6%. Among all subjects who attempted suicide, 30.6% of them had used psychiatric services within 6 months before the suicide attempt; 43.7% of them had used psychiatric services within 3 months after the suicide attempt. Among individuals who had visited clinics following attempted suicide, the cumulative incidence of suicide reattempt over a mean follow-up period of 5.1 years was 3.4%. About half of suicide reattempts occurred within 1 year after the index suicide attempt. Referral to psychiatric services within 7 days was associated with a decreased risk of suicide reattempt (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence intervals, 0.29–0.89). Conclusion An early psychiatric referral within 1 week after a suicide attempt was associated with a decreased risk of suicide reattempt.
A comprehensive meta-QTL analysis for yield-related traits of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) grown under different water regimes

Abiotic stress strongly affects yield-related traits in durum wheat, in particular drought is one of the main environmental factors that have effect on grain yield and plant architecture. In order to obtain new genotypes well adapted to stress conditions, the highest number of desirable traits needs to be combined in the same genotype. In this context, hundreds of quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been identified for yield-related traits in different genetic backgrounds and environments. Meta-QTL (MQTL) analysis is a useful approach to combine data sets and for creating consensus positions for the QTL detected in independent studies for the reliability of their location and effects. MQTL analysis is a useful method to dissect the genetic architecture of complex traits, which provide an extensive allelic coverage, a higher mapping resolution and allow the identification of putative molecular markers useful for marker-assisted selection (MAS). In the present study, a complete and comprehensive MQTL analysis was carried out to identify genomic regions associated with grain-yield related traits in durum wheat under different water regimes. A total of 724 QTL on all 14 chromosomes (genomes A and B) were collected for the 19 yield-related traits selected, of which 468 were reported under rainfed conditions, and 256 under irrigated conditions. Out of the 590 QTL projected on the consensus map, 421 were grouped into 76 MQTL associated with yield components under both irrigated and rainfed conditions, 12 genomic regions containing stable MQTL on all chromosomes except 1A, 4A, 5A, and 6B. Candidate genes associated to MQTL were identified and an in-silico expression analysis was carried out for 15 genes selected among those that were differentially expressed under drought. These results can be used to increase durum wheat grain yields under different water regimes and to obtain new genotypes adapted to climate change.
Xiyanping injection combined with acitretin for psoriasis vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Psoriasis represents the chronic, recurrent and inflammatory disorder. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Xiyanping injection (XYP) is extensively applied in China for treating diverse inflammatory disorders, such as bronchitis, viral pneumonia or upper respiratory tract infection. XYP may offer a potential treatment for psoriasis vulgaris (PV). This study focused on analyzing whether XYP combined with acitretin was effective and safe. Methods: The present meta-analysis was carried out in line with guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022333273). Besides, relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared XYP plus acitretin with acitretin alone for treating PV were searched from several databases from their inception till May 2022. In addition, this work utilized RevMan5.4 to conduct risk assessment as well as meta-analysis. Results: This meta-analysis selected altogether 10 RCTs including 815 subjects. Upon quality assessment, the RCTs mainly had low or unclear risk. According to our meta-analysis results, relative to acitretin monotherapy, XYP plus acitretin increased the total clinical effective rate, as evidenced by Psoriasis area and severity index score (PASI)-20, PASI-30 and PASI-60 in patients with PV [risk ratio (RR) = 1.23 Z = 4.87, p < 0.00001, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–1.34; RR = 1.29, Z = 3.89, p = 0.009, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.55; and RR = 1.31, Z = 3.89, p = 0.0001, 95% CI: 1.14–1.49]; the reduced levels of TNF-α, MCP-1 and RANTES, the alleviated side effects resulting from acitretin like itchiness (RR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.4 to 0.74, Z = 3.94, p < 0.0001), and the increased levels of aminotransferases and dyslipidemia (RR = 0.5, 95%CI = 0.29, 0.86, p = 0.01; and RR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.23, 0.75, p = 0.004). Conclusion: As suggested in the present meta-analysis, XYP combined with acitretin effectively and safely treats PV. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/prospero/display_record. php? ID=CRD42022333273, identifier PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022333273.