Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial Activities of Methanol and Aqueous Extracts of Salvadora persica against Streptococcus mutans Biofilms: An In Vitro Study

The use of herbal products in oral hygiene care has a long history, and their use is popular today. A tree stick, named Salvadora persica (S. persica), is commonly used to remove dental plaque and clean teeth in many countries. In addition, extracts of S. persica can be used as a mouthwash, as they demonstrate antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial effect of S. persica methanol and aqueous extracts against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm. A S. mutans biofilm formation assay was conducted using different concentrations of S. persica methanol or water extracts in tryptic soy broth (TSB) supplemented with 1% sucrose. The biofilm was stained with crystal violet dye, and the absorbance was assessed to examine biofilm formation. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey tests were used to analyze the results. The S. persica methanol extract displayed a significant inhibition (p ≤ 0.001) against the S. mutans biofilm. The 10 mg/mL concentration of the S. persica methanol extract was determined as the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC). The used methanol concentration, mixed with TSB supplemented with 1% sucrose and without the S. persica extract, did not inhibit the S. mutans biofilm. The S. persica aqueous extract did not demonstrate any biofilm inhibition at any concentration (p ≥ 0.05). The findings of this study suggest the potential of using S. persica methanol extract as a mouthwash or adjunctive to oral hygiene tools.
Insights into the Ligand Binding to Bromodomain-Containing Protein 9 (BRD9): A Guide to the Selection of Potential Binders by Computational Methods

The estimation of the binding of a set of molecules against BRD9 protein was carried out through an in silico molecular dynamics-driven exhaustive analysis to guide the identification of potential novel ligands. Starting from eight crystal structures of this protein co-complexed with known binders and one apo form, we conducted an exhaustive molecular docking/molecular dynamics (MD) investigation. To balance accuracy and an affordable calculation time, the systems were simulated for 100 ns in explicit solvent. Moreover, one complex was simulated for 1 µs to assess the influence of simulation time on the results. A set of MD-derived parameters was computed and compared with molecular docking-derived and experimental data. MM-GBSA and the per-residue interaction energy emerged as the main indicators for the good interaction between the specific binder and the protein counterpart. To assess the performance of the proposed analysis workflow, we tested six molecules featuring different binding affinities for BRD9, obtaining promising outcomes. Further insights were reported to highlight the influence of the starting structure on the molecular dynamics simulations evolution. The data confirmed that a ranking of BRD9 binders using key parameters arising from molecular dynamics is advisable to discard poor ligands before moving on with the synthesis and the biological tests.
Animal safety of a tall fescue endophyte (Epichloë sp.) in a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) host

ABSTRACT Aims To assess animal health and production in sheep grazing perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) infected with a tall fescue endophyte (Epichloë sp.). Methods Three replicates of pure perennial ryegrass pastures infected with AR501 tall fescue endophyte (AR501 HE), AR1, AR37 or standard endophyte (STD) (all >85% infection) and a low endophyte control (AR501 LE) were grazed by 10 lambs for 7 weeks during late summer/early autumn, 2017. AR501 HE and AR501 LE were in the same tetraploid cultivar and the remaining treatments were in the same diploid cultivar. Lambs were weighed on Days 0, 19, 37 and 48 and assessed for ryegrass staggers on a 0–4 tremor scale nine times from Day 13. On Days 14 and 20, rectal temperatures and respiration rates were measured in lambs grazing AR501 HE, AR501 LE and STD under heat load. Pasture samples from each treatment were taken regularly (8 times) for analysis of known endophyte secondary metabolites. Results Peak mean ryegrass staggers scores for lambs grazing STD and AR37 treatments were 3.9 and 2.7, respectively, indicating environmental conditions were conducive to toxicity. Lambs grazing AR501 HE showed no ryegrass staggers at any date. The liveweight of STD lambs was up to 6.6 kg less than some or all other treatments on Days 19, 34 and 48, but there was no evidence of a difference between the liveweight of AR501 HE lambs and AR501 LE, AR37 or AR1 lambs on any date. Rectal temperatures and respiration rates of STD lambs were higher than AR501 HE lambs by 0.2°C and 26 breaths/minute, respectively. Apart from lower rectal temperature of AR501 HE lambs on Day 14, there was no evidence of differences between the AR501 HE and AR501 LE lambs. N-Formylloline was the only loline present in AR501 HE herbage (350–860 mg/kg). Peramine in AR501 HE herbage (42–77 mg/kg) was greater than that in STD and AR1 herbage on five and seven of the eight sampling dates, respectively. Conclusion Lambs grazing AR501 HE showed no ryegrass staggers, exacerbated heat stress or suppressed liveweight gain compared with lambs grazing AR501 LE in a season when endophyte-induced toxicity was evident in STD and AR37 pastures. This suggests AR501 tall fescue endophyte does not produce toxic concentrations of secondary metabolites. Clinical relevance This study suggests that there are no secondary metabolites produced by the tall fescue AR501 endophyte-perennial ryegrass association which affect animal health or production.
Urinary Tract Infection Investigation and Treatment in Older Adults Presenting to the Emergency Department with Confusion: a Health Record Review of Local Practice Patterns

Background The rate of urinary tract infection (UTI) investigation and treatment in confused older emergency department (ED) patients has not been described in the literature. We aim to describe the pattern of practice in an academic tertiary care ED for this common presentation. Methods A health record review was conducted on 499 adults aged ≥65 presenting to academic EDs with confusion. Exclusion criteria: Glasgow Coma Scale < 13, current treatment for UTI, indwelling catheters, nephrostomy tubes, transfer from another hospital. Outcomes were the prevalence of UTI investigation, diagnosis and antibiotic treatment. Results 64.9% received urine tests, 11.4% were diagnosed with UTI, and 35.2% were prescribed antibiotics. In the subgroup with no urinary symptoms, fever, or other obvious indication for antibiotics, these numbers were 58.2%, 7.6%, and 18.1%, respectively. Patients who had urine tests or received antibiotics were older than those who did not (p values < .01). Patients receiving antibiotics had higher admission rates and 30-day and six-month mortality (OR of 2.9 [2.0–4.3], 4.0 [1.6–11], and 2.8 [1.4–5.8], respectively). Conclusion Older patients presenting to ED with confusion were frequently investigated and treated for UTI, even in the absence of urinary symptoms. Antibiotic treatment was associated with higher hospitalization and mortality.
12 Months Persistent Immunogenicity after Hepatitis B Vaccination in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Immunogenicity of Revaccination in Non-Responders: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: In initial studies, the immunogenicity and safety of hepatitis B vaccines in patients with diabetes has been assessed in China. Methods: In six township health centers in Gansu Province, 232 diabetic patients and 77 healthy people were allocated to receive two 3-dose hepatitis B vaccines (Group D20SC 0-1-6; Group D20CHO 0-1-6; Group ND20SC 0-1-6). Participants were followed up at 12 months after being fully vaccinated. One dose of the vaccine was randomly administered to non-responders. Chi-square test was used to compare the differences in response rate between two groups. Results: The anti-HBs response rates of three groups decreased from 84.1%, 89.1% and 88.3% at one month to 64.6%, 79.8% and 71.4% at twelve months. There was no statistical difference in the immune response rates between Group D20SC 0-1-6 and Group ND20SC 0-1-6; however, that of Group D20CHO 0-1-6 was higher than that of Group D20SC 0-1-6. After revaccination, the geometric mean concentrations were 491.7 mIU/mL and 29.7 mIU/mL after using vaccines containing 60 μg and 20 μg HBsAg. Conclusions: At 12 months, immune response in diabetic patients were not significantly different from that in healthy people. Revaccination with one dose of hepatitis B vaccine containing 60 μg HBsAg for non-responders was more satisfactory.
Peer Group Proximity and Self-Esteem Among Bully Adolescents in Buleleng and Jembrana Regency

Background: Bullying can be a mental problem for adolescents that has an impact on psychological disorders to suicide, not only for the victim but also for the bully. Handling the impact of bullying so far has only focused on victims, attention should also be directed to bully, because bully is the main actor in the occurrence of bullying. Purpose: To analyze the relationship between self-esteem and peer group proximity with bully behavior among adolescents in Buleleng and Jembrana. Methods: Quantitative research with a cross-sectional approach, samples were taken from junior high school students in Buleleng and Jembrana Districts. The measuring instrument used a questionnaire to screen adolescents who tend to be bully, a self-esteem questionnaire, a peer group closeness questionnaire and a bully behavior questionnaire. The number of samples in this study were 78 people taken by stratified random sampling technique. Univariate analysis was carried out to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents, then the analysis of the relationship between self-esteem and bully behavior used Rank Spearman as well as the relationship between peer group proximity and bully behavior. Results: Self-esteem has a significant relationship with p <0.05, r = -0.867 with teenage bullying. Peer group closeness has a significant relationship with p <0.05, r = -0.556 with bully behavior. Conclusion: Self-esteem and peer group proximity are significantly associated with bullying behavior. The higher the level of self-esteem and peer group closeness, the lower the bullying's behavior.
Adaptive Backstepping Control of Uncertain Nonlinear Systems With Input and State Quantization

Although it is common in network control systems that the sensor and control signals are transmitted via a common communication network, no result is available in investigating the stabilization problem for uncertain nonlinear systems with both input and state quantization. The issue is solved in this article, by presenting an adaptive backstepping based control algorithm for the systems with sector bounded input/state quantizers. In addition to overcome the difficulty to proceed recursive design of virtual controls with quantized states, the relation between the input signal and error state need be well established to handle the effects due to input quantization. It is shown that all closed-loop signals are ensured uniformly bounded and all states will converge to a compact set. Experimental results are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Crocin attenuates inflammation of lung tissue in ovalbumin‐sensitized mice by altering the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The present study aimed to investigate the reducing or suppressing effects of crocin in ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitized mice on ER stress markers. Mice were divided into six groups (n = 5 per group) including control, OVA‐sensitized (OVA), OVA‐treated crocin (OVA‐Cr25, OVA‐Cr50, and OVA‐Cr100 mg/kg), and OVA‐treated dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), (OVA‐Dexa) groups. Animals 5 later groups were sensitized to OVA and the treatment groups received intraperitoneally crocin/dexamethasone in the last 5 days of the model. At the end of the study, lung tissue was evaluated for airway inflammation, caspase 12 and CHOP protein levels, and expression of ER stress markers using real‐time‐PCR. Sensitization with OVA significantly caused airway inflammation and induction of ER stress in mice compared to the control group based on the elevated inflammatory cells and ER stress markers in the lung tissue. Treatment with crocin and dexamethasone reduced airway inflammation and suppressed ER stress markers. Interestingly, in the OVA‐Cr100 group, the suppressive effects on ER stress apoptotic markers were comparable to the OVA‐Dexa group. The results suggest that crocin mediates maladaptive ER stress conditions possibly by creating adaptive ER stress status and driving protein folding correctly.
Supply Chain - innovation: past, present, and future

Nowadays, one of the factors that enable businesses to adapt to markets that are constantly renewed and changing due to the ever-increasing flow of information, and perhaps the most important, is innovation. Innovation is a topic that is frequently studied by both markets and academics. However, the increase in the quantity of studies conducted is far from meeting the need in this field. As a result of the shortening of product life cycles in current market conditions, companies are obliged to continuously innovate in order to sustain their existence. Increasing raw material and resource diversification requirement due to the increasing need for innovation made it necessary to examine and understand the supply chain in the context of innovation. The importance of innovation, especially in the case of participation by suppliers in innovation for a competitive advantage, has resulted in many in-depth studies published in research papers in the field. In this study, articles published in the Web of Science database between 1996-2020 and covering the topics of supply chain and innovation were analyzed in order to reveal the patterns of supply chain management and innovation research, identify relative deficiencies and provide some guidelines. For this purpose, a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis related has been made. It has been possible to determine the effective actors in the field by including the distribution of the concepts in question according to time, countries, universities and journals. In addition, as a result of the keyword analysis, the evolution and open points of the field over time are among the findings of the study.
Secure Privacy-Preserving V2V Communication in 5G-V2X Supporting Network Slicing

As autonomous driving technology continues to develop, communication for vehicles is becoming more important to provide an efficient and secure driving environment. Currently, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) based on fifth-generation (5G) is the only solution to meet the demanding requirements of self-driving cars in terms of ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliable connectivity under high mobility conditions, earning this technology more attention. Secure communication for vehicle-to-vehicle based on 5G (5G-V2V) is essential because vehicles decide how to maneuver and perceive situations based on the data exchanged. In this paper, we not only propose a new architecture for V2X based on 5G (5G-V2X) by utilizing network slicing (NS) to guarantee different features of V2X services but also analyze security requirements according to V2X service type. We also propose a secure V2V communication scheme based on 5G that satisfies these requirements. The security evaluation demonstrates that our scheme is secure against attacks on a V2V environment via both security proof and verification tool ProVerif. Through the performance evaluation, we prove that our scheme is more effective than the existing schemes while meeting end-to-end delay requirements for autonomous driving.
Towards Convergence in Folding Simulations of RNA Tetraloops: Comparison of Enhanced Sampling Techniques and Effects of Force Field Corrections

Atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations represent established technique for investigation of RNA structural dynamics. Despite continuous development, contemporary RNA simulations still suffer from suboptimal accuracy of empirical potentials (force fields, ffs) and sampling limitations. Development of efficient enhanced sampling techniques is important for two reasons. First, they allow to overcome the sampling limitations and, second, they can be used to quantify ff imbalances provided they reach a sufficient convergence. Here, we study two RNA tetraloops (TLs), namely the GAGA and UUCG motifs. We perform extensive folding simulations and calculate folding free energies (ΔGfold) with the aim to compare different enhanced sampling techniques and to test several modifications of the nonbonded terms extending the AMBER OL3 RNA ff. We demonstrate that replica exchange solute tempering (REST2) simulations with 12-16 replicas do not show any sign of convergence even when extended to time scale of 120 μs per replica. However, combination of REST2 with well-tempered metadynamics (ST-MetaD) achieves good convergence on a time-scale of 5-10 μs per replica, improving the sampling efficiency by at least two orders of magnitude. Effects of ff modifications on ΔGfold energies were initially explored by the reweighting approach and then validated by new simulations. We tested several manually-prepared variants of gHBfix potential which improve stability of the native state of both TLs by up to ~2 kcal/mol. This is sufficient to conveniently stabilize the folded GAGA TL while the UUCG TL still remains under-stabilized. Appropriate adjustment of van der Waals parameters for C-H…O5’ base-phosphate interaction are also shown to be capable of further stabilizing the native states of both TLs by ~0.6 kcal/mol.
Pre-clinical validation of a novel pan-cancer CAR-T cell immunotherapy against nfP2X7

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T immunotherapy is a novel treatment that genetically modifies the patient’s own T cells to target and kill malignant cells. CAR-T cells demonstrated robust clinical activity against certain B-cell malignancies. However, identification of tumour-specific antigens expressed on multiple cancer types, especially on solid cancers, remains a major challenge. P2X purinoceptor 7 (P2X7) is an ATP gated cation channel that forms homotrimers and heterotrimers at the cell surface. When functioning normally, it controls ion transport in response to ATP. A dysfunctional version of P2X7, named nfP2X7, has been identified on cancer cells from a range of tissues, while being undetectable on healthy cells. We generated prototype nfP2X7-targeting human CAR-T cells, which demonstrated effective antigen-specific cytotoxicity against twelve solid cancer types including breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, brain and skin in vitro. In preclinical xenograft mouse models of aggressive breast and prostate cancer, CAR-T cells targeting nfP2X7 exhibited robust anti-tumour efficacy. These data indicate CAR-T cells targeting nfP2X7 have potential as a novel broad-spectrum cancer immunotherapy for solid tumours in humans.
Statistical analysis of radio frequency noise spectrum in Korea

Measurements of the RF (radio frequency) noise spectrum from 30 MHz to 18 GHz have been conducted in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 at 21 urban areas in South Korea. Statistical analysis of the data measured seasonally, day and night, at each different point has been performed, and the results of the computer analysis on APD (amplitude probability distribution), NAD (noise amplitude distribution), and ACR (average crossing rate), using GUI (graphical user interface) program show that the radio noise environments vary little between spring, summer, and winter. On the contrary, the noise level increases a little in fall, and the noise level at night time is a little higher than that of the day time.
Human Performance in Space

Human factors is a critical discipline for human spaceflight. Nearly every human factors research area is relevant to space exploration-from the ergonomics of hand tools used by astronauts, to the displays and controls of a spacecraft cockpit or mission control workstation, to levels of automation designed into rovers on Mars, to organizational issues of communication between crew and ground. This chapter focuses more on the ways in which the space environment (especially altered gravity and the isolated and confined nature of longduration spaceflight) affects crew performance and thus has specific novel implications for human factors research and practice. We focus on four aspects of human performance: neurovestibular integration, motor control and musculoskeletal effects, cognitive effects, and behavioral health. We also provide a sampler of recent human factors studies from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Language: en
Soft-tissue coverage for wound complications following total elbow arthroplasty

Background In patients with total elbow arthroplasty (TEA), the soft-tissue around the elbow can be vulnerable to soft-tissue complications. This study aims to assess the outcomes after soft-tissue reconstruction following TEA. Methods We retrospectively included nine adult patients who underwent soft-tissue reconstruction following TEA. Demographic data and disease characteristics were collected through medical chart reviews. Additionally, we contacted all four patients that were alive at the time of the study by phone to assess any current elbow complications. Local tissue rearrangement was used for soft-tissue reconstruction in six patients, and a pedicle flap was used in three patients. The median follow-up period was 1.3 years (range, 6 months–14.7 years). Results Seven patients (78%) underwent reoperation. Four patients (44%) had a reoperation for soft-tissue complications, including dehiscence or nonhealing of infected wounds. Five patients (56%) had a reoperation for implant-related complications, including three infections and two peri-prosthetic fractures. At the final follow-ups, six patients (67%) achieved successful wound healing and two patients had continued wound healing issues, while two patients had an antibiotic spacer in situ and one patient underwent an above-the-elbow amputation. Conclusions This study reports a complication rate of 78% for soft-tissue reconstructions after TEA. Successful soft-tissue healing was achieved in 67% of patients, but at the cost of multiple surgeries. Early definitive soft-tissue reconstruction could prove to be preferable to minor interventions such as irrigation, debridement, and local tissue advancement, or smaller soft-tissue reconstructions using local tissue rearrangement or a pedicled flap at a later stage.