Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The methylation-independent mismatch repair machinery in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Over the last 70 years, we’ve all gotten used to an Escherichia coli -centric view of the microbial world. However, genomics, as well as the development of improved tools for genetic manipulation in other species, is showing us that other bugs do things differently, and that we cannot simply extrapolate from E. coli to everything else. A particularly good example of this is encountered when considering the mechanism(s) involved in DNA mismatch repair by the opportunistic human pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). This is a particularly relevant phenotype to examine in PA, since defects in the mismatch repair (MMR) machinery often give rise to the property of hypermutability. This, in turn, is linked with the vertical acquisition of important pathoadaptive traits in the organism, such as antimicrobial resistance. But it turns out that PA lacks some key genes associated with MMR in E. coli , and a closer inspection of what is known (or can be inferred) about the MMR enzymology reveals profound differences compared with other, well-characterized organisms. Here, we review these differences and comment on their biological implications.
Chitosan Nanoparticles Inactivate Alfalfa Mosaic Virus Replication and Boost Innate Immunity in Nicotiana glutinosa Plants

Plant viral infection is one of the most severe issues in food security globally, resulting in considerable crop production losses. Chitosan is a well-known biocontrol agent against a variety of plant infections. However, research on combatting viral infections is still in its early stages. The current study investigated the antiviral activities (protective, curative, and inactivation) of the prepared chitosan/dextran nanoparticles (CDNPs, 100 µg mL−1) on Nicotiana glutinosa plants. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that the synthesized CDNPs had a uniform, regular sphere shapes ranging from 20 to 160 nm in diameter, with an average diameter of 91.68 nm. The inactivation treatment was the most effective treatment, which resulted in a 100% reduction in the alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV, Acc# OK413670) accumulation level. On the other hand, the foliar application of CDNPs decreased disease severity and significantly reduced viral accumulation levels by 70.43% and 61.65% in protective and curative treatments, respectively, under greenhouse conditions. Additionally, the induction of systemic acquired resistance, increasing total carbohydrates and total phenolic contents, as well as triggering the transcriptional levels of peroxidase, pathogen-related protein-1, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase were observed. In light of the results, we propose that the potential application of CDNPs could be an eco-friendly approach to enhance yield and a more effective therapeutic elicitor for disease management in plants upon induction of defense systems.
Traditional wood charcoal production labour in Turkish forestry (Çankiri sample)

Absract Wood charcoal, especially made from hardwoods such as oak, hornbeam, beech, olive and citrus, is known best and preferred as the primary fuel in most of Turkey for grilling and barbecue. The use and demand of wood charcoal has grown in Turkey and it is still widely produced by migrant charcoal producers with traditional methods by using earth mound kilns. Data collected from 44 kilns at two sites resulted with the mean kiln efficiency of 19% ranging from 17-22% (1 kg of charcoal from 5 to 6 kg of wood) which were constructed by 23 adults, using 1350 tons oak wood and having 255 tons of charcoal equivalent to approximately 10000 sacks of charcoal for about 7 months period. All 44 active kilns observed in the charcoal production sites during the study time were traditional earth kilns, ranging in size from 25 to 45 m. The productivity for adults involved in this study was 11087 kg/per adult and average wholesale price was 0.70 US$/kg and average income was 7761 US$/adult in a season. A total of annual income of the producers in Turkey is calculated as 140 millions US$. Current status of labour intensive traditional wood charcoal production process from supply of woods to production, transport and marketting of charcoal in Turkey is reviewed in this paper.
The Toyota Production System and art: making highly customized and creative products the Toyota way

The Toyota Production System has led to a movement of ‘lean production’ focused on taking waste out of value streams. Most applications have been to high volume, and relatively standardized products. Under this system work becomes highly standardized specifying to the second what the operator should do. Buffers are precisely sized and controlled through various types of pull signals. When possible, use of one-piece flow cells result in a completely balanced production line. The performance benefits of these lean systems are often remarkable, greatly improving quality, cost, and delivery. But what of companies that are not making standardized products at high volume? What can they learn from lean? In this paper we argue there is a fundamental misunderstanding of TPS, viewing it as a specific tool kit technically implemented in a formulaic way to achieve pre-specified results. In fact, TPS is a philosophy that can be better described as a set of general principles of organizing and managing an enterprise which can help any organization get on a path of positive learning and improvement. A case example of a low volume, highly customized artistic clay tile company illustrates the process by which the firm used TPS to learn how to understand its process, gain stability and control, empower its workforce, and become far more profitable.
A model for solid waste management in Anambra State, Nigeria

Indiscriminate dumping of solid wastes along the streets and roads corners causes a lot of deadly infectious diseases which could be responsible for the large proportion of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. A deterministic model needed for short and long term waste management and management information system in Anambra State sanitation and environmental protection agency (ANSEPA) is considered in this paper. A review of literature on model methods is presented, with brief method of the study and analysis used for the determination of the required results. Moreover, this study was aimed to determine which type of integrated solid waste management option or programme will be used to implement minimized cost and maximized benefit (benefit cost ratio) over a long period of planning period. Consequently, the model will be used by the decision makers in finding the solution to environmental, economical, sanitary, technical and social goals, through the use of equipment, routine maintenance, personal and sundry.
Comparative Immunogenicity and Effectiveness of mRNA-1273, BNT162b2, and Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 Vaccines

Abstract Background Understanding immunogenicity and effectiveness of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines is critical to guide rational use. Methods We compared the immunogenicity of mRNA-1273, BNT-162b2, and Ad26.COV2. S in healthy ambulatory adults. We performed an inverse-variance meta-analysis of population-level effectiveness from public health reports in > 40 million individuals. Results A single dose of either mRNA vaccine yielded comparable antibody and neutralization titers to convalescent individuals. Ad26.COV2. S yielded lower antibody concentrations and frequently undetectable neutralization titers. Bulk and cytotoxic T-cell responses were higher in mRNA1273 and BNT162b2 than Ad26.COV2. S recipients. Regardless of vaccine, <50% of vaccinees demonstrated CD8+ T-cell responses. Antibody concentrations and neutralization titers increased comparably after the first dose of either vaccine, and further in recipients of a second dose. Prior infection was associated with high antibody concentrations and neutralization even after a single dose and regardless of vaccine. Neutralization of Beta, Gamma, and Delta strains were poorer regardless of vaccine. In meta-analysis, relative to mRNA1273 the effectiveness of BNT162b2 was lower against infection and hospitalization, and Ad26COV2.S was lower against infection, hospitalization, and death. Conclusions Variation in the immunogenicity correlates with variable effectiveness of the 3 vaccines deployed in the United States.
A Survey of Preservation and Conservation Practices and Techniques in Nigerian University Libraries

This study investigated the various techniques used in the preservation and conservation of library materials in selected university libraries in Nigeria. Particularly, it examined the causes and nature of deterioration, patterns and strategies used in their control, existence of preservation and conservation policies and constraints limiting effective preservation and conservation. The survey method was used. Fifteen (15) university libraries were purposively selected. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Collected data were structured into grouped frequency distributions using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Findings revealed that preservation and conservation techniques, though adopted in the university libraries were not effectively in use although the libraries all have preservation polices. The study also revealed that cleaning and dusting of library materials is the most commonly used technique. The study established that there are indeed incidences of deterioration the most prominent results being books becoming torn and cracking and scratching. Further results showed that though some of the libraries adopt and use some digital preservation techniques, they are still not effectively used. Other findings revealed that inadequate funding was the most severe inhibitor to effective preservation and conservation activities in the university libraries. Based on the findings, recommendations were made towards improving preservation and conservation practices in the libraries.
Linking family planning market census data with consumer experiences in three countries: the Consumer’s Market for Family Planning study protocol and data

Background: The Consumer’s Market for Family Planning (CM4FP) project was designed to address limitations of existing family planning (FP) data sources that prevent a full understanding of the total FP market. CM4FP data provide a picture of the complete supply environment and how consumers experience it. Study objectives were to 1) test a ring-fenced census approach consisting of an outlet census in a defined geographical area and a household survey in a smaller inner ring, to comprehensively map the total FP market in a local geography; 2) explore FP supply market dynamism through longitudinal data collection from contraceptive outlets; and 3) test a methodology for directly linking household and outlet data to measure the relationship between contraceptive demand and supply. Methods: Data were collected from study sites in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda from 2019 to 2020. Longitudinal outlet census data and repeated cross-sectional household survey data from women ages 18-49 were collected at three quarterly time points. Outlets were located in an outer ring geography to encompass locations likely visited by women sampled from a smaller inner ring. Data from women who received a contraceptive method in the past 12 months were linked to data for the outlet from which they received the method. Results: Datasets include product audits for 22,380 individual FP products, collected from a total of 1,836 outlets across 12 study sites. The datasets also contain data from 11,536 female respondents, of whom 1,975 were successfully matched to the outlet where they most recently obtained their method. Conclusions: CM4FP data are available at www.cm4fp. org. This unique dataset enables in-depth exploration of the family planning supply market in addition to interactions between the market and consumer perspectives and behaviors within each study site. The data can also be used to explore novel methodologies to inform future study designs.
The Implication of Mastectomy Flap Fixation in Decreasing the Incidence of Seroma on Breast Cancer Patient

Highlight: Modification of radical mastectomy with flap fixation treatment in seroma production in breast cancer patients was analyzed.The number of seromas from the drain removal time in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy with flap fixation was reduced. Abstract: Seroma is the most common complication after mastectomy procedure. This study was conducted to analyse the treatment of flap fixation in seroma production after modified radical mastectomy in breast cancer patients. An interventional prospective clinical study in 35 female patients with breast cancer who underwent modified radical mastectomy with flap fixation in the period August-December 2018 and 35 patients without flap fixation through historical data of patient who underwent modified radical mastectomy in the period 2016-2017 at RSUD Dr. Soetomo Surabaya. Data of characteristic patients will be presented descriptively and analyzed statistically using the appropriate test. The result of the statistical test using Chi Square with a 95% significance level obtained a value of p = 0.000 (p <0.05), it was said statistically that there was a significant relationship between the treatment of flap fixation and the time of releasing drain in this study. The treatment of flap fixation will reduce drainage time by <10 days. The results of the odds ratio (OR) obtained OR = 16 and CI: 95% (4.094 – 62.528) which means that the treatment of flap fixation will reduce the releasing time of the drain 16 times more effectively than not performing flap fixation. Correlation between the treatment of flap fixation and the time of releasing drain was considered to be moderately positive (Contingency Coefficient Chi Square = 0.476). There was a significant reduction in the number of seroma assessed from the time of releasing drain faster in patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy with flap fixation.
Self-Injury Behaviors In Cyber Space

This entry describes the evolution and current state of research related to Non-suicidal self-injury on the Internet across a variety of mediums, including social networking websites, video-sharing websites, and informational websites. Although the full influence of such online behaviours on off-line behaviours and functioning remains relatively unknown, it appears that such activities pose both risks and benefits to mental health and wellbeing. Online activities may provide individuals with a history of or interest in self-injury with guidance and education, informal support, a sense of community as well as allow for personal expression. However, such activities can also serve to trigger, reinforce, and normalize self-injury and may substitute for off-line relationships. The pervasiveness of self-injury online suggests that regular assessment of on-line activity is an important aspect of self-injury treatment. The chapter concludes with suggestions for utilizing the Internet as a novel approach to self-injury prevention and intervention efforts.
Impact of Plasma-Activated Water Treatment on Quality and Shelf-Life of Fresh Spinach Leaves Evaluated by Comprehensive Metabolomic Analysis

Fresh baby spinach leaves are popular in salads and are sold as chilled and plastic-packed products. They are of high nutritional value but very perishable due to microbial contamination and enzymatic browning resulting from leaf senescence. Therefore, innovative food processing methods such as plasma-activated water (PAW) treatment are being explored regarding their applicability for ensuring food safety. PAW’s impact on food quality and shelf-life extension has, however, not been investigated extensively in vegetables so far. In the present study, a comprehensive metabolomic analysis was performed to determine possible changes in the metabolite contents of spinach leaves stored in a refrigerated state for eight days. Liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry, followed by stringent biostatistics, was used to compare the metabolomes in control, tap-water-rinsed or PAW-rinsed samples. No significant differences were discernible between the treatment groups at the beginning or end of the storage period. The observed loss of nutrients and activation of catabolic pathways were characteristic of a transition into the senescent state. Nonetheless, the presence of several polyphenolic antioxidants and γ-linolenic acid in the PAW-treated leaves indicated a significant increase in stress resistance and health-promoting antioxidant capacity in the sample. Furthermore, the enhancement of carbohydrate-related metabolisms indicated a delay in the senescence development. These findings demonstrated the potential of PAW to benefit food quality and the shelf-life of fresh spinach leaves.
Leftover Consumption as a Means of Food Waste Reduction in Public Space? Qualitative Insights from Online Discussions

A considerable amount of food is discarded in canteens every day. This waste has created a countermovement, where groups of mainly students purposefully choose to eat other consumers’ plate leftovers instead of buying fresh meals. This phenomenon highlights two opposing narratives: leftovers as food waste versus leftovers as edible food resources. Using a thematic analysis, we investigated 1579 comments from German news sites and their corresponding Facebook sites related to this countermovement. Thereby, we aim to better understand what consumers associate with the consumption of other consumers’ plate leftovers. Our study demonstrates that the consumption of plate leftovers is shaped by the regulatory, normative, and cultural-cognitive system. Furthermore, associations with the consumption of plate leftovers depend on whether this food decision is perceived as a collective or individual consumer decision. From a consumer movement perspective, food leftover consumption is associated with a sense of community and food waste reduction for idealistic or environmental and social reasons. From an individual consumer behavior perspective, food leftover consumption is associated with satisfying hunger but considered a threat to health and social order. Our findings can inspire food service organizations to develop targeted interventions for plate leftover reduction.
Multiple cycles of rituximab therapy for pemphigus: A group of patients with difficult‐ to‐treat disease or a consequence of late rituximab initiation?

Pemphigus is a serious autoimmune disease with few appropriate therapeutic options. Although rituximab (RTX) has recently shown great promise in this regard, the best protocol of its administration is remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the patients who need at least 3 cycles of treatment with RTX to identify hard‐to‐treat patients' characteristics, which might lead to consider more prompt protocols for treatment of them. A retrospective cross‐sectional study was conducted on 45 patients with pemphigus vulgaris who received at least 3 cycles of RTX. Their demographic, clinical, and laboratory data as well as details of treatment protocol and final clinical situation of patients were evaluated. Totally, 45 patients (21 men and 24 women) with mean age of 44.33 years were included in this paper. Women were about 8 years older than men (mean age: 48.1 years versus 40.1 years, p: 0.011) and needed RTX approximately 2 years later in their course of disease (gap: 41.04 months vs. 14.85 months, p: 0.003). Buccal, truncal, and scalp regions were the most frequent sites of involvement respectively. A significant decrease in both anti‐Dsg1, 3 was seen at last visit compared to baseline. However, the amount of this decrement was not significantly different between them (p: 0.083). Partial remission in 31.11%, complete remission in 24.44%, relapse in 15.56%, partial remission on treatment in 15.56% and complete remission on treatment in 13.33% were seen at the last follow‐up session. RTX is an effective medication for PV even in patients with refractory disease and its therapeutic effect is increased with each subsequent cycle. Male gender, severe oral mucosal involvement on disease onset and extensive scalp and truncal lesions as first cutaneous manifestation of disease are more likely to be signs of refractory PV. Hence, it is reasonable to consider more prompt protocols for treatment of these cases. Moreover, late prescription of RTX during the course of disease might play a role in presence of more resistant form of disease.
A demographic survey on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites based on socioeconomic determinants in Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION The present study was conducted to investigate prevalence of intestinal parasites and the risk factors related to socio-demographic characteristics of patients admitted in pathology ward, General Hospital, Gujranwala. METHODOLOGY 318 stool samples were collected from patients and examined under light microscope by using wet mount technique. While socio-demographic information was collected in the form of a questionnaire. RESULTS The results showed seven (n = 7) species of intestinal parasites were prevalent in stool samples of patients. Among them, four (n = 4) were helminth and three (n = 3) were protozoan parasites causing single and mixed infections. Overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 78.3% (n = 249/318) considering both male and female patients. Highest prevalence was recorded for A. lumbricoides (n = 125, 39.3%) followed by H. nana (n = 10, 3.1%), S. stercoralis and T. saginata (n = 6, 1.9%). Among protozoan parasites, higher prevalence was recorded in G. lamblia (n = 23, 7.2%) followed by E. histolytica (n = 21, 6.6%). Among single infections, the most prevalent parasite was A. lumbricoides and less prevalent parasites were S. stercoralis and T. saginata. The factors that had significant effect (p < 0.05) on prevalence of parasitic species were contaminated water, food, soil, and surrounding environment. CONCLUSIONS The present study determined that the parasite helminth (A. lumbricoides, H. nana, S. stercoralis, T. saginata) and protozoan (G. lamblia and E. histolytica) are common that pose an important public health concern in Pakistan.
Peripheral nerve fibroblasts secrete neurotrophic factors to promote axon growth of motoneurons

Peripheral nerve fibroblasts play a critical role in nerve development and regeneration. Our previous study found that peripheral nerve fibroblasts have different sensory and motor phenotypes. Fibroblasts of different phenotypes can guide the migration of Schwann cells to the same sensory or motor phenotype. In this study, we analyzed the different effects of peripheral nerve-derived fibroblasts and cardiac fibroblasts on motoneurons. Compared with cardiac fibroblasts, peripheral nerve fibroblasts greatly promoted motoneuron neurite outgrowth. Transcriptome analysis results identified 491 genes that were differentially expressed in peripheral nerve fibroblasts and cardiac fibroblasts. Among these, 130 were significantly upregulated in peripheral nerve fibroblasts compared with cardiac fibroblasts. These genes may be involved in axon guidance and neuron projection. Three days after sciatic nerve transection in rats, peripheral nerve fibroblasts accumulated in the proximal and distal nerve stumps, and most expressed brain-derived neurotrophic factor. In vitro, brain-derived neurotrophic factor secreted from peripheral nerve fibroblasts increased the expression of β-actin and F-actin through the extracellular regulated protein kinase and serine/threonine kinase pathways, and enhanced motoneuron neurite outgrowth. These findings suggest that peripheral nerve fibroblasts and cardiac fibroblasts exhibit different patterns of gene expression. Peripheral nerve fibroblasts can promote motoneuron neurite outgrowth.