Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of antibiotic resistance among Staphylococcus aureus strains of human and bovine origin.

Summary: The objective was to investigate antibiotic resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from human and bovine by using Kirby-Bauer antibiotic disk test as well as methicillin resistance by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among 114 S. aureus strains samples collected from patients hospitalized in various clinics of Harran University Medical School the number and percent of antimicrobial resistant strains were as follows: 114 (100%) ampicillin, 108 (94.7%) penicillin G, 76 (66.6%) rifampin, 75 (65.7%) cefoxitin, 71 (62.2%) cefuroxime, 74 (64.9%) oxacillin, 73 ( 64%) ciprofloxacin, 74 (64.9%) norfloxacin, 70 (61.4%) gentamycine, 66 (57.8%) imipenem, 64 (56.1%) amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, 61 (53.5%) tetracycline, 37 (32.4%) erythromycin, 38 (%33.3) clindamycine, 11 (9.6%) sulphamethaxazole-trimethoprim and 8 (7%) vancomycine. None of vancomycin resistant S. aureus was found by E-test. Among 64 S. aureus strains isolated from subclinical bovine mastitis, all were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin while all were found to be highly sensitive to oxacillin, cefoxitin, imipenem, cefuroxime, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, rifampin and sulphamethaxazole-trimethoprime. The number and percent of antimicrobial resistance to other antibiotics were as follows: 13 (20%) gentamicine, 6 (9.3%) erythromycine, 5 (7.8%) clindamycine, 4 (6.2%) tetracycline, 1 (1.5%) amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. All strains were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. PCR analysis showed that 76 (66.6%) of total 114 methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains of human origin had mecA gene. This gene was not detected in bovine strains. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that the incidence of antibiotic resistance of S. aureus strains isolated from humans was higher than that from cattle, penicillin and ampicillin resistance of S. aureus strains of human and cattle origin were highly widespread as well as the methicillin resistance was highly prevalent among S. aureus strains of human origin while it was absent or low among those of cattle origin.
Characterisation of Escherichia coli Recovered from Wild Animals Kept at Bikaner Zoo for Their Antibiotic Resistance

In the present study, a total of 41 E. coli isolates obtained from Boselaphus tragocamelus (5), Antelope cervicapra (18) and Gazella gazelle (18) maintained at Bikaner (Rajasthan) zoo were subjected to antibiogram determination against 15 antibiotics belonging to four different classes and were also genotyped for detecting presence of blaTEM, sul-2, strA and aadA genes. Antibiogram study revealed highest efficacy of ciprofloxacin (90.2%) followed by nalidixic acid (75.6%) and chloramphenicol (68.4%) and high resistance to β lactam, Sulfamethoxazole and Aminoglycoside antibiotics. The overall presence of blaTEM, sul-2, strA and aadA genes was detected in 95.12%, 80.48%, 60.97% and 87.8% in isolates. Original Research Article Zaidi et al.; JPRI, 32(3): 1-8, 2020; Article no.JPRI. 55265 2
SERUM PROTEIN FRACTIONS OF NIGERIANS WITH PLASMODIUM INFECTIONS: ILORIN EXPERIENCE

Malaria fever is a very common and often severe disease in the tropical countries like Nigeria. Measurement of serum proteins is simple and widespread in developing countries. Thus this study aimed at evaluating the relationship (if any) between plasmodium infection and serum protein. A total of 80 subjects were used for this study, 40 people with confirmed plasmodium infection, and 40 clinically healthy adults as control subjects. Their height, weight, age and sex were recorded. Their serum total protein and albumin were assayed while the serum globulin was obtained from the difference. We obtained a mean BMI of 20.okg/m2 for the control subjects and 21.63kg/m2 for patients with plasmodium infection. The serum total protein was 71.25g/L and 60.43g/L for the control and malaria patients respectively. With (P (Af. J. of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology: 2002 3(2): 82-84)
Micronutrients and anti-nutritional composition of ‘kpaakpa’ (Hildegardia barteri) seed flours

The study investigates the micronutrient and anti-nutritional composition of ‘kpaakpa’ (Hildegardia barteri) seed flours. Defatted and undefatted samples of ‘kpaakpa’ (H. barteri) seed flours were produced. The mineral, vitamin and anti-nutrient composition of the flour samples were determined. Results of mineral composition showed calcium, copper, iron and potassium contents to be 30.00 mg/100g, 0.84 mg/100g, 3.67 mg/100g and 1.62 mg/100g, respectively, for the defatted flour; 27.33 mg/100g, 0.68 mg/100g, 0.86 mg/100g and 2.40 mg/100g, respectively for the undefatted flour sample. For the defatted flour, high calcium content indicated that the seed could be a valuable calcium supplement, especially, in calcium deficient diets. Furthermore, results obtained for vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K were 1769.13 µg/100g, 8.25 µg/100g, 67.85 mg/100g and 10.31 mg/100g, respectively for the defatted flour and 5759.10 µg/100g, 15.87 µg/100g, 78.50 mg/100g and 11.53 mg/100g for the undefatted flour. The high vitamin A content revealed that the seed could be a good supplement for foods with low vitamin A and could be a remedy to blurred vision. The results of the anti-nutrient determination showed that the composition of phytate, oxalate, tannin and cyanide of defatted seed flour were 0.37, 0.14, 0.93 and 0.04%, respectively and 0.34, 0.05, 0.60 and 0.06% for the undefatted seed flour. The low anti-nutritional content particularly cyanide makes the seed more suited for food formulation.
On Porous Matrices with Three Delay Times: A Study in Linear Thermoelasticity

Through the present work, we want to lay the foundation of the well-posedness question for a linear model of thermoelasticity here proposed, in which the presence of voids into the elastic matrix is taken into account following the Cowin–Nunziato theory, and whose thermal response obeys a three-phase lag time-differential heat transfer law. By virtue of the linearity of the model investigated, the basic initial-boundary value problem is conveniently modified into an auxiliary one; attention is paid to the uniqueness question, which is addressed through two alternative paths, i.e., the Lagrange identity and the logarithmic convexity methods, as well as to the continuous dependence issue. The results are achieved under very weak assumptions involving constitutive coefficients and delay times, at most coincident with those able to guarantee the thermodynamic consistency of the model.
A Comparative Study Using Two SEM Techniques on Different Samples Sizes for Determining Factors of Older Employee’s Motivation and Satisfaction

The purpose of this article is to present the relationships among older employee stress, motivation, satisfaction, and relationships in the workplace using two different approaches and different sample sizes. Research was implemented on an initial sample of 1013 older employees. In the next step, six smaller samples were calculated using the random selection of cases, namely samples with 25, 50, 100, 250, 400, and 500 older employees. This way the possible impact of sample size on relationships between latent variables using the covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) and the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) methods was assessed. The results on the larger samples have proved to be quite robust since they were confirmed with both approaches. They indicate that stress has a strong and negative impact on employee relationships and also a negative impact on employee satisfaction. Furthermore, employee relationships have a strong and positive impact on satisfaction and a positive impact on employee motivation. In addition, satisfaction has a strong and positive impact on employee motivation. The present paper helps readers to better understand the difference between the CB-SEM and the PLS-SEM methods. Researchers should be encouraged to use both techniques, even though CB-SEM methods have had a long tradition in management and marketing research since both fields heavily rely on psychometric measurement. From the organizational point of view, conclusions highlight the importance of the impact the variables of older employee stress, motivation, satisfaction and employee relations have on each other in the workplace.
Temporal and spatial variability of benthic macrofauna communities in the Yangtze River estuary and adjacent area

Four cruise surveys were carried out in summer, winter, spring, and autumn from 2006 to 2007 to evaluate the seasonal distribution of macrobenthos in the Yangtze River estuary and its adjacent waters. A total of 59 sites were sampled and divided into three areas (estuary, inshore, and offshore areas). In all, 335 taxa were collected with polychaetes and mollusks being the dominant groups. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant differences among the numbers of species, densities, and biomasses in the areas. However, several differences were found among seasons. SIMPER analysis showed that the dominant species of macrobenthos varied in different areas, and the inshore area was the most complex of the three. The abundance/biomass comparison (ABC) curve of macrobenthos in the inshore area showed apparent rises and falls, which are characteristic of disturbance to macrobenthos. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that echinoids were closely related to the presence of silicates and temperature, whereas polychaetes were closely related to depth and temperature.
Alpha-synuclein in the neurodegenerative mechanisms of Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies

Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are characterised by Lewy body pathology and the degeneration of midbrain-dopaminergic and cortical neurons, respectively. The mechanisms underlying the selective degeneration of these neuronal populations are not known. Gene mutations associated with PD and DLB have highlighted the role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Substitution mutations in the SNCA gene encoding alpha-synuclein are the most common cause of familial disease and alpha-synuclein also comprises the principal component of Lewy bodies. However, the contribution of this protein to neurodegeneration is uncertain. The intent of this thesis was to further clarify the role of wild type and mutant alpha-synuclein in the pathogenic mechanisms of PD and DLB. In vitro models of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction were applied to primary neuronal cultures derived from wild type and SNCA null rodent models. Alpha-synuclein expression was correlated to neuronal health, free radical production, mitochondrial function and metabolism. Results within this thesis demonstrate that wild-type alphasynuclein protects both cortical and dopaminergic neurons from oxidative stress. This response is linked to an increase in its cytoplasmic expression within subgroups of these neuronal populations. Alpha-synuclein expression did not affect free radical production but conferred neuroprotection against caspase-dependent apoptosis. This effect was mediated through the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway. Data within this thesis also supports a role for alpha-synuclein in facilitating neuronal energy production through oxidative phosphorylation. In contrast to wild-type protein, expression of mutant (A35T) alpha-synuclein increased neuronal susceptibility to oxidative toxicity. However, this mutation was not associated with induction of a specific apoptotic pathway. Rather mutant (A53T) alpha-synuclein was linked to sensitisation of neurons through a toxic gain of function which was independent of mitochondrial free-radical production or calcium buffering. In summary, the studies within this thesis have clarified the contribution of alpha-synuclein to normal neuronal function and the mechanisms of PD and DLB. The results have highlighted complexities surrounding the contentious role of alpha-synuclein in both neuroprotection and toxicity. Based on these findings, a sound hypothesis for the role of this protein in the pathogenesis of PD and DLB has been proposed. Significantly, this twohit hypothesis validates past studies, which have detailed a role of alpha-synuclein in both neuroprotection through chaperone activity, and in neurotoxicity through a toxic gain of function mechanism. This thesis will provide a basis and direction for further investigations into the relationship between intracellular alpha-synuclein levels, and the selective nature of neurodegeneration in PD and DLB.
Neoerysiphe sechii (Ascomycota: Erysiphales): A new species of powdery mildew found on Sechium edule and Sechium mexicanum (Cucurbitaceae) in Mexico

A novel species of powdery mildew, Neoerysiphe sechii sp. nov., has been proposed based on host, morphological characteristics, and gene sequences. The new species was found on chayote (Sechium edule) and a wild species, chayotillo (S. mexicanum), in Veracruz, Mexico. This novel species was identified as a member of Neoerysiphe, based on the morphological characteristics of the anamorph: catenescent conidia, lobed appressoria, and Striatoidium-type conidia. No teleomorph was observed. Neoerysiphe sechii is distinguished by foot cells that are frequently cylindrical with a slight widening at the base, a feature not observed previously in other species in the genus. An Erysiphales-specific primer was designed for the 5′ end of the ITS region of the nuclear rDNA. Independent and concatenated phylogenetic analyses with our rDNA sequences and sequences available in GenBank for Neoerysiphe spp. confirmed that the powdery mildew specimens found in Sechium spp. form an independent and strongly supported lineage. This is the first report of a Neoerysiphe species causing powdery mildew on members of Cucurbitaceae, and it is the second species reported from Mexico after N. cumminsiana. Neoerysiphe sechii is found on cultivated and endemic hosts in Mexico, suggesting that the fungus itself may be endemic.
Hyperthyroid Heart Disease With Some Comorbidities

Thyroid disease is quite common. The cardiovascular clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism are palpitation, systolic hypertension, fatigue, or with the basis of existing heart disease, angina or heart failure. In men, the disease is more frequently to develop into congestive heart failure than in women, thus more exploration is needed. This case report discussed a 42-year-old male patient who was admitted to the emergency department due to palpitations, shortness of breath aggravated with activity and lie down position, and alleviated with resting, cough with white sputum, epigastric pain, and constipation since the past 3 days. He was diagnosed with a history of hyperthyroidism and congestive heart disease 1 year ago and routinely consumed propylthiouracil (PTU). He had a history of herniotomy 10 days before admission. The patient did not have a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or hypercholesterolemia. The patient has a smoking habit of up to 3 packs daily since a teenager. The patient was diagnosed with hyperthyroid heart disease (congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary heart disease) with comorbid of electrolyte imbalance, hypoalbuminemia, and thrombocytopenia. The patient was treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and was given oxygen therapy, crystalloid infusion, anti-thyroid drug, beta-blocker, diuretics, digitalis, anti-angina, anti-thrombotic, and adjunct therapy. The patient was treated for 8 days in ICU, followed by 2 days in the ward with a good outcome. Early detection and intervention followed by close monitoring is key management for the patient with hyperthyroid heart disease, especially in a male patient, to achieve a better outcome.
Evaluation of Hepatic Enzymes Changes and Association with Prognosis in COVID-19 Patients

Background: One of the most critical health issues in the world is the COVID-19 pandemic from the Coronaviridae family. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the disease, and liver involvement is controversial. Objectives: We aimed to analyze the laboratory investigations of COVID-19 patients focusing on liver enzymes and association with outcomes. Methods: We enrolled 93 patients with COVID-19 referring to the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences’ hospitals and 186 people from the normal population of Tabari Cohort. The laboratory tests included CBC, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), direct bilirubin, and total bilirubin. The lengths of hospital stay, critical care transfers, and deaths were the outcome measures investigated with lab results. Results: The counts of lymphocytes (833.3 ± 564.4 vs. 2465.1 ± 796.6 per mm 3, P < 0.001) and platelets (209.4 ± 62.7 vs. 255.2 ± 63.8 per mm 3, P < 0.001) were significantly lower in patients than in controls. Also, AST (39.5 ± 34.9 vs. 19.9 ± 7.5 U/L, P < 0.001), ALT (40.4 ± 46.5 vs. 21.6 ± 12.7 U/L, P < 0.001), and ALP (192.6 ± 91.2 vs. 222.2 ± 70.6 U/L, P = 0.004) were higher in patients than in controls. The most common hepatic impairment events were increased direct bilirubin (45.8%), ALT (30.3%), AST (29.2%), ALP (17%), and total bilirubin (10.2%), in sequence. The risk of transfer to intensive and critical care units was strongly associated with elevated levels of AST and direct bilirubin, and AST = 30.5 (U/L) had a sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 68.5% for critical and intensive care transfer. The mortality rate significantly increased with increased AST levels (P = 0.023). Conclusions: Abnormal liver enzymes are frequent in COVID-19 patients. As AST is not specific for liver damage, the systemic inflammation induced by the virus might be responsible for these findings.
Biological control of Parthenium. I: Effect of Imperata cylindrica on distribution, germination and seedling growth of Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Natural products have been the source of many pesticides, used either directly as crude preparations or as pure compounds. The present study was undertaken evaluate prospects of control of P. hysterophorus by using crude preparations of Imperata cylindrica (L). Beauv. , an allelopathic grass. Ecological survey revealed that frequency and density of P. hysterophorus was significantly lower in I. cylindrica dominating localities as compared to nearby areas without I. cylindrica infestation. Aqueous extracts of I. cylindrica exhibited the potential to control germination and seedling growth of P. hysterophorus Aqueous root and shoot extracts of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% (w/v) concentration were employed against germination and seedling growth of P. hysterophorus. Root and shoot aqueous extracts of all the applied concentrations significantly suppressed the germination of P. hysterophorus. Early seedling growth of P. hysterophorus was generally reduced significantly by extracts of 10% and of higher concentrations. Increasing the concentration of the extract increased the inhibitory potential. Shoot extract was more inhibitory than root extract.
Teaching English using a genre pedagogy to Islamic junior high school students

This descriptive qualitative study aims to find out how a genre pedagogy is used to teaching the English language. A class consisted of thirty-six students of a public Islamic junior high school was selected purposefully as participants. The data collection involved participant observation, field notes, and documents, in this case, the students' works. The participant observations were conducted in four meetings. During the observations, this study collected the students’ works purposefully. The data analysis used two techniques, namely the thematic analysis to analyze the field notes and functional grammar framework to analyze the students’ independent construction texts. The findings of the study reveal that the students could practice daily life texts in pairs and write a daily life text independently, critically, and creatively as they managed to work on their own and to use specific information, expressions, and contexts in their texts as demanded by the government and the 21 st century. This could be achieved as the researcher applied genre pedagogy teaching procedures, explicit teaching, and scaffolding to ensure the students could do the work effectively. This study suggests teachers apply genre-pedagogy teaching procedures and principles to ensure the students could learn English better.
Upregulation of lncRNA AGAP2-AS1 is an independent predictor of poor survival in patients with clear cell renal carcinoma

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) AGAP2-AS1 has been reported to be a potential biomarker for a variety of cancer types, while its function in clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) has not yet been fully determined. The current study aimed to determine the value of lncRNA AGAP2-AS1 in ccRCC based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The association between AGAP2-AS1 expression and associated clinical characters were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and logistic regression. The diagnostic value of AGAP2-AS1 expression in ccRCC tissue was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Clinicopathological characteristics associated with overall survival in patients with TCGA were analyzed using Cox regression and the Kaplan-Meier method. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was also performed to assess the biological function of AGAP2-AS1. The results demonstrated that increased expression of AGAP2-AS1 in ccRCC was significantly associated with male, T3/T4, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and high tumor stage (III/IV; all, P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve (normal vs. all tumors) was revealed to be 0.891. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that ccRCC with high lncRNA AGAP2-AS1 exhibited a worse prognosis compared with low AGAP2-AS1 (P<0.001). The univariate analysis revealed that high expression of AGAP2-AS1 was significantly associated with poor overall survival [hazard ratio (HR). 1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.48–2.33; P<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that AGAP2-AS1 remained independently associated with overall survival, with a HR of 1.57 (CI, 1.21–2.03; P<0.01). GSEA outcome demonstrated that stromal stimulation, angiogenesis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, basal cell carcinoma, ECM receptor interaction and the Notch signaling pathway were differentially enriched in the AGAP2-AS1 high expression phenotype. Therefore, the high expression of AGAP2-AS1 may be an independent predictor of poor survival in patients with ccRCC.