Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ProB-Site: Protein Binding Site Prediction Using Local Features

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are responsible for various essential biological processes. This information can help develop a new drug against diseases. Various experimental methods have been employed for this purpose; however, their application is limited by their cost and time consumption. Alternatively, computational methods are considered viable means to achieve this crucial task. Various techniques have been explored in the literature using the sequential information of amino acids in a protein sequence, including machine learning and deep learning techniques. The current efficiency of interaction-site prediction still has growth potential. Hence, a deep neural network-based model, ProB-site, is proposed. ProB-site utilizes sequential information of a protein to predict its binding sites. The proposed model uses evolutionary information and predicted structural information extracted from sequential information of proteins, generating three unique feature sets for every amino acid in a protein sequence. Then, these feature sets are fed to their respective sub-CNN architecture to acquire complex features. Finally, the acquired features are concatenated and classified using fully connected layers. This methodology performed better than state-of-the-art techniques because of the selection of the best features and contemplation of local information of each amino acid.
Tech note: Evaluation of behavior modification of the tower of Laboratorio de IngenierQuworking a continuous flow and batch with ethanol-water mixing business.

This investigation was performed in order to evaluate the performance of Laboratorio de IngenierQu´ rectification tower with ethanol-water mixture. Was studied at di erent conditions involving reflux operation at di erent feed temperatures. Were taken as variables: feed rate, reflux operation, feed temperatures, reboiler and stopper and refractive index in the distillate, the reboiler, top and bottom. The flow was worked in continuous and batch form and comparing the degrees of separation, influence of changes in the process under each condition, obtaining that as higher feed temperature greater degree of separation in the continuing process, further more as higher reflux higher distillate composition and the tower work in the loading process as a constant composition distillate tower.
Development and Psychometric Testing of a Taiwanese Team Interactions and Team Creativity Instrument (TITC-T) for Nursing Students

Background: How well team members work together can be affected by team interactions and creativity. There is no single instrument for measuring both variables in healthcare education settings in Taiwan. The purpose of this study is to develop an instrument to measure team interactions and team creativity for Taiwanese nursing students. Methods: A 34-item team interactions and team creativity self-report instrument was developed for nursing students in Taiwan (TITC-T). Items consisted of statements about how a participant perceived their team members’ constructive controversy, helping behaviors, communication, and creativity. Nursing students (n = 275) were recruited from two campuses of a science and technology university to examine the psychometric properties of the TITC-T. The reliability and psychometric properties were evaluated. Results: The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.98. The confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a one-dimensional factor structure that fit well with the model (Comparative Fit Index = 0.995, Tucker Lewis Index = 0.908, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.098). Conclusions: The TITC-T is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating team interactions and team creativity for students enrolled in nursing programs in Taiwan.
The association between Alu hypomethylation and the severity of hypertension

Introduction Epigenetic changes that cause genomic instability may be the basis of pathogenic processes of age-associated noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Essential hypertension is one of the most common NCDs. Alu hypomethylation is an epigenetic event that is commonly found in elderly individuals. Epigenomic alterations are also found in age-associated NCDs such as osteoporosis and diabetes mellitus. Alu methylation prevents DNA from being damaged. Therefore, Alu hypomethylated DNA accumulates DNA damage and, as a result, causes organ function deterioration. Here, we report that Alu hypomethylation is a biomarker for essential hypertension. Results We investigated Alu methylation levels in white blood cells from normal controls, patients with prehypertension, and patients with hypertension. The hypertension group possessed the lowest Alu methylation level when classified by systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.0088, respectively). In the hypertension group, a higher diastolic blood pressure and a lower Alu methylation level were observed (r = -0.6278). Moreover, we found that changes in Alu hypomethylation in the four years of follow-up in the same person were directly correlated with increased diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions Similar to other age-associated NCDs, Alu hypomethylation is found in essential hypertension and is directly correlated with severity, particularly with diastolic blood pressure. Therefore, Alu hypomethylation may be linked with the molecular pathogenesis of high blood pressure and can be used for monitoring the clinical outcome of this disease.
Prevalence of Cancer Predisposition Germline Variants in Male Breast Cancer Patients: Results of the German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Simple Summary Male breast cancer (mBC) is a rare disease associated with a high prevalence of pathogenic germline variants (PVs) in the BRCA2 gene. However, data regarding other breast cancer (BC) predisposition genes are limited or conflicting. We investigated the prevalence of PVs in BRCA1/2 and 23 other cancer predisposition genes using an overall study sample of 614 patients with mBC. A high proportion of patients with mBC carried pathogenic germline variants in BRCA2 (23.0%, 142/614) and BRCA1 (4.6%, 28/614). A BRCA1/2 PV prevalence of 11.0% was identified in patients with mBC without a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Patients with BRCA1/2 PVs did not show an earlier disease onset than those without. Case-control analyses revealed significant associations of protein-truncating variants in BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, PALB2, and ATM with mBC. Our findings support the benefit of multi-gene panel testing in patients with mBC. Abstract Male breast cancer (mBC) is associated with a high prevalence of pathogenic variants (PVs) in the BRCA2 gene; however, data regarding other BC predisposition genes are limited. In this retrospective multicenter study, we investigated the prevalence of PVs in BRCA1/2 and 23 non-BRCA1/2 genes using a sample of 614 patients with mBC, recruited through the centers of the German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer. A high proportion of patients with mBC carried PVs in BRCA2 (23.0%, 142/614) and BRCA1 (4.6%, 28/614). The prevalence of BRCA1/2 PVs was 11.0% in patients with mBC without a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Patients with BRCA1/2 PVs did not show an earlier disease onset than those without. The predominant clinical presentation of tumor phenotypes was estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, progesterone receptor (PR)-positive, and HER2-negative (77.7%); further, 10.2% of the tumors were triple-positive, and 1.2% were triple-negative. No association was found between ER/PR/HER2 status and BRCA1/2 PV occurrence. Comparing the prevalence of protein-truncating variants (PTVs) between patients with mBC and control data (ExAC, n = 27,173) revealed significant associations of PTVs in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 with mBC (BRCA1: OR = 17.04, 95% CI = 10.54–26.82, p < 10−5; BRCA2: OR = 77.71, 95% CI = 58.71–102.33, p < 10−5). A case-control investigation of 23 non-BRCA1/2 genes in 340 BRCA1/2-negative patients and ExAC controls revealed significant associations of PTVs in CHEK2, PALB2, and ATM with mBC (CHEK2: OR = 3.78, 95% CI = 1.59–7.71, p = 0.002; PALB2: OR = 14.77, 95% CI = 5.02–36.02, p < 10−5; ATM: OR = 3.36, 95% CI = 0.89–8.96, p = 0.04). Overall, our findings support the benefit of multi-gene panel testing in patients with mBC irrespective of their family history, age at disease onset, and tumor phenotype.
The Activity of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Hepatogastrointestinal Disorders and Diseases Associated with Metabolic Syndrome

The components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hepatogastrointestinal diseases are widespread worldwide, since many factors associated with lifestyle and diet influence their development and correlation. Due to these growing health problems, it is necessary to search for effective alternatives for prevention or adjuvants in treating them. The positive impact of regulated microbiota on health is known; however, states of dysbiosis are closely related to the development of the conditions mentioned above. Therefore, the role of prebiotics, probiotics, or symbiotic complexes has been extensively evaluated; the results are favorable, showing that they play a crucial role in the regulation of the immune system, the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, and the biotransformation of bile acids, as well as the modulation of their central receptors FXR and TGR-5, which also have essential immunomodulatory and metabolic activities. It has also been observed that they can benefit the host by displacing pathogenic species, improving the dysbiosis state in MetS. Current studies have reported that paraprobiotics (dead or inactive probiotics) or postbiotics (metabolites generated by active probiotics) also benefit hepatogastrointestinal health.
Progress of Local Health Department Planning Actions for Climate Change: Perspectives from California, USA

Public health departments are on the frontlines of protecting vulnerable groups and working to eliminate health disparities through prevention interventions, disease surveillance and community education. Exploration of the roles national, state and local health departments (LHDs) play in advancing climate change planning and actions to protect public health is a developing arena of research. This paper presents insights from local public health departments in California, USA on how they addressed the barriers to climate adaptation planning with support from the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Health Equity Climate Change and Health Equity Section (OHE), which administers the California Building Resilience Against Climate Effects Project (CalBRACE). With support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Climate-Ready States and Cities Initiative (CRSCI), CalBRACE initiated an adaptation project to seed climate planning and actions in county health departments. In this study, we compared the barriers and strategies of twenty-two urban and rural LHDs and explored potential options for climate change adaptation in the public health framework. Using key informant interviews and document reviews, the results showed how engagement with CalBRACE’s Local Health Department Partnership on Climate Change influenced the county departments’ ability to overcome barriers to adaptation through the diversification of funding sources, the leveraging strategic collaborations, extensive public education and communication campaigns, and the development of political capital and champions. The lessons learned and recommendations from this research may provide pathways and practices for national, state and local level health departments to collaborate in developing protocols and integrating systems to respond to health-related climate change impacts, adaptation and implementation.
Assessment of the adverse pregnancy outcomes and its associated factors among deliveries at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia

Background Adverse pregnancy outcomes are the main causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and long-term physical and psychological sequels in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. In Ethiopia, maternal mortality remained high despite the country’s maximum effort. This study aimed to assess adverse pregnancy outcomes and associated factors among deliveries at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was done among deliveries at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018. The data was collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire by reviewing labor and delivery service log books and admission or discharge registration books. The data were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Logistic regression analysis was computed to identify independent predictors of pregnancy complications. Result In this study, the magnitude of adverse pregnancy outcomes was 28.3%, 95% CI (25.7–30.9). The most frequently recorded obstetric complications were obstructed labor (7.4%), retained placenta (5.3%), and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (2.4%). Whereas stillbirths (10%), malpresentation (3%), and prematurity (2.3%) frequently occurred fetal/neonatal complications. There were 29 maternal deaths and the possible causes of death were obstructed labor (51.7%), hemorrhage (44.7%), eclampsia (24.1%), and sepsis (6.9%). Home delivery (AOR (CI = 4.12 (2.30–7.15) and low birth weight (AOR (CI = 1.63 (1.36–1.96) were significant associates of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion The magnitude of adverse pregnancy outcomes was high. Obstructed labor, retained placenta, hypertension in pregnancy, malpresentation, prematurity, and stillbirth are the commonest adverse pregnancy outcomes. Place of delivery and birth weight were independent predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Institutional delivery, early detection and management of complications, and adequate nutrition and weight gain during pregnancy should be encouraged to minimize the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Effect of High Myopia on Delayed Absorption of Subretinal Fluid after Scleral Buckling Surgery

This study compared the absorption of subretinal fluid (SRF) in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with and without high myopia after scleral buckling (SB) and investigated the effect of high myopia on SRF absorption. This retrospective study included patients with primary macula-off RRD grouped according to myopia and age. The optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography indicators included subretinal fluid height (SRFH), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and choroidal capillary blood flow density (CCFD) measured regularly. The presence of SRF 3 months after surgery was defined as delayed absorption. Overall, 90 eyes of 89 patients were enrolled, and 46 eyes (51.11%) had high myopia. In 43 eyes (47.78%), SRF absorption was delayed. There was no significant difference in SRF absorption after SB between the high and non-high myopia groups; younger patients (<35 years) had a higher probability of delayed absorption (p < 0.05). The SFCT in high myopia was significantly thinner than that in the non-high myopia group (p < 0.05); SFCT and SRFH were positively correlated (rs = 0.275, p = 0.002), and there was a significant difference between the average CCFD with and without SRF (p < 0.05). High myopia had no significant effect on SRF absorption after SB.
Requirement of energy and protein of beef cattle on tropical pasture - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v35i4.21143

Protein and energy requirements of beef cattle, aged between 4 and 18 months old, on tropical pastures, were estimated. Forty-six Nellore calves (138.3 ± 3.4 kg BW and 90-150 days old), kept on pasture, were distributed in a maintenance group (restricted feeding) or in nutritional plans, receiving a supplements with different amounts of protein and carbohydrate or non-supplemented. The net energy requirement for weight gain (NE g ) was obtained by linear regression of logarithm of retained energy as a function of logarithm of empty body weight gain. The net energy requirement for maintenance (NE m ) was estimated by the exponential relation between heat production and metabolizable energy intake. Net protein requirement for weight gain (RP) was estimated by multiple linear regression of retained protein in the weight gain of empty body (EBWG) and retained energy. The efficiency of metabolizable energy (ME) used for maintenance and for weight gain was 0.55 and 0.26, respectively. The ME requirement for maintenance was 124 kcal EBW -0.75 . RP decreased in proportion to body weight increase. NE g and RP may be obtained by equations: RE (Mcal kg -1 ) = 0.044 x EBW 0.75 x EBWG 1.1302 and RP (g day -1 ) = -31.45 + 229.69 x EBWG – 8.75 x RE, respectively.
Effectiveness of Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) plantation at reducing runoff and erosion rates in Anjiagou Watershed in Semi-arid Region of Gansu, China

China’s Loess Plateau regions have experienced severe soil erosion for many decades due to fragmented landscapes, steep slopes, and concentrated rainfall storm-events. Restoring sub-optimal or marginal farming fields, mostly on steep, hilly terrain, to plantation forests has been a long-standing strategic policy in China aimed at rehabilitating degraded environments and reducing soil and water erosion. While there are numerous studies that have focused on the effects of forests at controlling soil erosion at relatively short time scales, few have addressed longer-term effects of plantation forests on reducing runoff and the mechanisms that inhibit erosion. Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) has been widely planted in abandoned or reclaimed lands that were formerly farmed in Northwest China; however, there is limited knowledge about the effectiveness of the tree species at reducing soil and water erosion. In this study, we examined reduction rates of runoff and erosion by Chinese pine plantation in comparison with agricultural land as a control (i.e., wheat, a dominant agricultural commodity in the region), based on long-term monitoring of modified standard erosion plots with slopes of 10°, 15°, and 20°. Results showed that as the slope of the land increased, rates of erosion increased for both plantation and agricultural land use. However, the runoff and soil erosion rates under Chinese pine plantation forest were about 11% and 60% lower, respectively, than those under agricultural land use of the same slope. Scaling with the slope, the highest reduced runoff and erosion rates by Chinese pine forest were 17% and 72%, respectively, on 20° slope. Also, it was found that runoff rates from the forested land were positively related to erosive rainfall (i.e., rainfall when runoff generated), and varied with forest canopy coverage. The rates of runoff and erosion can be well model led with multiple regression models. Taken together, this study provides insight into the importance and potential of Chinese pine plantations in the conservation of soil and water in China’s Loess Plateau.
A Novel Neurofilament Light Chain ELISA Validated in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Subjective Cognitive Decline, and the Evaluation of Candidate Proteins for Immunoassay Calibration

Neurofilament light chain (Nf-L) is a well-known biomarker for axonal damage; however, the corresponding circulating Nf-L analyte in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is poorly characterized. We therefore isolated new monoclonal antibodies against synthetic peptides, and these monoclonals were characterized for their specificity on brain-specific intermediate filament proteins. Two highly specific antibodies, ADx206 and ADx209, were analytically validated for CSF applications according to well-established criteria. Interestingly, using three different sources of purified Nf-L proteins, a significant impact on interpolated concentrations was observed. With a lower limit of analytical sensitivity of 100 pg/mL using bovine Nf-L as the calibrator, we were able to quantify the Nf-L analyte in each sample, and these Nf-L concentrations were highly correlated to the Uman diagnostics assay (Spearman rho = 0.97, p < 0.001). In the clinical diagnostic groups, the new Nf-L ELISA could discriminate patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD, n = 20) from those with frontotemporal lobe dementia (FTD, n = 20) and control samples with subjective cognitive decline (SCD, n = 20). Henceforth, this novel Nf-L ELISA with well-defined specificity and epitopes can be used to enhance our understanding of harmonizing the use of Nf-L as a clinically relevant marker for neurodegeneration in CSF.
Effects of Blended Learning Program for Cyber Sexual Harassment Prevention among Female High School Students in Bangkok, Thailand

Cyber sexual harassment has been increasing and has become a major public health problem among youths. Therefore, this study primarily aimed to evaluate the effects of a blended learning program on knowledge, attitudes, intention to cope with cyber sexual harassment, behavioral coping strategies, and cyber sexual harassment among female high-school students in Bangkok, Thailand. A quasi-experimental study with a two-group design was conducted from May 2021 to October 2021. A total of 112 students were recruited into either an intervention (n = 56) or a control (n = 56) group. The intervention group participated in a blended learning program for 12 weeks. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by both groups at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up. Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for data analysis. The mean score of the intervention group in knowledge, attitude, intention to cope with cyber sexual harassment, behavioral coping strategies, and cyber sexual harassment after completing the program and follow-up were significantly different from baseline and the control group (p < 0.05). A positive effect of the blended learning program was observed among female students. Therefore, this program can be useful for victims, supporting their self-confidence with decreased frequency of cyber sexual harassment experiences.