Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Nitrogen and Bio-fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Roselle ( Hibiscus sabdariffa var sabdariffa L.)

The crop producers are aware of the need to reduce the use of chemical means of production and conducive to the development of biological alternatives. Bio-fertilizers have some microorganisms which convert elements to available nutrient for plant’s roots. A field experiment was conducted during 2010-2011 rainy season at two locations in North Kordofan State of Sudan. The aim of this study was to investigate the comparative efficiency of Nitrogen and Bio-fertilizers on growth and yield of roselle crop (Hibiscus sabdariffa var sabdariffa L.). The Ten treatments consisted of zero fertilizer, 1/2N (23Kg Nitrogen), 1N (46Kg Nitrogen), 2N (92Kg Nitrogen), Azatobacteria, Azospirillum, Azatobacteria+Azospirillum, 1/2N+Azatobacteria, 1/2N+Azospirillum, 1/2N+ Azatobacteria+ Azospirillum. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates was used. The results showed that nitrogen and bio-fertilizers had a significant effect on most of the growth and yield attributes measured. The Nitrogen fertilizer (1/2N) and Azatobacteria treatment had a thicker stem diameter, a highest number of leaves per plant, number of productive branches, shoot fresh and dry weight and highest number of calyces per plant. The treatments (1/2N+ Azatobacteria) and (Azatobacteria +Azospirillum) had the highest plant height, dry calyx weight, harvest index and final calyx yield (kg ha-1).
Scores based on neutrophil percentage and lactate dehydrogenase with or without oxygen saturation predict the risk of hospital mortality in severe COVID-19 patients

Background. Risk scores are urgently needed to assist clinicians in predicting the risk of death in severe patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the context of millions of people infected, rapid disease progression, and shortage of medical resources.Method. A total of 139 severe patients with SARS-CoV-2 from China and Iran were included. Using data from China (training dataset, n = 96), prediction models were developed based on logistic regression models, nomogram and risk scoring system for simplification. Leave-one-out cross validation was used for internal validation and data from Iran (test dataset, n = 43) for external validation. Results. The NSL model (Area under the curve (AUC) 0.932) and NL model (AUC 0.903) were developed based on neutrophil percentage (NE), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) with or without oxygen saturation (SaO2) using the training dataset. Compared with the training dataset, the predictability of NSL model (AUC 0.910) and NL model (AUC 0.871) were similar in the test dataset. The risk scoring systems corresponding to these two models were established for clinical application. The AUCs of the NSL and NL scores were 0.928 and 0.901 in the training dataset, respectively. At the optimal cut-off value of NSL score, the sensitivity was 94% and specificity was 82%. In addition, for NL score, the sensitivity and specificity were 94% and 75%, respectively.Conclusion. NSL and NL score are straightforward means for clinicians to predict the risk of death in severe patients. NL score could be used in selected regions where patients’ SaO2 cannot be tested.
Depression and Its Relation to Diabetes Control and Complications in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Police Authority Hospital

Background: Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) is a progressive chronic disease with high prevalence all over the world. Psychological complications, such as depression are common in older people with diabetes. Unlike in other chronic conditions, good diabetes management relies heavily on a patient’s self-care abilities. Although depression is common in older people with diabetes, it remains underdiagnosed and therefore often untreated Objective: To assess presence and severity of depression and its relation to diabetic control and complications in type 2 diabetic patients at police authority hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Patients and methods: The study included 322 patients recruited from the Outpatient Clinics of Police Authority Hospital-Nasr city. The studied patients were screened for the presence of depression with Hamilton depression rating scale, and then they were further classified into two groups: Group A diabetic patient without depression which included 172 patients and group B diabetic patients with depression which included 150 patients. All patients were subjected to clinical examination including Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), fundus examination and laboratory evaluation to assess diabetic control and the presence of macro and micro-vascular complications of diabetes. Results: The percentage of depression among the studied patients was 46.6%. No statistically significant difference between the patients with and without depression in the laboratory data except for levels of fasting and postprandial glucose. High statistically significant difference was detected by the MNSI regarding the severity of depression. Conclusion: depression is a common finding in patients with type II DM and the severity of the depressive symptoms were correlated to self-monitoring, diet regimen, type of anti-diabetic medications and adherence to medications.
Virtual Screening Enabled Selection of Antiviral Agents Against Covid-19 Disease Targeting Coronavirus Endoribonuclease NendoU: Plausible Mechanistic Interventions in the Treatment of New Virus Strain

SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh coronavirus that is reported to cause infection in Homo sapiens. Considering its pandemic nature, development of newer and effective therapeutic strategies, drug repurposing in combination with target validation approaches has led to the identification of new antiviral molecules. In current work, we performed virtual screening and molecular docking of 8548 ligands on target protein coronavirus endoribonuclease NendoU (6VWW). The molecules selected includes FDA approved drugs along with investigational or experimental drugs recommended for anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antiprotozoal properties. The thorough selection and their rationality with Covid-19 led us to propose that FDA approved drug DB00876 (Eprosartan), Investigational drugs DB15063 (Inarigivir soproxil), DB12307 (Foretinib) and DB01813 an experimental drug may be repurposed for treatment of Covid-19 disease.
Antimicrobia activity of garlic (Allium sativum L.) and holy basil (Ocimum sanctum L.) essential oils applied by liquid vs. vapour phases

Antimicrobial activity of garlic (Allium sativum L.) and holy basil (Ocimum sanctum L.) essential oils (GEO and HBEO, respectively) was evaluated in liquid vs. vapour phases. Diallyl disulphide and diallyl trisulphide in GEO while eugenol, caryophyllene and methyl eugenol in HBEO were predominant active compounds. Individually, GEO was highly effective in the vapour phase, showing the greatest antimicrobial activity (P ≤ 0.05) against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus with complete inhibition, followed by Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas fluorescens, but had no effect on Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus plantarum or Listeria monocytogenes. The combined GEO:HBEO (a 1:1 ratio) at 30 lL demonstrated inhibitive activity against all bacteria tested with complete inhibition against B. cereus and S. aureus. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the combined oil was <0.4% v/v, except for P. fluorescens requiring a higher MBC (1.5%, v/v). This study demonstrated potential of the combined GEO:HBEO to be used for food preservation applications.
Screening and identification of MSX1 for predicting progestin resistance in endometrial cancer

Background Progestin resistance is a critical obstacle for endometrial conservative therapy. Therefore, the studies to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms are very important. However, the pivotal roles of essential molecules are still unexplored.Methods We downloaded GSE121367 from the GEO database. The “limma” R language package was applied to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We conducted Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) analysis. Protein–protein interaction was constructed by STRING and visualized in Cytoscape. The tumor immune microenvironment was explored by TISIDB database. Methylation validation and overall survival analysis was conducted by TCGA database. In addition, the upstream modulators of hub genes were predicted by miRTarBase and Network Analyst database.Results A total of 3282 DEGs were identified and they were mostly enriched in cell adhesion pathway. We screened out ten hub genes including CDH1, JAG1, PTGES, EPCAM, CNTNAP2, TBX1, MSX1, KRT19, OAS1 and DAB2 among different groups, whose genomic alteration rates were low based on the current endometrial carcinoma sample sets. Has-miR-335-5p, has-miR-124-3p, MAZ and TFDP1 were the most prominent upstream regulators. The methylation status of CDH1, JAG1, EPCAM and MSX1 were decreased, corresponding to their high protein expression, which also predicted better overall survival. The homeobox protein of MSX1 showed significantly tissue specificity and better prognostic value.Conclusions Our study identified the gene of MSX1 promised to be the specific indicator. This would shed new light on the underlying biological mechanism to overcome progestin resistance of endometrial cancer.
Effect of Menaquinone-7 (vitamin K2) on vascular elasticity in healthy subjects: results from a one-year study

Background: Matrix Gla-Protein (MGP) is involved in the prevention of arterial calcification. During vitamin K-insufficiency, MGP is produced in its inactive form: dp-ucMGP. Two 3-year intervention studies in the general population have shown that increased vitamin K intake may decrease arterial stiffening, but the difference with placebo became only significant in the third year of treatment. In the present trial we have investigated whether in a pre-selected group of vitamin K-insufficient subjects (men and women) an effect of vitamin K-supplementation may be demonstrated within one year. Methods: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in 243 subjects (40-70 years old) characterized by circulating dp-ucMGP concentrations above the median of the general population. Arterial stiffness was concluded from the carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (cfPWV), and other vascular characteristics were measured by echotracking of the common carotid artery. Treatment was performed with either vitamin K (menaquinone-7, MK-7) or placebo for one year. Results: In the total study group, MK-7 induced a significant decrease of both dp-ucMGP and cfPWV. After subdividing by gender, it appeared that the effects were only seen in women, in whom we also found beneficial effects in other vascular characteristics as well as in body weight and BMI. Conclusions : High vitamin K intake decreased age-related vascular stiffening. The effects were most obvious in women with poor vitamin K status and were statistically significant after one year of treatment. In-tima-Media Young’s Modulus
Corruption and Foreign Direct Investment: A Conceptual Review

This paper carefully reviews the empirical literature on the relationship of corruption and FDI inflow from 2000 to 2019 with a focus on more recent studies. Though corruption is not a new phenomenon, its pervasiveness in the contemporary era, as well as its role in modern economy, has continued to attract the interest of scholars and development institutions in recent times. Theoretically, there are two conflicting views on corruption. The “grabbing hand” hypothesis maintains that corruption raises the cost of transactions, risks and uncertainties which inhibits FDI inflow, while the “helping hand” hypothesis believes that corruption eases bureaucratic as well as regulatory hurdles and greases the wheels of commerce, thereby facilitating the inflow of FDI. Although the methodologies employed and the context of the various empirical investigations reviewed differ considerably, the paper has largely shown that there is no consensus on the nature of corruption-FDI nexus. While the outcomes of the studies are dominated by the validation of the “grabbing hand” hypothesis, some have supported the grease the view of the wheel, whereas few concluded on insignificant relationships between corruption and FDI inflow. These contradictory outcomes from various studies have prompted some scholars to examine the connection between some specific aspects of FDI with corruption in a more dynamic framework. Accordingly, the areas of concern from the review have been pointed out in the discussion of the findings. The paper has also documented the need for further studies in this area with relevant suggestions.
Content of anthocyanins and glycoalkaloids in blue‐fleshed potatoes and changes in the content of &agr;‐solanine and &agr;‐chaconine during manufacture of fried and dried products

Summary In the last ten or so years, potatoes with purple or blue-flesh and derivative products, for example chips, have appeared on the European markets. The interest in this raw material and these products is increasing among both producers and consumers searching for novel and attractive choices. The anthocyanin content of the analysed potato varieties differed; a higher content of these pigments was determined in Blaue Elise var. potatoes. In blue-flesh varieties, the prevailing anthocyanins were acylated glycosides: petunidin and malvidin. The production process of French fries, chips and puree caused a decrease in the content of glycoalkaloids in semi-products and finished products, compared to the raw material. The greatest losses of α-chaconine and α-solanine were observed after tuber peeling (ca. 70%) and after frying (ca. 90%). French fries contained 3%, chips 16% and puree 17% of the initial amount of total glycoalkaloids. The losses of α-chaconine and α-solanine in the analysed semi-products and finished products were at the same level, regardless of the processing technology applied.
Impact of Diversity of Morphological Characteristics and Reynolds number on Local Hemodynamics in Basilar Aneurysms

Morphological and hemodynamic parameters have been suggested to affect the rupture of cerebral aneurysms, but detailed mechanisms of rupture are poorly understood. The purpose of our study is to determine criteria for predicting the risk of aneurysm rupture, which is critical for improved patient management. Existing aneurysm hemodynamics studies generally evaluate limited geometries or Reynolds numbers (Re), which are difficult to apply to a wide range of patient-specific cases. We focused on the association between hemodynamic characteristics and morphology. We assessed several two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) idealized and physiological geometries to characterize the hemodynamic landscape between flow patterns. The impact of morphology on velocity and wall shear stress (WSS) profiles were evaluated. We found that slight changes in aneurysm geometry or Re result in significant changes in the hemodynamic and WSS profiles. Our systematic mapping and non-dimensional analysis qualitatively identify hemodynamic conditions that may predispose aneurysms to rupture. However, the rupture of small aneurysms has also been reported. Aneurysm morphology alone is therefore not a reliable factor for prediction of aneurysm rupture risk. 4 Cebral et al. evaluated the risk of rupture in patient-specific aneurysm geometries using a CFD model based on three-dimensional (3D) angiographs of patients. It was determined that complex flows, small impingement regions, and narrow inflow jets were characteristic of ruptured aneurysms. 4,8 A correlation between an elliptical shape factor and wall shear stress (WSS) indicated an increased susceptibility to rupture. 9 We extend this idea by describing the hemodynamic phenomena (i.e. WSS, approximate flow fields) that arise due to changes in aneurysm geometries identified as significant in previous studies. Several idealized 2D and 3D aneurysm geometries with different height-width (H A /W A ) ratios of the aneurysm and neck width-parent vessel width (W N /W P ) ratio were constructed. In addition, two Computed Tomography Angiographic (CTA) images of intracranial aneurysms in different growth stages were applied to reconstruct realistic 3D geometries. 10 Our study provides the context for evaluating physiologically relevant hemodynamic properties on a large scale. We show how the results of 2D simulations can inform more accurate 3D simulations, and we point out the overlap between those cases. We applied COMSOL for 2D idealized geometries. However, HARVEY was used for 3D geometries. A key advantage of HARVEY is that it is parallel, which allows the pulsatile blood flow in 3D idealized geometries to be simulated on the order of 5-10 hours and 3D complex geometries to be simulated in 2-3 days. We highlight the use of HARVEY as a way to solve patient-specific cases with improved accuracy.
Sequestration of Aqueous Lead(II) Using Modified and Unmodified Red Onion Skin

ABSTRACT The efficacy of onion skins, both unmodified and chemically modified with thioglycolic acid, was investigated as alternative low-cost adsorbents for the sequestration of aqueous lead(II) ions from aqueous solution. The adsorbents were characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy – energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Adsorption experiments were performed using batch sorption processes. The effects of contact time, pH, initial Pb(II) concentration, adsorbent dose, and temperature were investigated. Optimum sorption conditions were found at pH 4 and a 150 min equilibrium time for the modified onion skin and unmodified onion skin. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich and Temkin models were used to characterize the equilibrium experimental results. The equilibrium process was best described by the Freundlich isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacities of 4.878 and 6.173 mg/g were obtained for modified and unmodified adsorbents, respectively, using the Langmuir model. Kinetic studies indicated that the sorption of Pb(II) ions followed a pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard enthalpy change (ΔH°), entropy change (ΔS°), and free energy change (ΔG°) were evaluated from the sorption experimental measurements. The results showed that the sorption process of Pb(II) ions on unmodified and modified onion skins was feasible and exothermic under the conditions used in this study. The sorption process followed the mechanism of physisorption.
Study Serum Level of Interleukin-17 in Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. Objective: To assess serum levels of IL-17 in pediatric SLE (pSLE) and their association with clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, SLE disease activity index score (SLEDAI), and therapy. Patients and Methods: A case-control study was conducted at Pediatric Nephrology units, and Outpatient Nephrology Clinic of Children Hospital, Zagazig University. It was carried out over two years from September 2017 to August 2019. This study was performed on 60 patients classified into two groups: thirty of them were children with SLE and 30 apparently healthy children as a Control group of comparable age and gender. All patients were subjected to complete history taking and clinical examination. Laboratory investigations were done. Renal biopsy was done to 22 cases who were presented by renal symptoms. Results: Frequency of manifestation were malar rash 86.7%, photosensitivity 80.0%, renal manifestations, and anemia73.3% for each. SLEDAI score was 18 – 38. Class II lupus nephritis (LN) was the most common biopsies result (40%). The range of IL-17 for cases was (89.3 – 359 pg/ml), a highly significant increase in the Il-17 level in the case group than the control. A significant association between IL-17 level and renal manifestation, urea, creatinine, 24-hour urinary protein, and SLEDAI. Conclusions: Serum IL-17A is elevated more than 170 in pSLE patients with lupus nephritis, which correlates with disease activity and renal biopsy. IL-17 seems to have a possible role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.
Role of Suction Pipelle in Diagnosis of Endometrial Lesions in Patients with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a major clinical problem among women in the reproductive, perimenopausal and postmenopausal age groups. It may have a significant impact on woman physical, social, emotional and material quality of life. Along with the direct impact on the woman and her family, there are significant costs to both economy and health service. The AUB in women aged 40 and older, especially in peri and postmenopausal age group requires exclusive assessment, to exclude atypical endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma. Objective: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of suction pipelle in diagnosis of endometrial lesions in cases of abnormal uterine bleeding. Patients and Methods: The current study was designed as cross-sectional study conducted in Zagazig University Maternity Hospitals, Al-Ahrar Teaching Hospital and the Department of Pathology, Zagazig University during the period from April 2018 to July 2019. The study was conducted on 92 patients presented with abnormal uterine bleeding. Results: The 2 methods were 100% matched in diagnosis of secretory endometrium, hormone-dependent endometrium, atypical hyperplasia and EEC grade 1. The pipelle succeeded to diagnose some cases of proliferative endometrial and simple hyperplasia, which were missed by D & C (18.5% and 17.4% by pipelle versus 16.3% and 13% by D & C respectively for proliferative endometrial hyperplasia and 8.7% and 17.4% by pipelle versus 16.3% and 19.6% by D&C for simple hyperplasia respectively). Conclusion: Pipelle had high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of proliferative endometrial, secretory endometrium, hormonedependent endometrium, simple endometrial hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia and EEC grade 1.
Aufteilung des Transferwiderstands zwischen Luft und Wasser beim Austausch flüchtiger Substanzen mittlerer Löslichkeit zwischen Ozean und Atmosphäre

Der Schwerpunkt der Arbeit ist die Untersuchung des Austauschs volatiler Stoff e mittlerer Loslichkeit zwischen Luft und Wasser. Dazu wurden simultan zehn Transferwiderstande von Tracern aus einem breiten Spektrum an Loslichkeiten in Experimenten am Aeolotron, einem ringformigen Wind-Wellen-Kanal, gemessen. Die Abhangigkeit der Transferwiderstande von der Schubspannungsgeschwindigkeit und der mittleren quadratischen Neigung wird sowohl fur sauberes als auch fur oberfachenfi lmbedecktes Wasser untersucht. Dabei wird deutlich, dass kein einzelner Parameter ausreichend ist, um den Gasaustausch fur beide Falle einheitlich zu beschreiben. Des Weiteren wurde die Schmidtzahlskalierung fur Tracer mittlerer Loslichkeiten untersucht. Es ist ublich von dem Transferwiderstand eines Tracers mittels dieser Skalierung auf den Transferwiderstand eines anderen Tracers zu schliesen. Dies setzt voraus, dass entweder der luft- oder wasserseitige Transferwiderstand fur beide Tracer vernachlassigt werden kann, welches fur Substanzen mittlerer Loslichkeit nicht gegeben ist. Hier wird daher erstmals eine erweiterte Schmidtzahl-Skalierungsmethode experimentell getestet. Der luftseitige Anteil des Transferwiderstands wird durch Schmidtzahlskalierung mit einem sehr gut loslichen Referenz-Tracer (Methanol) berechnet. Entsprechend wird der wasserseitige Anteil mit einem vollstandig wasserseitig kontrollierten Referenz-Tracer (N2O) berechnet. Der Gesamtwiderstand kann mit der Partitionierungsgleichung von Liss und Slater (1974) aus beiden Anteilen zusammengesetzt werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser erweiterten Skalierungsmethode zeigen sehr gute Ubereinstimmung mit den direkt gemessenen Transferwiderstanden. Schlieslich wird eine einfache Funktion angegeben, die das gemessene prozentuale Verhaltnis des luftseitigen Widerstands zum Gesamtwiderstand in Abhangigkeit der Schubspannungsgeschwindigkeit und Loslichkeit empirisch beschreibt.