Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extracts from Six Native Plants of the Yucatán Peninsula Hinder Mycelial Growth of Fusarium equiseti and F. oxysporum, Pathogens of Capsicum chinense

Fusarium equiseti strain FCHE and Fusarium oxysporum strain FCHJ were isolated from the roots of wilting habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) seedlings with root rot. Toward developing a biorational control of these serious phytopathogenic strains, ethanolic (EE) and aqueous (AE) extracts of different vegetative parts of 40 tropical native plants of the Yucatán Peninsula were screened for antifungal activity. Extracts of six out of 40 assayed plants were effective, and the most inhibitory extracts were studied further. EEs from Mosannona depressa (bark from stems and roots), Parathesis cubana (roots), and Piper neesianum (leaves) inhibited mycelial growth of both strains. Each active EE was then partitioned between hexane and acetonitrile. The acetonitrile fraction from M. depressa stem bark (MDT-b) had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration of 1000 µg/mL against both pathogens and moderate inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 462 against F. equiseti and 472 µg/mL against F. oxysporum. After 96 h treatment with EE from M. depressa stem bark, both strains had distorted hyphae and conidia and collapsed conidia in scanning electron micrographs. Liquid chromatography–ultraviolet–high resolution mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the major component of the fraction was α-asarone. Its antifungal effect was verified using a commercial standard, which had an IC50 of 236 µg/mL against F. equiseti and >500 µg/mL against F. oxysporum. Furthermore, the P. cubana hexane fraction and P. neesianum acetonitrile fraction had antifungal activity against both Fusarium pathogens. These compounds provide new options for biorational products to control phytopathogenic fungi.
Maximizing the Field Emission Performance of Graphene Arrays

To design efficient and powerful field emission cathodes, the screening effect is of great importance and should be traded off between screening and emitter number. It has long been found that to achieve maximum emission efficiency in an array, neighboring emitters are at two or three times their height from each other. However, this is only true for one-dimensional emitters, such as carbon nanotubes, but for graphene, a two-dimensional material, it is different. In this work, we found that to achieve maximum emission efficiency in an array of graphene, the separation of the emitter is four times the height, and it is insensitive to the anode voltage and the distance between the cathode and the anode.
RICE PARBOILING WASTEWATER IN THE MAXIMIZATION OF CAROTENOIDS BIOPRODUCTION BY Phaffia rhodozyma

The interest in carotenoid production from natural sources has increased based in their possible use as dyes and their powerful biological antioxidant capacity. This study evaluated the use of rice parboiling wastewater (RPW) as an alternative substrate for the bioproduction of carotenoids using the yeast Phaffia rhodozyma and found it to be promising as the only source of nutrients, reaching a concentration of 0.6 mg mL-1 (259.1 mg g-1) in 48 h. To increase the potential use of this industrial effluent, a study of supplementation was carried out to enhance the production of carotenoids using the methodology of experimental design (a 2IV 6-2 fractional factorial design sequenced by a 24 central composite design). The conditions for maximizing the production of carotenoids were (g L-1) malt extract (16.25), peptone (8.75), sucrose (15) and rice parboiling wastewater (87.5), with a pH of 5 at 25 °C and 150 rpm for 144 h, which produced a concentration 5.3 mg mL-1 (628.8 mg g-1).
Investigating the pernicious effects of heparan sulfate in serum amyloid A1 protein aggregation: a structural bioinformatics approach

Abstract Amyloid-A mediated (AA) amyloidosis is the pathogenic byproduct of body’s prolonged exposure to inflammatory conditions. It is described by the aggregation of mutated/misfolded serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) protein in various tissues and organs. Genetic polymorphism G90D is suspected to cause AA amyloidosis, although the causal mechanism remains cryptic. Recent experimental findings insinuate that heparan sulphate (HS), a glycosaminoglycans, exhibits binding with SAA1 to promote its aggregation. To foster the enhanced binding of HS, we computationally determined the pernicious modifications in G90D mutant SAA1 protein. Also, we examined the influence of HS on the dynamic conformation of mutant SAA1 that could potentially succor amyloidosis. Accordingly, the protein-ligand binding studies indicate that upon SNP G90D, SAA1 protein exhibited an augmented association with HS. Further, the simulation of HS bound mutant SAA1 complex delineates an increase in RMSD, Rg, and RMSF. Also, both RMSD and Rg evinced a fluctuating trajectory. Further, the complex showed increase of beta turn in its secondary structural composition. Additionally, the free energy landscape of mutant SAA1-HS complex posits the occurrence of multiple global minima conformers as opposed to the presence of a single global energy minima conformation in native SAA1 protein. In conclusion, the aforementioned conformational ramifications induced by HS on SAA1 could potentially be the proteopathic incendiary behind AA amyloidosis; this incendiary will need to be considered in future studies for developing effective therapeutics against AA amyloidosis. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Understanding Host–Pathogen Interactions in Brassica napus in the Omics Era

Brassica napus (canola/oilseed rape/rapeseed) is an economically important crop, mostly found in temperate and sub-tropical regions, that is cultivated widely for its edible oil. Major diseases of Brassica crops such as Blackleg, Clubroot, Sclerotinia Stem Rot, Downy Mildew, Alternaria Leaf Spot and White Rust have caused significant yield and economic losses in rapeseed-producing countries worldwide, exacerbated by global climate change, and, if not remedied effectively, will threaten global food security. To gain further insights into the host–pathogen interactions in relation to Brassica diseases, it is critical that we review current knowledge in this area and discuss how omics technologies can offer promising results and help to push boundaries in our understanding of the resistance mechanisms. Omics technologies, such as genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches, allow us to understand the host and pathogen, as well as the interaction between the two species at a deeper level. With these integrated data in multi-omics and systems biology, we are able to breed high-quality disease-resistant Brassica crops in a more holistic, targeted and accurate way.
External Validation of the SERC Trial Population: Comparison with the Multicenter French Cohort, the Swedish and SENOMIC Trial Populations for Breast Cancer Patients with Sentinel Node Micro-Metastasis

Simple Summary After the results of many trials, it is now accepted to omit axillary dissection in selected patients with limited axillary involvement. However, the external validity of these trials is questionable. Our study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the real French population representativity in the SERC (Sentinelle Envahi et Randomisation du Curage) trial population for patients with breast cancer (BC) associated with sentinel node (SN) micro-metastasis and the differences between the studied population and the real French population. The secondary aim was to compare the French and the Swedish populations of patients with SN micro-metastasis. The findings of our study in addition to the previously demonstrated concordance between the SENOMIC (Sentinelle node Micrometastasis) trial and the Swedish National Breast Cancer Registry (NKBC) populations implied that the results of both the SERC and the SENOMIC trials can be applied to both the French and Swedish real populations. Abstract Many trials confirmed the safety of omitting axillary dissection in the selected patients treated for early breast cancer. The external validity of these trials is questionable. Our study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the French population representativity in the SERC trial and the differences between these two populations as well as comparing the French and the Swedish populations (the SENOMIC trial population and the Swedish National Breast Cancer Registry (NKBC) cohort) of patients with sentinel node (SN) micro-metastasis. A higher rate of smaller tumors and grade 1 tumors was observed in the French cohort when compared to the SERC population. Our findings conclude that both French populations show similar characteristics. Positive non-sentinel node (NSN) rates at completion axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) were 10.28 % and 11.3 % in the SERC trial and French cohort, respectively (p = 0.5). The rate of grade 1 tumors was lower in the SENOMIC trial (16.2%) and in the NKBC cohort (17.4%) compared to the SERC trial population (27.3%) and the French cohort (34.4%). Our findings in addition to the previously demonstrated concordance between the SENOMIC trial and the NKBC populations imply that the results of both the SERC and the SENOMIC trials can be applied to both French and Swedish real populations.
Differential modulation of short-term plasticity at hippocampal mossy fiber and Schaffer collateral synapses by mitochondrial Ca2+

Presynaptic mitochondrial Ca2+ plays a critical role in the regulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity. The presynaptic bouton of the hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) is much larger in size than that of the Schaffer collateral (SC) synapse. Here we compare the structural and physiological characteristics of MF and SC presynaptic boutons to reveal functional and mechanistic differences between these two synapses. Our quantitative ultrastructural analysis using electron microscopy show many more mitochondria in MF presynaptic bouton cross-section profiles compared to SC boutons. Consistent with these results, post-tetanic potentiation (PTP), a form of presynaptic short-term plasticity dependent on mitochondrial Ca2+, is reduced by inhibition of mitochondrial Ca2+ release at MF synapses but not at SC synapses. However, blockade of mitochondrial Ca2+ release results in reduction of PTP at SC synapses by disynaptic MF stimulation. Furthermore, inhibition of mitochondrial Ca2+ release selectively decreases frequency facilitation evoked by short trains of presynaptic stimulation at MF synapses, while having no effect at SC synapses. Moreover, depletion of ER Ca2+ stores leads to reduction of PTP at MF synapses, but PTP is unaffected by ER Ca2+ depletion at SC synapses. These findings show that MF and SC synapses differ in presynaptic mitochondrial content as well as mitochondrial Ca2+ dependent synaptic plasticity, highlighting differential regulatory mechanisms of presynaptic plasticity at MF and SC synapses.
Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of a Non-Living Anthrax Vaccine versus a Live Spore Vaccine with Simultaneous Penicillin-G Treatment in Cattle

Sterne live spore vaccine (SLSV) is the current veterinary anthrax vaccine of choice. Unlike the non-living anthrax vaccine (NLAV) prototype, SLSV is incompatible with concurrent antibiotics use in an anthrax outbreak scenario. The NLAV candidates used in this study include a crude recombinant protective antigen (CrPA) and a purified recombinant protective antigen (PrPA) complemented by formalin-inactivated spores and Emulsigen-D®/Alhydrogel® adjuvants. Cattle were vaccinated twice (week 0 and 3) with NLAVs plus penicillin-G (Pen-G) treatment and compared to cattle vaccinated twice with SLSV alone and with Pen-G treatment. The immunogenicity was assessed using ELISA against rPA and FIS, toxin neutralisation assay (TNA) and opsonophagocytic assay. The protection was evaluated using an in vivo passive immunisation mouse model. The anti-rPA IgG titres for NLAVs plus Pen-G and SLSV without Pen-G treatment showed a significant increase, whereas the titres for SLSV plus Pen-G were insignificant compared to pre-vaccination values. A similar trend was measured for IgM, IgG1, and IgG2 and TNA titres (NT50) showed similar trends to anti-rPA titres across all vaccine groups. The anti-FIS IgG and IgM titres increased significantly for all vaccination groups at week 3 and 5 when compared to week 0. The spore opsonising capacity increased significantly in the NLAV vaccinated groups including Pen-G treatment and the SLSV without Pen-G but much less in the SLSV group with Pen-G treatment. Passive immunization of A/J mice challenged with a lethal dose of 34F2 spores indicated significant protective capacity of antibodies raised in the SLSV and the PrPA + FIS + adjuvants vaccinated and Pen-G treated groups but not for the NLAV with the CrPA + FIS + adjuvants and the SLSV vaccinated and Pen-G treated group. Our findings indicate that the PrPA + FIS + Emulsigen-D®/Alhydrogel® vaccine candidate may provide the same level of antibody responses and protective capacity as the SLSV. Advantageously, it can be used concurrently with Penicillin-G in an outbreak situation and as prophylactic treatment in feedlots and valuable breeding stocks.
Biomimetic Self-Healing Cementitious Construction Materials for Smart Buildings

Climate change is anticipated to have a major impact on concrete structures through increasing rates of deterioration as well the impacts of extreme weather events. The deterioration can affect directly or indirectly climate change in addition to the variation in the carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and relative humidity. The deterioration that occurs from the very beginning of the service not only reduces the lifespan of the concretes but also demands more cement to maintain the durability. Meanwhile, the repair process of damaged parts is highly labor intensive and expensive. Thus, the self-healing of such damages is essential for the environmental safety and energy cost saving. The design and production of the self-healing as well as sustainable concretes are intensely researched within the construction industries. Based on these factors, this article provides the materials and methods required for a comprehensive assessment of self-healing concretes. Past developments, recent trends, environmental impacts, sustainability, merits and demerits of several methods for the production of self-healing concrete are discussed and analyzed.
Probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented sap of palm tree (Elaeis guineensis).

The commonly used probiotics bacteria are lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from gastro intestinal tract. However, other LAB from exogenous origin having similar functional properties may also confer health benefit to the host. Palm wine has been described as a rich source of LAB. But very few studies have investigated their probiotic potential. Twenty LAB were isolated from palm wine collected in the South West Region of Cameroon by pour plate method on MRS agar. These isolates were assessed in vitro for their potential to inhibit the growth of some foodborne pathogens, mainly Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli using disc diffusion method. Acid and bile tolerance were evaluated by measuring the survival rate of LAB after incubation at pH range from 1.0 to 3.0 and various bile salt concentrations (0.15-0.30%). Only five isolates were selected based on their potential to inhibit food borne pathogens tested and their tolerance in acid and bile. They were identified using API kit 50 CHL BioMerieux as strains of Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus brevis. All these strains showed antimicrobial activity against strains of Salmonella sp. and E. coli with diameters of inhibition varying from 12 to 20 mm. Only L. pentosus and L. brevis1 tolerated pH 3.0 (acidic condition of interest) with survival rates of 55 and 69% respectively, while all survived in bile with survival rates above 60%. Key words: Probiotics, antimicrobial activity, acid tolerance, bile tolerance.
Experimental Characterization of RGB LED Transceiver in Low-Complexity LED-to-LED Link

This paper proposes a low-complexity and energy-efficient light emitting diode (LED)-to-LED communication system for Internet of Things (IoT) devices with data rates up to 200 kbps over an error-free transmission distance up to 7 cm. The system is based on off-the-shelf red-green-blue (RGB) LEDs, of which the red sub-LED is employed as photodetector in photovoltaic mode while the green sub-LED is the transmitter. The LED photodetector is characterized in the terms of its noise characteristics and its response to the light intensity. The system performance is then analysed in terms of bandwidth, bit error rate (BER) and the signal to noise ratio (SNR). A matched filter is proposed, which optimises the performance and increases the error-free distance.
Assessing self-reported discrimination among men who have sex with men.

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of 4 forms of sexual identity discrimination among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 23 US metropolitan statistical areas, examine racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in each form of discrimination, and assess the association of MSM discrimination with sexual behavior. METHODS We examined interview data collected during 2017 for National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (n = 10 029 respondents) and used generalized linear models to assess the association between the prevalence of reported discrimination during the previous 12 months and selected sociodemographic groups. RESULTS Overall, 34% of participants reported experiencing verbal discrimination; 16%, discrimination in a workplace, school, or a health care setting; and 8%, physical assault. MSM who had reported experiencing discrimination were most likely to be young, had achieved lower education, and had lower incomes. High prevalence of reported discrimination was associated with young age, lower education, lower household income, sexual identity disclosure, and lower perceived community tolerance of gay or bisexual persons. CONCLUSIONS MSM discrimination affects different groups and occurs in multiple settings. Addressing discrimination should be an integral aspect of multifaceted efforts to improve MSM health.
A Novel Bioactive Endodontic Sealer Containing Surface-Reaction-Type Prereacted Glass-Ionomer Filler Induces Osteoblast Differentiation

Surface-reaction-type prereacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) fillers exhibit bioactive properties by the release of multiple ions. This study examined whether a novel endodontic sealer containing S-PRG fillers (PRG+) has the capacity to induce osteoblast differentiation. Kusa-A1 osteoblastic cells were cultured with extracts of PRG+, PRG− (an experimental sealer containing S-PRG-free silica fillers), AH Plus (an epoxy-resin-based sealer), and Canals N (a zinc-oxide noneugenol sealer). Cell viability and mineralized nodule formation were determined using WST-8 assay and Alizarin red staining, respectively. Osteoblastic-marker expression was analyzed with RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was determined with Western blotting. Extracts of freshly mixed PRG+, PRG−, and AH Plus significantly decreased cell growth, but extracts of the set samples were not significantly cytotoxic. Set PRG+ significantly upregulated mRNAs for alkaline phosphatase and bone sialoprotein (IBSP) compared to set PRG−, and upregulation was blocked by NPS2143, a calcium-sensing receptor antagonist. Set PRG+ significantly accelerated IBSP expression, mineralized nodule formation, and enhanced the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 compared with set PRG−. In conclusion, PRG+ induced the differentiation and mineralization of Kusa-A1 cells via the calcium-sensing receptor-induced activation of ERK and p38 MAPK.
Population Genomic Analysis of Mycoplasma bovis Elucidates Geographical Variations and Genes associated with Host-Types

Among more than twenty species belonging to the class Mollecutes, Mycoplasma bovis is the most common cause of bovine mycoplasmosis in North America and Europe. Bovine mycoplasmosis causes significant economic loss in the cattle industry. The number of M. bovis positive herds recently has increased in North America and Europe. Since antibiotic treatment is ineffective and no efficient vaccine is available, M. bovis induced mycoplasmosis is primarily controlled by herd management measures such as the restriction of moving infected animals out of the herds and culling of infected or shedders of M. bovis. To better understand the population structure and genomic factors that may contribute to its transmission, we sequenced 147 M. bovis strains isolated from four different countries viz. USA (n = 121), Canada (n = 22), Israel (n = 3) and Lithuania (n = 1). All except two of the isolates (KRB1 and KRB8) were isolated from two host types i.e., bovine (n = 75) and bison (n = 70). We performed a large-scale comparative analysis of M. bovis genomes by integrating 103 publicly available genomes and our dataset (250 total genomes). Whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based phylogeny using M. agalactiae as an outgroup revealed that M. bovis population structure is composed of five different clades. USA isolates showed a high degree of genomic divergence in comparison to the Australian isolates. Based on host of origin, all the isolates in clade IV was of bovine origin, whereas majority of the isolates in clades III and V was of bison origin. Our comparative genome analysis also revealed that M. bovis has an open pangenome with a large breadth of unexplored diversity of genes. The function based analysis of autogenous vaccine candidates (n = 10) included in this study revealed that their functional diversity does not span the genomic diversity observed in all five clades identified in this study. Our study also found that M. bovis genome harbors a large number of IS elements and their number increases significantly (p = 7.8 × 10−6) as the genome size increases. Collectively, the genome data and the whole genome-based population analysis in this study may help to develop better understanding of M. bovis induced mycoplasmosis in cattle.
Intralesional injection of biosimilar rituximab in recalcitrant mucocutaneous lesions of patients with pemphigus vulgaris: A pilot study

The efficacy of intravenous rituximab (RTX) in patients with pemphigus have been shown in the previous studies. The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of intralesional injection of RTX in the healing of pemphigus lesions, with lower doses and probable better safety profile than intravenous RTX. Eleven Pemphigus patients with recalcitrant lesions received two intralesional injections of biosimilar RTX, 5 mg/cm2. During 6 months follow‐up, Pemphigus Disease Area Index, the patients' satisfaction, quality of life, the disease activity, the number and size of lesions, the anti‐desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and 3 antibodies and the count of CD4+ and CD19+ cells were assessed. All patients were in partial remission on therapy. The absolute count of CD19+ B cells showed a statistically significant decline (P = .006). The percentage of CD4 + T lymphocytes increased 2 weeks after injection and decreased 2 weeks later (P = .01). The average number and size of lesions decreased. The concentration of anti‐Dsg 3 antibody decreased insignificantly during the study. The severe pain during the injection was considered as the main complication. At the end of the study, two patients were in complete remission on therapy, and the other nine remained in partial remission on therapy. Few side effects resulting from intralesional injection of RTX and enhanced quality of life of the patients were considered as the valuable achievements of this study. The results showed that although a low dose of RTX leads to a significant decrease of CD19+ B lymphocytes, it did not show parallel clinical effectiveness.