Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ornithine is the central intermediate in the arginine degradative pathway and its regulation in Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT The Gram-positive model bacterium Bacillus subtilis is able to utilize a variety of proteinogenic and non proteinogenic amino acids as sources of carbon, energy and nitrogen. The utilization of the amino acids arginine, citrulline and ornithine is catalyzed by enzymes that are encoded in the rocABC and rocDEF operons and by the rocG gene. Expression of these genes is under control of the alternative sigma factor SigL. RNA polymerase associated to this sigma factor depends on an ATP-hydrolyzing transcription activator to initiate transcription. The RocR protein acts as transcription activator for the roc genes. In this work, we have studied the contributions of all enzymes of the Roc pathway to the degradation of arginine, citrulline and ornithine. This identified the previously uncharacterized RocB protein as responsible for the conversion of citrulline to ornithine. In vitro assays with the purified enzyme suggest that it acts as a manganese-dependent N-carbamoyl-L-ornithine hydrolase that cleaves citrulline to ornithine and carbamate. So far, the molecular effector that triggers transcription activation by RocR has not been unequivocally identified. Using a combination of transcription reporter assays and biochemical experiments we demonstrate that ornithine is the molecular inducer for RocR activity. Our work suggests that binding of ATP to RocR triggers its hexamerization, and binding of ornithine then allows ATP hydrolysis and activation of roc gene transcription. Thus, ornithine is the central molecule of the roc degradative pathway as it is the common intermediate of arginine and citrulline degradation and the molecular effector for the transcription regulator RocR. IMPORTANCE Amino acids serve as building blocks for protein biosynthesis in each living cell but can also be used as sources of carbon, energy and nitrogen. In this work we have identified ornithine as the central player in the utilization of arginine, citrulline and ornithine in the Gram-positive bacterium B. subtilis. Ornithine is the common intermediate after the first steps of arginine and citrulline degradation. We have identified the so far uncharacterized protein RocB as the enzyme responsible for the cleavage of citrulline to ornithine and carbamate. Moreover, we demonstrate that ornithine is the molecular effector that triggers ATPase activity of the transcription factor RocR. Binding of ornithine to RocR and the subsequent hydrolysis of ATP allow a functional interaction with the alternative sigma factor SigL and subsequent transcription activation of all genes of the degradative pathway.
Start and End Dates of Rainy Season and their Temporal Change in Recent Decades over East Asia

This paper analyzes climatological characteristics and temporal variation of the start and end dates of the rainy season over East Asia using a daily precipitation dataset for the time period 1951–2009. The rainy season is defined by a 5-day rainfall standard, and the regional average time series is constructed by applying the weighted-average method. Results show that the rainy season starts later, ends earlier and lasts shorter from southeast to northwest. In spring, the rainy belt slowly moves northward from 30 to 33°N in China and from 33 to 36°N on the Korean Peninsula and Japanese Islands. From 1951 to 2009, the rainy season generally began earlier in China but later in Korea and Japan, and it ended earlier at latitudes north of 35°N and later south of 35°N. The region-averaged start and end dates of the rainy season in the study region insignificantly advanced, and the duration of the rainy season insignificantly increased from 1951 to 2009. The rainy season duration slightly decreased in the Russian Far East and in northern and western China, and significantly decreased on the Korean Peninsula and the southern Hokkaido Islands, though it obviously increased in the Yangtze–Huaihe River Basins.
Benefits of an Integrated Nurse Residency Program in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Background: The neonatal intensive care unit is a specialized unit where nurses, physicians, and other providers take care of the smallest patients in healthcare. Because neonatal intensive care units are highly specialized, many nursing students graduate from undergraduate programs with little experience or knowledge related to the care of neonatal patients. Results: Nursing residency programs with hands-on simulation training have been shown to provide significant benefits to new and novice nurses as they enter the workforce, particularly in areas where the patient population requires highly specialized treatment. The myriad of benefits provided by nurse residency programs and simulation training exercises have been shown to result in improved nurse retention, job satisfaction, nursing skill, and patient outcomes. Conclusion: Because of the proven benefits, integrated nurse residency programs and simulation training should be the standard for training new and novice nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit environment.
Should Positive Cytology Revealed by Intraoperative Lavage Preclude Radical Resection in Resectable Pancreatic Cancer?

Objectives The aims of this review were to determine whether positive peritoneal lavage cytology (CY+) precludes radical resection in pancreatic cancer and to propose prospections for future studies. Methods MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central were searched for related articles. Dichotomous variables and survival outcomes were analyzed with the estimation of odds ratio and hazards ratio (HR), respectively. Results A total of 4905 patients were included, of which 7.8% were CY+. Positive peritoneal lavage cytology was correlated with poor overall survival (univariate survival analysis [HR, 2.35; P < 0.00001]; multivariate analysis [HR, 1.62; P < 0.00001]), poor recurrence-free survival (univariate survival analysis [HR, 2.50; P < 0.00001]; multivariate analysis [HR, 1.84; P < 0.00001]), and higher initial peritoneal recurrence rate (odds ratio, 5.49; P < 0.00001). Conclusions Although CY+ predicts poor prognosis and a higher risk of peritoneal metastasis after curative resection, it is not sufficient to preclude curative resection based on the current evidence, and high-quality trials should be conducted to assess the prognostic impact of operation among resectable CY+ patients. In addition, more sensitive and accurate methods to detect peritoneal exfoliated tumor cells and more effective comprehensive treatment for resectable CY+ pancreatic cancer patients are clearly warranted.
Glucagon-Like Peptide 1–Based Therapies and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in Patients With Diabetes and Obesity

Objectives There have been conflicting reports concerning an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (PC) in new users of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1As). We aimed to explore whether the use of GLP-1A is associated with an increased risk of PC. Methods A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted using TriNetX. Adult patients with diabetes and/or overweight and obesity who were newly treated with GLP-1A or metformin for the first time between 2006 and 2021 were matched 1:1 using propensity score matching. The risk of PC was estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results A total of 492,760 patients were identified in the GLP-1A and 918,711 patients in the metformin group. After propensity score matching, both cohorts (370,490 each) were well matched. During follow-up, 351 patients in the GLP-1A and 956 on metformin developed PC after an exposure lag of 1 year. Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists was associated with a significantly lower risk of PC (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.42–0.52). Conclusions The use of GLP-1A in patients with obesity/diabetes is associated with a lower risk of PC compared with a similar cohort of patients using metformin. Our study findings reassure clinicians and patients with apprehensions about any possible association between GLP-1A and PC.
Correction of a space telescope active primary mirror using adaptive optics in a woofer-tweeter configuration

Abstract : The Department of Defense seeks to improve space-based imaging capabilities by building larger space telescopes designed for higher orbits in order to provide timely accurate imagery to the military and national decision makers. Satellites have mass and volume constraints due to the limited size of the launch vehicle. Larger aperture imagery satellites require lightweight deployable segmented primary mirrors to meet mass and volume constraints. Lightweight segmented mirrors exist but lack the structure and mass necessary for high-quality optical performance. This research investigates using a deformable mirror with a large lightweight active primary mirror to improve optical performance. Control techniques are applied to simultaneously manipulate an active primary mirror segment and deformable mirror in a woofer-tweeter configuration. Computer simulations and experiments using woofer-tweeter control techniques show reduction of residual wavefront error attributed to the primary mirror. A woofer-tweeter gradient control technique was shown to experimentally reduce wavefront error by 24% using the Naval Postgraduate Schools 3-m diameter segmented mirror telescope test bed. The addition of a deformable mirror to an active space telescope in a woofer-tweeter configuration is a technically feasible option for a large-aperture telescope design, and can reduce primary mirror requirements potentially reducing cost.
Internal parasites (nematode) infestation in pure Arabian horses: Field study

Background: Hematological and biochemical values are widely used in veterinary clinics for disease prognosis, nutritional and therapeutic monitoring, as well as in understanding the disease process in farm animals, including equines. Aim: This study aims to assess the alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters in pure Arabian horses infested with internal parasites. Methods: Samples of feces and blood were collected from 20 adult mares. Fecal samples were proceeded by flotation test. The blood samples were analyzed for hematological and biochemical parameters to determine their means ± standard error (M ± SE). We compared the M ± SE with the reference values cited. Results: Infestation percentage was as (%) Parascaris equorum 3 (15%) and 17 (85%) mixed infestation, Strongylus species with P. equorum. The hematology of our Arabian horses shows a little variation of values compared to normal reference values, in hemoglobin level (g/dl), packed cell volume (%), red blood cell count (106/μl), and white blood cells count (103/μl), mean corpuscular volume (fl), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (pg) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (g/dl). In addition, their serum biochemistry showed blood glucose (mg/dl), urea (mg/dl), creatinine (mg/dl), albumin (g/dl), sodium, potassium, and chloride (mEq/l) within normal reference values. Conclusion: Our study did not show variation in hematology or chemical values compared to the normal values. We attributed this a result of the quantity and quality of nutrition given to the horses, which compensate for the damage caused by these parasites, so this study may provide useful diagnostic indices for Arabian horses.
Dexmedetomidine Protects Cerebellar Neurons against Hyperoxia-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in the Juvenile Rat

The risk of oxidative stress is unavoidable in preterm infants and increases the risk of neonatal morbidities. Premature infants often require sedation and analgesia, and the commonly used opioids and benzodiazepines are associated with adverse effects. Impairment of cerebellar functions during cognitive development could be a crucial factor in neurodevelopmental disorders of prematurity. Recent studies have focused on dexmedetomidine (DEX), which has been associated with potential neuroprotective properties and is used as an off-label application in neonatal units. Wistar rats (P6) were exposed to 80% hyperoxia for 24 h and received as pretreatment a single dose of DEX (5µg/kg, i.p.). Analyses in the immature rat cerebellum immediately after hyperoxia (P7) and after recovery to room air (P9, P11, and P14) included examinations for cell death and inflammatory and oxidative responses. Acute exposure to high oxygen concentrations caused a significant oxidative stress response, with a return to normal levels by P14. A marked reduction of hyperoxia-mediated damage was demonstrated after DEX pretreatment. DEX produced a much earlier recovery than in controls, confirming a neuroprotective effect of DEX on alterations elicited by oxygen stress on the developing cerebellum.
Cancer and Potential Prevention with Lifestyle among Career Firefighters: A Narrative Review

Simple Summary Firefighting has been identified as a high-risk occupation with increased risks for several types of cancers. Exposure to carcinogens in fire smoke and within the fire station, occupational factors such as shift work, and lifestyle are all plausible contributors to disease development. Prevention strategies and a change to fire service culture are crucial for primary cancer prevention among career firefighters. Abstract Career firefighters are at considerable risk for chronic diseases, including an increased risk of various cancers, compared to the general population. Over the last two decades, several systematic reviews and large cohort studies have demonstrated that firefighters have statistically significant increases in overall and site-specific cancer incidence and site-specific cancer mortality compared to the general population. Exposure assessment and other studies have documented exposures to a variety of carcinogens in fire smoke and within the fire station. Other occupational factors such as shift work, sedentary behavior, and the fire service food culture may also contribute to this working population’s increased cancer risk. Furthermore, obesity and other lifestyle behaviors such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, inadequate physical activity, and short sleep duration have also been associated with an increased risk of certain firefighting-associated cancers. Putative prevention strategies are proposed based on suspected occupational and lifestyle risk factors.
Redox Balance in Type 2 Diabetes: Therapeutic Potential and the Challenge of Antioxidant-Based Therapy

Oxidative stress is an important factor in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and associated complications. Unfortunately, most clinical studies have failed to provide sufficient evidence regarding the benefits of antioxidants (AOXs) in treating this disease. Based on the known complexity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) functions in both the physiology and pathophysiology of glucose homeostasis, it is suggested that inappropriate dosing leads to the failure of AOXs in T2D treatment. To support this hypothesis, the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of T2D is described, together with a summary of the evidence for the failure of AOXs in the management of diabetes. A comparison of preclinical and clinical studies indicates that suboptimal dosing of AOXs might explain the lack of benefits of AOXs. Conversely, the possibility that glycemic control might be adversely affected by excess AOXs is also considered, based on the role of ROS in insulin signaling. We suggest that AOX therapy should be given in a personalized manner according to the need, which is the presence and severity of oxidative stress. With the development of gold-standard biomarkers for oxidative stress, optimization of AOX therapy may be achieved to maximize the therapeutic potential of these agents.
The mean general residual lifetime of (n − k + 1)-out-of-n systems with exchangeable components

ABSTRACT The study of the reliability properties of (n − k + 1)-out-of-n systems has gained a great deal of attention, from both theoretical and practical perspectives. In this article, we consider (n − k + 1)-out-of-n systems with exchangeable components and study the stochastic properties of two forms of residual lifetimes of such systems under the following conditions: n − r + 1 (r ⩽ k) components of the system are operating at time t > 0, and/or the rth (r < k) component has failed, but the system is working at time t. In addition, some results relating to the functions of the mean general residual lifetimes (MGRL) are derived for these systems. Finally, in accordance with the generalized Farlie–Gumbel–Morgenstern model, we present the reliability properties of the general residual lifetime of (n − k + 1)-out-of-n systems and investigate the asymptotic behavior of the proposed MGRL functions with exponential marginals.
Efficacy of Pemetrexed or Gemcitabine Combined with Cis-platinum on Patients with Advanced Non-small-cell Lung Carcinoma and Its Effect on Serum miR-365

Objective: To determine the efficacy of pemetrexed or gemcitabine combined with cis-platinum on patients with advanced non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and its effect on serum miR-365. Methods: A total of 183 patients with NSCLC were enrolled and assigned to a pemetrexed + cis-platinum group (PC group) and a gemcitabine + cis-platinum group (GC group) according to their chemotherapy regimens. The two groups were compared in general data, therapeutic effect, drug-associated toxicity, life quality, 3-year survival outcome, and serum miR-365. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in remission rate and disease control rate, and the PC group experienced notably less hematological events including thrombocytopenia than the GC group, but had no significant difference with the latter in nausea, vomiting, constipation, abnormal liver function, esophageal injury and peripheral neurotoxicity. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the improvement rate of Karnofsky performance scale, increased appetite, body mass gain, 3-year overall survival and progression-free survival, while the PC group showed better grade 3-4 toxicity-free survival outcome than the GC group. Moreover, serum miR-365 was up-regulated in cases with NSCLC, and decreased in both groups after treatment, while it was lower in the PC group than in the GC group over the same period after treatment. Conclusion: Both pemetrexed or gemcitabine combined with cis-platinum can strongly mitigate advanced NSCLC and suppress serum miR-365, but the former is safer.
Impact of Audience Response System in Enhancing Teaching of Anatomy and Physiology for Health Sciences Students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences

Purpose Instructional methods that offer students’ opportunity for engagement are essential to develop an active learning environment. This paper aims (1) to assess whether the use of an Audience Response System (ARS) during anatomy and physiology lectures improves students’ engagement, knowledge retention and academic achievement and (2) to evaluate the feasibility of introducing ARS as a formative tool from both instructors’ and students’ perspectives. Materials and Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted across ten lectures for the second-year Pre-Applied Medical Science (PAMS) and Pre-Medical (PMED) students at the College of Sciences and Health Professions, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The ARS was integrated into five lectures, whereas the remaining were conducted without ARS. A comparison of the immediate post-lecture and prior laboratory session quiz scores between the lectures with and without ARS was performed using an independent sample t-test. An online survey was completed by the students as well as informal feedback was taken from the instructors to assess ARS usefulness. Results A total of 65 PMAS and 126 PMED students participated in the study. Students achieved significantly better scores for ARS lectures than non-ARS lectures: PAMS (p 0.038) and PMED (p 0.018). Students and instructors agreed that ARS was easy to use, allowing students to engage and actively participate in the teaching process by responding to questions and receiving instant and anonymous feedback about their learning progress. Conclusion Employing suitable interactive teaching methods facilitates students’ learning and improves their retention of knowledge. Students and instructors positively view the ARS strategy as a means to promote learning in a traditional lecture setting. Increased practice on how to integrate its use into classrooms could lead to further utilization.
Modeling the Climatology of Low‐ and Mid‐Latitude F‐Region Ionospheric Currents Using the Swarm Constellation

We present a new empirical model of quiet‐time F‐region ionospheric currents and associated magnetic fields. This model is designed to accurately represent these currents and fields at low and mid latitudes. For each individual Swarm satellite, the preprocessed data is represented as a non‐potential toroidal magnetic field using the Mie representation in a thin‐shell and spherical harmonic expansions. This approach allows to fully separate spatial and climatological variations as well as to assess the robustness of the model with respect to both measurement errors and data sampling with local time. The obtained model describes the toroidal magnetic fields and the associated radial poloidal electric currents at two distinct altitudes in the ionosphere F region. Clear signatures of low‐ and mid‐latitude interhemispheric field‐aligned currents (IHFACs) are identified. The model reproduces well‐known characteristics of the climatology of IHFACs and provides new insights, for example, on the average daily variations of IHFACs during winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It also well recovers the variations of IHFACs with longitude. The potential driving mechanisms of these variations, such as longitudinal variations of the main field and modulation by upward propagating atmospheric tides, are discussed. The new model can be used to analyze the relationship between atmospheric tides and IHFACs. It can also be used to investigate the connection between the magnetic fields and electric currents from the ionospheric E and F regions in order to improve the separation of these fields as well as our understanding of the overall ionospheric electric current system.
Floods and Heavy Precipitation at the Global Scale: 100‐Year Analysis and 180‐Year Reconstruction

Floods and heavy precipitation have disruptive impacts worldwide, but their historical variability remains only partially understood at the global scale. This article aims at reducing this knowledge gap by jointly analyzing seasonal maxima of streamflow and precipitation at more than 3,000 stations over a 100‐year period. The analysis is based on Hidden Climate Indices (HCIs). Like standard climate indices (e.g., Nino 3.4, NAO), HCIs are used as covariates explaining the temporal variability of data, but unlike them, HCIs are estimated from the data. In this work, a distinction is made between common HCIs, that affect both heavy precipitation and floods, and specific HCIs, that exclusively affect one or the other. Overall, HCIs do not show noticeable autocorrelation, but some are affected by noticeable trends. In particular, strong and wide‐ranging trends are identified in precipitation‐specific HCIs, while trends affecting flood‐specific HCIs are weaker and have more localized effects. A probabilistic model is then derived to link HCIs and large‐scale atmospheric variables (pressure, wind, temperature) and to reconstruct HCIs since 1836 using the 20CRv3 reanalysis. In turn this allows estimating the probability of occurrence of floods and heavy precipitation at the global scale. This 180‐year reconstruction highlights flood hot‐spots and hot‐moments in the distant past, well before the establishment of perennial monitoring networks. The approach presented in this study is generic and paves the way for an improved characterization of historical variability by making a better use of long but highly irregular station data sets.