Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure Unveils Relationships between RNA Virus Polymerases

RNA viruses are the fastest evolving known biological entities. Consequently, the sequence similarity between homologous viral proteins disappears quickly, limiting the usability of traditional sequence-based phylogenetic methods in the reconstruction of relationships and evolutionary history among RNA viruses. Protein structures, however, typically evolve more slowly than sequences, and structural similarity can still be evident, when no sequence similarity can be detected. Here, we used an automated structural comparison method, homologous structure finder, for comprehensive comparisons of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps). We identified a common structural core of 231 residues for all the structurally characterized viral RdRps, covering segmented and non-segmented negative-sense, positive-sense, and double-stranded RNA viruses infecting both prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts. The grouping and branching of the viral RdRps in the structure-based phylogenetic tree follow their functional differentiation. The RdRps using protein primer, RNA primer, or self-priming mechanisms have evolved independently of each other, and the RdRps cluster into two large branches based on the used transcription mechanism. The structure-based distance tree presented here follows the recently established RdRp-based RNA virus classification at genus, subfamily, family, order, class and subphylum ranks. However, the topology of our phylogenetic tree suggests an alternative phylum level organization.
The Effect of Students’ Perception of Teachers’ Emotional Support on School Burnout Dimensions: Longitudinal Findings

School burnout is linked to relevant adverse consequences for students’ academic careers. Thus, several authors have focused on the internal and external factors that reduce burnout, highlighting the role of teachers’ support. Nonetheless, few studies addressed how students’ perception of teachers’ emotional support protects them from school maladaptive behaviors. The present study aimed to longitudinally investigate in a final sample of 295 Italian high school students (F = 78.6%; M = 15.78, SD = 1.48) the protective role of students’ perception of teachers’ emotional support dimensions on school burnout across a school year. We expected that teachers’ emotional support dimensions had a significant inverse effect on students’ burnout. We preliminarily investigated the study variables’ associations and whether the mean levels of burnout dimensions increased throughout the school year. Correlation analysis supported the associations among the study variables, and repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) analyses highlighted that the mean levels of school burnout dimensions increased over time. Moreover, hierarchical multiple regression analyses have shown that at the beginning of the school year (T1), the teacher sensitivity dimension significantly and inversely affected emotional exhaustion by the end of the school year (T2). Our findings shed light on the role played by teacher emotional support and give suggestions on which specific facet should have to be improved to shield students from later burnout-related exhaustion.
Immediate Effects of a Telerehabilitation Program Based on Aerobic Exercise in Women with Fibromyalgia

Background: We analyzed the immediate effects of a Telerehabilitation Program (TP) based on aerobic exercise in women with fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome during the lockdown declared in Spain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was designed. Thirty-four women with FM were randomized into two groups: TP group and Control group. The intervention lasted 15 weeks, with 2 sessions per week. The TP based on aerobic exercise was guided by video and the intensity of each session was monitored using the Borg scale. Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), mechanical pain sensitivity (algometer), number of tender points, FM impact (Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale), physiological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), upper (Arm Curl Test) and lower-limb physical function (6-min Walk Test) were measured at baseline and after the intervention. Results: The TP group improved pain intensity (p = 0.022), mechanical pain sensitivity (p < 0.05), and psychological distress (p = 0.005), compared to the Control group. The Control group showed no statistically significant changes in any variable (p > 0.05). Conclusions: A TP based on aerobic exercise achieved improvements on pain intensity, mechanical pain sensitivity, and psychological distress compared to a Control group during the lockdown declared in Spain due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Overexpression of Nucleolin is a Potential Prognostic Marker in Endometrial Carcinoma

Purpose Nucleolin (NCL) is a multifunctional protein with oncogenic properties. NCL expression levels have been linked to the outcomes of various malignancies, but the clinical value of NCL in patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC) remains unclear. Here, the expression of NCL in EC tissues and its associations with patient outcomes were assessed. Patients and Methods Data on NCL mRNA expression in EC and adjacent nonneoplastic tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analyzed. In addition, NCL protein expression in 82 endometroid endometrial adenocarcinoma tissues and 15 non-malignant tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Elevated NCL expression was markedly correlated with serous endometrial carcinoma (P<0.001), advanced stage (P=0.029), and grade 3 (P<0.001). High NCL levels were associated with poorer overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) compared with intermediate or low NCL levels (OS: P=0.001, DFS: P=0.006). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that NCL expression was an independent poor prognostic factor for DFS (HR=1.282, CI=1.027–1.601, P=0.028). A similar correlation between high expression levels of NCL and unfavorable DFS was found in endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma (HR=1.411, CI=1.083–1.840, P=0.011). Positive extra-nuclear NCL expression (HR=3.377, 95% CI=1.029–11.186, P=0.046) and low nuclear NCL expression (HR=0.233, 95% CI=0.068–0.796, P=0.020) were independent prognostic factors for DFS in endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma. Conclusion Heterotopic NCL is a potential prognostic biomarker for EC. Inhibiting the distribution of NCL from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and membrane may be a promising therapeutic strategy to improve outcomes in patients with EC with high NCL expression.
Incisor Occlusion Affects Profile Shape Variation in Middle-Aged Adults

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of overjet and overbite on profile shape in middle–aged individuals. Methods: The study population comprised 1754 46-year-old individuals, members of the 1966 Northern Finland Birth Cohort. Their profile images were digitized using 48 landmarks and semi-landmarks. The subsequent landmark coordinates were then transformed to shape coordinates through Procrustes Superimposition, and final data were reduced into Principal Components (PCs) of shape. Overjet and overbite values were measured manually, during a clinical examination. A multivariate regression model was developed to evaluate the effect of overjet and overbite on profile shape. Results: The first nine PCs described more than 90% of profile shape variation in the sample and were used as the shape variables in all subsequent analyses. Overjet predicted 21.3% of profile shape in the entire sample (η2overjet = 0.213; p < 0.001), while the effect of overbite was weaker (η2overbite = 0.138; p < 0.001). In males, the equivalent effects were 22.6% for overjet and 14% for overbite, and in females, 25.5% and 13.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Incisor occlusion has a noteworthy effect on profile shape in middle-aged adults. Its impact becomes more significant taking into consideration the large variety of genetic and environmental factors affecting soft tissue profile.
The Viscoelastic Swirled Flow in the Confusor

A two-dimensional mathematical model for a steady viscoelastic laminar flow in a confusor was developed under the condition of swirled flow imposed at the inlet. Low density polyethylene was considered as a working fluid. Its behavior was described by a two-mode Giesekus model. The proposed mathematical model was tested by comparing it with some special cases presented in the literature. Additionally, we propose a system of equations to find the nonlinear parameters of the multimode Giesekus model (mobility factor) based on experimental measurement. The obtained numerical results showed that in a confusor with the contraction rate of 4:1, an increase in the swirl intensity at Wi < 5.1 affects only the circumferential velocity, while the axial and radial velocities remain constant. The distribution pattern of the first normal stress difference in the confusor is qualitatively similar to the one in a channel with abrupt contraction, i.e., as the viscoelastic fluid flows in the confusor, the value of N1 increases and reaches a maximum at the end of the confusor. Dimensionless damping coefficients of swirl are used to estimate the swirl intensity. The results show that the swirl intensity decreases exponentially.
Pathogenetic Features and Current Management of Glioblastoma

Simple Summary Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common form of primary malignant brain tumor with a devastatingly poor prognosis. Tumor heterogeneity (cellular, molecular and immune) is the major obstacle to current treatment failure. We revisited the recent literature to understand the heterogeneous features of GBM and their potential role in treatment resistance. This review provides a comprehensive overview covering the GBM’s pathogenetic features, currently available treatment options and the treatments currently under development in the clinic. Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common form of primary malignant brain tumor with a devastatingly poor prognosis. The disease does not discriminate, affecting adults and children of both sexes, and has an average overall survival of 12–15 months, despite advances in diagnosis and rigorous treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical resection. In addition, most survivors will eventually experience tumor recurrence that only imparts survival of a few months. GBM is highly heterogenous, invasive, vascularized, and almost always inaccessible for treatment. Based on all these outstanding obstacles, there have been tremendous efforts to develop alternative treatment options that allow for more efficient targeting of the tumor including small molecule drugs and immunotherapies. A number of other strategies in development include therapies based on nanoparticles, light, extracellular vesicles, and micro-RNA, and vessel co-option. Advances in these potential approaches shed a promising outlook on the future of GBM treatment. In this review, we briefly discuss the current understanding of adult GBM’s pathogenetic features that promote treatment resistance. We also outline novel and promising targeted agents currently under development for GBM patients during the last few years with their current clinical status.
The Accuracy of Emergency Physicians’ Suspicions of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Objective: To investigate factors associated with recognition and delayed isolation of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Background: Precise identification of PTB in the emergency department (ED) remains challenging. Methods: Retrospectively reviewed PTB suspects admitted via the ED were divided into three groups based on the acid-fast bacilli culture report and whether they were isolated initially in the ED or general ward. Factors related to recognition and delayed isolation were statistically compared. Results: Only 24.94% (100/401) of PTB suspects were truly active PTB and 33.77% (51/151) of active PTB were unrecognized in the ED. Weight loss (p = 0.022), absence of dyspnea (p = 0.021), and left upper lobe field (p = 0.024) lesions on chest radiographs were related to truly active PTB. Malignancy (p = 0.015), chronic kidney disease (p = 0.047), absence of a history of PTB (p = 0.013), and lack of right upper lung (p ≤ 0.001) and left upper lung (p = 0.020) lesions were associated with PTB being missed in the ED. Conclusions: Weight loss, absence of dyspnea, and left upper lobe field lesions on chest radiographs were related to truly active PTB. Malignancy, chronic kidney disease, absence of a history of PTB, and absence of right and/or left upper lung lesions on chest radiography were associated with isolation delay.
Interactions of a Water-Soluble Glycofullerene with Glucose Transporter 1. Analysis of the Cellular Effects on a Pancreatic Tumor Model

In recent years, carbon nanomaterials have been intensively investigated for their possible applications in biomedical studies, especially as drug delivery vehicles. Several surface modifications can modulate the unique molecular structure of [60]fullerene derivatives, as well as their physicochemical properties. For this reason, covalent modifications that would enable a greater water solubilization of the fullerene buckyball have been rapidly investigated. The most exciting applications of fullerene nanomaterials are as drug delivery vectors, photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT), astransfection or MRI contrast agents, antimicrobials and antioxidants. From these perspectives, the glucose derivatives of [60]fullerene seem to be an interesting carbon nanomaterial for biological studies. It is well-known that cancer cells are characterized by an increased glucose uptake and it has also been previously reported that the glucose transporters (GLUTs) are overexpressed in several types of cancers, which make them attractive molecular targets for many drugs. This study explored the use of a highly water-soluble glycofullerene (called Sweet-C60) in pancreatic cancer studies. Here, we describe the PANC-1 cell proliferation, migration, metabolic activity and glycolysis rate after incubations with different concentrations of Sweet-C60. The final results did not show any influence of the Sweet-C60 on various cancer cellular events and glycolysis, suggesting that synthesized glycofullerene is a promising drug delivery vehicle for treating pancreatic cancer.
Anti-proliferative activity of four aromatic plants of Benin

The present study reports the results of the analys is of chemical profiles and in vitro evaluation of the antiproliferative activities of O. insignis , P. butyracea , S. aethiopicus and of X. aethiopica essential oils on breast cancer cells (MCF-7). The four essential oils, obtained by hydrodistillation after different harvest periods, were studied by GC/FID and by GC/MS. The bioactivity of these volatile extracts was evaluated by testing their antiproliferative effici ency against cancer cells MCF-7 using a resazurin fluorescent test. The chromatogra phic analysis revealed major compounds depending of the essential oil analyzed. Thus, the O. insignis essential oil was mainly constituted of α-pinene (13.7%), β-pinene (13.7%) and of myrcene (58.9%). P. butyracea was potentially rich in β-caryophyllene (67.4%). Moreover, the major compounds contained in S. aethiopicus volatile extract are α-humulene (11.0%), β-caryophyllene (13.4%) and β-pinene (44.5%) while those marking X. aethiopica volatile extract are terpinen-4-ol (9.8%), myrtenal (13.2%) and 1,8-cineole (15.8%). The biological investigations showed that essential oils tested contain molecules that can delay or suppress cancer cells ( MCF-7) activity. Following to these tests of evaluation of the volatile extracts antiproliferative potential targeted, the inhibitory concentration values (IC 50 ) determined are 127.99 ±28. 80µg/ml (X. aethiopica ), 133.48 ±2. 6µg/ml (P. butyracea ), 215.68 ±12. 17µg/ml (S. aethiopicus ) and IC 50 >327. 6µg/ml for O. insignis . The inhibitory activity observed could be attributed to the essential oils major compounds an tiproliferative power which would have only acted or in synergy with the components a ppeared in low proportions.
The determination of the elastic constants of beryllium in the temperature range 25 to 300 C

The five independent elastic stiffness constants of beryllium have been measured in the temperature range 25 to 300 C, using a direct pulse ultrasonic technique. At 25 C the values for the elastic constants are C11=28.88, C33=35.42, C44=15.49, C12=2.01 and C13=0.47 in units of 1011 dyn cm-2. The macroscopic elastic moduli computed from the experimental data, agree well with the already accepted values for polycrystalline beryllium.
The Interplay between ESCRT and Viral Factors in the Enveloped Virus Life Cycle

Viruses are obligate parasites that rely on host cellular factors to replicate and spread. The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) system, which is classically associated with sorting and downgrading surface proteins, is one of the host machineries hijacked by viruses across diverse families. Knowledge gained from research into ESCRT and viruses has, in turn, greatly advanced our understanding of many other cellular functions in which the ESCRT pathway is involved, e.g., cytokinesis. This review highlights the interplay between the ESCRT pathway and the viral factors of enveloped viruses with a special emphasis on retroviruses.
Leber Congenital Amaurosis Due to GUCY2D Mutations: Longitudinal Analysis of Retinal Structure and Visual Function

Gene augmentation therapy is being planned for GUCY2D-associated Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). To increase our understanding of the natural history of GUCY2D-LCA, patients were evaluated twice with an interval of 4 to 7 years between visits using safety and efficacy outcome measures previously determined to be useful for monitoring this disorder. In this group of molecularly-identified LCA patients (n = 10; ages 7–37 years at first visit), optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to measure foveal cone outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and rod ONL at a superior retinal locus. Full-field stimulus testing (FST) with chromatic stimuli in dark- and light-adapted states was used to assay rod and cone vision. Changes in OCT and FST over the interval were mostly attributable to inter-visit variability. There were no major negative changes in structure or function across the cohort and over the intervals studied. Variation in severity of disease expression between patients occurs; however, despite difficulties in quantifying structure and function in such seriously visually impaired individuals with nystagmus, the present work supports the use of OCT as a safety outcome and FST as an efficacy outcome in a clinical trial of GUCY2D-LCA. A wide age spectrum for therapy was confirmed, and there was relative stability of structure and function during a typical time interval for clinical trials.
Learning-Based Autonomous UAV System for Electrical and Mechanical (E&M) Device Inspection

The inspection of electrical and mechanical (E&M) devices using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has become an increasingly popular choice in the last decade due to their flexibility and mobility. UAVs have the potential to reduce human involvement in visual inspection tasks, which could increase efficiency and reduce risks. This paper presents a UAV system for autonomously performing E&M device inspection. The proposed system relies on learning-based detection for perception, multi-sensor fusion for localization, and path planning for fully autonomous inspection. The perception method utilizes semantic and spatial information generated by a 2-D object detector. The information is then fused with depth measurements for object state estimation. No prior knowledge about the location and category of the target device is needed. The system design is validated by flight experiments using a quadrotor platform. The result shows that the proposed UAV system enables the inspection mission autonomously and ensures a stable and collision-free flight.
Spike S2 Subunit: The Dark Horse in the Race for Prophylactic and Therapeutic Interventions against SARS-CoV-2

In the midst of the unceasing COVID-19 pandemic, the identification of immunogenic epitopes in the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein plays a vital role in the advancement and development of intervention strategies. S is expressed on the exterior of the SARS-CoV-2 virion and contains two subunits, namely the N-terminal S1 and C-terminal S2. It is the key element for mediating viral entry as well as a crucial antigenic determinant capable of stimulating protective immune response through elicitation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and activation of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in COVID-19 patients. Given that S2 is highly conserved in comparison to the S1, here, we provide a review of the latest findings on the SARS-CoV-2 S2 subunit and further discuss its potential as an attractive and promising target for the development of prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic agents against COVID-19.
Isolation and Characterization of Kingella bonacorsii sp. nov., A Novel Kingella Species Detected in a Stable Periodontitis Subject

Members of the genus Kingella are mostly commensals of the oral cavity, but some of them are involved in invasive infections, especially in young children. This study provides new knowledge on the diversity of this genus by describing a novel species of Kingella isolated from a dental plaque sample from a 51-year-old man with a history of periodontitis. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristic were investigated using different growth conditions, pH and temperature. Cellular fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis was performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, orthologous average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) relatedness were also performed. Strain Marseille-Q4569T was found to be a facultative aerobic, nonmotile and non-spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium that grows at 28–41.5 °C (optimum 37 °C), pH 5.5–8.5 (optimum pH 7.5) and 5–15 g/L of NaCl. The major fatty acids were Hexadecanoic acid (32.7%), 11-Octadecenoic acid (26.1 %) and 9-Hexadecenoic acid (21.3 %). Despite high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.72%) between strain Marseille-Q4569T and Kingella oralis strain UB-38T, the degree of OrthoANI was at the limit of the cutoff (95.83%), and the degree of dDDH was lower (63.6%) than thresholds used to delineate prokaryotic species. Therefore, it is proposed that strain Marseille-Q4569T represents a novel species of the genus Kingella, for which the name Kingella bonacorsii sp. nov. is proposed (=CSUR Q4569).
Aerobic and anaerobic co-cultivation of Nannochloropsis oculata with oil palm empty fruit bunch for enhanced biomethane production and palm oil mill effluent treatment

AbstractThis study explored co-cultivation of Nannochloropsis oculata microalgae with oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) for anaerobic biomethane production and palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment. The highest specific biogas production rate (1.13–1.14 m3 kg−1 COD d−1) and methane yield (4606–5018 mL CH4 L−1 POME d−1) were achieved with co-cultivation of N. oculata (2 mL/mL POME) and OPEFB (0.12 g/mL POME), as similarly predicted by response surface methodology for optimum conditions. Without microalgae and OPEFB co-cultivation, the biomethane yield was 1.3-fold lower, although the specific biogas production rate remained constant at 1.13–1.16 m3 kg−1 COD d−1. Aerobic and anaerobic treatment of POME after 7 d with microalgae achieved higher removal efficiency of COD (90–97%), BOD (84–98%) and TOC (65–80%) as compared to without microalgae with COD (58–68%), BOD (77–86%) and TOC (58–68%).