Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis Proteins: Structure and Function Studies of Five Essential Proteins

Threonine biosynthesis is a general feature of prokaryotes, eukaryotic microorganisms, and higher plants. Since mammals lack the appropriate synthetic machinery, instead obtaining the amino acid through their diet, the pathway is a potential focus for the development of novel antibiotics, antifungal agents, and herbicides. Threonine synthase (TS), a pyridoxal-5-phosphate-dependent enzyme, catalyzes the final step in the pathway, in which L-homoserine phosphate and water are converted into threonine and inorganic phosphate. In the present publication, we report structural and functional studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis TS, the product of the rv1295 (thrC) gene. The structure gives new insights into the catalytic mechanism of TSs in general, specifically by suggesting the direct involvement of the phosphate moiety of the cofactor, rather than the inorganic phosphate product, in transferring a proton from C4' to C-gamma in the formation of the alpha beta-unsaturated aldimine. It further provides a basis for understanding why this enzyme has a higher pH optimum than has been reported elsewhere for TSs and gives rise to the prediction that the equivalent enzyme from Thermus thermophilus will exhibit similar behavior. A deletion of the relevant gene generated a strain of M. tuberculosis that requires threonine for growth, such auxotrophic strains are frequently attenuated in vivo, indicating that TS is a potential drug target in this organism.
Exploring Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Diversity from Artisanal Llama Sausages: Assessment of Technological and Safety Traits

Llama sausage is still produced following artisanal procedures, with the autochthonous microbiota being mainly responsible for the fermentation process. In this work, the taxonomical identification and technological-safety criteria of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated from two different productions of llama sausages (P: pilot and A: artisanal) were investigated. Staphylococcus (S) equorum and S. saprophyticus were the species most frequently found in P production, followed by S. succinis and S. warneri; a wider species variability was observed in A factory being S. equorum, S. capitis, S. xylosus, S. pasteuri, S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus as the main identified species. The technological characterization of 28 CNS strains showed their ability to hydrolyze gelatin and tributyrin together with a relevant nitrate reductase activity. Phenotypic and genotypic approaches were conducted to investigate the main safety traits. Llama’s CNS strains exhibited weak decarboxylase and hemolytic activity and low biofilm production; additionally, no enterotoxin genes were detected. Correlation analysis between phenotypic and genotypic data showed low values for the biofilm parameters, while high correlation was observed for oxacillin, ampicillin, tetracycline and aminoglycosides resistance and their genetic determinants. Data obtained may contribute to broaden knowledge about the autochthonous strains of this poorly studied fermented product, thus helping to select an appropriate combination of potential starter cultures to improve llama sausage safety and quality.
Composites of perfectionism and inauthenticity in relation to controlled motivation, performance anxiety and exhaustion among elite junior performers

Abstract The present study identified profiles of perfectionism and inauthenticity at baseline and tested whether they differed in the maladaptive outcomes of controlled motivation, performance anxiety, and exhaustion after a nine-month period. We purposefully selected elite junior performers (NT1 = 219; NT2 = 156), 16–19 years of age, from Norwegian talent development schools in sports and performing arts. The participants completed questionnaires to report their perceptions of the study variables. The results of the latent profile analysis indicated a multidimensionality of perfectionism, thereby identifying four profiles. Although our identified profiles are in line with the 2 × 2 model of perfectionism; however, the results of the mean differences between the identified profiles did not align with the 2 × 2 model’s hypotheses. The elite junior performers who displayed non-perfectionism demonstrated to be the most adaptive profile. They reported the lowest level of inauthenticity and the maladaptive outcomes of controlled motivation, performance anxiety, and exhaustion. The mixed perfectionism profile, displaying high levels of perfectionistic concerns (PC) and perfectionistic strivings (PS), demonstrated to be the least adaptive profile. This profile reported higher levels of inauthenticity and was even more maladaptive than the PC dominated profile contrary to the proposed hypotheses. Findings showed that a heightened vulnerability of perfectionism seems evident in PC, independent of the reported PS levels. Because only one out of five elite junior performers were distributed in the non-perfectionism profile, the vulnerability of perfectionism might be an important risk factor to note in talent development settings.
Effects of Dynamic Stretching Combined With Static Stretching, Foam Rolling, or Vibration Rolling as a Warm-Up Exercise on Athletic Performance in Elite Table Tennis Players.

CONTEXT Warm-up exercise is an essential preexercise routine for athletes to optimize performance. However, the benefits of combined warm-up protocols remain unclear. OBJECTIVE This comparative study investigated the acute effects of dynamic stretching (DS) followed by static stretching (SS), self-myofascial release using a foam rolling (FR) device, or vibration foam rolling (VFR) as a warm-up exercise to improve flexibility, power, agility, and specific skills in elite table tennis players. DESIGN A crossover study. SETTING University. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-three elite table tennis players. INTERVENTIONS Players completed 3 different interventions in a random order (DS + SS, DS + FR, and DS + VFR). The target muscle groups included the bilateral posterior calf, posterior thigh, anterior thigh, back, and shoulder. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Sit-and-reach test for flexibility, board jump test for lower-extremity power, medicine ball throw test for upper-extremity power, Edgren Side Step Test for agility, and ball speed of table tennis was assessed before and after intervention. RESULTS After intervention, significant increases in flexibility (15.2%, 20.4%, and 23.8%); lower-limb power (4.5%, 6.6%, and 6.3%); upper-limb power (9.6%, 8.5%, and 9.1%); and ball speed (7.4%, 7.6%, and 7.7%) were observed for DS + SS, DS + FR, and DS + VFR, respectively (all P < .001). In addition, only DS coupled with FR (5.1%) and DS in conjunction with VFR (2.7%) significantly improved agility (P < .001). However, no significant improvements in agility were observed after DS + SS. In addition, no one protocol was superior to the other in all outcomes. CONCLUSION The authors suggest that a combination of DS with FR or VFR as warm-up exercises significantly improved flexibility, power, ball speed, in addition to agility in elite table tennis players. Coach and athletic professionals may take this information into account for choosing more effective warm-up protocols to enhance performance.
The role of self-rated mental health in seeking professional mental health services among older Korean immigrants

Abstract Objectives The gap between mental health needs and service use in racial/ethnic minorities continues to be a major public health concern. Focusing on older Korean immigrants, the present study examined linkages among mental distress, self-rated mental health (SRMH), and the use of professional mental health services. We hypothesized that SRMH would play a mediating role in the relationship between mental distress and the use of professional mental health services. Method Using data from the Study of Older Korean Americans (SOKA; N = 2,150, Mean age = 73.4), the direct and indirect effect models were tested. Results Nearly 30% of the sample fell within the category of experiencing mental distress, but only a small proportion (5.7%) had used professional mental health services. Supporting our hypothesis, the pathway from mental distress to the use of professional mental health services was influenced by an individual’s subjective perception of mental health status: the indirect effect of mental distress on service use through SRMH (.04 [.01]) was significant (bias-corrected 95% confidence interval for the indirect effect = .02, .06). Conclusion The findings of this study not only contribute to our understanding of help-seeking processes in a group at high mental health risk but also suggest avenues to promote their use of mental health services.
Genome-destabilizing and mutagenic effects of break-induced replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Deem, Angela Kay Ph.D., Purdue University, May 2011. Genome-destabilizing and Mutagenic Effects of Break-induced Replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Major Professor: Cynthia V. Stauffacher. DNA suffers constant damage, leading to a variety of lesions that require repair. One of the most devastating lesions is a double-strand break (DSB), which results in physical dissociation of two pieces of a chromosome. Necessarily, cells have evolved a number of DSB repair mechanisms. One mechanism of DSB repair is break-induced replication (BIR), which involves invasion of one side of the broken chromosome into a homologous template, followed by copying of the donor molecule through telomeric sequences. BIR is an important cellular process implicated in the restart of collapsed replication forks, as well as in various chromosomal instabilities. Furthermore, BIR uniquely combines processive replication involving a replication fork with DSB repair. This work employs a system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to investigate genetic control, physical outcomes, and frameshift mutagenesis associated with BIR initiated by a controlled HO-endonuclease break in a chromosome. Mutations in POL32, which encodes a third, non-essential subunit of polymerase  (Pol ), as well as RAD9 and RAD24, which participate in the DNA damage checkpoint response, resulted in a BIR defect characterized by decreased BIR repair and increased
Reply to: “Current smoking is not associated with COVID-19”

Like M. Rossato and co-workers, we too have been struck by the relative underrepresentation of current smokers in cohorts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, particularly in light of our recent findings that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE-2) is upregulated in the airway epithelium of this population [1]. China [2], Italy (as reported by M. Rossato and co-workers), and now New York City [3] have all reported current smoking rates below those of their respective general populations. The reason for this is a mystery. One possible explanation is misclassification of smoking status owing to under-reporting of smoking in these cohorts. Another is that smokers may be taking medications that may offer some protection against COVID-19 (e.g. certain inhalers). Smoking and COPD are risk factors for severe COVID-19 https://bit.ly/2KJxAbp
Systematic Review of Crizanlizumab: A New Parenteral Option to Reduce Vaso‐occlusive Pain Crises in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Hydroxyurea, indicated for managing sickle cell anemia (SCA), and L‐glutamine, indicated for treating sickle cell disease (SCD), were the only pharmacotherapeutic options in this patient population before the approval of crizanlizumab by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November 2019 to reduce vaso‐occlusive crisis (VOC) frequency. This article reviews the evidence pertaining to crizanlizumab in SCD by searching records in Medline, Embase, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts. Crizanlizumab, a P‐selectin inhibitor, mitigates the microvascular vaso‐occlusion in SCD. In the multicenter randomized double‐blind SUSTAIN trial, a higher dose of crizanlizumab decreased the incidence of VOCs by 45% and prolonged the median time to the first and second VOC. A post hoc subgroup analysis demonstrated that the proportion of patients who had no VOC incidence during the study period was greater in the crizanlizumab group, and this benefit was consistent regardless of concomitant hydroxyurea use, prior categorized history of VOC frequency, or SCD genotype. Crizanlizumab had a safety profile comparable with placebo. Multiple ongoing clinical trials are trying to establish its roles in pediatric patients with SCD and its effects on alleviating other SCD‐related complications. As the first parenteral option for SCD, providers need to formulate administration logistics to improve patients’ access to crizanlizumab. Current available data suggest crizanlizumab is a promising agent to reduce VOC in patients with SCD.
Deletion of SOCS2 Reduces Post-Colitis Fibrosis via Alteration of the TGFβ Pathway

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immunologically mediated chronic intestinal disorder. Growth hormone (GH) administration enhances mucosal repair and decreases intestinal fibrosis in patients with IBD. In the present study, we investigated the effect of cellular sensitivity to GH via suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) deletion on colitis and recovery. To induce colitis, wild type and SOCS2 knockout (SOCS2−/−) mice were treated with 3% dextran sodium sulphate (DSS), followed by a recovery period. SOCS2−/− mice showed higher disease activity during colitis with increased mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) and interleukin 1 β (IL1-β). At recovery time point, SOCS2−/− showed better recovery with less fibrosis measured by levels of α-SMA and collagen deposition. Protein and mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor beta β1 (TGF-β1) receptors were significantly lower in SOCS2−/− mice compared to wild-type littermates. Using an in vivo bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) proliferation assay, SOCS2−/− mice showed higher intestinal epithelial proliferation compared to wild-type mice. Our results demonstrated that deletion of the SOCS2 protein results in higher growth hormone sensitivity associated with higher pro-inflammatory signaling; however, it resulted in less tissue damage with less fibrotic lesions and higher epithelial proliferation, which are markers of GH-protective effects in IBD. This suggests a pleiotropic effect of SOCS2 and multiple cellular targets. Further study is required to study role of SOCS2 in regulation of TGFβ-mothers against the decapentaplegic homolog (Smad) pathway.
Sex Differences in Cancer Incidence and Survival: A Pan-Cancer Analysis

Background: Sex plays an important role in the incidence, prognosis, and mortality of cancers, but often is not considered in disease treatment. Methods: We quantified sex differences in cancer incidence using the United States Cancer Statistics (USCS) public use database and sex differences in cancer survival using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) public use data from 2001 to 2016. Age-adjusted male-to-female incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were generated by primary cancer site, race, and age groups. In addition, age-adjusted hazard ratios with 95% CI by sex within site were generated. Results: In general, cancer incidence and overall survival were lower in males than females, with Kaposi sarcoma (IRR: 9.751; 95% CI, 9.287–10.242; P < 0.001) having highest male-to-female incidence, and thyroid cancers (HR, 1.774; 95% CI, 1.707–1.845) having largest male-to-female survival difference. Asian or Pacific Islanders had particularly high male-to-female incidence in larynx cancers (IRR: 8.199; 95% CI, 7.203–9.363; P < 0.001), relative to other races. Among primary brain tumors, germ cell tumors had the largest male-to-female incidence (IRR: 3.03; 95% CI, 2.798–3.284, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Overall, incidence and survival of cancer vary significantly by sex, with males generally having lower incidence and survival compared with females. Male-to-female incidence differences were also noted across race and age groups. These results provide strong evidence that the fundamental biology of sex differences affects cancers of all types. Impact: This study represents the most recent and comprehensive reporting of sex differences in cancer incidence and survival in the United States. Identifying disadvantaged groups is critical as it can provide useful information to improve cancer survival, as well as to better understand the etiology and pathogenesis of specific cancers.
Bioethics among Biology Teachers and the Way They Integrate them in their Teaching

The purpose of this study was to investigate the common percentage of bioethics principle among biology teachers, and determine the effect of teacher's gender, years of experiences, and how to be integrated into instruction. Data were collected from (101) teachers by used a questionnaire which was consist of ten bioethical issues, in four districts of UNRWA schools. Results revealed that the most frequent principle among teachers is the religious principle, whereas the least frequent principle is the utilitarian. Teaching experience had no effect, and the majority of the teachers (%90.70) used to integrate the correlated issues of bioethics into instruction by using the most frequent technique of just giving their opinions, lecturing, discussion, while the least functional technique used in instruction was: cooperative learning, conducting research, trip fields, worksheets, and debates. In the light of the research findings, some recommendations were derived.
“I smile, but Without Showing My Teeth”: The Lived Experience of Cleft, Lip, and Palate in Adults

Objective: To explore and describe the experience of growing up with unilateral cleft lip and palate (CLP) in adults. Design: Face-to-face interviews. Giorgi’s phenomenological method was used for analysis. Participants: Twenty-one (mean age: 40.8 years) adults treated for unilateral CLP during childhood and adolescence participated in the study. Results: Growing up with CLP meant to become aware of bodily otherness. The possible reactions from peers early in life complicated the striving for inclusion outside the close family. Being self-confident, clever in school, physically fit, and having trusted friends represented barriers against teasing and bullying. Nevertheless, the reflected image, in mirrors, windows, and photos, reminded the participants of the objectifying looks from others and often led to bodily adjustments that persisted into adulthood. The trajectory of treatment was not questioned during childhood, and the participants accepted the decisions on care made by experts and parents. Although problems related to the cleft could persist or return after the termination of ordinary treatment, a more hesitant view on the possible benefits of additional surgery was typical in adulthood. Conclusions: In retrospect, growing up with a unilateral CLP was found to have been an unquestioned part of the adult participants’ childhood, a burden that they feared would, to some extent, also be passed to their own children. However, the CLP had not prevented them from achieving goals and satisfaction in life. The occurrence of persisting psychological, functional, and esthetic challenges in adults suggests the need for an individualized, lifelong, and multidisciplinary perspective on CLP follow-up.
Totally minimally invasive esophagectomy versus hybrid minimally invasive esophagectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis

Summary Minimally invasive esophagectomy is increasingly performed for the treatment of esophageal cancer, but it is unclear whether hybrid minimally invasive esophagectomy (HMIE) or totally minimally invasive esophagectomy (TMIE) should be preferred. The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of studies comparing HMIE with TMIE. A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Articles comparing HMIE and TMIE were included. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used for critical appraisal of methodological quality. The primary outcome was pneumonia. Sensitivity analysis was performed by analyzing outcome for open chest hybrid MIE versus total TMIE and open abdomen MIE versus TMIE separately. Therefore, subgroup analysis was performed for laparoscopy-assisted HMIE versus TMIE, thoracoscopy-assisted HMIE versus TMIE, Ivor Lewis HMIE versus Ivor Lewis TMIE, and McKeown HMIE versus McKeown TMIE. There were no randomized controlled trials. Twenty-nine studies with a total of 3732 patients were included. Studies had a low to moderate risk of bias. In the main analysis, the pooled incidence of pneumonia was 19.0% after HMIE and 9.8% after TMIE which was not significantly different between the groups (RR: 1.46, 95% CI: 0.97–2.20). TMIE was associated with a lower incidence of wound infections (RR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.13–2.90) and less blood loss (SMD: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.34–1.22) but with longer operative time (SMD:-0.33, 95% CI: −0.59—-0.08). In subgroup analysis, laparoscopy-assisted HMIE was associated with a higher lymph node count than TMIE, and Ivor Lewis HMIE was associated with a lower anastomotic leakage rate than Ivor Lewis TMIE. In general, TMIE was associated with moderately lower morbidity compared to HMIE, but randomized controlled evidence is lacking. The higher leakage rate and lower lymph node count that was found after TMIE in sensitivity analysis indicate that TMIE can also have disadvantages. The findings of this meta-analysis should be considered carefully by surgeons when moving from HMIE to TMIE.
Race/ethnicity, built environment in neighborhood, and children’s mental health in the US

ABSTRACT The prevention and treatment of mental health disorders in childhood and adolescence is one among the major public health challenges in the United States today. Prior research has suggested that neighborhood is very important for children and adolescents’ mental health. The present study extends the research on neighborhood and mental health by examining the association between childhood mental health and the identified specific built environment attributes in neighborhood as well as its intersection with race/ethnicity in the United States. Statistical analyses results of data from the 2016 National Survey of Children Health (NSCH) indicate that children’s mental health and the built environment in neighborhood vary across racial/ethnic groups, with minority groups being more likely to live in the disadvantaged neighborhoods and to experience more mental health disorders, particularly American Indian children. Further, the relationship between built environment neighborhood mental health among children varies across race/ethnicity in the United States.
A Sensory-Based Program for Developing EFL Majors’ Sensory Vocabulary Knowledge and Descriptive Writing Performance

The study was an attempt to investigate the effectiveness of a suggested sensory based program in developing first year university EFL majors’ sensory vocabulary knowledge and descriptive writing performance. The study participants were 84 first year students majoring in English language at the Faculty of Education, October 6 University, Egypt. The participants were randomly divided into two equal groups. To collect the data, a sensory based program, a sensory vocabulary knowledge test, and a descriptive writing performance test were designed and implemented. Before the intervention, all the participants were pretested. While the experimental group participants (n=42) were exposed to the sensory based program, the control group participants (n=42) received their regular writing instruction. Results revealed that the sensory based program was more effective than regular writing classes in developing EFL students’ sensory vocabulary knowledge. Similarly, the sensory based program was effective in developing EFL students’ descriptive writing performance. Based on the study results, it was recommended that using senses in teaching/learning writing genre in EFL contexts should be adopted as an effective and attractive pedagogy.