Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indigenous oil-degrading bacteria more efficient in soil bioremediation than microbial consortium and active even in super oil-saturated soils

A microbial consortium of the hydrocarbonoclastic bacterial species, comprising Actinotalea ferrariae, Arthrobacter ginsengisoli, Dietzia cinnamea, Dietzia papillomatosis, and Pseudomonas songnenensis, isolated from oil-saturated desert soil did not consume more oil in batch cultures than the individual species with the maximum oil consumption. In oil-polluted desert soil microcosms, the rate of oil removal in the soil samples bioaugmented with the microbial consortium was similar to the rate of oil removal in the unbioaugmented ones through a 6-month bioremediation experiment. Although the composition of hydrocarbonoclastic bacterial communities in the unbioaugmented and bioaugmented soil samples was different, the predominant bacterial species during most of the months were the same. Toward the end of the bioremediation experiment, Ar. ginsengisoli prevailed in both soil samples, suggesting its important role in oil removal. Self-cleaning proceeded in desert soil samples artificially polluted with 1, 10, 20, and 30% of crude oil and incubated at 30 °C for 6 months. Oil was removed effectively at rates reaching 73.6 and 69.3% in the soils polluted with 1 and 10% oil concentrations, respectively, and reached 50% in desert soils polluted with 20 and 30% oil concentrations. The bacterial numbers increased in all soil samples from hundreds of thousands per gram of soil samples at time zero to millions and tens of millions per gram of soil samples after 6 months. It was concluded that bioaugmenting oil-polluted soil samples with microbial consortium of hydrocarbonoclastic bacterial species with high oil removal potential did not drastically enhance oil bioremediation and that even in super oil-saturated soils, indigenous oil-degrading bacteria will prevail and effectively contribute to oil removal from the surrounding environment.
Initial status and 3-month results relating to the use of biodegradable nitride iron stents in children and the evaluation of right ventricular function

Background Pulmonary artery stenosis is often associated with congenital heart disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stenting for branch pulmonary artery stenosis using a biodegradable nitride iron stent (IBS® Angel™) and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function. Methods From July 2021 to February 2022, a total of 11 cases (ages ranged from 36 to 86 months old) were included in this pre and post-intervention, prospective, cohort and preclinical study. All cases underwent transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE), chest radiography, along with computed tomography (256-slice scanner, multiple-detector) and right heart catheterization. Different types of biodegradable nitride iron stents were implanted. TTE was performed serially 1 day, 1 month and 3 months after the procedure to evaluate the rate of restenosis and right ventricular function. Results Stenting was successful in 11 patients. There were no major adverse cardiovascular events related to the device or to the procedure. Blood perfusion in the branch pulmonary artery was improved immediately. At follow-up, there was no significant restenosis that required re-intervention. None of the patients suffered from in-stent thrombosis, vascular embolism, stent displacement or heart failure. Compared with normal values, there were statistical with regards to FAC, E/A and E′/A′. Furthermore, we found that TAPSE correlated significantly with pulsed Doppler S wave (p = 0.008) and left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.01). The early trans-tricuspid inflow velocities E/E′ (tissue doppler at the lateral tricuspid annulus) correlated significantly with E′/A′ (p = 0.009). FAC and E′/A′ were statistically different from those prior to stenting (p = 0.041 and p = 0.035) when tested one month postoperatively. At three months postoperatively, only E/A showed a statistical difference (p = 0.015). Conclusion Our analysis suggests that biodegradable nitride iron stents are feasible, safe, and effective in children. Some small improvements were observed in right ventricular systolic and diastolic function after successful transcatheter intervention, although change was not statistically significant due to the small sample number. (A clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of IBS Angel in Patients With Pulmonary Artery Stenosis (IRIS); NCT04973540).
C-reactive protein provides superior prognostic accuracy than the IMDC risk model in renal cell carcinoma treated with Atezolizumab/Bevacizumab

Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is the main treatment option for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC); however, significant heterogeneity in response is commonly observed. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of C-reactive protein (CRP) to predict overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with mRCC treated with immunotherapy. Patients and Methods Data from patients with mRCC treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in the IMmotion150 and IMmotion151 trials were pooled. Cox proportional regression was used to model prognostic associations. The relative importance of CRP against International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) factors was confirmed using machine learning. Results CRPs were available from 527 patients (mean[range] CRP, 6.3[0.21–340]mg/L). Elevated CRP was significantly associated with worse OS (HR[95%CI], 1.71[1.54–1.90], p<0.001) and PFS (1.27[1.18–1.35], p<0.001). CRP was the most prognostic factor for survival within the available clinicopathological data. The prognostic performance of CRP was superior to IMDC model for OS (CRP c=0.76, IMDC c=0.67, p<0.001) and PFS (CRP OS c=0.62, IMDC c=0.59, p=0.03). Predicted 2-year OS probabilities for patients with CRP values of 0.5, 5, 40, and 150 mg/L were 96%, 73%, 42%, and 23%, respectively. Conclusions CRP is a powerful prognostic marker for survival, and its prognostic value was superior to the IMDC risk model. This study highlights that CRP could be implemented as stratification factor for mRCC immunotherapy trials and potentially as an easy-to-use prognostic tool in the clinic.
Clonal serotype 1c multidrug-resistant Shigella flexneri detected in multiple institutions by sentinel-site sequencing

Shigella flexneri is a major diarrhoeal pathogen, and the emergence of multidrug-resistant S. flexneri is of public health concern. We report the detection of a clonal cluster of multidrug-resistant serotype 1c (7a) S. flexneri in Singapore in April 2022. Long-read whole-genome sequence analysis found five S. flexneri isolates to be clonal and harboring the extended-spectrum β-lactamases blaCTX−M−15 and blaTEM−1. The isolates were phenotypically resistant to ceftriaxone and had intermediate susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. The S. flexneri clonal cluster was first detected in a tertiary hospital diagnostic laboratory (sentinel-site), to which the S. flexneri isolates were sent from other hospitals for routine serogrouping. Long-read whole-genome sequence analysis was performed in the sentinel-site near real-time in view of the unusually high number of S. flexneri isolates received within a short time frame. This study demonstrates that near real-time sentinel-site sequence-based surveillance of convenience samples can detect possible clonal outbreak clusters and may provide alerts useful for public health mitigations at the earliest possible opportunity.
Impact of preexisting diabetes mellitus on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis

Objective To determine the impact of preexisting diabetes mellitus on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) by conducting a meta-analysis. Methods PubMed and Embase databases were comprehensively searched for relevant studies publishing until May 19, 2022. Cohort studies or post-hoc analyses of clinical trials that investigated the association of diabetes mellitus with cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in AF patients were included. Results A total of 21 studies with 526,136 AF patients were identified. The pooled prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with AF was 26%. The summary multivariable-adjusted risk ratio (RR) of all-cause mortality was 1.37 (95% confidence intervals [CIs] 1.23–1.53) for patients with diabetes versus those without diabetes. Moreover, diabetes mellitus was also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (RR 1.46; 95% CI 1.34–1.58). Stratified analyses suggested that the impact of diabetes on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was consistently observed in each named subgroup. Conclusion The presence of diabetes mellitus in patients with AF is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, even after adjustment for important confounding factors.
Supplementation of multi-enzymes alone or combined with inactivated Lactobacillus benefits growth performance and gut microbiota in broilers fed wheat diets

The effects of multi-enzymes mixture supplementation or combination with inactivated Lactobacillus on growth performance, intestinal barrier, and cecal microbiota were investigated in broilers at the age of 15–42 days fed a wheat-based diet. A total of 576 broilers (12 broilers/cage; n = 12) were used and divided into four groups and randomly allotted to four experimental diets throughout grower (15–28 days of age) and finisher (29–42 days of age) phases. Diets consisted of a corn-soybean meal-based diet (BD), a wheat-soybean meal-based diet (WD), and WD supplemented multi-enzymes (WED) or combined with inactivated Lactobacillus (WEPD). The results showed that the average daily gain (ADG) and body weight (BW) were reduced in broilers fed WD diet compared with those fed BD diet during the grower period (P < 0.05). Broilers in the WED or WEPD group had higher ADG and BW during the grower period (P < 0.05) and had a lower feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) compared to broilers in the WD group during the grower and overall periods (P < 0.05). Improved expression of intestinal barrier genes (claudin-1, ZO-1, and mucin-2) was observed in WEPD compared to the BD or WD group (P < 0.05). Compared to the BD group, the WD group decreased the abundance of Oscillospira, norank_f__Erysipelotrichaceae, and Peptococcus, which are related to anti-inflammatory function and BW gain. The WD also increased Bifidobacterium and some short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (Anaerotruncus, Blautia, and Oscillibacter), and Barnesiella, which were presumed as “harmful microbes” [false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05]. WED and WEPD groups, respectively, improved Bilophila and Eubacterium_hallii_group compared with those in the WD group (FDR < 0.05). In addition, the Enterococcus abundance was reduced in the WEPD group compared to the WD group (FDR < 0.05). Higher acetate and total SCFA concentrations were observed (P < 0.05) among broilers who received a WD diet. Compared with the WD group, the WED or WEPD group further increased cecal propionate content (P < 0.05) and tended to improve butyrate concentration. These results suggested that supplemental multi-enzymes alone and combined with inactivated Lactobacillus could improve the growth performance based on the wheat-based diet and offer additional protective effects on the intestinal barrier function of broilers.
Longitudinal Reduction in Diversity of Maternal Gut Microbiota During Pregnancy Is Observed in Multiple Low-Resource Settings: Results From the Women First Trial

Objective To characterize the changes in gut microbiota during pregnancy and determine the effects of nutritional intervention on gut microbiota in women from sub-Saharan Africa (the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC), South Asia (India and Pakistan), and Central America (Guatemala). Methods Pregnant women in the Women First (WF) Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial were included in this analysis. Participants were randomized to receive a lipid-based micronutrient supplement either ≥3 months before pregnancy (Arm 1); started the same intervention late in the first trimester (Arm 2); or received no nutrition supplements besides those self-administered or prescribed through local health services (Arm 3). Stool and blood samples were collected during the first and third trimesters. Findings presented here include fecal 16S rRNA gene-based profiling and systemic and intestinal inflammatory biomarkers, including alpha (1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP), C-reactive protein (CRP), fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO), and calprotectin. Results Stool samples were collected from 640 women (DRC, n = 157; India, n = 102; Guatemala, n = 276; and Pakistan, n = 105). Gut microbial community structure did not differ by intervention arm but changed significantly during pregnancy. Richness, a measure of alpha-diversity, decreased over pregnancy. Community composition (beta-diversity) also showed a significant change from first to third trimester in all four sites. Of the top 10 most abundant genera, unclassified Lachnospiraceae significantly decreased in Guatemala and unclassified Ruminococcaceae significantly decreased in Guatemala and DRC. The change in the overall community structure at the genus level was associated with a decrease in the abundances of certain genera with low heterogeneity among the four sites. Intervention arms were not significantly associated with inflammatory biomarkers at 12 or 34 weeks. AGP significantly decreased from 12 to 34 weeks of pregnancy, whereas CRP, MPO, and calprotectin did not significantly change over time. None of these biomarkers were significantly associated with the gut microbiota diversity. Conclusion The longitudinal reduction of individual genera (both commensals and potential pathogens) and alpha-diversity among all sites were consistent and suggested that the effect of pregnancy on the maternal microbiota overrides other influencing factors, such as nutrition intervention, geographical location, diet, race, and other demographical variables.
Composite energy function‐based iterative learning control for systems with nonparametric uncertainties

In this work, we propose new iterative learning control (ILC) schemes that deal with nonlinear multi‐input multi‐output systems under alignment condition with nonparametric uncertainties. A major contribution of this work is to remove the classical resetting condition. Another major contribution of this work is to deal with norm‐bounded nonlinear uncertainties that satisfy local Lipschitz condition, in particular to deal with nonlinear uncertain state‐dependent input gain matrix that could be non‐square left invertible and local Lipschitzian. Two types of composite energy function are proposed to facilitate the ILC design and property analysis. Through rigorous analysis, we show that the new ILC schemes proposed warrant the asymptotical tracking convergence of system states. In the end, an illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed ILC scheme. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implementing psychosocial interventions within low and middle-income countries to improve community-based care for people with psychosis—A situation analysis

Background Globally, a treatment gap exists for individuals with severe mental illness, with 75% of people with psychosis failing to receive appropriate care. This is most pronounced in low and middle-income countries, where there are neither the financial nor human resources to provide high-quality community-based care. Low-cost, evidence-based interventions are urgently needed to address this treatment gap. Aim To conduct a situation analysis to (i) describe the provision of psychosocial interventions within the context of existing care in two LMICs-India and Pakistan, and (ii) understand the barriers and facilitators of delivering a new psychosocial intervention. Method A situation analysis including a quantitative survey and individual interviews with clinicians, patients and caregivers was conducted. Quantitative survey data was collected from staff members at 11 sites (private and government run hospitals) to assess organizational readiness to implement a new psychosocial intervention. To obtain in-depth information, 24 stakeholders including clinicians and service managers were interviewed about the typical care they provide and/or receive, and their experience of either accessing or delivering psychosocial interventions. This was triangulated by six interviews with carer and patient representatives. Results and discussion The results highlight the positive views toward psychosocial interventions within routine care and the enthusiasm for multidisciplinary working. However, barriers to implementation such as clinician time, individual attitudes toward psychosocial interventions and organizational concerns including the lack of space within the facility were highlighted. Such barriers need to be taken into consideration when designing how best to implement and sustain new psychosocial interventions for the community treatment of psychosis within LMICs.
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Enhances Formation of Germ Cell Colonies in Neonatal Mouse Testis Culture 1

Spermatogonial stem cells continuously divide in the testis to support spermatogenesis throughout the life of adult male animals. Although very few spermatogonial stem cells are present in vivo, we recently succeeded in expanding these cells in vitro. Germ cells from postnatal testes were able to proliferate in the presence of several types of cytokines, and they formed uniquely shaped colonies of spermatogonia (germline stem or GS cells). These cells reinitiated normal spermatogenesis when transplanted into seminiferous tubules. However, much remains unknown about the contributions of cytokines to successful stem cell culture. In the present study, we examined the role of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in GS cell culture. We found that the addition of LIF to newborn testis cell culture enhances the formation of germ cell colonies. Ciliary neurotrophic factor, but not oncostatin M, had the same effect, although they both bind to the IL-6ST (gp130) receptor. On the other hand, GS cells could be established from pup or adult testes in the absence of LIF. No phenotypic or functional difference was found between GS cells established from different stages, and normal offspring were born from pup-derived GS cells that had been maintained in the absence of LIF, indicating that LIF per se is not involved in the self-renewal of GS cells. These results demonstrate that LIF is useful in the initiation of GS cell culture and suggest that LIF or a related cytokine is involved in the maturation of gonocytes into spermatogonia. seminiferous tubules were recovered, and the germ cells were collected mechanically from the tubules with fine forceps. Microinsemination was performed as described previously with round spermatids [25]. Round spermatids were used in the present experiments because they were more readily recovered from the recipient testes. Embryos that reached the two-cell stage after 24 h in culture were transferred to the oviducts of Day 1 pseudo-pregnant ICR female mice. Fetuses that were retrieved on Day 19.5 were raised by ICR foster mothers.
Defective bone mineralization and osteopenia in young adult FGFR3 (cid:1) / (cid:1) mice

Mutations that cause constitutive activation of ﬁbroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) result in skeletal disorders that are characterized by short-limbed dwarﬁsm and premature closure of cranial sutures. In previous work, it was shown that congenital deﬁciency of FGFR3 led to skeletal overgrowth. Using a combination of imaging, classic histology and molecular cell biology we now show that young adult FGFR3 (cid:1) / (cid:1) mice are osteopenic due to reduced cortical bone thickness and defective trabecular bone mineralization. The reduction in mineralized bone and lack of trabecular connectivity observed by micro-computed tomography were conﬁrmed in histological and histomorphometric analyses, which revealed a signiﬁcant decrease in calcein labelling of mineralizing surfaces and a signiﬁcant increase in osteoid in the long bones of 4-month-old FGFR3 (cid:1) / (cid:1) mice. These alterations were associated with increased staining for recognized markers of differentiated osteoblasts and increased numbers of tartrate-resistant acid phsophatase postitive osteoclasts. Primary cultures of adherent bone marrow-derived cells from FGFR3 (cid:1) / (cid:1) mice expressed markers of differentiated osteoblasts but developed fewer mineralized nodules than FGFR3 þ / þ cultures of the same age. Our observations reveal a role for FGFR3 in post-natal bone growth and remodelling, which identiﬁes it as a potential therapeutic target for osteopenic disorders and those associated with defective bone mineralization.
Quantatitative assessment of apical debris extrusion in apical third using two different NiTi rotary systems- An in vitro study

Sterilization of the root canal is the ultimate goal for successful endodontics. The extrusion of apical debris has a harmful effect on the prognosis of root canal treatment. New innovative file designs and cutting rake angles have in abed in less extrusion of debris. Materials and Methods: 40 straight rooted single rooted human mandibular premolar teeth were divided in 2 groups of 20 teeth each. Each group were instrumented with rotary Mtwo systems and Protaper next system. The apically extruded debris was collected on the pre-weighed Millipore plastic filter disk and weighed using microbalance. Intracanal debris was analyzed using binocular research microscope. The mean weight of extruded debris for each group in the root canal was statistically analyzed by a Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The results show that all instrumentation techniques produce some amount of extruded debris and irrigant. The amount of extrusion was least in Protaper next group as compared to M two file group. Conclusions: Considering the study, Rotary instruments with their innovative designs & less screwing in effect has drastically decreased the apical extrusion of debris & intracanal debris but extrusion of debris was seen in all the groups.
Sustaining Collaborative E ﬀ ort in Work Teams: Exchange Ideology and Employee Social Loaﬁng

: To sustain the e ﬀ ort of work team members as a collaborative resource over time, organizations need to avoid the social loaﬁng of employees. Recognizing the importance of this relationship, we investigated both individual (i.e., exchange ideology) and situational factors (i.e., task visibility and professional respect) that inﬂuence employees’ attitudes toward social exchange and team collaboration and thus their social loaﬁng. Using survey responses of 223 employee–supervisor dyads in South Korean ﬁrms, hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that employees with a low exchange ideology were unlikely to engage in social loaﬁng. In addition, exchange ideology interacted with both task visibility and professional respect to inﬂuence social loaﬁng. Speciﬁcally, task visibility was negatively associated with social loaﬁng, and this e ﬀ ect was stronger when employees were low, rather than high, in exchange ideology. Moreover, professional respect was negatively associated with social loaﬁng, and this e ﬀ ect was stronger among those low in exchange ideology. Thus, a low level of exchange ideology can reduce social loaﬁng and can also enhance the potential for task visibility and professional respect to strengthen e ﬀ ort levels. Accordingly, this study suggested that individual characteristics, especially exchange ideology, are important in reducing social loaﬁng and clearly stated what managerial guidelines can be implemented to practically reduce social loaﬁng.