Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The potential use of the Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein PAF, the designed variant PAFopt and its γ‐core peptide Pγopt in plant protection

The prevention of enormous crop losses caused by pesticide‐resistant fungi is a serious challenge in agriculture. Application of alternative fungicides, such as antifungal proteins and peptides, provides a promising basis to overcome this problem; however, their direct use in fields suffers limitations, such as high cost of production, low stability, narrow antifungal spectrum and toxicity on plant or mammalian cells. Recently, we demonstrated that a Penicillium chrysogenum‐based expression system provides a feasible tool for economic production of P. chrysogenum antifungal protein (PAF) and a rational designed variant (PAFopt), in which the evolutionary conserved γ‐core motif was modified to increase antifungal activity. In the present study, we report for the first time that γ‐core modulation influences the antifungal spectrum and efficacy of PAF against important plant pathogenic ascomycetes, and the synthetic γ‐core peptide Pγopt, a derivative of PAFopt, is antifungal active against these pathogens in vitro. Finally, we proved the protective potential of PAF against Botrytis cinerea infection in tomato plant leaves. The lack of any toxic effects on mammalian cells and plant seedlings, as well as the high tolerance to harsh environmental conditions and proteolytic degradation further strengthen our concept for applicability of these proteins and peptide in agriculture.
AN INSTRUMENT FOR ENGLISH MEDIUM INSTRUCTION (EMI) CLASSROOM OBSERVATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Classes taught through English in higher education (in countries where English is not an official language) is a growing phenomenon worldwide. In Brazil the trend has only emerged in the last decade, and has faced some resistance on many fronts, including among professors. One of the concerns raised by professors is related to their identity: essentially, are instructors who teach through a foreign language delivering a class that is qualitatively different? For example, are they as able to interact with the students in the same way they would in their L1? In order to move beyond mere conjecture regarding these and related questions, the present study describes the development and validation of a classroom observation instrument designed to be used (or adapted for use) by researchers wishing to investigate issues surrounding, especially, interactivity in English Medium Instruction in higher education settings.
Reconstruction of post-burn anterior neck contractures using a butterfly design free anterolateral thigh perforator flap

Anterior neck burns represent a major reconstructive challenge due to severe sequalae including restriction in movement and poor aesthetic outcomes. Common treatment options include skin grafting with/without dermal matrices, and loco-regional and distant free flap transfers with/without prior tissue expansion. Such variation in technique is largely influenced by the extent of burn injury requiring resurfacing. In order to optimize like-for-like reconstruction of the anterior neck, use of wide, thin and long flaps such as the anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap have been reported with promising results. Of note, some patients have a tendency towards severe scar contractures, which may be contributed by the greater extent of inflammation during wound healing. We report our experience at 4 years’ follow-up after secondary reconstruction of severe, anterior neck burn contractures in two patients by harvesting the ALT flap with a butterfly design. This technique provides adequate wound resurfacing of the burned neck and surrounding areas, and provides good neck extensibility by addressing both anterior and lateral aspects of the scar defect simultaneously. Such a flap design reduces tension on wound edges and thus, the risk of contracture recurrence in what remains a particularly challenging type of burn reconstruction.
Initial Hunger Meal Pattern and 20% Reduction in Energy Intake

At meals, people aim to maintain their usual energy level and balance in blood and all tissues. People have subjectively refined this aim through poorly conscious months and years, i.e., outside any comparison with other people, other times or feeding conditions. The preprandial weekly mean blood glucose can assess this individual aim that differs from other people in the general fattening/ diabetes development. The evaluation of this pathogenic development in the overall stratification shows how unhealthy is the subject’s energy imbalance. After 2 - 48 hours of meal suspension, the aim arises as Initial Hunger. This Initial Hunger serves as reference sensation in the assessment of current energy availability. Recognition of three Initial Hunger arousals per day produces an even energy balance and eliminates any conditioned intake. This meal pattern seemed a useful chance to reverse current trends in overweight increase. Two reliable authorities (National Institute of Health and New England Journal of Medicine) noticed that already, all dieticians instructed to wait for hunger arousal before meals to limit energy intake for body weight loss. Dieticians’ definition and instructions on hunger for body weight loss miss any distinction from conditioned energy intake and are ineffective. Present report shows the need for improving awareness on hunger.
Moderate Static Magnetic Field (6 mT)-Induced Lipid Rafts Rearrangement Increases Silver NPs Uptake in Human Lymphocytes

One of the most relevant drawbacks in medicine is the ability of drugs and/or imaging agents to reach cells. Nanotechnology opened new horizons in drug delivery, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) represent a promising delivery vehicle for their adjustable size and shape, high-density surface ligand attachment, etc. AgNPs cellular uptake involves different endocytosis mechanisms, including lipid raft-mediated endocytosis. Since static magnetic fields (SMFs) exposure induces plasma membrane perturbation, including the rearrangement of lipid rafts, we investigated whether SMF could increase the amount of AgNPs able to pass the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) plasma membrane. To this purpose, the effect of 6-mT SMF exposure on the redistribution of two main lipid raft components (i.e., disialoganglioside GD3, cholesterol) and on AgNPs uptake efficiency was investigated. Results showed that 6 mT SMF: (i) induces a time-dependent GD3 and cholesterol redistribution in plasma membrane lipid rafts and modulates gene expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), (ii) increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation, (iii) does not induce cell death and (iv) induces lipid rafts rearrangement, that, in turn, favors the uptake of AgNPs. Thus, it derives that SMF exposure could be exploited to enhance the internalization of NPs-loaded therapeutic or diagnostic molecules.
Evidence of defined temporal expression patterns that lead a gram-negative cell out of dormancy

Many bacterial species are capable of forming long-lived dormant cells. The best characterized are heat and desiccation resistant spores produced by many Gram-positive species. Less characterized are dormant cysts produced by several Gram-negative species that are somewhat tolerant to increased temperature and very resistant to desiccation. While there is progress in understanding regulatory circuits that control spore germination, there is scarce information on how Gram-negative organisms emerges from dormancy. In this study, we show that R. centenum cysts germinate by emerging a pair of motile vegetative cells from a thick cyst cell wall coat ~ 6 hrs post induction of germination. Time-lapse transcriptomic analysis reveals that there is a defined temporal pattern of gene expression changes during R. centenum cyst germination. The first observable changes are increases in expression of genes for protein synthesis, an increase in expression of genes involved in the generation of a membrane potential and the use of this potential for ATP synthesis via ATPase expression. These early events are followed by expression changes that affect the cell wall and membrane composition, followed by expression changes that promote chromosome replication. Midway through germination, expression changes occur that promote the flow of carbon through the TCA cycle to generate reducing power and parallel synthesis of electron transfer components involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Finally, late expression changes promote the synthesis of a photosystem as well as flagellar and chemotaxis components for motility.
Preparation and characterization of Keratin-PEG conjugate-based micelles as a tumor microenvironment-responsive drug delivery system

Abstract Keratin-based drug carriers have attracted great interest due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and tumor micro-environmental responsiveness. In the study, keratin was first extracted from human hair with reduction method. The reduced keratin was successively conjugated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) via thiol Michael addition reaction and iodoacetic acid (IAA) via substitution reaction to impart both physical stability and acidity responsiveness. Subsequently, the conjugated keratin was fabricated into micelles and loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) by self-assembly. The micelles exhibited pH, glutathione (GSH) and enzyme (trypsin) triple-responsiveness as well as charge reversibility under the simulated tumor microenvironment. These drug-loaded micelles exhibited high toxicity against A549 cells with low side effect on normal cells. Furthermore, anticancer efficacy in vivo revealed DOX-loaded micelles presented higher therapeutic efficiency than free DOX. Moreover, these micelles were stable under physiological conditions, and could be internalized through endocytosis without hemolysis. Based on the results, the drug-loaded micelles were satisfactory candidates for drug carriers.
Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum and Diffuse Subcutaneous Emphysema after Methamphetamine Inhalation

Methamphetamines are commonly abused drugs for their stimulant and euphoric effects. Inhaled and intravenous use may cause damage to the respiratory system. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a condition where changes in intrathoracic pressure leads to alveolar rupture and dissection of air along the tracheobronchial tree. Massive subcutaneous emphysema may result from pneumomediastinum which may compromise the central airway. In this case report, we present an unusual case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and severe subcutaneous emphysema following inhalation of methamphetamine. This case emphasizes the rising concern on the acute respiratory complications of methamphetamine use.
Identification of a pesticide exposure based market basket suitable for cumulative dietary risk assessments and food monitoring programmes

ABSTRACT Consideration of cumulative dietary risks is a requirement in the European legislation for setting maximum residue levels for pesticides. Current cumulative exposure assessment methodologies strongly rely on representative occurrence data from food monitoring programmes. This study provides a sensitivity analysis, utilising (i) European consumption data expressed as raw agricultural commodity (RAC) equivalents from 23 different countries as published by the European Food Safety Authority and (ii) all maximum residue levels established for pesticides under European Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. Based on two different degrees of conservatism, market baskets consisting of 16 or 41 RACs, respectively, were identified, covering the majority of the total chronic and acute daily exposure. The coverage of the exposure by these market baskets was tested by comparison of cumulative probabilistic exposure assessments for the German population using all food commodities and those using the reduced sets. It was demonstrated that ≥85% of the total chronic exposure is already covered by 16 RACs, while 41 RACs are required to reach a similarly satisfying coverage of the total acute exposure. Results from this study support resource efficient modelling of complex cumulative assessment scenarios and may help to improve the design of food monitoring programmes with respect to a more efficient assessment of potential consumer risks.
"Now I have hope": Rebuilding relationships affected by chronic pain.

INTRODUCTION A novel couple-based intervention was created to address the individual and interpersonal needs of people with chronic pain and their romantic partners, as research has shown that pain negatively impacts both partners. A pilot study revealed positive outcomes in both partners, though the extent to which improved relationship functioning contributed to these outcomes is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine couples' experience of the treatment to determine whether addressing relational flexibility was appraised by couples as playing an important role in this novel intervention. METHOD Fourteen couples who completed the treatment participated in interviews and gave feedback about the intervention. Interviews were analyzed using a multiphase thematic analysis to provide information about the treatment effects and mechanisms of change from the couples' perspectives. RESULTS Couples described the intervention as essential in rebuilding their relationships, which had been negatively impacted by the effects of chronic pain. DISCUSSION The presence of chronic pain had contributed to feelings of isolation, helplessness, and resentment within relationships. Participants valued this dyadic treatment because it enhanced their communication, connection, and intimacy. Their reports reinforce the importance of targeting both partners in pain treatment when relationship distress is present, as the improvements made in individual treatment are unlikely to be maintained if patients return to environments that are unsupportive and distressed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Deficiency in classical nonhomologous end-joining–mediated repair of transcribed genes is linked to SCA3 pathogenesis

Significance Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a neurodegenerative disease with no effective treatments. SCA3 is etiologically linked to an abnormal polyglutamine (polyQ) tract at the C terminus of Ataxin-3 (ATXN3). How this polyQ stretch causes SCA3 pathology remains elusive. Here we provide evidence that wild-type ATXN3 plays an important role in error-free repair of DNA double-strand breaks in the transcribed genes. In contrast, mutant ATXN3 blocks the activity of a DNA end-processing enzyme, polynucleotide kinase 3′-phosphatase (PNKP), leading to progressive accumulation of double-strand breaks and abrogation of global transcription. Since PNKP overexpression in Drosophila rescued the SCA3 phenotype, this promising therapeutic avenue for SCA3 is worth exploring. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by CAG (encoding glutamine) repeat expansion in the Ataxin-3 (ATXN3) gene. We have shown previously that ATXN3-depleted or pathogenic ATXN3-expressing cells abrogate polynucleotide kinase 3′-phosphatase (PNKP) activity. Here, we report that ATXN3 associates with RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) and the classical nonhomologous end-joining (C-NHEJ) proteins, including PNKP, along with nascent RNAs under physiological conditions. Notably, ATXN3 depletion significantly decreased global transcription, repair of transcribed genes, and error-free double-strand break repair of a 3′-phosphate–containing terminally gapped, linearized reporter plasmid. The missing sequence at the terminal break site was restored in the recircularized plasmid in control cells by using the endogenous homologous transcript as a template, indicating ATXN3′s role in PNKP-mediated error-free C-NHEJ. Furthermore, brain extracts from SCA3 patients and mice show significantly lower PNKP activity, elevated p53BP1 level, more abundant strand-breaks in the transcribed genes, and degradation of RNAP II relative to controls. A similar RNAP II degradation is also evident in mutant ATXN3-expressing Drosophila larval brains and eyes. Importantly, SCA3 phenotype in Drosophila was completely amenable to PNKP complementation. Hence, salvaging PNKP’s activity can be a promising therapeutic strategy for SCA3.
Genetic Transformation of Tribonema minus, a Eukaryotic Filamentous Oleaginous Yellow-Green Alga

Eukaryotic filamentous yellow-green algae from the Tribonema genus are considered to be excellent candidates for biofuels and value-added products, owing to their ability to grow under autotrophic, mixotrophic, and heterotrophic conditions and synthesize large amounts of fatty acids, especially unsaturated fatty acids. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of fatty acids and/or establish the organism as a model strain, the development of genetic methods is important. Towards this goal, here, we constructed a genetic transformation method to introduce exogenous genes for the first time into the eukaryotic filamentous alga Tribonema minus via particle bombardment. In this study, we constructed pSimple-tub-eGFP and pEASY-tub-nptⅡ plasmids in which the green fluorescence protein (eGFP) gene and the neomycin phosphotransferase Ⅱ-encoding G418-resistant gene (nptⅡ) were flanked by the T. minus-derived tubulin gene (tub) promoter and terminator, respectively. The two plasmids were introduced into T. minus cells through particle-gun bombardment under various test conditions. By combining agar and liquid selecting methods to exclude the pseudotransformants under long-term antibiotic treatment, plasmids pSimple-tub-eGFP and pEASY-tub- nptⅡ were successfully transformed into the genome of T. minus, which was verified using green fluorescence detection and the polymerase chain reaction, respectively. These results suggest new possibilities for efficient genetic engineering of T. minus for future genetic improvement.
Work Related Stress among Health Care Workers in Mekelle City Administration Public Hospitals, North Ethiopia

Background: Work related stress is a worldwide epidemic disease. The costs of work related stress es­timated about $5.4 billion each year throughout the globe. Healthcare institutions considered as a high risk and intensive work area for work related stress. However, there is nonexistence of clear and strong data about magnitude of work related stress in healthcare workers in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine magnitude of work related stress in healthcare workers in North Ethiopian public hospitals. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 5 to 6 May 2015 in 592 healthcare workers who were selected from 3 hospitals. Data were collected through self-administration of standardized questionnaire, which was developed by Health and Safety Executive. The collected data were entered using Epi info version 3.5.4 and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Both binary and Multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify important factors having association with work related stress. Result: This study revealed that the magnitude of work related stress in healthcare workers was 46.9%, 95% CI (42.6, 50.8). Significant proportions (56.7%) of healthcare workers were dissatisfied with their current job. Gender, marital status, work experience in years and job satisfaction status were significantly associated with work related stress. Conclusion: Work related stress is significantly high among health care workers. Gender, marital status, work experience and job satisfaction status were identified as factors associated with work related stress. Therefore, it needs to set intervention programs focusing on prevention and control of stress. Keywords: Work related stress, Healthcare workers, Public hospitals, North Ethiopia
Superconductivity found in meteorites

Significance In this paper, we report the presence of superconducting material in two meteorites. We further characterize these phases as alloys of lead, tin, and indium. These findings could impact our understanding of several astronomical environments. Superconducting particles in cold environments could affect planetary formation, shape and origin of magnetic fields, dynamo effects, motion of charged particles, and other processes. Meteorites can contain a wide range of material phases due to the extreme environments found in space and are ideal candidates to search for natural superconductivity. However, meteorites are chemically inhomogeneous, and superconducting phases in them could potentially be minute, rendering detection of these phases difficult. To alleviate this difficulty, we have studied meteorite samples with the ultrasensitive magnetic field modulated microwave spectroscopy (MFMMS) technique [J. G. Ramírez, A. C. Basaran, J. de la Venta, J. Pereiro, I. K. Schuller, Rep. Prog. Phys. 77, 093902 (2014)]. Here, we report the identification of superconducting phases in two meteorites, Mundrabilla, a group IAB iron meteorite [R. Wilson, A. Cooney, Nature 213, 274–275 (1967)] and GRA 95205, a ureilite [J. N. Grossman, Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 33, A221–A239 (1998)]. MFMMS measurements detected superconducting transitions in samples from each, above 5 K. By subdividing and remeasuring individual samples, grains containing the largest superconducting fraction were isolated. The superconducting grains were then characterized with a series of complementary techniques, including vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and numerical methods. These measurements and analysis identified the likely phases as alloys of lead, indium, and tin.
Step by step evolution of Indeterminate Domain (IDD) transcriptional regulators: from algae to angiosperms.

INTRODUCTION The Indeterminate Domain (IDD) proteins are a plant specific subclass of C2H2 Zinc Finger transcription factors. Some of these transcription factors play roles in diverse aspects of plant metabolism and development, however the function of most of IDD genes is unknown and the molecular evolution of the subfamily has not been explored in detail. METHODS In this study, we mined available genome sequences of green plants (Viridiplantae) to reconstruct the phylogeny and then described the motifs/expression patterns of IDD genes. KEY RESULTS We identified the complete set of IDD genes of 16 Streptophyta genomes. We found that IDD and its sister clade STOP arose by a duplication at the base of Streptophyta. Once on land, the IDD genes duplicated extensively, giving rise to at least ten lineages. Some of these lineages were lost in extant non-vascular plants and gymnosperms, however all of them were retained in angiosperms, duplicating profoundly in dicots and monocots and acquiring, at the same time, surprising heterogeneity in their C-terminal regions and expression patterns. CONCLUSIONS IDD were present in the last common ancestor of Streptophyta. On land, IDD duplicated extensively originating ten lineages. Later, IDD were recruited by angiosperms where they diversified greatly in number; C-terminal and expression patterns accompanying important aspects of plant body evolution.This study provides a solid framework of the orthology relations of green land plant IDD transcription factors, thus increasing the accuracy of ortholog identification in model and non-model species and facilitating the identification of agronomically important genes related to plant metabolism and development.