Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enzymes from solvent-tolerant microbes: Useful biocatalysts for non-aqueous enzymology

Solvent-tolerant microbes are a newly emerging class that possesses the unique ability to thrive in the presence of organic solvents. Their enzymes adapted to mediate cellular and metabolic processes in a solvent-rich environment and are logically stable in the presence of organic solvents. Enzyme catalysis in non-aqueous/low-water media is finding increasing applications for the synthesis of industrially important products, namely peptides, esters, and other trans-esterification products. Solvent stability, however, remains a prerequisite for employing enzymes in non-aqueous systems. Enzymes, in general, get inactivated or give very low rates of reaction in non-aqueous media. Thus, early efforts, and even some recent ones, have aimed at stabilization of enzymes in organic media by immobilization, surface modifications, mutagenesis, and protein engineering. Enzymes from solvent-tolerant microbes appear to be the choicest source for studying solvent-stable enzymes because of their unique ability to survive in the presence of a range of organic solvents. These bacteria circumvent the solvent’s toxic effects by virtue of various adaptations, e.g. at the level of the cytoplasmic membrane, by degradation and transformation of solvents, and by active excretion of solvents. The recent screening of these exotic microbes has generated some naturally solvent-stable proteases, lipases, cholesterol oxidase, cholesterol esterase, cyclodextrin glucanotransferase, and other important enzymes. The unique properties of these novel biocatalysts have great potential for applications in non-aqueous enzymology for a range of industrial processes.
Sensory Gating for the Initiation of the Swing Phase in Different Directions of Human Infant Stepping

Humans can make smooth, continuous transitions in walking direction from forward to backward. Thus, the processing of sensory input must allow a similar continuum of possibilities. Hip extension and reduced load are two important conditions that control the transition from the stance to swing phase during forward stepping in human infants. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the same factors also regulate the initiation of the swing phase in other directions of stepping. Thirty-seven infants between the ages of 5 and 13 months were studied during supported forward and sideways stepping on a treadmill. Disturbances were elicited by placing a piece of cardboard under the foot and pulling the cardboard in different directions. In this way, the leg was displaced in a particular direction and simultaneously unloaded. We observed whether the swing phase was immediately initiated after the application of disturbances in various directions. Electromyography, vertical ground reaction forces, and hip motion in frontal and sagittal planes were recorded. The results showed that the most potent sensory input to initiate the swing phase depends on the direction of stepping. Although low load was always necessary to initiate swing for all directions of walking, the preferred hip position was always one directly opposite the direction of walking. The results indicated the presence of selective gating of sensory input from the legs as a function of the direction of stepping.
Cutaneous Anthrax, Belgian Traveler

2. Raoult D, Berbis P, Roux V, Xu W, Maurin M. A new tick-transmitted disease due to Rickettsia slovaca. Lancet. 1997;350: 112–3. 3. Parola P, Paddock CD, Raoult D. Tickborne rickettsioses around the world: emerging diseases challenging old concepts. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2005;18: 719–56. 4. Oteo JA, Ibarra V, Blanco JR, Martinez dA, V, Marquez FJ, Portillo A, et al. Dermacentor-borne necrosis erythema and lymphadenopathy: clinical and epidemiological features of a new tick-borne disease. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2004;10:327–31. 5. Fournier PE, Roux V, Caumes E, Donzel M, Raoult D. Outbreak of Rickettsia africae infections in participants of an adventure race from South Africa. Clin Infect Dis. 1998; 27:316–23. 6. La Scola B, Rydkina L, Ndihokubwayo JB, Vene S, Raoult D. Serological differentiation of murine typhus and epidemic typhus using cross-adsorption and western blotting. Clin Diag Lab Immunol. 2000;7:612–6. 7. La Scola B, Raoult D. Laboratory diagnosis of rickettsioses: current approaches to the diagnosis of old and new rickettsial diseases. J Clin Microbiol. 1997;35:2715–27. 8. Brouqui P, Bacellar F, Baranton G, Birtles RJ, Bjoersdorff A, Blanco JR, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis of tick-borne bacterial diseases in Europe. Clin Microbiol Infect, 2004;10:1108–32. 9. Raoult D, Lakos A, Fenollar F, Beytout J, Brouqui P, Fournier PE. Spotless rickettsiosis caused by Rickettsia slovaca and associated with Dermacentor ticks. Clin Infect Dis. 2002;34:1331–6. 10. Lakos A. Tick-borne lymphadenopathy—a new rickettsial disease? Lancet. 1997;350:1006.
Diversity-Multiplexing Tradeoff for Practical MIMO Channels

In this paper, we analyze the outage performance and diversity-multiplexing tradeoff (DMT), originally introduced by Zheng and Tse, for certain classes of multiple antenna systems. In particular, three types of practical channel models such as Rician model, rankdeficient model, and spatially correlated model are considered. The asymptotic behaviors of the outage are analyzed in the limit of high SNR, large Rician factor, and large antenna array. The corresponding DMT curves are also investigated.
Hematologic Manifestations and Predictors of Lymphoma Development in Primary Sjögren Syndrome: Clinical and Pathophysiologic Aspects

The diverse hematologic manifestations of primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) have not been systematically investigated, and their prognostic relevance remains unclear. We conducted a retrospective study of 536 consecutive patients followed in our institution to assess the prevalence of hematologic abnormalities and their associations with various disease manifestations in pSS. We also aimed to identify risk factors for the development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) overall and by subtype. Anemia of chronic disease and hypergammaglobulinemia were the most prevalent hematologic manifestations encountered at diagnosis and during the course of pSS. Univariate analysis between cytopenias and glandular manifestations revealed a statistically significant correlation between lymphocytopenia and parotid gland enlargement (p = 0.002), as well as between neutropenia and xerostomia (p = 0.019). Anemia, lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypergammaglobulinemia, the presence of monoclonal serum proteins, and cryoglobulinemia correlated significantly with the presence of extraglandular symptoms such as palpable purpura, lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. Lymphoma was diagnosed in 7.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4%-10%) of patients. Marginal zone B-cell lymphomas (MZBCLs) were the predominant histologic type (65%; 95% CI, 48.3%-79.4%), while diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) accounted for 17.5% (95% CI, 7.3%-32.8%) of all cases. The development of NHL in patients with pSS could be predicted by the presence of simple clinical and laboratory factors at diagnosis: neutropenia (p = 0.041), cryoglobulinemia (p = 0.008), splenomegaly (p = 0.006), lymphadenopathy (p = 0.021), and low C4 levels (p = 0.009). Patients carrying any of these factors had a more than 5-fold increased risk of NHL compared to patients with no risk factors at all. The above set of disease characteristics could predict subsequent development of MZBCL; the presence of lymphocytopenia (p = 0.044) at diagnosis served as a risk factor for the development of a non-MZBCL, most commonly DLBCL. Anemia of chronic disease and hypergammaglobulinemia are common hematologic manifestations at diagnosis and during the course of pSS. Neutropenia and cryoglobulinemia at diagnosis are significantly associated with an increased risk of lymphoma development. Abbreviations: AECC = American-European Consensus Classification, CI = confidence interval, DLBCL= diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, HR = hazard ratio, MALT = mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, MZBCL = marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, NHL = non-Hodgkin lymphoma, NPV = negative predictive value, PPV = positive predictive value, pSS = primary Sjögren syndrome.
National strategies for the reduction and prevention of suicide.

An increasing number of countries are developing national strategies to reduce and prevent suicide. However, while the large volume of information from psychiatric, epidemiological, genetic, and biological research now gives a generally coherent and consistent picture about the risk factors and causal pathways for suicidal behavior, there is relatively little evidence-based information - at either a program level, or at the level of a national strategy - about the types of interventions that successfully reduce or prevent suicidal behavior. Against this background, it is timely to outline, albeit briefly, the small body of evidence about programs and strategies that show effectiveness, or promise of effectiveness, in reducing or preventing suicide. It is useful to review these programs using the Institute of Medicine's model of universal, selective, and indicated (USI) interventions (Mrazek & Haggerty, 1994). Within this framework, universal programs target the general population, selective programs address high-risk subgroups within the total population, and indicated programs address high-risk individuals. Research evidence supports a range of programs targeted at the general population. These include those which focus upon restricting access to means of suicide. Reducing access to particular means of suicide has been shown to reduce suicides by that specific method, and sometimes, to reduce total suicide rates. These findings span a range of means including: detoxification of domestic gas; various levels of restriction of access to guns; reduction in the pack size of analgesics, and installing barriers at jumping sites. Programs which attempt to improve mental health literacy may contribute to suicide prevention by changing public recognition and attitudes toward mental illnesses. This approach is exemplified by a program in Germany which focuses on increasing awareness about depression (Althaus, Schmidtke et al., 2003). To date, evaluation suggests improvements in public attitudes and knowledge about depression.
Case report

Rationale: Microscopic colitis is a common cause of diarrhea. Pentoxifylline, a xanthine derivative with anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha properties, is prescribed for intermittent claudication and other disorders. Our goal was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with microscopic colitis treated with pentoxifylline. Patient concerns: Nine patients with microscopic colitis (8 collagenous colitis and 1 lymphocytic colitis) seen at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, between January 1, 1997 and November 30, 2016, were included. The median age was 56.9 years (range 51.6–60.2), 8 were female (89%), and the median disease duration was 64.8 months (range 60–109). The indications for treatment were budesonide refractoriness in 7 patients, budesonide dependence in 1 patient, and budesonide intolerance in 1 patient. Diagnoses: A histological diagnosis of microscopic colitis was confirmed in all patients. Interventions: Pentoxifylline 400 mg three times a day was used for a median of 3 months (range 2.5–8.3). Outcomes: Complete response occurred in 1 patient (11%) and partial response in 3 patients (33%). The patient who achieved complete response was treated with pentoxifylline due to budesonide intolerance, and completed 43 months of successful maintenance therapy. There were no adverse effects reported. Lessons: The majority of budesonide-experienced patients with active microscopic colitis did not respond to pentoxifylline. However, it was well-tolerated, with 1 patient achieving long-term remission and one-third of the cohort having a partial response. Larger controlled studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of pentoxifylline and predictors of response in microscopic colitis. In particular, patients who are not budesonide-refractory may be more likely to respond.
Eukaryotic Translesion Polymerases and Their Roles and Regulation in DNA Damage Tolerance

SUMMARY DNA repair and DNA damage tolerance machineries are crucial to overcome the vast array of DNA damage that a cell encounters during its lifetime. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge about the eukaryotic DNA damage tolerance pathway translesion synthesis (TLS), a process in which specialized DNA polymerases replicate across from DNA lesions. TLS aids in resistance to DNA damage, presumably by restarting stalled replication forks or filling in gaps that remain in the genome due to the presence of DNA lesions. One consequence of this process is the potential risk of introducing mutations. Given the role of these translesion polymerases in mutagenesis, we discuss the significant regulatory mechanisms that control the five known eukaryotic translesion polymerases: Rev1, Pol ζ, Pol κ, Pol η, and Pol ι.
Specific and sensitive detection of Alcaligenes species from an agricultural environment

A quantitative real‐time PCR assay to specifically detect and quantify the genus Alcaligenes in samples from the agricultural environment, such as vegetables and farming soils, was developed. The minimum detection sensitivity was 106 fg of pure culture DNA, corresponding to DNA extracted from two cells of Alcaligenes faecalis. To evaluate the detection limit of A. faecalis, serially diluted genomic DNA from this organism was mixed with DNA extracted from soil and vegetables and then a standard curve was constructed. It was found that Alcaligenes species are present in the plant phytosphere at levels 102–104 times lower than those in soil. The approach presented here will be useful for tracking or quantifying species of the genus Alcaligenes in the agricultural environment.
Intricacies of Pluripotency

Pluripotent stem cells have the potential to differentiate into 200 odd cell types present in adult body. Pluripotent stem cells available for regenerative medicine include embryonic stem (ES) cells, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and very small ES-like stem (VSELs) cells. Nuclear OCT-4 is one of the crucial factors that dictate pluripotent state. Compared to ES/iPS cells grown in Petri dish, VSELs exist in adult body organs and results are emerging to suggest that they may have better potential to regenerate adult organs. This is because of their distinct epigenetic status as they are closer to the primordial germ cells from the epiblast-stage embryo compared to inner cell mass from which ES cells are obtained in vitro. We need to make special efforts to study them as they are very small in size and tend to get lost during processing. VSELs exist in adult organs, get mobilized in response to stress, undergo asymmetric cell divisions to give rise to tissue specific progenitors which further differentiate into various cell types and are possibly better candidates for regenerative medicine because they have no associated risk of tumor formation or immunological rejection. They are possibly also the ‘embryonic remnants’ in adult organs responsible for initiating cancer. Thus, rather than not accepting VSELs because they neither form teratoma nor divide in vitro like ES cells, it is time that scientific community should think of revising the definition of the term ‘pluripotency’.
Protective role of ortho-substituted Mn(III) N-alkylpyridylporphyrins against the oxidative injury induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide

Abstract The present work addresses the role of two ortho-substituted Mn(III) N-alkylpyridylporphyrins, alkyl being ethyl in MnTE-2-PyP5+ and n-hexyl in MnTnHex-2-PyP5+, on the protection against the oxidant tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP). Their protective role was studied in V79 cells using endpoints of cell viability (MTT and crystal violet assays), intracellular O2•– generation (dihydroethidium assay) and glutathione status (DTNB and monochlorobimane assays). MnPs per se did not show cytotoxicity (up to 25 μM, 24 h). The exposure to TBHP resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability and in an increase in the intracellular O2•– levels. Also, TBHP depleted total and reduced glutathione and increased GSSG. The two MnPs counteracted remarkably the effects of TBHP. Even at low concentrations, both MnPs were protective in terms of cell viability and abrogated the intracellular O2•– increase in a significant way. Also, they augmented markedly the total and reduced glutathione contents in TBHP-treated cells, highlighting the multiple mechanisms of protection of these SOD mimics, which at least in part may be ascribed to their electron-donating ability.
Flight behaviour of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta towards unimodal and multimodal targets

SUMMARY Here, we analyse the flight behaviour of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta while it approaches three different artificial flower stimuli: a clearly visible blue flower, an invisible scented flower and a flower that is both visible and scented. By tracking the moths in fine temporal detail, we find that flight towards an artificial flower differs depending on whether the stimulus is unimodal (either visual or olfactory) or multimodal (both visual and olfactory). In all three cases, the moth reduces its speed as it nears the target but the speed is higher overall when the visual stimulus is not present. Visual feedback, as well as the concentration gradient of the odour, is used to guide the moths towards the stimulus. The main difference in flight behaviour between an approach towards a visual and a multimodal stimulus is that the olfactory information makes the moths turn more rapidly towards the multimodal stimulus. We also find that moths extend their proboscises in front of a clearly visible feeder independent of whether an odour is present. In contrast, a scented transparent artificial flower only occasionally triggers this response.
UV-Visible Optical Absorbance of Graphene Oxide Synthesized from Zinc-Carbon Battery Waste via a Custom-Made Ultrasound Generator based on Liquid Sonication Exfoliation Method

The objectives of this study are i) to synthesize graphene oxide (GO) from the waste materials of zinc-carbon (ZnC) batteries via the liquid sonication exfoliation (LSE) method using tweeter piezoelectric probes as speakers, and ii) to study the optical absorbance of the GO produced using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer by varying the mass of the graphite materials obtained from ZnC battery waste. The graphite materials are obtained from the carbon rods of the ZnC batteries , which are ground into powder. The powder is then mixed with distilled water , with powder mass variation s of 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 grams . The solutions obtained are sonicated with a frequency of 30 kHz for six hours using a custom - made ultrasound generator based on piezoelectric probes. The effect of graphite material mass variation is studied by observing the UV-Vis spectrophotometer data before and after sonication. The results of this study show absorbance peaks at wavelengths of 221 nm to 227.5 nm , and shouldering peaks at 260 nm to 270 nm, indicating the presence of GO materials for all graphite mass variations. The best GO performances based on the UV-Vis results are obtained in samples with 0.8 and 1.0 grams of graphite powder, which undergo a red shift from 223.5 nm to 227.5 nm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) are conducted upon the sample of 1.0 grams of graphite powder before and after sonication treatment. The SEM results before sonication show graphite materials forming in large chunks, whereas after sonication smaller islands of GO materials consisting of thin, transparent flakes are observed. The EDX results reveal that the sample material after sonication consists of 88% carbon, 11% oxygen, and a remaining 1% of aluminum, silicon, sulphur, ferrum, and zinc
Learning from user experience with groupware

Observers have identified a potential for major improvements in organizational productivity made possible through the use of personal computers serving as a means to link people into task-oriented teams. Our study offers an examination of how people are using personal computers for such electronic exchanges via networking. We interviewed 223 people who were using several “groupware” systems in a sample of 25 enterprises to see how they employ these software tools to support their group work. An explanation of our research design and a more complete discussion of the results can be found in Bullen and Bennett [BulNO].
Topical and systemic antifungals in dermatology practice

ABSTRACT Introduction: Dermatophytosis is generally defined as an infection of the hair, nails, or glabrous skin. These infections are caused by the keratinophilic fungi Trichophyton spp. , Microsporum spp. , and Epidermophyton, which have been recovered from both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Although dermatophytosis is generally not a life-threatening condition, these types of infections are among the most common infections worldwide, and their incidence has continued to increase consistently in recent years. Area covered: This article provides an overview of the general characteristics of dermatophytes, including their taxonomy and epidemiology, as well as the different clinical forms and laboratory diagnostics of dermatophytosis. We further classify the topical and systemic antifungal compounds currently used to treat dermatophyte infections. Expert commentary: Antifungal therapy is a central component of patient management for dermatophytosis, and depending on the strategy chosen, topical and/or systemic drugs can be used. However, for effective treatment, it is important to correctly determine the causal agents at the species level, which will enable administration of suitable therapeutics and initiation of appropriate management strategies.
Thymosin β4 inhibits TNF‐α‐induced NF‐κB activation, IL‐8 expression, and the sensitizing effects by its partners PINCH‐1 and ILK

The mechanisms by which thymosin β 4 (Tβ4) regulates the inflammatory response to injury are poorly understood. Previously, we demonstrated that ectopic Tβ4 treatment inhibits injury‐induced proin‐flammatory cytokine and chemokine production. We have also shown that Tβ4 suppresses TNF‐α‐mediated NF‐κB activation. Herein, we present novel evidence that Tβ4 directly targets the NF‐κB RelA/p65 subunit. We find that enforced expression of Tβ4 interferes with TNF‐α‐mediated NF‐κB activation, as well as downstream IL‐8 gene transcription. These activities are independent of the G‐actin‐binding properties of Tβ4. Tβ4 blocks RelA/p65 nuclear translocation and targeting to the cognate kB site in the proximal region of the IL‐8 gene promoter. Tβ4 also inhibits the sensitizing effects of its intracellular binding partners, PINCH‐1 and ILK, on NF‐κB activity after TNF‐α stimulation. The identification of a functional regulatory role by Tβ4 and the focal adhesion proteins PINCH‐1 and ILK on NF‐κB activity in this study opens a new window for scientific exploration of how Tβ4 modulates inflammation. In addition, the results of this study serve as a foundation for developing Tβ4 as a new anti‐inflammatory therapy. —Qiu, P., Kurpakus Wheater, M. , Qiu, Y. , Sosne, G. Thymosin β4 inhibits TNF‐α‐induced NF‐κB activation, IL‐8 expression, and the sensitizing effects by its partners PINCH‐1 and ILK FASEB J. 25, 1815‐1826 (2011). www.fasebj. org
Zn0.4Cd0.4 COMPOSITE FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION

ZnO-CdO composite was prepared with hydrothermal method. The structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of the nanocomposite have been carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer, and two probe, respectively. TG-DTA analysis was done to determine the thermal stability. The compositional analysis was done by EDX. The band gap of the composite were found to be 2.84, 2.78 and 3.06 eV respectively with increasing the content of Zn precursor.