Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genomic and Phenotypic Characterization of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis Strains

The pathogenesis mechanisms of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv), the etiologic agent of Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis remain elusive. This study evaluated the virulence potential and biovar characteristics of Cfv isolates (n = 13) by PCR screening of putative virulence-factor (VF) genes, Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) analysis, antimicrobial susceptibility to tetracycline, penicillin, enrofloxacin and streptomycin testing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS; n = 5), also comparing the latter with 26 other whole-genome sequences of Cfv strains. The putative VF genes encoding type IV secretion system of Cfv (virB2-virB11/virD4) were absent in 92% of isolates, including isolates from aborted foetuses, evidencing that these VF genes are not essential for Cfv pathogenicity. The parA gene, used as a Cfv diagnostic molecular target, was detected in only 3 of 13 isolates, invalidating its use for diagnosis purposes. Three novel sequence types were identified by MLST. Although no in vitro antimicrobial resistance was detected, WGS identified antimicrobial resistance-related genes, including those encoding the multidrug efflux pumps CmeABC and YkkCD, indicating that their presence is not enough to provide antimicrobial resistance. The SNP and accessory protein families analysis segregated the Cfv and Cfv biovar intermedius (Cfvi) strains into different clusters. In conclusion, this study evidenced virulence potential and biovar characteristics of Cfv and Cfvi, which are of relevance for the control of Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis.
Small-Scale Preparation of Fluorescently Labeled Chemical Probes from Marine Cyclic Peptides, Kapakahines A and F

A number of bioactive marine natural products have been isolated so far, but it is still difficult to disclose their modes of action. In this study, we prepared fluorescently labeled chemical probes from the cytotoxic marine cyclic peptides kapakahines A (1) and F (2) to visualize their localization as the first step of the study of their modes of action. We used fluorescent dyes 3a or 3a/b (a 1:1 mixture of 3a and 3b) whose terminal N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) group can react with the free amino groups of kapakahines. The fluorescently labeled kapakahine A (Kap A-5-FL, 5a) stained P388 murine leukemia cells and HeLa human cervical cancer cells, while cells treated with fluorescently labeled kapakahine F (Kap F-5-FL, 6a) only weakly stained them. Further analysis of the confocal images of the stained cells with higher magnification (×100) indicated the localization of Kap A-5-FL (5a) in the cells. In this paper, we report the small-scale preparation and a new delivery method of fluorescent probes, as well as the application of these procedures to cell staining.
Violence and precarity: A neglected cause of large family sizes in Pakistan

ABSTRACT A key objective of Pakistan’s family planning program has been to increase awareness of the benefits of a small family. Despite five decades of effort, family size ideals of four children persist. Research suggests a preference for large families and many sons is driven by an economic and gender order that situates sons, and subsequent large families, as a form of financial and social capital. We argue an additional factor promoting large family size in Pakistan is precarity. Drawing upon 13 months’ of ethnographic work from a village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, our data show our respondents’ preference for large families with several sons was a rational response to precarity, created by economic insecurity and persistent conflict. While child mortality has reduced, the risk of an untimely conflict-related death of adult sons remains high and continues to play a crucial role in our respondents’ family size calculations. Our research contributes to the body of literature listing the forces pushing large family sizes and provides an additional explanation for Pakistan’s stagnating modern contraceptive prevalence rate. It also provides policy direction for reducing Pakistan’s high fertility rate, suggesting a need to address the upstream factors that contribute to the continuing need for large families.
Polyphenol-Rich and Alcoholic Beverages and Metabolic Status in Adults Living in Sicily, Southern Italy

Polyphenol-rich beverage consumption is not univocally accepted as a risk modulator for cardio-metabolic risk factors, despite mechanistic and epidemiological evidence suggesting otherwise. The aim of this study was to assess whether an association between polyphenol-rich beverage consumption and metabolic status could be observed in a Mediterranean cohort with relatively low intake of tea, coffee, red and white wine, beer, and fresh citrus juice. Demographic and dietary characteristics of 2044 adults living in southern Italy were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the association between polyphenol-rich and alcoholic beverage consumption and metabolic status adjusted for potential confounding factors. Specific polyphenol-rich beverages were associated, to a various extent, with metabolic outcomes. Individuals with a higher total polyphenol-rich beverages had higher polyphenols intake and were less likely to have hypertension, type-2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.44–0.73; OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.26–0.66; and OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.29–0.57, respectively). However, when adjusted for potential confounding factors, only the association with hypertension remained significant (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50–0.94). Current scientific evidence suggests that such beverages may play a role on cardio-metabolic risk factors, especially when consumed within the context of a dietary pattern characterized by an intake of a plurality of them. However, these associations might be mediated by an overall healthier lifestyle.
Fire in the Air: Biomass Burning Impacts in a Changing Climate

Fire has a role in ecosystem services; naturally produced wildfires are important for the sustainability of many terrestrial biomes and fire is one of nature's primary carbon-cycling mechanisms. Under a warming climate, it is likely that fire frequency and severity will increase. There is some evidence that fire activity may already be increasing in Western U.S. forests and recent exceptionally intense fire events, such as the Australian Black Saturday fires in 2009 and Russian fires in 2010, highlight the devastation of fires associated with extreme weather. The impacts of emissions from fires on global atmospheric chemistry, and on the atmospheric burden of greenhouse gases and aerosols are recognized although gaps remain in our scientific understanding of the processes involved and the environmental consequences of fires. While significant uncertainty remains in the long-term impacts of forest fires on climate, new sophisticated tools have recently become available (observational and modeling). These tools provide insight into changing wildfires and intentional biomass burning activity in the Anthropocene era that is marked by humans’ impact on Earth. The understanding of the impact of wildfires and intentional biomass burning emissions on the present and future climate is reviewed. Presently, fires and their emissions are controlled under fire management and emission reduction schemes. Under future climate conditions, significantly more effective controls on these fires seem necessary. Continued and improved monitoring to support and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the adopted measures, and further deepening of knowledge on the mechanistic and sociological factors that influence fires and their environmental impacts is highly needed. Wildfires and biomass burning are important for a range of international and domestic policies, including air pollution, climate, poverty, security, food supply, and biodiversity. Climate change will make the need to coherently address fires based on scientifically sound measurements and modeling even more pertinent
Resting Energy Expenditure in the Elderly: Systematic Review and Comparison of Equations in an Experimental Population

Elderly patients are at risk of malnutrition and need an appropriate assessment of energy requirements. Predictive equations are widely used to estimate resting energy expenditure (REE). In the study, we conducted a systematic review of REE predictive equations in the elderly population and compared them in an experimental population. Studies involving subjects older than 65 years of age that evaluated the performance of a predictive equation vs. a gold standard were included. The retrieved equations were then tested on a sample of 88 elderly subjects enrolled in an Italian nursing home to evaluate the agreement among the estimated REEs. The agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A web application, equationer, was developed to calculate all the estimated REEs according to the available variables. The review identified 68 studies (210 different equations). The agreement among the equations in our sample was higher for equations with fewer parameters, especially those that included body weight, ICC = 0.75 (95% CI = 0.69–0.81). There is great heterogeneity among REE estimates. Such differences should be considered and evaluated when estimates are applied to particularly fragile populations since the results have the potential to impact the patient’s overall clinical outcome.
The Influence of Patient-Related Factors and Material Selection on the Clinical Outcomes of Fixed and Removable Complete Implant Prostheses: An Overview on Systematic Reviews.

PURPOSE To analyze the influence of material selection, attachment type, interarch space, and opposing dentition on the prosthetic outcomes of fixed and removable implant complete prostheses (FCIPs and RCIPs, respectively). MATERIALS AND METHODS This review was designed as an overview of systematic reviews. An electronic database search was performed to identify scientific literature that reported on FCIPs and RCIPs. The last search was performed in January 2020. The final inclusion of systematic reviews for data extraction was decided by consensus of the authors. The included studies were analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS A total of 21 systematic reviews (FCIP: n = 11, RCIP: n = 10) out of 5,733 articles initially identified were included for data extraction and interpretation. High overall 5-year and 10-year prosthesis survival rates were shown for FCIPs and RCIPs (93.3% to 100% and 96.9% to 100%, respectively). Chipping/fracture of the veneering material was the most frequent technical complication for FCIPs, and attachment-related complications were the main technical problems for RCIPs. For FCIPs, the effect of prosthetic material was not significant on the technical complications nor the survival rates. No studies were identified that provided direct information on the effect of interarch space in FCIPs and RCIPs. CONCLUSIONS Both FCIPs and RCIPs obtained high overall survival rates, but technical complications cannot be avoided with either prosthesis type. No prosthetic material can be considered as the material of choice over another. Attachment type has no influence on the overall clinical outcomes of RCIPs. The influence of opposing dentition and the required prosthetic space were not investigated sufficiently.
Alternative radiopacifiers for polymethyl methacrylate bone cements: Silane-treated anatase titanium dioxide and yttria-stabilised zirconium dioxide

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement is widely used for anchoring joint arthroplasties. In cement brands approved for these procedures, micron-sized particles (usually barium sulphate, BaSO4) act as the radiopacifier. It has been postulated that these particles act as sites for crack initiation and subsequently cement fatigue. This study investigated whether alternative radiopacifiers, anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) and yttria-stabilised zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), could improve the in vitro mechanical, fatigue crack propagation and biological properties of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement and whether their coating with a silane could further enhance cement performance. Cement samples containing 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%w/w TiO2 or ZrO2 and 10%w/w silane-treated TiO2 or ZrO2 were prepared and characterised in vitro in terms of radiopacity, compressive and bending strength, bending modulus, fatigue crack propagation, hydroxyapatite forming ability and MC3T3-E1 cell attachment and viability. Cement samples with greater than 10%w/w TiO2 and ZrO2 had a similar radiopacity to the control 10%w/w BaSO4 cement and commercial products. The addition of TiO2 and ZrO2 to bone cement reduced the bending strength and fracture toughness and increased fatigue crack propagation due to the formation of agglomerations and voids. Silane treating TiO2 reversed this effect, enhancing the dispersion and adhesion of particles to the PMMA matrix and resulted in improved mechanical properties and fatigue crack propagation resistance. Silane-treated TiO2 cements had increased nucleation of hydroxyapatite and MC3T3-E1 cell attachment in vitro, without significantly compromising cell viability. This research has demonstrated that 10%w/w silane-treated anatase TiO2 is a promising alternative radiopacifier for PMMA bone cement offering additional benefits over conventional BaSO4 radiopacifiers.
Protection and Risk: Male and Female Genital Microbiota and Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Unique compositional and functional features of the cervicovaginal microbiota have been associated with protection against and risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI). In males, our knowledge of the interaction between the penile microbiota and STI is less developed. The current state of our understanding of these microbiota and their role in select STIs is briefly reviewed, along with strategies that leverage existing findings to manipulate genital microbiota and optimize protection against STIs. Finally, we focus on major research gaps and present a framework for future studies.
ACTTON SPECTRA OF PHYTOCHROME IN VITRO *

Summary First‐order rate constants, Kλ, for the photochemical conversions of both forms of phytochrome, PR and PFR, were measured at various wavelengths between 300 and 800 nm. The product of the extinction coefficient, ε, and the quantum yield, ø, at any wave‐length, λ, could be determined from the value of Kλ and the mole fractions of PR and PFR present at the photostationary state set by λ. The determination of the action (εø) spectra required that the photostationary states in red and far‐red light be known. These were determined from the absorption spectra and kinetic data.
Synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymers based on tert-butyl methacrylate and 2-(N-methylperfluorobutanesulfonamido)ethyl methacrylate and its behavior in water

Di- and triblock copolymers of tert-butyl methacrylate (tBMA) and 2-(N-methylperfluorobutanesulfonamido)ethyl methacrylate (FMA) were synthesized by sequential anionic polymerization. These polymers were characterized by size-exclusion chromatography and 1 H and 19 F NMR spectroscopy. The microphase separation of bulk samples was studied by atomic force microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. Thermal annealing of the block copolymers at 200 °C yielded inter- and intramolecular anhydrides due to the splitting of the ester having tert-butyl groups connected with isobutene formation. This conversion was followed by time-resolved Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The anhydrides can be transformed into the sodium salt of methacrylic acid units in 1 N NaOH under reflux. The thermal ester splitting of the tBMA block at 200 °C did not influence the FMA block. The obtained block copolymers were soluble in water when the FMA content was less than 10 mol %. The behavior of these solutions was studied by various experimental methods. The critical micelle concentration was obtained by surface tension measurements. The micelle dimensions were determined by dynamic light scattering. The size and inner structure of the micelles were investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering and could also be observed by transmission electron microscopy after transfer of the diluted solutions onto carbon films. Typical polyelectrolyte effects were observed by viscosity measurements for PtBMA only. For block copolymers the aggregation behavior is dominating even at very low concentrations.
Investigations of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Saccharin Concentrations in Brands of Toothpaste

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and Saccharin (SHN) levels in 10 different toothpaste brands were determined spectrophotometrically. The result obtained showed significant difference in SLS and SHN concentrations in the sampled toothpastes. The concentration of the SLS sampled toothpastes ranged from 1.56×10 4 ± 10.11 mg/Kg to 2.13×10 4 ± 10.22mg/Kg while that of the SHN ranged from 833×10 4 ±17.29 mg/Kg to 2.32×10 5 ± 11.47mg/Kg. The result obtained from the analysis of SLS in the toothpaste samples shows that T2 also had the highest concentration of 2.13×10 4 ±10.22 mg/Kg while T8 had the lowest concentration of 1.56×10 4 ± 10.11 mg/Kg.The concentration of SHN in the toothpastes are unacceptable when compare to the daily acceptable intake (ADI) established by regulatory agencies. This implies that these toothpastes could be a potential poison to consumers especially the vulnerable children that have the tendency for uncontrollable intake.
Dynamic phases of colloidal monolayers sliding on commensurate substrates

We report on numerical simulations of a monolayer of charge-stabilized colloids driven over a substrate potential by an external dc force acting along a symmetry axis of the monolayer. Using overdamped Langevin dynamics, we studied the sliding transition for various inter-particle interaction strengths as a function of the driving force. For weak interactions, the diffusion of individual defects is responsible for the motion of the monolayer. As the interaction strength is increased, sliding is induced by distinct density compression and decompression zones. For very strong interactions, a type of stick-slip mechanism emerges, in which the sliding of the monolayer is mediated by the propagation of collective distortion waves. Our predictions can be tested experimentally with two-dimensional arrangements of colloidal particles exposed to periodic light fields and our work shows that the inter-particle interaction strength tunes the degree of correlation in the sliding mechanism adopted by a monolayer driven over a commensurate substrate.
Multidimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry: A powerful tool for the direct chiral evaluation of aroma compounds in plant tissues. II. Linalool in essential oils and fruits

On-line coupled multidimensional gas chromatography (DB-5/Lipodex C)/mass spectrometry was used for direct chiral analysis of linalool in 15 essential oils and 16 fruit species. Whereas in a number of commercial essential oils racemic linalool was found, in the corresponding oils prepared in the laboratory enantioselective distribution of linalool was determined. Among the fruits studied, (R)-(−)-linalool dominated in guava, greengage, lulo (Solanum vestissimum), peach and plum. In arctic bramble, mango, yellow passion fruit, raspberry and strawberry the (S)-(+)-enantiomer prevailed. The occurrence of approximately racemic linalool was established in apricot [(enantiomeric excess (ee) 6.0% (R)], mirabelle plum [ee 9.4%(R)], red passion fruit [ee 9.0% (R)] and pineapple [ee 6.6% (R)].
C2H radical: 13C hyperfine interaction and optical spectrum

C2H was prepared by photolysis of acetylene, 90% 13C‐substituted acetylene, or iodoacetylene and trapped in solid argon at 4°K. A complete analysis of all hyperfine‐interaction and g tensor components was made for the randomly oriented 2Σ molecules yielding the following parameters (in solid argon): g∥=g⊥=2.0025(5), A⊥(H)=41(1), A∥(H)=51(1), A⊥(13Cα)=863(1), A∥(13Cα) =980(1), A⊥(13Cβ)=139(1), A∥(13Cβ) =191(1) MHz. Approximate spin densities are compared with an extended basis INDO calculation of Morikawa and Kikuchi. Weak optical absorption spectra were observed at about 10 000 and 3300 A. The former is assigned to an A2∏i←X2Σ transition with (0,0,0) at 10 080 A (in solid argon) where the upper state C–C stretching frequency ν′3 =1560 cm−1. The assignment of the 3300 A system (s) is less definite, but it may involve a B2A′←X2Σ, bent ← linear transition since the observed bands cannot definitely be assigned to an expected B2Σ←X2Σ transition.
The Survival of Lactococcus lactis in a Convective-Air-Drying Environment: The Role of Protectant Solids, Oxygen Injury, and Mechanism of Protection

The effect of protectant solids (lactose, sodium caseinate, and their mixture) on the survival of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris was studied in a convective-air-drying environment using single droplet drying. The effect of drying the bacteria in the presence or absence of sodium ascorbate was evaluated, and the evolution of glass transition temperature in the drying process was examined. It was found that the protective efficiency of lactose and sodium caseinate was comparable at the concentrations tested. A mixed protectant matrix (lactose:sodium caseinate, 3:1) gave higher survival than with lactose or sodium caseinate alone at the same total solids level. Protectants enhanced bacterial survival by moderating the drying rate and achieving dryness at lower temperatures, and by facilitating the formation of a glassy matrix earlier in the drying process. The addition of sodium ascorbate was also examined.
Zinc oxide – analogue of GaN with new perspective possibilities

Zinc oxide due to specific electrical, optical and acoustic properties is the important semiconductor material, which has many various applications. There is growing interest in ZnO due to its potential applicability for optoelectronic devices such as light‐emitting diodes, laser diodes and detectors for UV wavelength range. ZnO properties are very close to those of widely recognized semiconductor GaN. The band gap of ZnO (3.37 eV) is close to that of GaN (3.39 eV) but ZnO exciton binding energy (60 meV) is twice larger than that of GaN (28 meV). Optically pumped UV lasing have been demonstrated at room temperature using high textured ZnO films. The excitonic gain close to 300 cm–1 was achieved. ZnO thin films are expected to have higher quantum efficiency in UV semiconductor laser than GaN. The physical properties of ZnO are considered. PEMOCVD technology was used to deposit piezoelectric and highly transparent electroconductive ZnO films. Their properties are discussed. The experiments on polycrystalline ZnO films deposited by RF magnetron sputtering at different partial pressure of oxygen are presented. AFM images were studied in tapping mode for deposited films. The investigated films were dielectric ones and had optical transparency within 65‐85% at thickness in the interval 0.2‐0.6 μm. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)