Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria on the Content of Abscisic Acid and Salt Resistance of Wheat Plants

Although salinity inhibits plant growth, application of appropriate rhizosphere bacteria can diminish this negative effect. We studied one possible mechanism that may underlie this beneficial response. Wheat plants were inoculated with Bacillus subtilis IB-22 and Pseudomonas mandelii IB-Ki14 and their consequences for growth, water relations, and concentrations of the hormone abscisic acid (ABA) were followed in the presence of soil salinity. Salinity alone increased ABA concentration in wheat leaves and roots and this was associated with decreased stomatal conductance, but also with chlorophyll loss. Bacterial treatment raised ABA concentrations in roots, suppressed accumulation of leaf ABA, decreased chlorophyll loss, and promoted leaf area and transpiration. However, water balance was maintained due to increased water uptake by inoculated plants, brought about in part by a larger root system. The effect may be the outcome of ABA action since the hormone is known to maintain root extension in stressed plants. Root ABA concentration was highest in salt-stressed plants inoculated with B. subtilis and this contributed to greater root hydraulic conductivity. We conclude that bacteria can raise salt resistance in wheat by increasing root ABA, resulting in larger root systems that can also possess enhanced hydraulic conductivity thereby supporting better-hydrated leaves.
Radiobacillus deserti gen. nov., sp. nov., a UV-resistant bacterium isolated from desert soil.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, endospore-forming and UV-resistant bacterial strain, designated strain TKL69T, was isolated from sandy soil sampled in the Taklimakan Desert. The strain grew at 20-50 °C, pH 6-9 and with 0-12 % (w/v) NaCl. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0. The only respiratory quinone was MK-7. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Diphosphatidyl glycerol, two unidentified aminophospholipids and one unidentified phospholipid were identified as the major polar lipids. Genomic DNA analysis revealed a G+C content of 38.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TKL69T has the highest similarity to Salinibacillus xinjiangensis CGMCC 1.12331T (96.9 %) but belongs to an independent taxon separated from other genera of the family Bacillaceae. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses suggested that strain TKL69T represents a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Radiobacillus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain being Radiobacillus deserti TKL69T (=JCM 33497T=CICC 24779T).
Acanthamoeba keratitis: a review of biology, pathophysiology and epidemiology

Acanthamoeba keratitis is an infection caused by a unicellular protozoan of the genus Acanthamoeba that is universally widespread. Until now, most cases were reported in contact lens wearers, although it is also a reality for non‐wearers, mostly connected to corneal trauma. There is also a variation in incidence regarding the aetiology of the disease between developed and developing countries.
Computational Investigation of Spin Traps Using Hybrid Solvation Models.

Computational Investigation of Spin Traps Using Hybrid Solvation Models by Sai Sriharsha Manoj Konda The cyclic nitrone 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), and the lesser known linear phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) and its phosphorylated analogues have been used as spin traps for the investigation of free radicals in biological systems. Theoretical work on these molecules suggests that there are important differences in their properties between biological systems and isolated molecules in the gas phase, most likely resulting from intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Most dielectric solvation models such as the polarized continuum model and COSMO are incapable of direct determination of solvent-spin trap chemical interactions. To examine this, hybrid models incorporating COSMO for long range effects and discrete solvent molecules for short range effects, at the DFT/B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory, have been used to study the stabilization and alteration of the spin trap molecules properties in protic and aprotic polar solvents. The hybrid models have been successfully implemented to support the prominent role played by hydrogen bonding interactions in the stabilization of spin traps.
Regulation of the MIE Locus During HCMV Latency and Reactivation

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous herpesviral pathogen that results in life-long infection. HCMV maintains a latent or quiescent infection in hematopoietic cells, which is broadly defined by transcriptional silencing and the absence of de novo virion production. However, upon cell differentiation coupled with immune dysfunction, the virus can reactivate, which leads to lytic replication in a variety of cell and tissue types. One of the mechanisms controlling the balance between latency and reactivation/lytic replication is the regulation of the major immediate-early (MIE) locus. This enhancer/promoter region is complex, and it is regulated by chromatinization and associated factors, as well as a variety of transcription factors. Herein, we discuss these factors and how they influence the MIE locus, which ultimately impacts the phase of HCMV infection.
Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Outcomes after High-Risk Interventional Coronary Procedures

An increasing number of patients with coronary artery disease are at high operative risk due to advanced age, severe comorbidities, complex coronary anatomy, and reduced ejection fraction. Consequently, these high-risk patients are often offered percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as an alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We aimed to investigate the outcome of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) undergoing high-risk PCI. We analyzed consecutive patients undergoing high-risk PCI (period 01/2016–08/2018). In-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), defined as in-hospital stroke, myocardial infarction and death, and the one-year incidence of death from any cause were assessed in patients with and without DM. There were 276 patients (age 70 years, 74% male) who underwent high-risk PCI. Eighty-six patients (31%) presented with DM (insulin-dependent DM: n = 24; non-insulin-dependent DM: n = 62). In-hospital MACCEs occurred in 9 patients (3%) with a non-significant higher rate in patients with DM (n = 5/86, 6% vs. n = 4/190 2%; p = 0.24). In patients without DM, the survival rate was insignificantly higher than in patients with DM (93.6% vs. 87.1%; p = 0.07). One-year survival was not significantly different in DM patients with more complex coronary artery disease (SYNTAX I-score ≤ 22: 89.3% vs. > 22: 84.5%; p = 0.51). In selected high-risk patients undergoing high-risk PCI, DM was not associated with an increased incidence of in-hospital MACCEs or a decreased one-year survival rate.
A new perfusion culture method with a self-organized capillary network

A lack of perfusion has been one of the most significant obstacles for three-dimensional culture systems of organoids and embryonic tissues. Here, we developed a simple and reliable method to implement a perfusable capillary network in vitro. The method employed the self-organization of endothelial cells to generate a capillary network and a static pressure difference for culture medium circulation, which can be easily introduced to standard biological laboratories and enables long-term cultivation of vascular structures. Using this culture system, we perfused the lumen of the self-organized capillary network and observed a flow-induced vascular remodeling process, cell shape changes, and collective cell migration. We also observed an increase in cell proliferation around the self-organized vasculature induced by flow, indicating functional perfusion of the culture medium. We also reconstructed extravasation of tumor and inflammatory cells, and circulation inside spheroids including endothelial cells and human lung fibroblasts. In conclusion, this system is a promising tool to elucidate the mechanisms of various biological processes related to vascular flow.
Dietary Protein to Carbohydrate Ratio and Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Adults Based on a Long-Term Prospective Community-Based Cohort

Interest in high protein diets has recently been increasing for reduction of weight or management of cardiometabolic risks. However, studies on high protein, low carbohydrate diet in Asians are limited. This study aimed to estimate whether the dietary ratio of protein (%) to carbohydrate (%) from total energy intake (p/c ratio) is associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in Korean adults using a long-term prospective cohort. A total of 6335 participants from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, aged between 40 and 69 years, with no previous diagnosis of MS, cardiovascular diseases, or cancer at baseline (2001–2002) were followed until 2013. Dietary intake was measured using a validated semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. MS components were measured at baseline and every 2 years. During a mean of 7.7 years of follow up, 1198 (36.1%) men and 1169 (38.8%) women developed MS. The multivariate adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of incident MS was 1.43 (95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.89) for the highest compared lowest quintile of p/c ratio in men. When evaluating each component of MS, higher dietary p/c ratio was associated with an increased risk of high triglyceride and fasting glucose in men (HR for fifth vs. first quintile, 1.39 and 1.41 in Model 3, respectively). However, we observed no associations with incident MS and its components and dietary p/c ratio in women. In conclusion, we found that high dietary p/c ratio was associated with an increased risk of MS and its components (i.e., increased triglycerides and fasting glucose) in men. Our study suggested that even if the absolute amount of protein intake is not large, an increased p/c ratio may increase the risk of metabolic diseases.
Novel Computational Method to Define RNA PSRs Explains Influenza A Virus Nucleotide Conservation

ABSTRACT RNA molecules often fold into evolutionarily selected functional structures. Yet, the literature offers neither a satisfactory definition for “structured RNA regions”, nor a computational method to accurately identify such regions. Here, we define structured RNA regions based on the premise that both stems and loops in functional RNA structures should be conserved among RNA molecules sharing high sequence homology. In addition, we present a computational approach to identify RNA regions possessing evolutionarily conserved secondary structures, RNA ISRAEU (RNA Identification of Structured Regions As Evolutionary Unchanged). Applying this method to H1N1 influenza mRNAs revealed previously unknown structured RNA regions that are potentially essential for viral replication and/or propagation. Evolutionary conservation of RNA structural elements may explain, in part, why mutations in some nucleotide positions within influenza mRNAs occur significantly more often than in others. We found that mutations occurring in conserved nucleotide positions may be more disruptive for structured RNA regions than single nucleotide polymorphisms in positions that are more prone to changes. Finally, we predicted computationally a previously unknown stem-loop structure and demonstrated that oligonucleotides complementing the stem (but not the loop or unrelated sequences) reduce viral replication in vitro. These results contribute to understanding influenza A virus evolution and can be applied to rational design of attenuated vaccines and/or drug designs based on disrupting conserved RNA structural elements. AUTHOR SUMMARY RNA structures play key biological roles. However, the literature offers neither a satisfactory definition for “structured RNA regions” nor the computational methodology to identify such regions. We define structured RNA regions based on the premise that functionally relevant RNA structures should be evolutionarily conserved, and devise a computational method to identify RNA regions possessing evolutionarily conserved secondary structural elements. Applying this method to influenza virus mRNAs of pandemic and seasonal H1N1 influenza A virus generated Predicted Structured Regions (PSRs), which were previously unknown. This explains the previously mysterious sequence conservation among evolving influenza strains. Also, we have experimentally supported existence of a computationally predicted stem-loop structure predicted computationally. Our approach may be useful in designing live attenuated influenza vaccines and/or anti-viral drugs based on disrupting necessary conserved RNA structures.
Viabilitas Bacillus sp. Sebagai Agen Antagonis Patogen Tanaman Dalam Formulasi Berbahan Dasar Tepung

Bacterial biopesticide formulations needed because the use of bacteria in the suspensions can reduce the ability to control disease in plants. Therefore, a bacterial suspension needs to be mobilized in the formula with a carrier (Carrier) to maintain the viability of bacteria. This research uses the formulation of Bacillus sp. made from rice flour, corn, tapioca and talc with the addition of urea, glucose and CMC. Formulation of Bacillus sp. flour based with the addition of urea, glucose and CMC were tested with Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines and Colletotrichum sp. in vitro. The results showed that Bacillus sp. after formulation it is still able to maintain viabiitas and antagonistic power. Viability of Bacillus sp. the best is in the formulation of rice flour at 14 hsi at 4.94 X 1014 cfu / g while the inhibition zone of Bacillus sp. the best is the corn flour formulation of 13.1 mm and the inhibitory capacity of Bacillus sp. the best is in tapioca flour formulation at 42 hsi at 62.89%
Effects of Caries Activity on Compositions of Mutans Streptococci in Saliva-Induced Biofilm Formed on Bracket Materials

This study aimed to investigate effects of caries activity on composition of mutans streptococci in saliva-induced biofilms formed on bracket materials. Three bracket materials were used as specimens: ceramic, metal, and plastic. After saliva was collected using a spitting method from caries-active (CA, decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) score ≥ 10) and caries-free (CF, DMFT score = 0) subjects, saliva was mixed with growth media in a proportion of 1:10. The saliva solution was then incubated with each bracket material. After a saliva-induced biofilm was developed on the surface of the bracket material, the amounts of total bacteria and mutans streptococci were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that biofilms from CA saliva contained more mutans streptococci but less total bacteria than biofilms from CF saliva, regardless of material type. Adhesion of total bacteria to ceramic was higher than to plastic, regardless of caries activity. Mutans streptococci adhered more to ceramic than to metal and plastic in both biofilms from CA and CF saliva, but there was a difference in adhesion between Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. The amount of S. mutans was higher than that of S. sobrinus in biofilms from CA saliva despite similar amounts of the two strains in biofilms from CF saliva. The stronger adhesion of S. mutans to ceramic than to metal and plastic was more evident in biofilms from CA saliva than in biofilms from CF saliva. This study suggests that caries activity and material type significantly influenced composition of mutans streptococci in biofilms formed on bracket materials.
Middle-Term Evolution of Efficiency in Permeable Pavements: A Real Case Study in a Mediterranean climate

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are solutions used to reduce the effects of soil sealing and to contribute to sustainable storm water management. In recent years, many projects have been implemented in Europe, the United States, and Australia, but most of them have either not been monitored at all or have only been monitored in the short-term, so there is little information on the evolution of efficiency and clogging. Experiences in the Mediterranean are even rarer, so the main purpose of this research is to provide information about the long-term behavior of one kind of SuDS, the permeable pavements, in the middle-term under Mediterranean climatic conditions. This work shows the results of a real project developed in southern Spain, which has been monitored for five years. The evolution of efficiency in permeable pavements and their relationship with saturation are analyzed and discussed in this research. These results will help to manage and maintain permeable pavements in areas with a Mediterranean climatology.
Entwicklung und Validierung eines ELISA zur Beurteilung der Tetanusvakzinierung am Beispiel eines Pferdebestandes in Thüringen

The aim of the work is the establishment of an in vitro-method (enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay) as replacement of in vivo-neutralisation test for the verification of tetanus vaccination in horses. A second fact is comparison of the maternal tetanus specific IgG-content in serum and colostrum/milk of vaccinated mares with the tetanus specific IgG-content in serum of their foals. The presented non direct, non competitive ELISA is a suitable method for detection and titer control of the tetanus specific IgG-content in horse serum and horse colostrum/milk. The specific cut off value is 0,11 IE/ml. The tetanus specific antitoxin titer in serum of sucking foals average decrease after 66 days of live among the cut off-value. The antitoxin content in colostrum/milk decrease independent of titer content in serum of pregnant mares between day 7 and day 14 post partum among the cut off-value.
Clinical management of cerebral small vessel disease: a call for a holistic approach

Abstract Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a common global brain disease that causes cognitive impairment, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, problems with mobility, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The brain damage, seen as focal white and deep grey matter lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT), typically accumulates “covertly” and may reach an advanced state before being detected incidentally on brain scanning or causing symptoms. Patients have typically presented to different clinical services or been recruited into research focused on one clinical manifestation, perhaps explaining a lack of awareness, until recently, of the full range and complexity of SVD. In this review, we discuss the varied clinical presentations, established and emerging risk factors, relationship to SVD features on MRI or CT, and the current state of knowledge on the effectiveness of a wide range of pharmacological and lifestyle interventions. The core message is that effective assessment and clinical management of patients with SVD, as well as future advances in diagnosis, care, and treatment, will require a more “joined-up”’ approach. This approach should integrate clinical expertise in stroke neurology, cognitive, and physical dysfunctions. It requires more clinical trials in order to improve pharmacological interventions, lifestyle and dietary modifications. A deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of SVD is required to steer the identification of novel interventions. An essential prerequisite to accelerating clinical trials is to improve the consistency, and standardization of clinical, cognitive and neuroimaging endpoints.
Effects of pre-slaughter ascorbic acid administration on some physiological stress response and meat quality traits of lambs and kids subjected to road transport

The present study determined the effects of pre-slaughter ascorbic acid administration on some physiological indicators and meat quality traits of road transport-stressed lambs and kids. Eighteen lambs and 18 kids were divided into the following three groups: no transportation (T0), 3-h transportation (T3), and ascorbid acid administered at 125 mg/kg before 3-h transportation (T3+C). The liveweight loss and rectal temperature were similar, while there were significant differences among groups for some biochemical parameters in both lambs and kids. Glucose concentrations significantly increased after transportation in lambs (P = 0.005) and kids (P < 0.001). Ascorbic acid had significant effects on serum glucose of lambs. T3 lambs had higher glucose concentrations than did T0 lambs (P < 0.001), while T0 and T3+C lambs were found to have similar concentrations. Oxidative status in lambs and kids, as determined by serum malondialdehyde concentration, did not differ among groups. However, some meat quality traits were negatively influenced by transportation. T3 lambs had a significantly lower muscle glycogen concentration than did T0 and T3+C lambs (P = 0.018), while ultimate pH was similar among groups. Muscle glycogen concentration was significantly lower (P = 0.008) and ultimate pH was higher in T3 and T3+C kids (P = 0.028). T3 and T3+C groups had darker meat (L*) than did T0 groups both in lambs and kids, whereas a*, cooking loss and water-holding capacity were similar among groups. The effect of ascorbic acid on meat toughness was significant and shear force value in T0 lambs was lower than that in T3 lambs (P = 0.009), while T0 and T3+C lambs were found to have similar shear force values. Overall, the administration of ascorbic acid to lambs before transportation could partly reduce the adverse effects of road transportation stress, whereas its effects on kids were found to be insignificant.
Development and psychometric testing of the Gerontological Nursing Competence (GeroNursingCom) instrument.

AIM To develop and psychometrically test an instrument - GeroNursingCom - that measures gerontological nursing competence of nursing students. DESIGN An instrument development guided by COSMIN guidelines. METHOD The development and testing of the GeroNursingCom instrument proceeded according to four distinct phases: (a) establishing a theoretical background; (b) testing face and content validity; (c) examining structural validity; and (d) testing internal consistency. The items of instrument were based on a theoretical framework developed from a comprehensive literature review and focus group interviews with experts (N = 27) in spring 2018. Content validity was assessed by nine experts in gerontological nursing, while face validity was tested in a pilot study including 36 nursing students. Structural validity was examined with exploratory factor analysis with 267 nursing students from nine universities of applied sciences. The internal consistency was established with Cronbach's alpha. The data were collected in spring and autumn 2019. The data analysis was conducted with multivariate statistical methods. RESULTS The GeroNursingCom development and testing process yielded an instrument that includes 53 items across 11 factors: (a) appreciative encounters and interactions with older people; (b) medication for older people; (c) nutrition for older people; (d) safe living environment for older people; (e) supporting the functioning of older people; (f) end-of-life care; (g) developing one's competencies; (h) supporting an older person's mental well-being; (i) supporting an older person's sexuality; (j) guiding self-care among older people; and (k) responding to challenging situations. The instrument was able to explain 66.15% of the total observed variance, while Cronbach's alpha values for individual items varied from 0.75-0.89. CONCLUSION TheGeroNursingCom instrument can be used to measure gerontological nursing competence among nursing students to improve gerontological nursing education and/or geriatric care. IMPACT Graduating nursing students must develop versatile competencies to face the multiple needs of older patients and curriculums need to be further developed to ensure students are prepared for gerontological nursing.