Identification and Characterization of Actinomycetes for Biological Control of Bacterial Scab of Streptomyces scabies Isolated from Potato

A novel strain of Streptomyces in Egypt (known asStreptomyces scabies) was isolated from a scabby potato field in different regions of Egypt. The taxonomy of the organism was determined by morphology, biochemistry, and  physiological characteristics. Two bacterial strains (actinomycetes) which were  isolated from soil sample and showed antagonistic activity towards potato scab were identified using specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of 16S rDNA gene. The 16SrDNA sequence analysis showed that  the 1st strain belongs to the genus Streptomyces, with closest similarity to Streptomyces avermitilis MA-4680 (100% similarity). Sequence similarities between the 1st strain  and other Streptomyces species in the same subclade ranged from 98% (with Streptomyces griseus NBRC 13350 and Streptomyces sp. Wigar10). Keyphenotypic characteristics as well as chemotaxonomic features of the actinomyces were congruent with thedescription of the genus Streptomyces. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses. The 2nd strain identified as Actinomyces odontolyticus ATCC 17982(100% similarity). Sequence similarities between the 2nd strain  and other Actenomycetes species was 98% (with Actinomyces odontolyticusC 505). The two identified strains showed a high level of antibiosis against pathogenic organism (Streptomyces scabies) and achieve a significant control of disease as no sign of disease symptoms are shown on the tested varieties of potato ( Cara and Diamond) Keywords: Actinomycetes, biological control, Streptomyces scabies

Bug Fix Time Optimization Using Matrix Factorization and Iterative Gale-Shaply Algorithms

Bug triage is an essential task in software maintenance phase. It assigns developers (fixers) to bug reports to fix them. This process is performed manually by a triager, who analyzes developers profiles and submitted bug reports to make suitable assignments. Bug triaging process is time consuming thus automating this process is essential to improve the quality of software. Previous work addressed triaging problem either as an information retrieval or classification problem. This paper tackles this problem as a resource allocation problem, that aims at the best assignments of developers to bug reports, that reduces the total fixing time of the newly submitted bug reports, in addition to the even distribution of bug reports over developers. In this paper, a combination of matrix factorization and Gale Shapely algorithm, supported by the differential evolution is firstly introduced to optimize the total fix time and normalize developers work load. Matrix factorization is used to establish a recommendation system for Gale-Shapley to make assignment decisions. Differential evolution provides the best set of weights to build developers score profiles. The proposed approach is assessed over three repositories, Linux, Apache and Eclipse. Experimental results show that the proposed approach reduces the bug fixing time, in comparison to the manual triage, by 80.67%, 23.61% and 60.22% over Linux, Eclipse and Apache respectively. Moreover, the workload for the developers is uniform.Comment: 14 page, 7 figures, 8 tables, 10 equation

A randomized trial of brief treatment of earlystage Hodgkin lymphoma: Is it effective?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESWhether it is possible to reduce the intensity of treatment in early (stage I or II) Hodgkin lymphoma with a favorable prognosis remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this randomized trial, comparing two treatment groups consisting of a combination chemotherapy regimen of two different intensities followed by involved-field radiation therapy at two different dose levels.DESIGN AND SETTINGProspective, randomized, in patients referred to the Department of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine.PATIENTS AND METHODSNinety-eight patients with histologically proven early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma with a favorable prognosis were enrolled in this study between January 2008 and June 2010. They were randomly assigned in one of two treatment arms: arm I received four cycles of ABVD (Adriamycin, belomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) followed by 30Gy of involved-field radiation therapy; arm II received two cycles of ABVD followed by 20Gy of involved-field radiation therapy.RESULTSDuring the follow-up period, the 2-year relapse free survival rates were 96% and 95% in arm I and arm II, respectively(P=.8), while the 2-year overall survival rates were 98% and 95% in arm I and arm II, respectively (P=.16). Acute toxicity affected 54% of patients treated with four cycles of ABVD, who had grade III or IV toxicity, as compared with 30% of those receiving two cycles (P<.02). The rates of acute toxicity (grade III or IV) were also higher among patients treated with 30Gy of involved-field radiation therapy than among those receiving 20Gy (16% vs. 2.5%, P<.03).CONCLUSIONIn patients with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma and a favorable prognosis, treatment with two cycles of ABVD followed by 20Gy of involved-field radiation therapy was as effective as, and less toxic than, four cycles of ABVD followed by 30Gy of involved-field radiation therapy

Malignant minor salivary gland tumors: A retrospective study of 28 cases: Clinical experience of a single institution

Purpose: This retrospective study was done to report our experience with the management of patients with primary malignant tumors of minor salivary glands that were treated with various combinations of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy and to review treatment outcome. Methods: The records of all patients with malignant minor salivary gland tumors presenting for treatment at our department between 2000 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Variables were collected and outcome measures were defined in terms of overall survival, disease-free survival. Descriptive statistics were compiled and statistically evaluated. Survival was described using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Twenty eight patients (10 males and 18 females) ranging in age from 18 to 80 years (median, 64 years) met the criteria for inclusion in the study. The majority of tumors were located in the oral cavity (n = 20), followed by nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (n = 8). Adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most common neoplasm (n = 18). All patients were treated with surgery as the primary modality. Neck dissection was performed in 18% of patients, and all patients (n = 28) were treated with adjuvant external beam radiation therapy to a dose of 50 to 60 Gy. The disease-free survival rate and overall survival at 5 years were 80% and 85%, respectively. Conclusion: Postoperative radiation therapy is effective in preventing local recurrence in most patients with minor salivary gland tumors after gross total excision.</p

Malignant minor salivary gland tumors: A retrospective study of 28 cases: Clinical experience of a single institution

Purpose: This retrospective study was done to report our experience with the management of patients with primary malignant tumors of minor salivary glands that were treated with various combinations of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy and to review treatment outcome. Methods: The records of all patients with malignant minor salivary gland tumors presenting for treatment at our department between 2000 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Variables were collected and outcome measures were defined in terms of overall survival, disease-free survival. Descriptive statistics were compiled and statistically evaluated. Survival was described using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Twenty eight patients (10 males and 18 females) ranging in age from 18 to 80 years (median, 64 years) met the criteria for inclusion in the study. The majority of tumors were located in the oral cavity (n = 20), followed by nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (n = 8). Adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most common neoplasm (n = 18). All patients were treated with surgery as the primary modality. Neck dissection was performed in 18% of patients, and all patients (n = 28) were treated with adjuvant external beam radiation therapy to a dose of 50 to 60 Gy. The disease-free survival rate and overall survival at 5 years were 80% and 85%, respectively. Conclusion: Postoperative radiation therapy is effective in preventing local recurrence in most patients with minor salivary gland tumors after gross total excision

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Scheduling real-time indivisible loads with special resource allocation requirements on cluster computing

The paper presents a heuristic algorithm to schedule real time indivisible loads represented as directed sequential task graph on a cluster computing. One of the cluster nodes has some special resources (denoted by special node) that may be needed by one of the indivisible load

Growth, Water Relations, and Photosynthetic Activity Are Associated with Evaluating Salinity Stress Tolerance of Wheat Cultivars

Salinity stress riskiness adversely affects the population by causing food and environmental issues. Moreover, the destructive impacts of salinization differ among various plant cultivars. In the present study, we evaluate the salt stress tolerance among three wheat cultivars based on growth criteria, leaf relative water content (LRWC), and abscisic acid (ABA) level by treating the plants with 0, 40, 80, or 160 mM NaCl. The results revealed that an increase in NaCl concentration caused a massive reduction in growth (shoot and root growth criteria and flag leaf area), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and total pigments), and LRWC value, but a significant increase in the ABA content in flag leaf in all wheat cultivars. The wheat cultivars were otherwise exposed to anatomical characteristics and photosynthetic gas exchange investigations. NaCl toxicity induced a noticeable reduction in stomatal aperture area (SAA), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), and leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn). These impacts were remarkable with the 160 mM NaCl treatments for all evaluated parameters. Moreover, Sakha 69 revealed salinity tolerance greater than Giza168, and Sakha8 was the most salt-sensitive cultivar. Consequently, we recognized Sakha 69 as a salt-tolerant cultivar that may be used as parents in breeding programs for new cultivars with enhanced salt tolerance and for further genetic investigations to reveal the genetic strategies controlling the response of salinity stress in the wheat plant