Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development, in vitro Evaluation, and in vivo Study of Adhesive Buccal Films for the Treatment of Diabetic Pediatrics via Trans Mucosal Delivery of Gliclazide

Objective Development and evaluation of bucco-adhesive films of Gliclazide for pediatric use. Methods Sixteen films were formulated using a different combination of Gelatin, Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), polyvinyl alcohol, Hydroxy propyl cellulose (HPC), chitosan, polyethylene glycol, sodium alginate, and carbopol. Compatibility study for drug and polymers was conducted using differential scanning calorimetry method and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. All films were examined for drug content, weight variation, thickness, swelling index, muco-adhesion and folding endurance. In vitro drug release has been completed for two hours. Stability studies were conducted at 4°C, 25°C, and 40°C for selected films. The optimized formulation based on in vitro data was selected for a bioavailability study in rabbits. Results The selected film formula (carbopol 2%, HPMC 2%) did not demonstrate interactions between the drug and polymers, while it showed accepted content, muco-adhesion, and mechanical properties. The in vitro release study showed rapid and complete release of drug from films. Stability studies confirmed accepted stability of the selected film at 4°C and 25°C, but the film get hard with few particles at 40°C. The bioavailability studies conducted showed that there was 2.1 fold increase in the AUC0-24 of selected film compared with oral tablets. Conclusion Bucco adhesive films of Gliclazide is a promising dosage form for the treatment of diabetes in children.
Anti-Infective and Toxicity Properties of Carbon Based Materials: Graphene and Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

Recently, antimicrobial activities of various carbon-based nanomaterials against specific pathogens have become one of the most significant research interests in this field. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising multidisciplinary nanostructures in biomedicine, drug delivery, genetic engineering, biosensors, and artificial implants. However, the biomedical administration of CNTs is dependent on their solubility, toxicity, and biocompatibility, as well as novel drug-delivery applications through optimization of the drug’s loading capacity, cellular absorption, and continuous release within the target cell. The usage of CNTs and Graphene materials as antimicrobial agents and nanocarriers for antibiotics delivery would possibly improve their bioavailability and facilitate better anti-infective therapy. However, it is worth mentioning that CNTs’ antimicrobial activity and toxicity are highly dependent on their preparation and synthesis method. Various types of research have confirmed that diameter, length, residual catalyst, metal content, surface coating, electronic structure, and dispersibility would affect CNTs’ toxicity toward bacteria and human cells. In this review article, a general study was performed on the antimicrobial properties of carbon-based nanomaterials, as well as their toxicity and applications in confronting different microorganisms. This study could be useful for researchers who are looking for new and effective drug delivery methods in the field of microbial resistance.
Nanomaterials Based on Honey and Propolis for Wound Healing—A Mini-Review

Wound healing is a public health concern worldwide, particularly in chronic wounds due to delayed healing and susceptibility to bacterial infection. Nanomaterials are widely used in wound healing treatments due to their unique properties associated with their size and very large surface-area-to-volume ratio compared to the same material in bulk. The properties of nanomaterials can be expanded and improved upon with the addition of honey and propolis, due to the presence of bioactive molecules such as polyphenols, flavonoids, peptides, and enzymes. These bionanomaterials can act at different stages of wound healing and through different mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, collagen synthesis stimulation, cell proliferation, and angiogenic effects. Biomaterials, at the nanoscale, show new alternatives for wound therapy, allowing for targeted and continuous delivery of beekeeping products at the injection site, thus avoiding possible systemic adverse effects. Here, we summarize the most recent therapies for wound healing based on bionanomaterials assisted by honey and propolis, with a focus on in vitro and in vivo studies. We highlight the type, composition (honey, propolis, and polymeric scaffolds), biological, physicochemical/mechanical properties, potential applications and patents related of the last eight years. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges, advantages, disadvantages and stability of different bionanomaterials related to their clinical translation and insight into the investigation and development of new treatments for wound healing.
Carrier dynamics investigation in quantum cascade lasers using Mid-IR ultrafast pulses

Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are unipolar devices composed of repeated stack of semiconductor multiple quantum well heterostructures utilizing intersubband transitions and resonant tunneling. In this paper, 120 fs Mid-IR pulses are used to investigate the nature of carrier transport through the quantum wells and barriers of a pulse biased, room temperature operating ultrastrong coupling design QCL. Despite the low average power of Mid-IR pulses, we managed to efficiently couple these pulses into the QCL waveguide so as to observe distinct phenomena by varying the pump and probe's power. Biased just below the threshold, we observed a strong gain depletion dip at t=0 which is mainly caused by the depletion of electrons from the upper lasing state mainly by stimulated emission. Ultrafast gain recovery within the first 200 fs was observed. This is mainly attributed to phonon scattering and electrons resonantly tunneling through a much thinner injector barrier, which overcomes the interface-roughness-induced detuning of resonant tunneling. Electron transport through the injector region contributes to a slower gain recovery lifetime of 2-3 ps.
The Mechanical, Thermal, and Chemical Properties of PLA-Mg Filaments Produced via a Colloidal Route for Fused-Filament Fabrication

The effect of Mg particles on the thermal, chemical, physical, and primarily mechanical properties of 3D-printed PLA/Mg composites is studied in this paper. Recently, new colloidal processing has been proposed to introduce Mg particles into the PLA matrix, which ensures good dispersion of the particles and better thermal properties, allowing for thermal processing routes such as extrusion or 3D printing via fused-filament fabrication. The thermal and physical properties are here studied in 1D single-filament-printed PLA/Mg composites with 0 to 10 wt. % of Mg particles by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC); we analyse the PLA chain modifications produced, the crystallinity fraction, and the different crystalline forms of the PLA after thermal processing. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is used to confirm the influence of the PLA/Mg colloidal processing after printing. The mechanical properties are measured with a universal tensile test machine on the 1D single-printed filaments via fused-filament fabrication (FFF); the filaments were naturally aged to stable conditions. Filaments with and without a notch are studied to obtain the materials’ tensile strength, elastic modulus, and fracture toughness. Different analytical models to explain the results of the PLA-Mg were studied, in which the minimum values for the interface strength of the PLA-Mg composites were calculated.
The effect of baffle spacing on hydrodynamics and solute transport in serpentine contact tanks

In their interesting article, the Authors evaluated the effect of baffle spacing on the hydrodynamics and transport performance in a scaled contact tank with variable baffle spacing. They applied large-Eddy simulation (LES) to solve the filtered Navier–Stokes equations. Then solute transport capacity was assessed by solving the 3D advection–diffusion equation for the conservative tracer injected. The results of the flow and concentration field were successfully compared with previous experimental data. The main transport phenomenon in serpentine-flow contact tanks was found to be advection. Wider compartments exhibited large recirculation zones in which the solute entered via action of turbulent eddies and stayed there longer than the mean resident time. The paper confirmed the importance of tank geometry (i.e. baffle spacing) in the design of effective serpentine disinfection tanks. The Discussers would like to highlight some points raised from the paper. They are the following:
Dexmedetomidine alleviates intestinal barrier dysfunction and inflammatory response in mice via suppressing TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in an experimental model of ulcerative colitis.

INTRODUCTION Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a nonspecific intestinal inflammatory disease. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a selective alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist commonly used for analgesia and sedation in intensive care units. Herein, the role and mechanism of DEX in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis was explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS A murine model of DSS-induced colitis was established by adding 3.5% (w/v) DSS in drinking water to C57BL/6J female mice. The severity of colitis was measured by the disease activity index (DAI) score, colon length and body weight of mice. The serum concentration and mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines in colon tissues were assessed by ELISA and RT-qPCR, respectively. Protein levels of apoptotic markers, tight junction proteins and genes involved in the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling were quantified utilizing Western blotting. The pathological changes of colon tissues were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and histological score. Intestinal permeability in vivo was assessed by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (FITC-D) administration. TUNEL assay was used to determine cell apoptosis in the intestinal epithelium. RESULTS DSS administration resulted in weight loss, shortening of the colon, increased DAI score, histological abnormalities, and increased serum FITC-D levels in mice, all of which were reversed by DEX injection. Moreover, DEX attenuated DSS-triggered inflammatory response, intestinal barrier injury and intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis. Mechanically, DEX inactivated the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in the colon tissues. CONCLUSIONS DEX exerts beneficial effects against the intestinal barrier dysfunction, inflammatory response, and apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells via inactivation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in mice with DSS-induced colitis.
Isothermal transient analysis of piston skirt-to-cylinder wall contacts under combined axial, lateral and tilting motion

The paper describes the combined axial, lateral and tilting motions of piston within the confine of cylinder bore, with sliding and normally approaching and separating contacts between the piston skirt and the cylinder wall on both the major and minor thrust sides. The methodology developed undertakes combined solution for inertial dynamics of the piston, together with transient elastohydrodynamic analysis of both contacts. It also includes important practical features of the contacting surfaces, such as the axial form relieving of the piston skirt profile. The space–time solver uses Newmark β-type time marching integrator, as well as the effective influence Newton–Raphson method for space-domain solution of the elastohydrodynamic conjunctions in each step of time. This approach, not hitherto reported for this type of conforming contacts yields accurate predictions of lubricant film thickness and pressure distribution within computationally acceptable times, given the inclusion of level of detail in the model.
Parenting Style and Help-Seeking for Child Anxiety and Depression: A Vignette Study

Anxiety and depression are known to have a significant impact on the daily functioning of children and their families; yet only a fraction of diagnosed children receive treatment from professional mental health services. To better understand the discrepancy between high rates of child psychopathology and low rates of mental health service use, the current study examined parenting style and the time at which a parent decides to seek mental health treatment for their child. The current study hypothesized that parents would seek help when their child’s symptoms and interference were moderate. It also hypothesized that parents with an authoritative or permissive parenting style would seek help earlier than parents with an authoritarian style. Additionally, it was hypothesized that parents would seek help for child depression earlier and more often than for child anxiety. Results indicated that p arents sought help for their children when symptoms and interference were mild in severity. Parents sought help for their child significantly earlier for depression than for anxiety. No significant difference in help-seeking points was found between authoritative, authoritarian, or permissive parenting styles. Limitations of the current study and future directions are discussed.
‘Alcohol Helps to Stimulate and Violate the Air’: Drinking Games and Transgressive Drinking Practices among Nigerian Youth

In traditional Nigeria, moderate drinking was normative among adult men who occupied drinking spaces. Heavy drinking and intoxication were transgressive behaviours that attracted sanctions. Alcohol consumption among youth was taboo in most communities. Nowadays, young people drink, and many construct identities with heavy drinking and intoxication. Drawing on interviews and focus groups with students and nonstudents in Benin City, I explore how young people’s participation in drinking games (DGs) facilitates heavy drinking, intoxication, and transgression of the local consumption norms. ‘Mere arguments’, betting, and assertions of masculinity initiate DGs, while fun, economic gain, and the construction of social identities motivate gameplaying. Aside from other DG categories, participants played a localized version of Truth-or-Dare, where losers are mandated to undress in public- or drink-specified quantities of alcohol. DGs were mostly played at bars and parties, which encouraged heavy drinking and drunkenness. DGs generate fun for players and partygoers; thus, party hosts often include gameplaying in party programmes. Winning a DG attracts titles like ‘boss’, ‘champion’, or ‘guru’ and a reputation among men. Therefore, they played DGs to reproduce/authenticate their masculinity and achieve such titles and prestige, while women mostly played DGs to win money, phones, and bags. Many participants’ gameplaying resulted in heavy drinking, intoxication, and loss of control that subverted the local consumption culture, which prohibits heavy drinking and promotes moderation. The findings demonstrate how transgressive behaviours can be enjoyable to transgressors and also function as resistance to social norms/structures that encourage dominance/inequalities.
Toward a Cognitive Basis for Quantitative Ability Measures.

The construct validity of algebra word problems for measuring quantitative reasoning was examined from two perspectives, one focusing on an analysis of problem attributes and the other on the analysis of constructed-response solutions. Twenty problems that had appeared on the Graduate Record Examinations General Test were investigated. Constructed-response solutions to these problems were collected from 51 undergraduates. Regression analyses of problem attributes indicated that models including factors such as the need to apply algebraic concepts, problem complexity, and problem content could account for 37% to 62% of the variance in problem difficulty. With respect to constructed-response solutions, four classes of strategies were identified: equation formulation, ratio setup, simulation, and other (unsystematic) approaches. Higher achieving students used equation strategies more and unsystematic approaches less than lower achieving examinees. Examinees' errors were classified into eight principal categories. Problem conception errors were the best predictor of performance on the constructed-response problems and on SAT-M. In contrast, procedural errors contributed to the prediction of performance on the constructed-response problems but not to standing on SAT-M. Overall, these results provide support for the construct validity of GRE algebra word problems and of SAT-M as measures of quantitative reasoning. A preliminary theoretical framework for describing performance on algebra word problems is proposed and its usefulness for more systematic design of tests is discussed.
D-Ribose-Induced Glycation and Its Attenuation by the Aqueous Extract of Nigella sativa Seeds

Background and Objectives: Glycation and oxidative stress are the major contributing factors responsible for diabetes and its secondary complications. Aminoguanidine, a hydrazine derivative, is the only approved drug that reduces glycation with its known side effects. As a result, research into medicinal plants with antioxidant and antiglycation properties is beneficial in treating diabetes and its consequences. This investigation aimed to examine the efficacy of the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds against the D-ribose-induced glycation system. Materials and Methods: The suppression of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes were used to assess the antidiabetic capacity. UV–Visible, fluorescence, and FTIR spectroscopy were used to characterize the Nigella sativa seed extract and its efficacy in preventing glycation. The inhibition of albumin glycation, fluorescent advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation, thiol oxidation, and amyloid formation were used to evaluate the extracts’ antiglycation activity. In addition, the extent of glycoxidative DNA damage was analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The IC50 for the extract in the α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assays were approximately 1.39 ± 0.016 and 1.01 ± 0.022 mg/mL, respectively. Throughout the investigation, it was found that the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds (NSAE) inhibited the level of ketoamine, exerted a considerable drop in fluorescence intensity, and reduced carbonyl production and thiol modification when added to the D-ribose-induced glycation system. In addition, a reduction in the BSA-cross amyloid formation was seen in the Congo red, thioflavin T assay, and electrophoretic techniques. NSAE also exhibited a strong capability for DNA damage protection. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Nigella sativa could be used as a natural antidiabetic, antiglycation treatment and a cost-effective and environmentally friendly source of powerful bioactive chemicals.
Shock propagation in a cemented tungsten carbide

WC-based ceramic metal composites (cermets) are of great importance in both armor and munition design due to the combination of properties imparted by the presence of two different phases. WC-Co cermets are of interest in this area due to the hardness and strength imparted by the WC phase while the cementing Co matrix acts to increase plasticity and toughness. Here the dynamic response of G13 WC-Co manufactured by Kennametal Engineered Products B.V. was studied via a series of plate impact experiments involving both longitudinal and lateral gauges, which allowed determination of the Us - Up relationship, measurement of a Hugoniot elastic limit of 3.3±0.2 GPa, measurement of a spall strength of 4.38 GPa, and an investigation of the stress dependence of shear strength in such a strong material. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.
EASY-WPW: a novel ECG-algorithm for easy and reliable localization of manifest accessory pathways in children and adults

Abstract Aims Accessory pathway (AP) ablation is a standard procedure for the treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). Twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)-based delta wave analysis is essential for predicting ablation sites. Previous algorithms have shown to be complex, time-consuming, and unprecise. We aimed to retrospectively develop and prospectively validate a new, simple ECG-based algorithm considering the patients’ heart axis allowing for exact localization of APs in patients undergoing ablation for WPW. Methods and results Our multicentre study included 211 patients undergoing ablation of a single manifest AP due to WPW between 2013 and 2021. The algorithm was developed retrospectively and validated prospectively by comparing its efficacy to two established ones (Pambrun and Arruda). All patients (32 ± 19 years old, 47% female) underwent successful pathway ablation. Prediction of AP-localization was correct in 197 patients (93%) (sensitivity 92%, specificity 99%, PPV 96%, and NPV 99%). Our algorithm was particularly useful in correctly localizing antero-septal/-lateral (sensitivity and specificity 100%) and posteroseptal (sensitivity 98%, specificity 92%) AP in proximity to the tricuspid valve. The accuracy of EASY-WPW was superior compared to the Pambrun (93% vs. 84%, P = 0.003*) and the Arruda algorithm (94% vs. 75%, P < 0.001*). A subgroup analysis of children (n = 58, 12 ± 4 years old, 55% female) revealed superiority to the Arruda algorithm (P < 0.001*). The reproducibility of our algorithm was excellent (ϰ>0.8; P < 0.001*). Conclusion The novel EASY-WPW algorithm provides reliable and accurate pre-interventional ablation site determination in WPW patients. Only two steps are necessary to locate left-sided AP, and three steps to determine right-sided AP.
Prognostic Role of Red Cell Distribution Width and Other Routine Clinico-Pathological Parameters in Dogs with Acute Pancreatitis

Simple Summary This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of some commonly used and inexpensive hematological and biochemical parameters in dogs with acute pancreatitis. This is a multicenter study including 70 client-owned dogs. Statistical analysis was performed to obtain the accuracy of clinical and laboratory variables in order to predict short-term death (i.e., dead by 14 days) and to identify independent predictors of death. The survival rate was 72.9% (51 dogs) and 19 dogs died within 14 days of admission from AP. Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) had good accuracy to predict short-term death with the cut-off of >12.7% and >42 mg/dL, respectively. The results indicate that RDW, BUN and bilirubin are useful predictors of short-term death in dogs with acute pancreatitis. Abstract This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of red cell distribution width (RDW) RDW-to-calcium ratio (RDW/Ca), neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (N/L), platelets-to-lymphocytes ratio (P/L) and other easy to obtain and inexpensive hematological and biochemical parameters in dogs with acute pancreatitis. This is a multicenter, retrospective cohort study including 70 client-owned dogs. The accuracy of clinical and laboratory variables to predict short-term death (i.e., dead by 14 days) was tested by calculating the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC). Independent predictors of death were identified using the multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model. The survival rate was 72.9% (51 dogs) and 19 dogs died within 14 days of admission from AP. RDW and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) had good accuracy to predict short-term dead with AUC of 0.74 and 0.70 at the cut-off of >12.7% and >42 mg/dL, respectively. According to the multivariable model, RDW (hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval [HR, 95% CI] = 5.08, 95% CI = 1.14–22.67; p = 0.03), BUN (HR = 1.00, 95% CI = 1.00–1.01; p < 0.01) and bilirubin (HR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.38–4.39; p < 0.01) were independent predictors of death. The results indicate that RDW, BUN and bilirubin are useful predictors of short-term death in dogs with acute pancreatitis.