Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of BDNF in Experimental and Clinical Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the world with no current pharmacological treatment. The role of BDNF in neural repair and regeneration is well established and has also been the focus of TBI research. Here, we review experimental animal models assessing BDNF expression following injury as well as clinical studies in humans including the role of BDNF polymorphism in TBI. There is a large heterogeneity in experimental setups and hence the results with different regional and temporal changes in BDNF expression. Several studies have also assessed different interventions to affect the BDNF expression following injury. Clinical studies highlight the importance of BDNF polymorphism in the outcome and indicate a protective role of BDNF polymorphism following injury. Considering the possibility of affecting the BDNF pathway with available substances, we discuss future studies using transgenic mice as well as iPSC in order to understand the underlying mechanism of BDNF polymorphism in TBI and develop a possible pharmacological treatment.
The Influence of Nanometals, Dispersed in the Electrophoretic Nanohydroxyapatite Coatings on the Ti13Zr13Nb Alloy, on Their Morphology and Mechanical Properties

In this work, nanohydroxyapatite coatings with nanosilver and nanocopper have been fabricated and studied. The presented results concern coatings with a chemical composition that has never been proposed before. The present research aims to characterize the effects of nanosilver and nanocopper, dispersed in nanohydroxyapatite coatings and deposited on a new, non-toxic Ti13Zr13Nb alloy, on the physical and mechanical properties of coatings. The coatings were obtained by a one-stage electrophoretic process. The surface topography, and the chemical and phase compositions of coatings were examined with scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The mechanical properties of coatings were determined by nanoindentation tests, while coatings adhesion was determined by nanoscratch tests. The results demonstrate that copper addition increases the hardness and adhesion. The presence of nanosilver has no significant influence on the adhesion of coatings.
Life-cycle analysis of product integrated polymer solar cells

A life cycle analysis (LCA) on a product integrated polymer solar module is carried out in this study. These assessments are well-known to be useful in developmental stages of a product in order to identify the bottlenecks for the up-scaling in its production phase for several aspects spanning from economics through design to functionality. An LCA study was performed to quantify the energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electricity use in the manufacture of a light-weight lamp based on a plastic foil, a lithium-polymer battery, a polymer solar cell, printed circuitry, blocking diode, switch and a white light emitting semiconductor diode. The polymer solar cell employed in this prototype presents a power conversion efficiency in the range of 2 to 3% yielding energy payback times (EPBT) in the range of 1.3–2 years. Based on this it is worthwhile to undertake a life-cycle study on the complete product integrated polymer solar cell. We have compared this portable lighting system with other lighting solutions, namely: a kerosene lamp in a remote rural area in Africa (Ethiopia), as a replacement of a silicon PV based lamp, in place of a torch with non-rechargeable lead-acid battery and instead of a battery charging station. The analysis reveals that the OPV lamp has a significant advantage provided that some of the challenges facing this novel technology are efficiently met such that it can enter the market of portable lighting devices.
The Sardinian Bitter Honey: From Ancient Healing Use to Recent Findings

Sardinian bitter honey, obtained from the autumnal flowering of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.), has an old fame and tradition in popular use, especially as a medicine. Its knowledge dates back over 2000 years, starting from the Greeks and Romans to the present day. There are many literary references from illustrious personalities of the past such as Cicero, Horace, Virgil, and Dioscorides, until recent times, associated with the peculiar anomaly of its taste, which lends itself to literary and poetic metaphors. The curiosity of its bitter taste is also what led to the first studies starting in the late 1800s, aimed to reveal its origin. Other studies on its botanical source and characteristics have been carried out over time, up to the most recent investigations, which have confirmed its potential for use in the medical field, thanks to its antioxidant, antiradical, and cancer-preventing properties. These benefits have been associated with its phenolic component and in particular with the prevailing phenolic acid (homogentisic acid). Later, other strawberry tree honeys from the Mediterranean area have also shown the same properties. However, Sardinian bitter honey maintains its geographical and historical identity, which is recognized by other Mediterranean cultures.
The Effect of Cultivation Passaging on the Relative Telomere Length and Proliferation Capacity of Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Telomeres are repetitive nucleoprotein DNA sequences that shorten with each cell division. The stem cells activate telomerase to compensate for the telomere loss. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cultivation passaging on the relative telomere length and proliferation capacity of dental pulp stem cells. We used ten dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) lineages stored for 12 months using uncontrolled-rate freezing to reach the study’s goal. We analyzed their proliferation rate, phenotype using flow cytometry, multipotency, and relative telomere length using a qPCR analysis. We determined the relative telomere length in the added study by performing analysis after one, two, and three weeks of cultivation with no passaging. We documented the telomere attrition with increasing passaging. The shorter the relative telomere length, the lower reached population doublings, and longer population doubling time were observed at the end of the cultivation. We observed the telomere prolongation in DPSCs cultivated for two weeks with no passaging in the added subsequent study. We concluded that excessive proliferation demands on DPSCs during in vitro cultivation result in telomere attrition. We opened the theory that the telomerase might be more efficient during cell cultivation with no passaging. This observation could help in preserving the telomere length during ex vivo DPSC expansion.
On the Identification and Quantification of Ergothioneine and Lovastatin in Various Mushroom Species: Assets and Challenges of Different Analytical Approaches

In recent years, mushrooms have drawn the attention of agro-industries and food-industries as they were considered to be valuable natural sources of health promoting compounds such as β-glucans, ergothioneine, and lovastatin. The detection and quantification of such compounds by implementing reliable analytical approaches is of the utmost importance in order to adjust mushrooms’ cultivation conditions and maximize the production in different species. Toward this direction, the current study focuses on the comparison of ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrometry and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) methods (a) by evaluating the content of ergothioneine and lovastatin in mushrooms and (b) by highlighting any possible substrate-based interferences that hinder the accurate determination of these two compounds in order to propose the technique-of-choice for a standardized bioactive compounds monitoring. For this purpose, mushrooms produced by three species (i.e., Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and P. citrinopileatus) on various cultivation substrates, namely wheat straw (WS), winery (grape marc (GM)), and olive oil (OL) by-products, were examined. Among the two applied techniques, the developed and validated LC–MS methods, exhibiting relatively short analysis time and higher resolution, emerge as the methods-of-choice for detecting ergothioneine and lovastatin in mushrooms. On the contrary, UV–Vis methods were hindered due to co-absorbance of different constituents, resulting in invalid results. Among the studied mushrooms, P. citrinopileatus contained the highest amount of ergothioneine (822.1 ± 20.6 mg kg−1 dry sample), whereas A. bisporus contained the highest amounts of lovastatin (1.39 ± 0.014 mg kg−1 dry sample). Regarding the effect of different cultivation substrates, mushrooms produced on OL and WS contained the highest amount of ergothioneine, while mushrooms deriving from GM-based substrates contained the highest amount of lovastatin.
Enzyme activities and oxygen uptakes of soils under pasture in temperature and rainfall sequences.

Summary Some glycoside hydrolase activities, dehydrogenase activities, and oxygen uptakes were studied in New Zealand topsoils under pasture, arranged in two zonal soil sequences: one in which mean annual temperature varied (5 soils), and another in which mean annual rainfall varied (7 soils). Differences in other site factors were small. All the biochemical activities were negatively, but not usually significantly, correlated with mean annual temperature. Activities did not appear to be influenced by differences in the proportions of grasses and legumes (mainly clovers) or in the clay contents at the different sites. Activities of glycoside hydrolases (a) without added substrate and (b) with added starch were significantly correlated with mean annual rainfall, and with soil moisture and organic C contents; activities of (c) enzymes hydrolysing sucrose were significantly correlated only with soil organic C contents. The ratios of (c) to (b) declined significantly with increasing mean annual rainfall. Dehydrogenase activities were highest in winter samples and significantly correlated with both soil moisture content and pH. Oxygen uptakes were significantly correlated with numbers of viable bacteria in soils of the rainfall sequence although they were not significantly correlated with annual rainfall nor with soil organic C contents. Oxygen uptakes and dehydrogenase activities were not significantly interrelated. Results were compared with previous studies of grassland soils.
Improving Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates among Rural Older Adults through Academic Detailing: Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy Partnership

Academic detailing is an educational approach involving provision of evidence-based information by healthcare providers for healthcare providers with the goal of improving clinical decision-making. An interprofessional academic detailing initiative was developed to encourage rural providers to utilize guidelines when deciding which patients to vaccinate against pneumonia. This study utilized a quasi-experimental, single-group, pre-post observational design with physicians, nurses, and staff at two rural medical clinics. The 12-month academic detailing intervention included a needs assessment, workflow assessment of practice-based health information technology, vaccination training for providers and staff, and creation of exam-room posters encouraging patients to discuss vaccination with their provider. Six visits were made to deliver education, discuss needs, select priorities, and develop action plans from recommendations. Data were collected from each site for three years prior to the intervention year and for one year following the intervention. The annual rate of patients vaccinated increased during the five-year study. The cumulative proportion of the sample population that received vaccination also increased over time. Interprofessional academic detailing was well received and increased pneumococcal vaccination rates among rural-dwelling older adults. Given the alarming disparities in health outcomes for rural patients, educational outreach is needed to improve healthcare access and outcomes.
SISME, Estuarine Monitoring System Based on IOT and Machine Learning for the Detection of Salt Wedge in Aquifers: Case Study of the Magdalena River Estuary

This article contains methods, results, and analysis agreed for the development of an application based on the internet of things and making use of machine learning techniques that serves as a support for the identification of the saline wedge in the Magdalena River estuary, Colombia. As a result of this investigation, the process of identifying the most suitable telecommunications architecture to be installed in the estuary is shown, as well as the characteristics of the software developed called SISME (Estuary Monitoring System), and the results obtained after the implementation of prediction techniques based on time series. This implementation supports the maritime security of the port of Barranquilla since it can support decision-making related to the estuary. This research is the result of the project “Implementation of a Wireless System of Temperature, Conductivity and Pressure Sensors to support the identification of the saline wedge and its impact on the maritime safety of the Magdalena River estuary”.
pH-Responsive Release of Ruthenium Metallotherapeutics from Mesoporous Silica-Based Nanocarriers

Ruthenium complexes are attracting interest in cancer treatment due to their potent cytotoxic activity. However, as their high toxicity may also affect healthy tissues, efficient and selective drug delivery systems to tumour tissues are needed. Our study focuses on the construction of such drug delivery systems for the delivery of cytotoxic Ru(II) complexes upon exposure to a weakly acidic environment of tumours. As nanocarriers, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) are utilized, whose surface is functionalized with two types of ligands, (2-thienylmethyl)hydrazine hydrochloride (H1) and (5,6-dimethylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)hydrazine (H2), which were attached to MSN through a pH-responsive hydrazone linkage. Further coordination to ruthenium(II) center yielded two types of nanomaterials MSN-H1[Ru] and MSN-H2[Ru]. Spectrophotometric measurements of the drug release kinetics at different pH (5.0, 6.0 and 7.4) confirm the enhanced release of Ru(II) complexes at lower pH values, which is further supported by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) measurements. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity effect of the released metallotherapeutics is evaluated in vitro on metastatic B16F1 melanoma cells and enhanced cancer cell-killing efficacy is demonstrated upon exposure of the nanomaterials to weakly acidic conditions. The obtained results showcase the promising capabilities of the designed MSN nanocarriers for the pH-responsive delivery of metallotherapeutics and targeted treatment of cancer.
The Impact of Radiotherapy Dose in Patients with Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy

Objective: For patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by planned esophagectomy is used as a curative treatment modality. However, the impact of radiotherapy dose remains undefined. Method: A total of 141 patients with stage III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC; as defined by the 7th American Joint Committee on Cancer), receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by esophagectomy between 2000 and 2015 at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, were retrospectively reviewed. The radiotherapy dose of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (36 Gy before 2009 and 50–50.4 Gy after 2009) and other clinicopathological parameters were collected and correlated with the response to chemoradiotherapy and treatment outcome. Result: Of these 141 patients, the radiotherapy dose was 36 Gy in 59 (42%) patients and 50 Gy in 82 (58%) patients. A complete pathological response was noted in 12 (20%) of 59 patients receiving 36 Gy radiotherapy, and 37 (45%) of 82 patients receiving 50 Gy radiotherapy (p = 0.002). The three-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 31% and 25% in patients receiving 36 Gy radiotherapy, and 54% and 46% in patients receiving 50–50.4 Gy radiotherapy, respectively (p = 0.023 for overall survival; p = 0.047 for disease-free survival). Multivariate analysis showed that a higher radiotherapy dose was associated with increased pathological complete response (p = 0.003, hazard ratio: 3.215), better overall survival (p = 0.024, hazard ratio: 1.585), and superior disease-free survival (p = 0.049, hazard ratio: 1.493). However, higher radiotherapy doses revealed more surgical complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (p = 0.048) and anastomosis leaks (p = 0.004). Conclusion: For patients with locally advanced ESCC, preoperative chemoradiotherapy with higher radiotherapy doses led to increased pathologic complete response rates and improved survival.
Near-Field Electrospinning and Melt Electrowriting of Biomedical Polymers—Progress and Limitations

Near-field electrospinning (NFES) and melt electrowriting (MEW) are the process of extruding a fiber due to the force exerted by an electric field and collecting the fiber before bending instabilities occur. When paired with precise relative motion between the polymer source and the collector, a fiber can be directly written as dictated by preprogrammed geometry. As a result, this precise fiber control results in another dimension of scaffold tailorability for biomedical applications. In this review, biomedically relevant polymers that to date have manufactured fibers by NFES/MEW are explored and the present limitations in direct fiber writing of standardization in published setup details, fiber write throughput, and increased ease in the creation of complex scaffold geometries are discussed.
Effect of Gaseous Ozone Process on Cantaloupe Melon Peel: Assessment of Quality and Antilisterial Indicators

Fruit waste parts, particularly peel, are abundant sources of bioactive compounds. To be included in the formulation of value-added foods, peel needs to be transformed and subjected to a preservation process. Therefore, this study seeks to assess the effect of ozone on the quality and antilisterial indicators of cantaloupe melon peel paste, aiming at obtaining a product with the potential to be used as a food additive. Ozone was bubbled during 30 and 60 min, and some physicochemical characteristics (soluble solids content, pH and colour), bioactive compounds (total phenolics, chlorophylls and vitamin C) and antioxidant activity were analysed. Peel was also inoculated with Listeria innocua, used as a treatment efficiency indicator. The results indicated that, although ozone negatively affected antioxidant activity, it positively influenced all bioactive compounds analysed. An L. innocua reduction of 1.2 log cycle was achieved after ozone exposure. Ozone should be exploited as a promising technology to assure the quality/safety of cantaloupe melon peel. Indeed, if melon peel is conveniently converted into a suitable form that can be used as a food ingredient, this will promote the valorisation of waste materials with the consequent reduction of industrial by-products and new perspectives for market opportunities.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an Interdisciplinary Preventive Oral Hygiene Program for Children with Congenital Heart Disease

It is recognized that children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are predisposed to having poorer oral health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary preventive oral hygiene program (POHP) for children with CHD. The aim was the reduction of the incidence of dental caries, as well as improvement of oral hygiene. The total number of participants in this study was 107 children with CHD aged between two to six years. At baseline, these children were compared to a healthy control group (HCG) of 101 children of similar age from five preschools in Giessen, Germany. All examinations were carried out before the introduction of a standardized POHP. The Quigley/Hein Plaque- (QHI), Silness/Loe Gingival- (GI) and Gingival Hyperplasia Index (GHI) were determined. Starting with baseline, the described procedures were repeated in the CHD group during two follow-ups after three and six months. In the first examination, compared to controls, CHD children showed a significantly (p < 0.05) poorer oral hygiene (QHI: 2.6; GI: 0.3; GHI: 0.2). All oral hygiene parameters (QHI, GI, GHI) of the CHD group improved significantly over the whole period of the preventive program (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated an improvement in CHD children involved in a standardized POHP. The data with regard to the general health of these risk patients, including prevention of endocarditis, demonstrate the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach between pediatric cardiologists, pediatricians and dentists.
Investigating the Safety and Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment for Female Androgenetic Alopecia: Review of the Literature

Background: female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) is a common cause of non-scarring alopecia in women, affecting approximately 40% of women by age 50, bearing a significant psychosocial burden on affected patients. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been widely investigated as a potential effective treatment for several dermatological conditions, including male androgenetic alopecia (MAGA). However, few studies have been conducted focusing on the use of PRP in FAGA. The aim of this review was to identify reports that investigated the use of PRP for the treatment of FAGA. Methods: Electronic databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from inception to September 2020 have been searched using different combinations of the following terms: “androgenetic alopecia,” “FAGA,” “female pattern hair loss,” “platelet-rich fibrin,” “platelet-rich plasma,” and “PRP”. Results and conclusions: Eight (n = 8) clinical studies consistent with our research were identified. A total of 197 subjects has been enrolled in the included studies. All of them were adult female patients (mean age: 38.9) affected by female pattern hair loss. PRP is a well-tolerated procedure which showed promising results in males-only and mixed populations of AGA patients. PRP showed to produce high levels of satisfaction and improvement in the quality of life in patients affected by FAGA. In the light of this evidence, PRP may be proposed in patients who did not respond or did not tolerate topical minoxidil, as well as in combination with topical and oral treatments.
Shear Wave Elastography and Shear Wave Dispersion Imaging in the Assessment of Liver Disease in Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency

Liver affection of Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A noninvasive severity assessment of liver disease in AATD is urgently needed since laboratory parameters may not accurately reflect the extent of liver involvement. Preliminary data exist on two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) being a suitable method for liver fibrosis measurement in AATD. AATD patients without HCC were examined using 2D-SWE, shear wave dispersion imaging (SWD) and transient elastography (TE). Furthermore, liver steatosis was assessed using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and compared to the new method of attenuation imaging (ATI). 29 AATD patients were enrolled, of which 18 had the PiZZ genotype, eight had PiMZ, two had PiSZ and one had a PiZP-Lowell genotype. 2D-SWE (median 1.42 m/S, range 1.14–1.83 m/S) and TE (median 4.8 kPa, range 2.8–24.6 kPa) values displayed a significant correlation (R = 0.475, p < 0.05). 2D-SWE, ATI (median 0.56 dB/cm/MHz, range 0.43–0.96 dB/cm/MHz) and CAP (median 249.5 dB/m, range 156–347 dB/m) values were higher in PiZZ when compared to other AATD genotypes. This study provides evidence that 2D-SWE is a suitable method for the assessment of liver disease in AATD. The newer methods of SWD and ATI require further evaluation in the context of AATD.