Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wide band-gap oxide nanoparticles as potential drug carriers

Wide band-gap in wide band-gap metal oxide nanoparticles doped with rare-earth metals for applications as fluorescent markers. The potential of nanoparticles to cross the closed barrier after alimentary application their use in delivery systems. In we show that after conjugation with a model bioactive substance, lectin (Phaseolus vulgaris), these nanoparticles retained their advantageous properties and, following oral administration (10 mg/ml in RO, 0.3 ml/mouse), entered a variety of organs in the mouse model. Internal organs collected at key time points were analysed under a scanning cytometer and a confocal microscope. The results show that the conjugation reduced, but did not completely abolish, the capacity of nanoparticles to penetrate physiological barriers (intestinal, blood-brain barrier) in the organism.
24-Month Outcomes of Primary Care Web-Based Depression Prevention Intervention in Adolescents: Randomized Clinical Trial

Background Adolescent depression carries a high burden of disease worldwide, but access to care for this population is limited. Prevention is one solution to curtail the negative consequences of adolescent depression. Internet interventions to prevent adolescent depression can overcome barriers to access, but few studies examine long-term outcomes. Objective This study compares CATCH-IT (Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive Behavioral Humanistic and Interpersonal Training), an internet-based intervention, to a general health education active control for depression onset at 12 and 24 months in adolescents presenting to primary care settings. Methods A 2-site randomized trial, blinded to the principal investigators and assessors, was conducted comparing Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive Behavioral Humanistic and Interpersonal Training to health education to prevent depressive episodes in 369 adolescents (193 youths were randomly assigned to Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive Behavioral Humanistic and Interpersonal Training and 176 to health education) with subthreshold depressive symptoms or prior depressive episodes. Participants were recruited from primary care settings in the United States. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a depressive episode, determined by the Depression Symptom Rating. The secondary outcome was functioning, measured by the Global Assessment Scale. Results In intention-to-treat analyses, the adjusted hazard ratio favoring Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive Behavioral Humanistic and Interpersonal Training for first depressive episode was not statistically significant at 12 months (hazard ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.42-1.40, P=.39) and 24 months (hazard ratio 0.87, 95% CI 0.52-1.47, P=.61). Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive Behavioral Humanistic and Interpersonal Training provided preventive benefit for first depressive episode for those with mild hopelessness or at least moderate paternal monitoring at baseline. Global Assessment Scale scores improved comparably in both groups (intention-to-treat). Conclusions A technology-based intervention for adolescent depression prevention implemented in primary care did not have additional benefit at 12 or 24 months. Further research is necessary to determine whether internet interventions have long-term benefit. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01893749; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01893749.
CXCL14 inhibits the growth and promotes apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via suppressing Akt/mTOR pathway

Abstract C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CXCL14) has antitumor effect. Kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is activated in various tumors. The relationship between CXCL14 and Akt/mTOR pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remained elusive. Therefore, this paper aimed to examine their interaction in HCC. First, CXCL14 expression was determined to be low-expressed in HCC tissues and cells (SNU-423, SNU-182, SNU-387, PLC/PRF/5, HuH7, and HCCLM3). Then, CXCL14 was overexpressed in HuH7 cells and inhibited in HCCLM3 cells to help investigate the function of CXCL14 on cell viability, growth and apoptosis. Akt activator (SC79) and inhibitor (AZD5363) were used to examine the involvement of Akt pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. Overexpressed CXCL14 suppressed cell viability and growth, but promoted the apoptosis by upregulated Bax and cleaved(C) caspase-3, donwregulated Bcl-2 and the inhibition of Akt and mTOR phosphorylation. Meanwhile, knockdown of CXCL14 imposed an opposite effect to overexpressed CXCL14. SC79 partially mitigated the functions of overexpressed CXCL14, while AZD5363 mitigated the functions of CXCL14 knockdown. To conclude, CXCL14 inhibited growth but promoted apoptosis of HCC cells via suppressing Akt/mTOR pathway, thus, CXCL14 might be a potential target for HCC treatment in clinical practice.
Microbial inputs at the litter layer translate climate into altered organic matter properties

Plant litter chemistry is altered during decomposition but it remains unknown if these alterations, and thus the composition of residual litter, will change in response to climate. Selective microbial mineralization of litter components and the accumulation of microbial necromass can drive litter compositional change, but the extent to which these mechanisms respond to climate remains poorly understood. We addressed this knowledge gap by studying needle litter decomposition along a boreal forest climate transect. Specifically, we investigated how the composition and/or metabolism of the decomposer community varies with climate, and if that variation is associated with distinct modifications of litter chemistry during decomposition. We analyzed the composition of microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) in the litter layer and measured natural abundance δ13CPLFA values as an integrated measure of microbial metabolisms. Changes in litter chemistry and δ13C values were measured in litterbag experiments conducted at each transect site. A warmer climate was associated with higher litter nitrogen concentrations as well as altered microbial community structure (lower fungi:bacteria ratios) and microbial metabolism (higher δ13CPLFA). Litter in warmer transect regions accumulated less aliphatic‐C (lipids, waxes) and retained more O‐alkyl‐C (carbohydrates), consistent with enhanced 13C‐enrichment in residual litter, than in colder regions. These results suggest that chemical changes during litter decomposition will change with climate, driven primarily by indirect climate effects (e.g., greater nitrogen availability and decreased fungi:bacteria ratios) rather than direct temperature effects. A positive correlation between microbial biomass δ13C values and 13C‐enrichment during decomposition suggests that change in litter chemistry is driven more by distinct microbial necromass inputs than differences in the selective removal of litter components. Our study highlights the role that microbial inputs during early litter decomposition can play in shaping surface litter contribution to soil organic matter as it responds to climate warming effects such as greater nitrogen availability.
Disfluency characteristics of Omani Arabic-English bilingual speakers

ABSTRACT This study examined the oral reading and conversational speech of eight bilinguals who stutter (BWS). The participants spoke Omani Arabic as the dominant and English as the less-dominant language. The samples were examined with particular reference to the production of overall disfluency, stuttering-like disfluencies (SLDs) and other-disfluencies (ODs) occurring at the syllable and word level. The results indicated no difference in the amount of overall disfluency or ODs between the two languages in either reading or conversation. A significantly higher amount of SLDs were found to occur in words during reading in Arabic compared to English, which was attributed to the linguistic complexity of formal Arabic. A higher amount of SLDs in syllables were found in English compared to Arabic during conversation, although no such difference was found at the word level. The results align with a small body of research suggesting equivalent amounts of stuttering between dominant and less-dominant languages during conversation. The finding of a higher amount of stuttering during reading in Arabic is suggestive of motor differences in the production of the two languages that differentially affect speech fluency.
A Series of 62 Skull Base Chordomas in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients: Clinical Characteristics, Treatments, and Outcomes

Background: Skull base chordomas in pediatric and adolescent patients are rare and challenging for surgeons. Objective: Well-specified diagnosis and treatment are of great value for the long-term control of chordoma. This study summarizes well-followed pediatric and adolescent chordoma (PAC) patients treated in a single Asian center. Methods: PAC patients were enrolled. Data collected included clinical presentation, tumor volume, texture, surgical approach, pathology, complications, adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), and long-term outcomes. Results: Sixty-two patients were identified from a total of 516 skull base chordoma patients (12%). Diplopia was the most prominent complaint (30%). The craniocervical junction area was the most common location (41.8%) and had the highest proportion of large tumors. The gross total resection (GTR) rate was 20.3%. The GTR rate was lowest for tumors located in the craniocervical junction area. Thirty-eight cases experienced surgical complications. Of note, there was a significant difference in the complication rate between endoscopic approaches (22.7%) and open approaches (57.9%) (P = 0.005). The mean follow-up was 66.5 months. The GTR group showed better survival compared with the non-GTR group (P = 0.043). Metastases were found in two cases. No significant difference in the overall survival (OS) time was found between the group with RT and the group without RT (P = 0.559). Conclusions: A higher proportion of PAC patients than previously reported exist in the population in Asia, and the metastatic rate is lower. GTR predicts excellent long-term control of the disease. RT should be considered on an individual basis.
Psychophysiological responses to various slow, deep breathing techniques.

Deep breathing exercises are commonly used for several health conditions including pain and hypertension. Various techniques are available to practice deep breathing, whereas possible differential psychophysiological effects have not been investigated. We compared four deep breathing techniques and examined outcomes in blood pressure variability, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, baroreflex function, and emotional state. Healthy adult volunteers performed pursed-lips breathing, left and right unilateral nostril breathing, and deep breathing with an inspiratory threshold load (loaded breathing), all at a frequency of 0.1 Hz (i.e., controlled breathing) and for three minutes each. Results showed that blood pressure variability was higher during loaded breathing versus other conditions and higher during pursed-lips breathing versus left and right unilateral nostril breathing. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia was higher during loaded breathing versus other conditions and higher during pursed-lips breathing versus left unilateral nostril breathing. The effect of breathing condition on respiratory sinus arrhythmia was mediated by alterations in blood pressure variability. There was no difference between the breathing conditions in baroreflex sensitivity or effectiveness. Participants rated pursed-lips breathing as more calming and pleasant and with more sense of control (vs. other conditions). Overall, among the four tested deep breathing techniques, loaded breathing was associated with enhanced cardiovascular effects and pursed-lips breathing with better emotional responses, while also enhancing cardiovascular effects (albeit less than loaded breathing). These findings can be informative in applying deep breathing techniques as self-management interventions for health conditions, in which baroreceptors stimulation and autonomic and emotional modulations can be beneficial, such as pain and hypertension.
Seed priming improves seedling emergence and reduces oxidative stress in Nigella sativa under soil moisture stress

ABSTRACT Nigella sativa seeds have multiple industrial and pharmaceutical uses for the diseases treatment such as bronchitis, rheumatism, high blood pressure, cough, eczema, inflammation, and influenza. Although semi-arid areas are suitable for production of annual medicinal plants because they receive favorable amounts of solar radiations, the establishment of these plants' seedling requires frequent irrigations because their seeds are small and the climate is hot at the time of planting. When the irrigation sources are limited, poor establishment and inadequate production will result. Therefore, in order to improve nitrogen (N) in N. sativa seedling establishment, different effects of seed priming treatments were evaluated under drought stress. Different levels of soil moisture (irrigation after 11, 22, 33, and 44 mm of evaporation as no water stress, mild water stress, moderate water stress, and severe water stress, respectively) and seed priming treatments [no priming, potassium nitrate (KNO3), zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), polyethylene glycol 6000, and gibberellic acid (GA)] were evaluated as the main plot and subplot factors, respectively. The results showed that under mild water stress condition, seed priming significantly increased proline content and the highest percentage of emergence was obtained with ZnSO4. Furthermore, the highest amount of soluble protein was observed in the KNO3 treatment and the catalase enzyme content increased in all priming treatments, except polyethylene glycol treatment. Under moderate water stress condition, the KNO3 treatment raised the rate and percentage of emergence and the seedling length. However, under severe water stress condition, the highest percentage of emergence was achieved by GA and ZnSO4 treatments. Moreover, hydropriming and GA produced the highest proline content and seedling dry weight. Under moderate and severe water stress conditions, the hydropriming and ZnSO4 treatments showed a significant increase in catalase activity. It can be concluded that priming of N. sativa seeds with ZnSO4 and GA can alleviate drought stress in the early stages of seedling growth by increasing the antioxidants in the seedlings. Farmers in semi-arid regions can prime N. sativa seeds with these compounds before planting to increase production of this valuable medicinal plant and reduce water consumption.
Characterization of Grape and Apple Peel Wastes’ Bioactive Compounds and Their Increased Bioavailability After Exposure to Thermal Process

80% of the grape harvest is used in the winemaking industry, resulting in huge amounts of waste which are still rich in phenolic compounds, while the same percentage of polyphenols are found in apple peel, whose total antioxidant capacity is five-to-six-fold higher than that of apple flesh. The aim of this research is the characterization of grape and apple peels waste, before and after the thermal treatment (10 minutes, 80°C), with respect to its bioactive compounds to evaluate their potential enhancement with respect to bioavailability. Based on the obtained results, the highest antioxidant activity and phenolic content was exhibited by thermally processed red-grape waste. After the thermal treatment, the caffeic acid 4-O-glucoside increased with a 27% in apple waste. As a conclusion, the grape and apple peels waste can be exploited for their bioactive compounds after the thermal process, whose bioavailability increased and can be added in food formulations as health promoting products.
ECHS1 disease in two unrelated families of Samoan descent: Common variant ‐ rare disorder

Mutations in the short‐chain enoyl‐CoA hydratase (SCEH) gene, ECHS1, cause a rare autosomal recessive disorder of valine catabolism. Patients usually present with developmental delay, regression, dystonia, feeding difficulties, and abnormal MRI with bilateral basal ganglia involvement. We present clinical, biochemical, molecular, and functional data for four affected patients from two unrelated families of Samoan descent with identical novel compound heterozygous mutations. Family 1 has three affected boys while Family 2 has an affected daughter, all with clinical and MRI findings of Leigh syndrome and intermittent episodes of acidosis and ketosis. WES identified a single heterozygous variant in ECHS1 at position c.832G > A (p.Ala278Thr). However, western blot revealed significantly reduced ECHS1 protein for all affected family members. Decreased SCEH activity in fibroblasts and a mild increase in marker metabolites in urine further supported ECHS1 as the underlying gene defect. Additional investigations at the DNA (aCGH, WGS) and RNA (qPCR, RT‐PCR, RNA‐Seq, RNA‐Array) level identified a silent, common variant at position c.489G > A (p.Pro163=) as the second mutation. This substitution, present at high frequency in the Samoan population, is associated with decreased levels of normally spliced mRNA. To our understanding, this is the first report of a novel, hypomorphic allele c.489G > A (p.Pro163=), associated with SCEH deficiency.
Nuclear Waste Containment Materials

Native copper (>99.9% Cu) sheets associated with complex uraniferous and vanadiferous concretions in Upper Permian mudstones from south Devon (United Kingdom) have been studied as a “natural analogue” for copper canisters designed to be used in the isolation of spent fuel and high-level radioactive wastes (HLW) for deep geological disposal. Detailed analysis demonstrates that the copper formed before the mudstones were compacted. The copper displays complex corrosion and alteration. The earliest alteration was to copper oxides, followed sequentially by the formation of copper arsenides, nickel arsenide and copper sulphide, and finally nickel arsenide accompanied by nickel-copper arsenide, copper arsenide and uranium silicates. Petrographic observations demonstrate that these alteration products also formed prior to compaction. Consideration of the published history for the region indicates that maximum compaction of the rocks will have occurred by at least the Lower Jurassic (i.e. over 176 Ma ago). Since that time the copper sheets have remained isolated by the compacted mudstones and were unaffected by further corrosion until uplift and exposure to present-day surface weathering. INTRODUCTION The use of copper canisters for spent fuel disposal The Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) plan to dispose of HLW encased in a steel inner container within an outer canister of copper [1]. The canisters will be surrounded by compacted bentonite buffer within a repository constructed in granitic host rocks at a depth of 700 m. [1]. SKB has set a performance requirement that the copper canister should isolate the waste for at least 10 years until the various radioactive components decay to acceptable levels [1]. Neither the canister nor its corrosion products must have a deleterious on other barrier components (backfill and host rock) in order that they remain effective in attenuating radionuclide migration in the event of canister failure. Copper has been identified in several international waste disposal programmes as a suitable canister material on the basis of its cost and corrosion resistance [1,2,3]. Experimental and theoretical studies demonstrate a wide stability range for metallic copper, and suggest that corrosion effects will be small in the mildly alkaline and reducing environment anticipated for a potential repository site [1]. However, the potential presence of dissolved sulphides in groundwater, or the formation of sulphides through the activity of sulphate-reducing bacteria
EFFECT OF OPTIMAL GERMINATION CONDITIONS ON ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY, PHENOLIC CONTENT AND FATTY ACIDS AND AMINO ACIDS PROFILES OF Moringa oleifera SEEDS

El objetivo de la presente investigacion fue identificar las condiciones optimas de germinacion de las semillas de moringa para facilitar la produccion de una harina funcional con valores maximos de contenido proteico (CP), actividad antioxidante (AAox), compuestos fenolicos totales (CFT) y un contenido de lipidos minimo en peso seco (CL) del 20%. La metodologia de superficie de respuesta se aplico a estas cuatro caracteristicas de calidad. Se utilizo un diseno experimental compuesto central rotable (CCR) con dos factores [temperatura de germinacion (TG, 25-40 ° C) / tiempo de germinacion (tG, 25-360 h)] y 5 niveles (13 tratamientos). Los modelos de prediccion desarrollados para cada variable de respuesta mostraron altos coeficientes de correlacion, demostrando su adecuacion para explicar las variaciones en los datos experimentales. El bioproceso de germinacion en condiciones optimas aumento CP, AAox y CFT, acidos grasos poliinsaturados, y contenido de aminoacidos, y disminuyo CL en relacion con la semilla completa. La germinacion es una estrategia eficaz para aumentar el CFT de las semillas de moringa para mejorar la funcionalidad con una actividad antioxidante mejorada.
PRACTICAL STUDY ON TREATMENT OF SELECTED DECORATED TAPESTRY IN APPLIED ART MUSEUM, CAIRO

The paper presents the method of treatment of tapestry textile, that considers the most common technique used in decoration of textile since the new kingdom until now, it is called Kabaty. The paper deals with selected piece of museum of Applied Art Faculty in Cairo. Treatment procedure was performed by several stages; firstly, Dating by comparing the decoration technique, the type of material and the decorative motifs existed in the object with another one known its date. Then samples taken from object were examined by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope to identify type of fibers and surface morphology . x-ray analysis was performed to identify mordant and dust. FTIR analysis to identify dyes in dyed samples. Then, the paper deal with the treatment of tapestry pieces by testing sensitive of fiber to water, mechanical cleaning and chemical cleaning to remove stain, washing stage using distilled water, and finally consolidation the object by fixed on support of natural linen which was stretched on wooden frame treated by anti-fungal substance.
Contribution of lung function in predicting distance covered in the 6-min walk test in obese Brazilian women

Obesity affects the respiratory system through various mechanisms, including systemic inflammation and direct mechanical hindrance due to fat deposition in the chest and abdomen. In addition, changes in the neural control of respiration and increases in thoracic blood volume can promote abnormalities in lung function. Thus, determining relationships between the distance covered in the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and demographic and lung function variables may help us better understand the mechanisms involved in reduced functional exercise capacity in obesity. To explore the determinants of the 6-min walking distance (6MWD) and evaluate the influence of lung function on the distance covered, 263 obese Brazilian women performed the 6MWT and underwent spirometry and respiratory muscle strength measurement. The mean age was 41.8±11.1 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 45±8 kg/m2. The 6MWD showed correlations with height (r=0.319), age (r=-0.281), weight (r=-0.370), BMI (r=-0.561), forced vital capacity (FVC, r=0.443), expiratory peak flow (r=0.278), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP, r=0.326), and maximal expiratory pressure (r=0.259), all with P<0.0001. In the stepwise forward regression analysis, BMI, FVC, age, and MIP were the independent predictive variables for 6MWD, explaining 41% of its variability. The reference equation including lung function was as follows: 6MWD (m) = 513.6 - (4.439 × BMIkg/m2) + (1.136 × FVC%predicted) - (1.048 × ageyrs) + (0.544 × MIP%predicted). Thus, the inclusion of lung function in a reference equation for 6MWD contributes to a better prediction of the distance covered in this population.