Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Bifidobacterium in Liver Diseases: A Systematic Review of Next-Generation Sequencing Studies

The physiopathology of liver diseases is complex and can be caused by various factors. Bifidobacterium is a bacterial genus commonly found in the human gut microbiome and has been shown to influence the development of different stages of liver diseases significantly. This study investigated the relationship between the Bifidobacterium genus and liver injury. In this work, we performed a systematic review in major databases using the key terms “Bifidobacterium”, “ALD”, “NAFLD”, “NASH”, “cirrhosis”, and “HCC” to achieve our purpose. In total, 31 articles were selected for analysis. In particular, we focused on studies that used next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. The studies focused on assessing Bifidobacterium levels in the diseases and interventional aimed at examining the therapeutic potential of Bifidobacterium in the mentioned conditions. Overall, the abundance of Bifidobacterium was reduced in hepatic pathologies. Low levels of Bifidobacterium were associated with harmful biochemical and physiological parameters, as well as an adverse clinical outcome. However, interventional studies using different drugs and treatments were able to increase the abundance of the genus and improve clinical outcomes. These results strongly support the hypothesis that changes in the abundance of Bifidobacterium significantly influence both the pathophysiology of hepatic diseases and the related clinical outcomes. In addition, our critical assessment of the NGS methods and related statistical analyses employed in each study highlights concerns with the methods used to define the differential abundance of Bifidobacterium, including potential biases and the omission of relevant information.
Cats, Crocodiles, Cattle, and More: Initial Steps Toward Establishing a Chronology of Ancient Egyptian Animal Mummies

Abstract The ancient Egyptians mummified animals as part of cultic activity from the Late Period into the Roman era (7th century BC to the 4th century AD). Necropolises have provided millions of animal mummies, reflecting the religious fervor of Egyptians with regard to sacred animal cults during this period. Despite the number of sites containing mummies, and the number of mummies themselves, surprisingly little is known with regard to the nuances in the dating of the cults’ popularity and activities. As part of a multidisciplinary project, we have conducted a series of radiocarbon dates based on a group of animal mummies from the collection of the Musée des Confluences in Lyon, France. Thus, 63 specimens of animal mummies and their wrappings were analyzed to provide a range of dates for this practice. Results show that some correlations can be made between the popularity of particular species and the time period in which they were mummified. Monkeys and goats appear to have been among the first mummified species (from 800 BC), while antelopes appear to be a later addition to the corpus (30 BC to 4th century AD), thereby reflecting changes in thought processes, religious beliefs, and economic imperatives over time.
Dietary Pattern and Their Association With Level of Asthma Control Among Patients With Asthma at Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza Strip, Palestine

Background: This study was conducted to identify major dietary patterns and their association with level of asthma control among patients with asthma in Gaza Strip, Palestine. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of Palestinian patients with asthma (both sex, aged 19-64 years) receiving care in chest department at Al-Shifa Medical Complex. Asthma control level was obtained using asthma control test. Data regarding other variables were obtained using an interview-based questionnaire and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. Results: Two major dietary patterns were identified including (1) Prudent pattern characterized by a high intake of whole grains, beans and legumes, fish and shellfish products, vegetables, tomatoes, fruits, and vegetable oils, and (2) Western pattern characterized by a high intake of refined grains, red meat, poultry, fast foods, eggs, low-fat dairy product, high-fat dairy products, hydrogenated fats, olive, sugar, sweets, desserts, and snacks. After adjustment for confounding variables, patients in the lowest tertile (T1) of Prudent pattern had a lower odds for poorly controlled asthma (odds ratio [OR] = 0.044, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.002-1.316], P value < 0.05), whereas patients in the lowest tertile (T1) of Western pattern had a higher odds for poorly controlled asthma (OR = 2.499, 95% CI = [1.288-4.850], P value < 0.05), compared with those in the highest tertile (T3). Conclusion: A Prudent pattern may be associated with a lower prevalence of poorly controlled asthma, whereas a Western pattern may be associated with a higher prevalence of poorly controlled asthma.
Overexpression of PRR11 promotes tumorigenic capability and is associated with progression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common malignancies of gastrointestinal tract in the world, and the long-term prognosis for ESCC patients still remains dismal due to the lack of effective early diagnosis biomarkers. Materials and methods Western blot and immunochemistry were used to determine the expression of PRR11 in 201 clinicopathologically characterized ESCC specimens. The effects of PRR11 on stem cell-like traits and tumorigenicity were examined by tumor sphere formation assay and SP assays in vitro and by a tumorigenesis model in vivo. The mechanism by which PRR11 mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling was explored using luciferase reporter, immuno-chemistry, and real time-PCR (RT-PCR) assays. Results We found that PRR11 was markedly upregulated, at the level of both transcription and translation, in ESCC cell lines as compared with normal esophageal epithelial cells (NECCs). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that 69.2% paraffin-embedded archival ESCC specimens exhibited high levels of PRR11 expression, and multivariate analysis revealed that PRR11 upregulation might be an independent prognostic indicator for the survival of patients with ESCC. Furthermore, overexpression of PRR11 dramatically enhanced, whereas inhibition of PRR11 reduced the capability of cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotypes and tumorigenicity of ESCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, we demonstrated PRR11-enhanced tumorigenicity of ESCC cells via activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and PRR11 expression is found to be significantly correlated with β-catenin nuclear location in ESCC. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the PRR11 might represent a novel and valuable prognostic marker for ESCC progression and play a role during the development and progression of this malignancy.
Survival and Results after Resection and Reconstruction with Megaprosthesis at the Hip in Octogenarians

Few data are available about results after procedures of resection and megaprosthesis at the hip in very elderly patients. The aim of our study was to ascertain survival and complications in patients aged 80 or older undergoing these major orthopedic procedures. A consecutive series of 27 procedures in 26 patients aged 80–93 years was evaluated. In total, 15 procedures were performed due to oncological diseases, 6 were performed following joint arthroplasty failures or periprosthetic fractures, and 6 were performed after trauma or trauma sequelae. Survival of the patients ranged from 0 to 122 months. Overall survival was 56% at 3 years, 24% at 5 years, and 16% at 8 years. An early postoperative death during the first 3 months occurred in five patients (18.5%). The only preoperative parameter negatively affecting survival was preoperative hemoglobin lower than 11 g/dL. Local complications were similar to reported rates in all-age patients’ series. In our experience, resection and megaprosthetic reconstruction can also be a valid choice in very elderly patients, with 56% of patients living more than two years from surgery and 24% more than five. Nevertheless, early postoperative deaths are frequent. A multidisciplinary evaluation of frailty of the patient must be accomplished, and patients and relatives must be informed about the risks of the procedure.
The Rupelian-Chattian boundary in the North Sea Basin and its calibration to the international time-scale

The classical problem of the nature and age of the Rupelian-Chattian (Early-Late Oligocene) unconformity in its type region is here approached using organic walled dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) correlations between the North Sea Basin and wellcalibrated central Italian (Tethyan Ocean) sections. Useful Oligocene dinocyst events are the last occurrence of Enneadocysta pectiniformis (~29.3 Ma), and the first occurrences of Saturnodinium pansum (~29.4 Ma), Distatodinium biffii (~27.9 Ma) and Artemtsiocysta dadodichotoma (~26.7 Ma). The latter event marks the earliest Chattian.The improved correlations indicate that the Rupelian-Chattian (R-C) boundary is associated with the so-called 'Oligocene Glacial Maximum'. This phase of important global cooling and glacio-eustatic sea level fall is genetically related to die unconformity between the classic Oligocene stages. Subsequent global warming (so-called 'Late Oligocene Warming Event'), induced a major sea level rise, leading e.g. to the time-transgressive deposition of the typical basal Chattian glauconitic sands. The oldest of die Chattian units have a GPTS age of-26.7 Ma. It further appears that a hiatus of ~500 kyrs spans the classic Rupelian-Chattian unconformity.
Exploring a Rarity: Incidence of and Therapeutic Approaches for Neurological Complications and Hypophysitis in Cancer Patients on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors—A Single-Center Study

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 inhibitors, have become the standard of care for many cancer types. However, they induce immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including neurotoxicity and hypophysitis. The incidence and outcomes of neurotoxicity and hypophysitis in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors are not well established. We conducted a retrospective study of 812 patients with solid cancers who received immune checkpoint inhibitors at the University General Hospital of Ioannina between January 2018 and January 2023. We assessed demographic and clinical data, including the severity of symptoms, treatment regimen, other irAEs, resolution type and time, and death. Two patients experienced neurotoxicity and two hypophysitis. All four patients required inpatient administration and received corticosteroids or/and hormone replacement. Three patients responded to the initial therapy, experiencing full recovery, while one patient was corticosteroid-resistant, and immunoglobin G was administered. Two patients never received immunotherapy after their toxicity due to the severity of symptoms; one patient continued monotherapy with nivolumab, changing from combination therapy with ipilimumab–nivolumab, while the fourth patient continued his initial treatment with nivolumab. Our study suggests that the incidence of neurotoxicity and hypophysitis in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors is low, but careful monitoring and prompt treatment with corticosteroids are necessary for effective management.
Human-robot interactions with an autonomous health screening robot in long-term care settings

Socially assistive robots are increasingly being considered to help address the shortage of care workers in long-term care, which has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we present the first human-robot interaction study with care staff and an autonomous screening socially assistive robot in a long-term care facility. We assessed: (1) overall perceptions, experiences and attitudes of care staff prior to and after interacting with the robot, and (2) perceived workload and usability of the robot by administrators and management staff. Results show staff had overall high ratings of the robot, with a statistically significant increase identified for cognitive attitude towards the robot after interaction. Furthermore, we found that overall, perceived workload was moderately low as defined by the NASA Task Load Index while using the robot screener, and the usability rating of the robot was rated between OK and Good by the System Usability Scale. Personalization of the robot was found to be an important factor for usability. Staff enjoyed using the robot and had high willingness to frequently use it. In general, our robot study motivates the application of autonomous socially assistive robots from the staff perspective for repetitive tasks in long-term care homes. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACTA photo on the left, showing a humanoid social robot. Behind it is a table with masks. On the side is a contactless thermometer on a stand. In front of the robot stands a person wearing a mask and protective equipment. Two graphs are shown on the right.
A Network of Sporogenesis-Responsive Genes Regulates the Growth, Asexual Sporogenesis, Pathogenesis and Fusaric Acid Production of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense

The conidia produced by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), the causative agent of Fusarium Wilt of Banana (FWB), play central roles in the disease cycle, as the pathogen lacks a sexual reproduction process. Until now, the molecular regulation network of asexual sporogenesis has not been clearly understood in Foc. Herein, we identified and functionally characterized thirteen (13) putative sporulation-responsive genes in Foc, namely FocmedA(a), FocmedA(b), abaA-L, FocflbA, FocflbB, FocflbC, FocflbD, FocstuA, FocveA, FocvelB, wetA-L, FocfluG and Foclae1. We demonstrated that FocmedA(a), abaA-L, wetA-L, FocflbA, FocflbD, FocstuA, FocveA and Foclae1 mediate conidiophore formation, whereas FocmedA(a) and abaA-L are important for phialide formation and conidiophore formation. The expression level of abaA-L was significantly decreased in the ΔFocmedA(a) mutant, and yeast one-hybrid and ChIP-qPCR analyses further confirmed that FocMedA(a) could bind to the promoter of abaA-L during micro- and macroconidiation. Moreover, the transcript abundance of the wetA-L gene was significantly reduced in the ΔabaA-L mutant, and it not only was found to function as an activator of micro- and macroconidium formation but also served as a repressor of chlamydospore production. In addition, the deletions of FocflbB, FocflbC, FocstuA and Foclae1 resulted in increased chlamydosporulation, whereas FocflbD and FocvelB gene deletions reduced chlamydosporulation. Furthermore, FocflbC, FocflbD, Foclae1 and FocmedA(a) were found to be important regulators for pathogenicity and fusaric acid synthesis in Foc. The present study therefore advances our understanding of the regulation pathways of the asexual development and functional interdependence of sporulation-responsive genes in Foc.
MUCOR MYCOSIS AND OTHER FUNGAL INFECTIONS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS DURING SECOND WAVE OF PANDEMIC AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objectives: In India, there has been a sudden Surge in Mucor mycosis cases during second wave of COVID-19, made the Government of India declare it as a notifiable disease. In this background, we did a study to know the fungal etiology of the suspected Mucor mycosis cases and to know the positivity rate of Mucor mycosis in COVID-19 patients during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In a retrospective study, we examined different samples from 112 Covid-19 positive, in-patients with suspected Mucor mycosis. A history of risk factors was taken. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount was done for all samples followed by culture on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar. Results: 81.25% of total cases were from 31 to 60 years of age group. Diabetes mellitus, steroid therapy, and Intensive care unit admissions were the risk factors observed. Fungal filaments were observed in 37 samples in KOH mount (33%) and culture was positive in 45 samples (40.17%). Mixed infection was seen in two cases (4.44%). The most common fungus isolated was Mucor in 23 samples (48.93%) followed by Aspergillus in 7 cases (14.89%; Aspergillus niger in four cases, Aspergillus fumigatus in 2 cases and Aspergillus flavus in 1 case) and Candida spp in 6 cases (12.76%). Among mixed infections, Mucor and A. niger in one case and Candida and A. niger in another case were isolated. Rhyzopus, Syncephalastrum, Penicillium, and Fusarium were the other fungi isolated. Conclusion: Mucorales were the most common species isolated (63.82%) followed by Aspergillus species. High suspicion and diagnosis of Mucor mycosis in Covid-19 patients is very important to initiate antifungal treatment, to reduce the mortality.
Combined Exercise Training and Nutritional Interventions or Pharmacological Treatments to Improve Exercise Capacity and Body Composition in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Narrative Review

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The burden of respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation can translate to reduced physical activity, in turn contributing to poor exercise capacity, muscle dysfunction, and body composition abnormalities. These extrapulmonary features of the disease are targeted during pulmonary rehabilitation, which provides patients with tailored therapies to improve the physical and emotional status. Patients with COPD can be divided into metabolic phenotypes, including cachectic, sarcopenic, normal weight, obese, and sarcopenic with hidden obesity. To date, there have been many studies performed investigating the individual effects of exercise training programs as well as nutritional and pharmacological treatments to improve exercise capacity and body composition in patients with COPD. However, little research is available investigating the combined effect of exercise training with nutritional or pharmacological treatments on these outcomes. Therefore, this review focuses on exploring the potential additional beneficial effects of combinations of exercise training and nutritional or pharmacological treatments to target exercise capacity and body composition in patients with COPD with different metabolic phenotypes.
Antibacterial activity of NiTi alloy with sputtered tantalum

A study was conducted on the use of the Mactrontronic Sputtering (DC) plasma technique by sprinkling tantalum metal ( Ta ) and depositing it on shape-memory nickel-titanium ( NiTi ) alloy and glass substrates in the presence of oxygen and argon gases. As a result, a coating of tantalum oxide ( Ta 2 O 5 ) deposited on the ( NiTi ) alloy was obtained. The change of the atomization plasma energy on the size of the precipitated oxide particles ( Ta 2 O 5 ) and its effect on the structural properties was discussed. For the membrane, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests showed that the films prepared at energies of (10, 15, 25, 30, and 35 watts) showed an amorphous structure, and the (AFM) results confirmed that the thinly deposited films consisted of spherical particles. Moreover, the results of the optical properties study showed the effect of annealing (heat treatment), whereby the annealing improved all the optical parameters of the deposited films. In addition, the contact angle measurements showed that the ( Ta 2 O 5 ) films exhibited hydrophilic characteristics and increased wettability for the ( NiTi ) alloy, which normally contributes to enhancing its resistance to bacteria and facilitating cell connection. Bacterial antimicrobial assays demonstrated that the deposited membrane exhibited antibacterial activity against both negative and positive bacteria. In particular, the test results revealed that the ( NiTi ) alloy samples coated with ( Ta 2 O 5 ) membrane had a higher bacteria-killing percentage for both negative and positive bacteria compared to the uncoated samples.
Mechanical Sn plating applied to rotary electrical joints

The aim of this project is to compare two types of mechanical plating, Ag and Sn, applied to rotatory electrical joints used in Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) devices. The coated component made by a sintered Copper is used a connection between the Thermo Magnetic Trip Unit and the blade, also made by a Cu, where the electrical circuit is closed in the device. Both coatings applied to the rotatory joints were evaluated following several sequences described by the UL 489 standard. The performance of the joints under similar conditions in one of the most relevant sequences were similar in terms of the measured temperature, without appreciable differences in both cases. The SEM images obtained from the tested samples shows the wear of the parts after the cyclic test. In general term, the mechanical Tin plating process exhibited a similar performance that the mechanical Ag plating, but with a lower cost, which could motivate a change in this type of coatings for electrical applications.
Probing proton cross-shell excitations through the two-neutron removal from 
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Bound states of the neutron-deficient, near-dripline nucleus $^{36}$Ca were populated in two-neutron removal from the ground state of $^{38}$Ca, a direct reaction sensitive to the single-particle configurations and couplings of the removed neutrons in the projectile wave function. Final-state exclusive cross sections for the formation of $^{36}$Ca and the corresponding longitudinal momentum distributions, both determined through the combination of particle and $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy, are compared to predictions combining eikonal reaction theory and shell-model two-nucleon amplitudes from the USDB, USDC, and ZBM2 effective interactions. The final-state cross-section ratio $\sigma(2^+_1)/\sigma(0^+)$ shows particular sensitivity and is approximately reproduced only with the two-nucleon amplitudes from the ZBM2 effective interaction that includes proton cross-shell excitations into the $pf$ shell. Characterizing the proton $pf$-shell occupancy locally and schematically, an increase of the $sd$-$pf$ shell gap by $250$ keV yields an improved description of this cross-section ratio and simultaneously enables a reproduction of the $B(E2;0^+_1\to2^+_1)$ excitation strength of $^{36}$Ca. This highlights an important aspect if a new shell-model effective interaction for the region was to be developed on the quest to model the neutron-deficient Ca isotopes and surrounding nuclei whose structure is impacted by proton cross-shell excitations.