Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New direct observations of asphalts and asphalt binders by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy

Observations made using AFM and SEM have been combined in order to study the structure of asphalts. Fluorescence microscopy was used to aid in understanding the structural changes occurring when polymer is added to the asphalts. With the atomic force microscope we are able to study the structure of the asphalts without any pre‐preparation. Despite very low resolution, our study reveal ed a network of asphaltene molecules with regard to asphalt gel. The same result is obtained by SEM observation but with a much better resolution. SEM observation, however, needs an adequate preparation method. In the presence of polymer we observed a rearrangement of the initial asphaltene association which leads to the assumption that polymer can aggregate the asphaltene phase.
GPs’ drug treatment for depression by patients’ educational level: registry-based study

Background Antidepressant drugs are often prescribed in general practice. Evidence is conflicting on how patient education influences antidepressant treatment. Aim To investigate the association between educational attainment and drug treatment in adult patients with a new depression diagnosis, and to what extent sex and age influence the association. Design & setting A nationwide registry-based cohort study was undertaken in Norway from 2014–2016. Method The study comprised all residents of Norway born before 1996 and alive in 2015. Information was obtained on all new depression diagnoses in general practice in 2015 (primary care database) and data on all dispensed depression medication (Norwegian Prescription Database [NorPD]) 12 months after the date of diagnosis. Independent variables were education, sex, and age. Associations with drug treatment were estimated using a Cox proportional hazard model and performed separately for sex. Results Out of 49 967 patients with new depression (61.6% women), 15 678 were dispensed drugs (30.4% women, 33.0% men). Highly educated women were less likely to receive medication (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.88 to 0.98) than women with low education. No such differences appeared among men. Women aged 20–29 years were more likely to be treated with drugs than those aged 30–59 years, and women aged ≥70 years were more likely to receive drugs (HR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.54 to 1.77) than those aged 20–29 years. The pattern was similar but less pronounced for men. Conclusion Educational differences in antidepressant therapy among women may reflect different treatment approaches that clinicians should be aware of to avoid unintended variation. Reasons for this variation and consequences for quality of treatment should be explored.
The influence of soil properties on the rates of degradation of metamitron, metazachlor and metribuzin

The rates of degradation of metamitron, metazachlor and metribuzin were measured in 12 mineral soils and the first order rate constants were compared with soil properties by regression analysis. Rates of metamitron degradation were best described by a multiple regression involving the silt content of the soil and the fraction of the total herbicide content which was available in the soil solution. Metazachlor degradation was best described by a multiple regression involving the sand content of the soil, the availability of the herbicide in the soil solution and soil microbial respiration. There was evidence that metribuzin degradation in any one soil was closely related to microbial activity, and rate constants per unit microbial respiration were derived for each soil. These rate constants were best described by a multiple regression involving the Freundlich adsorption constant and the sand content of the soils. The best regression equations for each herbicide were tested against observed degradation rates in an additional group of six soils. The calculated rates compared favourably with those observed for both metamitron and metazachlor, but with metribuzin, there was good agreement with one soil only.
Integrative analyses of scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq reveal CXCL14 as a key regulator of lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.

The potentially different genetics and epigenetics in the primary tumors and metastases affect the efficacy of treatment in breast cancer patients. Nevertheless, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of breast cancer lymph node metastasis still remain elusive. Here, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to acquire the transcriptomic profiles of individual cells from primary tumours, negative, and positive lymph nodes. We also performed a single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (ATAC) sequencing (scATAC-seq) of the positive and negative lymph node samples to get the chromatin accessibility profile. We identified a novel cell subpopulation with an abnormally high expression level of CXCL14 in the positive lymph node of breast cancer patients. Cell trajectory analysis also revealed that CXCL14 was increased expressed in the late pseudo-time. Moreover. Based on a tissue microarray of 55 patients and the Oncomine database, We validated that CXCL14 expression was significantly higher in breast cancer patients with lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, scATAC-seq identified several transcription factors (TFs) that may be potential regulation factors for the lymph node metastasis of breast cancer. Thus, our findings will improve our current understanding of the mechanism for lymph node metastasis, and are potentially valuable in providing novel prognosis markers for lymphatic metastasis of breast cancer.
Grape Stem Extracts with Potential Anticancer and Antioxidant Properties

The application of plant extracts for therapeutic purposes has been used in traditional medicine because plants contain bioactive compounds with beneficial properties for health. Currently, the use of these compounds that are rich in polyphenols for the treatment and prevention of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, many of them related to oxidative stress, is gaining certain relevance. Polyphenols have been shown to have antimutagenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to study the potential effect of grape stem extracts (GSE), rich in phenolic compounds, in the treatment of cancer, as well as their role in the prevention of this disease associated with its antioxidant power. For that purpose, three cancer lines (Caco-2, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231) were used, and the results showed that grape stem extracts were capable of showing an antiproliferative effect in these cells through apoptosis cell death associated with a modification of the mitochondrial potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Additionally, grape stem extracts showed an antioxidant effect on differentiated intestinal cells that could protect the intestine from diseases related to oxidative stress. Therefore, grape extracts contain bioactive principles with important biological properties and could be used as bio-functional food ingredients to prevent diseases or even to improve certain aspects of human health.
COVID-19 Imaging: What We Know Now and What Remains Unknown

Infection by SARS-CoV-2 virus ranges from asymptomatic to severe and sometimes fatal disease, most frequently the result of acute lung injury. The role of imaging has evolved during the pandemic, initially with CT as alternative and possibly superior test compared to RT-PCR, to a more limited role based on specific indications. Several classification and reporting schemes were developed for chest imaging early during the pandemic for patients with suspected COVID-19 to aid in triage when the availability of RT-PCR testing was limited and its performance unclear. Interobserver agreement for categories with findings typical of COVID-19 and those suggesting an alternative diagnosis is high across multiple studies. Furthermore, some studies looking at the extent of lung involvement on chest radiography and CT showed correlations with critical illness and need for mechanical ventilation. In addition to pulmonary manifestations, cardiovascular complications such as thromboembolism and myocarditis have been ascribed to COVID-19, sometimes contributing to neurologic and abdominal manifestations. Finally, artificial intelligence has shown promise in both diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19 pneumonia both with respect to radiography and CT.
Preparation and Characterization of Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Based Bioactive Composite Films Modified with Fungal Melanin and Carvacrol

Preparation of biodegradable packaging materials and valorisation of food industry residues to achieve “zero waste” goals is still a major challenge. Herein, biopolymer-based (carboxymethyl cellulose—CMC) bioactive films were prepared by the addition, alone or in combination, of carvacrol and fungal melanin isolated from champignon mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) agro-industrial residues. The mechanical, optical, thermal, water vapour, and UV-Vis barrier properties were studied. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy studies were carried out to analyse the chemical composition of the resulting films. Antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities were also determined. Both CMC/melanin and CMC/melanin/carvacrol films showed some antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The addition of melanin increased the UV-blocking, mechanical, water vapour barrier, and antioxidant properties without substantially reducing the transparency of the films. The addition of carvacrol caused loss of transparency, however, composite CMC/melanin/carvacrol films showed excellent antioxidant activity and enhanced mechanical strength. The developed bioactive biopolymer films have a good potential to be green bioactive alternatives to plastic films in food packaging applications.
Social distancing predicts suicide rates: Analysis of the 1918 flu pandemic in 43 large cities, research note

Abstract Social distancing (e.g., school and business closings) has been emphasized in current sociopolitical efforts in controlling COVID‐19. Such policies are assumed to increase suicide risk through lowering social integration. While two studies have linked the presence of a pandemic to suicide rates, no study has assessed the degree of social distancing on suicide rates during a pandemic. The present study fills this gap with data on the extent of social distancing during the Spanish flu epidemic in 43 large cities. The results find that increasing social distancing increases suicide rates independent of the influenza mortality rate.
The synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol and CO2 over La2O2CO3–ZnO catalysts

The transformation of CO2 and glycerol into glycerol carbonate was carried out by using acetonitrile as coupling agent over La2O2CO3–ZnO in the present work. A series of La–Zn mixed oxide catalysts with different molar ratios were prepared and calcined at different temperatures. The catalysts were characterized by N2 physisorption, XRD, XPS, FT-infrared spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption of CO2. The results revealed that the formation of La2O2CO3 improved the surface basicity which then favors the CO2 activation and the carbonate yield was shown to be correlated with the amount of moderately basic sites. The XPS measurement demonstrated that La2O2CO3 favored the electron transfer from zinc atoms to lanthanum atoms or oxygen atoms which then favors the activation of glycerol. The synergism between ZnO and La2O2CO3 is responsible for the high catalytic activities of the La–Zn catalysts. The best result was obtained on the catalyst with molar ratio of La:Zn = 1:4 and calcination at 500 °C.
Assessment of the growth of Vernonia amygdalina (L) with organic and inorganic manure

This research assessed the growth of Vernonia amygdalina (L) seedlings with organic and inorganic manure at different levels. Two weeks after transplanting, cowdung and NPK 15:15:15 at two different levels were applied to the seedlings, using Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Parameters assessed include collar diameter, shoot height, leaf number and branching. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. The result revealed that seedlings that received 1g and 1.5g of NPK performed better than those with 5g and 10g of cowdung. Plants with 1g of NPK had the highest mean shoot height and mean collar diameter of 16.25cm and 5.98mm while those with 5g of cowdung had low mean shoot height and collar diameter of 5.03cm and 3.02mm respectively. Seedlings with 1.5g NPK had mean leaf and mean branch number of 13.2 and 1.20, while those with 10g of cowdung had 10.00 and 3.02 respectively. Analysis of variance revealed that significant difference for all parameters assessed among the treatments (organic, inorganic and control at different levels) except for the number of branching which was not significant at p Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina , organic, inorganic, cowdung, NPK, top soil.
Chlamydia trachomatis in Iceland: Prevalence, Clinico-epidemiological Features and Comparison of Cobas 480 CT/NG and Aptima Combo 2 (CT/NG) for Diagnosis

The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of, and risk factors for, Chlamydia trachomatis in attendees recruited prospectively from October 2018 to January 2019 at the only sexually transmitted infections clinic in Iceland (in Reykjavík), and to evaluate the cobas 4800 CT/NG Test and Aptima Combo 2 Assay for C. trachomatis detection in male urine and female vaginal swabs. Prevalence of C. trachomatis was 15.8% among 487 women and 13.6% among 491 men (no Neisseria gonorrhoeae positive patients were found). C. trachomatis detection was independently and positively associated with being tested for contact tracing, 18–24 years of age, and reporting ≥ 6 sexual partners within 12 months. Reporting sex with non-residents of Iceland was associated with a lower risk of C. trachomatis infection. Both assays had a high sensitivity in detection of C. trachomatis (Aptima Combo 2: 100%; cobas 4800 CT/NG: 95.1%) and high specificity (100% and 99.6%, respectively). The high local prevalence of C. trachomatis and increased acquisition risk following sex with residents are of public health concern.
Cloning and Characterization of Three Sugar Metabolism Genes (LBGAE, LBGALA, and LBMS) Regulated in Response to Elevated CO2 in Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum L.)

The composition and content of sugar play a pivotal role in goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) fruits, determining fruit quality. Long-term exposure of goji berry to elevated CO2 (eCO2) was frequently demonstrated to reduce sugar content and secondary metabolites. In order to understand the regulatory mechanisms and improve the quality of fruit in the changing climate, it is essential to characterize sugar metabolism genes that respond to eCO2. The objectives of this study were to clone full-length cDNA of three sugar metabolism genes—LBGAE (Lycium barbarum UDP-glucuronate 4-epimerase), LBGALA (Lycium barbarum alpha-galactosidase), and LBMS (Lycium barbarum malate synthase)—that were previously identified responding to eCO2, and to analyze sequence characteristics and expression regulation patterns. Sugar metabolism enzymes regulated by these genes were also estimated along with various carbohydrates from goji berry fruits grown under ambient (400 μmol mol−1) and elevated (700 μmol mol−1) CO2 for 90 and 120 days. Homology-based sequence analysis revealed that the protein-contained functional domains are similar to sugar transport regulation and had a high sequence homology with other Solanaceae species. The sucrose metabolism-related enzyme’s activity varied significantly from ambient to eCO2 in 90-day and 120-day samples along with sugars. This study provides fundamental information on sugar metabolism genes to eCO2 in goji berry to enhance fruit quality to climate change.
Comparison of Techniques for the Analysis of Industrial Soils by Atomic Spectrometry

Methods based on AAS, ICP-AES and XRFS have been developed for determination of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in soil layers from pits excavated on a redundant industrial site. Samples were dried and sieved, and the < 2 mm fraction was ground in a ball mill prior to analysis. For ICP-AES and AAS, Ig sub-samples were digested with aqua regia in a microwave oven. The dry weight detection Limits of the analytes were in the range 2-25 mu g g(-1) for FAAS, 0.003-0.2 mu g g(-1) for ETAAS and 0.04-1.6 mu g g(-1) for ICP-AES. When digests of the industrial soils were analysed, calibration with acid-matched standards gave acceptable accuracy for all the analytes, except for Cd when determined by ETAAS (30-40 % suppression). Despite lack of reference materials of industrial origin, analysis of two soil reference materials by these techniques produced concentrations that were within +/- 10 % of the certified or recommended values for elements extractable with aqua regia. Direct standard-less analysis of a soil reference material with a portable x-ray fluorescence (P-XRF) analyser gave concentrations for a range of elements that were within a factor of 2 of the certified values. When the XRFS and ICP-AES methods were used to analyse the industrial soils, the concentrations obtained were similar (to within 30%) for Cu, Pb and Zn in most of the samples and for Cr, Mn and Ni in some of the samples. The concentrations of V estimated with the P-XRF analyser were 4 to 7-fold higher than those obtained by ICP-AES. The discrepancies were thought to be caused by spectral enhancement interferences in XRFS. Cadmium was not determined accurately by either ICP-AES or P-XRFS owing to spectral interferences. The work has highlighted the importance of analysing samples from across a site and at different depths, when assessing the extent of metal contamination on industrial land.
Association between nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy for hepatitis B and Sjögren’s syndrome: 15‐year analysis of the national database of Taiwan

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been proposed to play a role in the development of Sjögren's syndrome. However, to date, there are no reports on the risk of SS in HBV‐infected patients following nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy. Due to Taiwan has higher prevalence of HBV infection and therapy was well recorded in the Taiwan's single‐payer national health insurance database, we hypothesized that a long‐term retrospective analysis of the risk of Sjögren's syndrome in HBV‐infected patients following nucleotide therapy will increase our understanding of Sjögren's syndrome development following HBV infection. We identified 26,147 adults diagnosed with HBV infection between 1997 and 2012 in claims data. Finally, a total of 3268 HBV‐infected patients who ever received nucleotide therapy (treated cohort) were frequency‐matched on age and sex at 1:4 ratios to select a control group of 13,072 counterparts without therapy (untreated cohort). To identify Sjögren's syndrome risk, competing risk analysis adjusted for all covariates was performed. The risk was significantly lower in the treated cohort (15‐year cumulative incidence, 2.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4%–3.7%) than in the untreated cohort (7.1%; 95% CI, 2.5%–15.2%) (p = .015), and the adjusted HR was 0.6 (95% CI, 0.41–0.88; p = .009). Multivariable stratified analysis further verified the consistent associations between nucleoside therapy and risk reduction of Sjögren's syndrome across all strata. Our finding suggests that HBV infection treated with nucleotides is associated with lower risk of Sjögren's syndrome, implying a potential role of HBV infection in the development of Sjögren's syndrome.
Urbanization and mental health as a research problem in Latin America (with a focus on Brazil)

Purpose of review The basic hypothesis of this paper is that, in Latin America, the nature of the set of variables or determinants regarding the relationships of urbanization (and correlated processes of social change, modernization, acculturation, and economic inclusion) and mental health varies with the political context or historical phase considered. To assess the validity of the hypothesis, I propose a periodization of the economic, political, and social changes that occurred in Latin America in the past decades. Recent findings A brief review of recent studies on social determinants of mental health (with a focus on Brazil), considering research findings by historical context, shows that urbanization–modernization–migration variables were more present in the literature in the decades of 1980 and 1990, whereas social inequity factors (gender, ethnicity/race, and racism) came to be dominant as a research question after the year 2000. Summary New approaches of the mental health situation of peripheral societies such as those in the Latin American continent have gone beyond the urban environment as a determinant and start to consider social determination processes and political contexts.
Killing the Invaders: NK Cell Impact in Tumors and Anti-Tumor Therapy

Simple Summary NK cells are innate lymphoid cells involved in the control of tumor growth and metastatic spread. Given their significant cytolytic capacity, several promising strategies have been developed to target NK cells in cancer immunotherapy. Abstract Natural Killer cells belong to group 1 innate lymphoid cells, which also includes ILC1s. NK/ILC1s are highly heterogeneous cell types showing distinct phenotypes across tissues and conditions. NK cells have long been described as innate lymphocytes able to directly and rapidly kill tumor cells without antigen-restriction. Different mechanisms were shown to modulate NK cell activation and tumor resistance, mainly based on cytokine stimulation and receptor–ligand interactions, and several strategies have been developed to target NK cells in tumor immunotherapy to promote NK cell function and overcome tumor evasion. The characterization of ILC1 distinct phenotype and function and the specific role in tumors still needs further investigation and will be essential to better understand the impact of innate lymphoid cells in tumors. Here, we review key aspects of NK cell biology that are relevant in tumor immune surveillance, emphasizing the most recent findings in the field. We describe the novel therapeutical strategies that have been developed in tumor immunotherapy targeting NK cells, and we summarize some recent findings related to NK cell/ILC1 transition in tumor models.