Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Negative bias-temperature instabilities in metal–oxide–silicon devices with SiO2 and SiOxNy/HfO2 gate dielectrics

Negative bias-temperature instability (NBTI) in metal–oxide–semiconductor capacitors with SiOxNy/HfO2 gate dielectrics is compared to those with thermal SiO2 oxides. Activation energies for interface and oxide-trap charge densities for each device type, estimated from capacitance–voltage measurements versus temperature and electric field, lie in the range 0.2–0.4 eV. This suggests that the release of hydrogen from, e.g., oxide protrusions in Si, followed by the lateral motion of protons along the interface (activation energy ∼0.3 eV), may play a key role in NBTI. Passivation reactions between protons and Si–H can create interface traps, and proton capture by sub-oxide bonds (O vacancies) can lead to positive trapped-oxide charge.
Optimization and characterization of alkaliphilic lipase from a novel Bacillus cereus NC7401 strain isolated from diesel fuel polluted soil

Five Bacillus cereus strains including B. cereus AVP12, B. cereus NC7401, B. cereus BDBCO1, B. cereus JF70 and B. specie JL47 isolated from the diesel fuel polluted soil adhered to the roots of Tagetes minuta were screened for lipase production with phenol red agar method. B. cereus NC7401 strain successfully expressing and secreting lipase with maximal lipolytic activity was subjected to a submerged fermentation process with five different carbon (starch, glucose, maltose, fructose, and lactose) and five different nitrogen (tryptone, ammonium nitrate, peptone, urea, yeast extract) sources to produce lipase enzyme. Maximum enzyme activity was found with starch (30.6 UmL-1), maltose (40 UmL-1), and tryptone (38.6 UmL-1), and the lipases produced using these sources were named lipase A, B, and C respectively. The total protein content of 8.56, 8.86, and 2.75 μg mL-1 were obtained from B. cereus NC7401 cultured using starch, maltose, and tryptone respectively. Lipase was stable between temperature range 30–80°C and pH 5–10 whereas optimally active at 55°C and pH 8.0. The enzyme was relatively stable for 10 days at 4°C and its optimum reaction time with the substrate was 30 minutes. It was tolerant to 1.5% (v/v) methanol as an organic solvent, 1.5% (v/v) Triton X-100 as a media additive and 1.5% (w/v) Ni2+ as a metal ion. SDS, n-hexane, and Ag+ inhibited lipolytic activity. Oil stains were removed from cotton fabric which showed oil removal efficiency enhancement in the presence of a lipase. Fat hydrolysis of 20, 24, and 30% was achieved following 6 hours of incubation of the fat particles with lipase A, B, and C respectively at a concentration of 20 mg mL-1. To as best of our knowledge, this study on lipases extracted from bacteria of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan origin has never been reported before.
The scaffolding protein flot2 promotes cytoneme-based transport of wnt3 in gastric cancer

The Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway regulates multiple cellular processes during development and many diseases, including cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Despite their hydrophobic nature, Wnt proteins exert their function over long distances to induce paracrine signalling. Recent studies have identified several factors involved in Wnt secretion; however, our understanding of how Wnt ligands are transported between cells to interact with their cognate receptors is still debated. Here, we demonstrate that gastric cancer cells utilise cytonemes to transport Wnt3 intercellularly to promote proliferation and cell survival. Furthermore, we identify the membrane-bound scaffolding protein Flotillin-2 (Flot2), frequently overexpressed in gastric cancer, as a modulator of these cytonemes. Together with the Wnt co-receptor and cytoneme initiator Ror2, Flot2 determines the number and length of Wnt3 cytonemes in gastric cancer. Finally, we show that Flotillins are also necessary for Wnt8a cytonemes during zebrafish embryogenesis, suggesting a conserved mechanism for Flotillin-mediated Wnt transport on cytonemes in development and disease.
Overexpression of TRIM32 promotes pancreatic β‐cell autophagic cell death through Akt/mTOR pathway under high glucose conditions

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing worldwide epidemic and is characterized by progressive pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. Tripartite motif protein 32 (TRIM32) belongs to the TRIM family protein and has been shown to be involve in insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and the liver. However, the effect of TRIM32 on pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction and its mechanism remains unknown. In the current study, we found that serum TRIM32 concentrations of T2DM in patients were significantly elevated compared to those in healthy controls, which indicated that TRIM32 might be used as a diagnostic biomarker in T2DM patients. In INS‐1 cells, exposure to high glucose (HG) conditions caused a significant elevation in TRIM32 expression and TRIM32 was located in the nucleus. Overexpression of TRIM32 in INS‐1 cells exacerbated the effects of HG‐induced autophagy and impaired insulin secretion. In contrast, the silencing of TRIM32 produced the opposite effect. Furthermore, TRIM32 overexpression decreased the phosphorylation levels of Akt and mTOR under HG conditions. However, the activation of Akt/mTOR by MHY1485 reversed the effects of TRIM32 on HG‐treated INS‐1 cells. Collectively, the present results suggested that TRIM32 participates in the development of T2DM by modulating autophagic cell death and insulin secretion, which might occur through the Akt/mTOR pathway. Thus, TRIM32 might be a promising target in T2DM therapy.
Lifetime vicarious experiences of major discrimination and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older black adults

Abstract Objectives Racial disparities in later-life depression among Americans are well-documented. Perceived discrimination has been linked to depressive symptoms among aging Black adults, but little research has considered how vicarious exposure to discrimination shapes the mental health of middle-aged and older Black adults. Methods A subsample of Black adults aged 50–69 years (N = 273) were drawn from the Nashville Stress and Health Study. Lifetime vicarious exposures to major discrimination were assessed. Additionally, multivariate linear regression was employed to examine the association between vicarious experiences of major discrimination and depressive symptoms. Results Once the Black adults in the sample had reached ages 50 and older, the most common discriminatory events that they had vicariously experienced in their lifetime occurred as a result of their loved ones’ unfair interactions with law enforcement and the job market, respectively. Furthermore, our findings revealed that vicarious experiences of major discrimination were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older Black adults. Conclusion Vicarious, as well as personal, exposures to discrimination shape the mental health of Black Americans over the lifespan. The secondhand effects of discrimination must be considered for interventions aimed at reducing the mental health consequences of racism-related adversity as Black adults age.
Head-to-head Rasch comparison of the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire-Mobility Section and the Prosthetic Mobility Questionnaire 2.0 in Italian lower-limb prosthesis users

Background: The Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire-Mobility Section (PEQ-MS) and the Prosthetic Mobility Questionnaire (PMQ 2.0) are two validated self-report questionnaires assessing mobility in people with lower-limb amputation. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the psychometric properties of PEQ-MS and PMQ 2.0 in a sample of 100 Italian lower-limb prosthesis users. Methods: We conducted a secondary Rasch analysis of data from a prospective single-group observational study, comparing the PEQ-MS and PMQ 2.0 head to head and then cocalibrating them onto a common interval-scaled metric, through common-person equating, to compare their operational range. Results: The PMQ 2.0 showed good measurement qualities. The PEQ-MS had acceptable psychometric properties, despite some weakness in item selection. Cocalibration of the two questionnaires indicated that they assess the same underlying construct (prosthetic mobility), but PMQ 2.0 items have a wider range of difficulty (by one logit). Finally, we created a nomogram allowing to “cross-walk” between scores of the two questionnaires. Conclusions: Comparison of the two questionnaires showed that the PMQ 2.0 has a better measurement performance and larger operational range than the PEQ-MS, making it more suitable for assessing lower-limb prosthesis users with a large range of locomotor abilities, in particular those with higher mobility levels.
Time-of-Flight Intracranial MRA at 3 T versus 5 T versus 7 T: Visualization of Distal Small Cerebral Arteries.

Background Three-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography (MRA) at 7 T has been reported to have high image quality for visualizing small perforating vessels. However, B1 inhomogeneity and more physiologic considerations limit its applications. Angiography at 5 T may provide another choice for intracranial vascular imaging. Purpose To evaluate the image quality and cerebrovascular visualization of 5-T 3D TOF MRA for visualizing intracranial small branch arteries. Materials and Methods Participants (healthy volunteers or participants with a history of ischemic stroke undergoing intracranial CT angiography or MRA for identifying steno-occlusive disease) were prospectively included from September 2021 to November 2021. Each participant underwent 3-T, 5-T, and 7-T 3D TOF MRA with use of customized MR protocols within 48 hours. Radiologist scoring from 0 (invisible) to 3 (excellent) and quantitative assessment were obtained to evaluate the image quality. The Friedman test was used for comparison of characteristics derived from 3 T, 5 T, and 7 T. Results A total of 12 participants (mean age ± SD, 38 years ± 9; nine men) were included. Visualizations of the distal arteries and small vessels at 5-T TOF MRA were significantly higher than those at 3 T (median score: 3.0 vs 2.0, all P < .001 for distal segments and lenticulostriate artery; median score: 2.0 vs 0, P < .001 for pontine artery). The total length of small vessel branches detected at 5 T was larger than that at 3 T (5.1 m ± 0.7 vs 1.9 m ± 0.4; P < .001). However, there was no evidence of a significant difference compared with 7 T in either the depiction of distal segments and small vessel branches (average median score, 2.5; all P > .05) or the quantitative measurements (total length, 5.6 m ± 0.5; P = .41). Conclusion Three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography at 5 T presented the capability to provide superior visualization of distal large arteries and small vessel branches (in terms of subjective and quantitative assessment) to 3 T and had image quality similar to 7 T. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
Distinct Molecular Mechanisms Characterizing Pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has continued for over 2 years, following the outbreak of coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) in 2019. It has resulted in enormous casualties and severe economic crises. The rapid development of vaccines and therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 has helped slow the spread. In the meantime, various mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 have emerged to evade current vaccines and therapeutics. A better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis is a prerequisite for developing efficient, advanced vaccines and therapeutics. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, a tremendous amount of research has been conducted to unveil SARSCoV-2 pathogenesis, from clinical observations to biochemical analysis at the molecular level upon viral infection. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 propagation and pathogenesis, with an update on recent advances.
Risk factors associated with nausea and vomiting in children with cancer receiving chemotherapy

Introduction Despite treatment with antiemetic medications, nausea remains uncontrolled for many children receiving chemotherapy. One reason is that risk factors for nausea in children remain poorly explored. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for chemotherapy-induced nausea (CIN) in children. Methods Prospective, observational study including 101 children (median age 6.4 years, range 0.8–17.9) with cancer receiving moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Primary endpoints were complete control of acute and delayed CIN, defined as no nausea in the acute phase 0–24 h after chemotherapy and in the delayed phase starting after the acute phase and ending 5 days later. Multivariable analyses included age, sex, cancer type, susceptibility to motion sickness, chemotherapy duration, numbers of antiemetics, co-administration with opioids or tricyclic antidepressants, and previously uncontrolled nausea or vomiting. Results Acute CIN was associated with susceptibility to motion sickness (odds ratio [OR] 5.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36–33.7) and older age (OR 4.19, 95% CI 1.30–14.7), comparing age group 8–18 years with 0–3 years. Delayed CIN was associated with uncontrolled acute nausea or vomiting (OR 10.3, 95% CI 2.65–50.9), highly emetogenic chemotherapy (OR 8.26, 95% CI 1.17–76.8), and having a hematologic cancer type (OR 7.81, 95% CI 1.05–79.2). Conclusions Susceptibility to motion sickness and age can influence the risk of acute CIN. More research is needed on how best to integrate risk information in preventive antiemetic strategies. Sufficient acute nausea and vomiting control are crucial to prevent delayed CIN.
Long-term Lung Abnormalities Associated with COVID-19 Pneumonia

In the 3rd year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, much has been learned about the long-term effects of COVID-19 pneumonia on the lungs. Approximately one-third of patients with moderate-to-severe pneumonia, especially those requiring intensive care therapy or mechanical ventilation, have residual abnormalities at chest CT 1 year after presentation. Abnormalities range from parenchymal bands to bronchial dilation to frank fibrosis. Less is known about the long-term pulmonary vascular sequelae, but there appears to be a persistent, increased risk of venothromboembolic events in a small cohort of patients. Finally, the associated histologic abnormalities resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection are similar to those seen in patients with other causes of acute lung injury. © RSNA, 2022
ZDF (fa/fa) rats show increasing heterogeneity in main parameters during ageing, as confirmed by biometrics, oxidative stress markers and MMP activity

What is the central question of this study? The aim was to characterize Zucker diabetic fatty [ZDF (fa/fa)] rats and two control strains [Wistar and lean ZDF (fa/+) rats] during ageing. What is the main finding and its importance? Zucker diabetic fatty (fa/fa) rats with lower glycaemia have higher body and left ventricular weights and lower plasma gelatinase activity compared with hyperglycaemic rats. Given that type 2 diabetes is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder, the inhomogeneity of ZDF (fa/fa) rats might be beneficial in the study of its different aspects. Our experiments might promote a discussion regarding suitable normoglycaemic control animals for aged ZDF (fa/fa) rats, especially in experiments focused on myocardial tissue.
Branched short elastin‐like peptides with temperature responsiveness obtained by EDTA‐mediated multimerization

Elastin‐like peptides (ELPs) exhibit a reversible phase transition, known as coacervation, triggered by temperature changes. This property makes them useful as stimuli‐responsive molecular materials for various applications. Among ELPs, short peptide chain lengths have some advantages over long peptide chain lengths because short ELPs can be easily obtained by chemical synthesis, allowing the use of various amino acids, including D‐type and unnatural amino acids, at any position in the sequence. Moreover, the incorporated amino acids readily affect the temperature‐responsive behavior of ELPs. However, to be utilized in various applications, it is necessary to develop short ELPs and to investigate their temperature‐responsive properties. To obtain further insights into the temperature‐responsive behavior of the short ELPs, we investigated branched short ELP analogs composed of (FPGVG)n chains (n = 1 or 2, abbreviated as F1 and F2, respectively). We synthesized multimers composed of four F1 chains or two to four F2 chains using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a central component of multimerization. Our results show that the multimers obtained exhibited coacervation in aqueous solutions whereas linear F1 or F2 did not. Furthermore, the structural features of the obtained multimers were the same as those of linear (FPGVG)4. In this study, we demonstrated that molecules capable of coacervation can be obtained by multimerization of F1 or F2. The temperature‐responsive molecules obtained using short ELPs make it possible to use them as easy‐to‐synthesize peptide tags to confer temperature responsiveness to various molecules, which will aid the development of temperature‐responsive biomaterials with a wide variety of functions.
Discordance in tests used to detect inhibition of the P2Y12 receptor in patients undergoing interventional neuroradiology procedures

Background Clopidogrel is an inhibitor of the P2Y12 platelet receptor but testing to demonstrate a drug effect is controversial since there are often discordant results between different tests methods. Methods Samples from patients taking clopidogrel prior to intracranial flow-diversion procedures were tested using light transmission aggregometry (LTA), whole blood impedance aggregometry (WBIA) and the VerifyNow device (VND). Samples were classified as concordant if all test results were either responsive (inhibition) or resistant. Discordant results were separated using the VND into those with a responsive versus a resistant test result. Results Samples from 96 patients were studied. Concordance for all three tests was seen in 53/96 (55%) of samples, of which 41 (43%) were responsive and 12 (12%) were resistant. Discordance was observed in 43 samples (45%), 37 (28%) of which were caused by responsive VND and either a resistant WBIA or LTA and 6 (7%) of which were caused by a resistant VND but a responsive test result using either WBIA or LTA. These two discordant groups differed in both platelet count and hematocrit, but no such difference was present between the two concordant groups. Conclusion Discordance in P2Y12 inhibition testing may be partly explained by sample platelet count and hematocrit.
Oral health status in individuals with Down syndrome

ABSTRACT Down syndrome (DS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of known genetic cause, with a wide array of oral and systemic manifestations. The aim of the present study is to determine the level of oral hygiene status and practice of a group of individuals with DS in Benghazi/Libya. In this cross–sectional study 124 individuals were recruited from The Rehabilitation Centre of Special Needs in the city of Benghazi, Libya. Questionnaires were distributed among the attendees, covering oral health aspects and diet habits. Oral examination was conducted to evaluate oral health status among individuals with DS. The data were analysed descriptively and inferentially (including Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test) using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 20 (SPSS). Most of DS individuals brush their teeth once daily (62%), spending less than one minute in brushing (44%). For diet habits, more than half (55%) eat sweet snacks between meals. For the dental status, 47% of the subject had zero DMFT, followed by score 2 in 21%. The highest percentage in Oral hygiene Index (OHI) was scored 1 by 46% of participants. The zero CPITN score was seen in 54.5%. Our results have shown a weaker tendency of DS towards oral hygiene. This should strengthen our goal of guiding and encouraging parents of individuals with DS to be more cautious in providing help and supervision of their individuals’ practice of oral health care.
The BEEHAVEecotox Model—Integrating a Mechanistic Effect Module into the Honeybee Colony Model

Mechanistic effect models are powerful tools for extrapolating from laboratory studies to field conditions. For bees, several good models are available that can simulate colony dynamics. Controlled and reliable experimental systems are also available to estimate the inherent toxicity of pesticides to individuals. However, there is currently no systematic and mechanistic way of linking the output of experimental ecotoxicological testing to bee models for bee risk assessment. We introduce an ecotoxicological module that mechanistically links exposure with the hazard profile of a pesticide for individual honeybees so that colony effects emerge. This mechanistic link allows the translation of results from standard laboratory studies to relevant parameters and processes for simulating bee colony dynamics. The module was integrated into the state‐of‐the‐art honeybee model BEEHAVE. For the integration, BEEHAVE was adapted to mechanistically link the exposure and effects on different cohorts to colony dynamics. The BEEHAVEecotox model was tested against semifield (tunnel) studies, which were deemed the best study type to test whether BEEHAVEecotox predicted realistic effect sizes under controlled conditions. Two pesticides used as toxic standards were chosen for this validation to represent two different modes of action: acute mortality of foragers and chronic brood effects. The ecotoxicological module was able to predict effect sizes in the tunnel studies based on information from standard laboratory tests. In conclusion, the BEEHAVEecotox model is an excellent tool to be used for honeybee risk assessment, interpretation of field and semifield studies, and exploring the efficiency of different mitigation measures. The principles for exposure and effect modules are portable and could be used for any well‐constructed honeybee model. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2870–2882. © 2022 Bayer AG & Sygenta, et al. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Use of fertility drugs in early‐onset female cancer survivors—A Finnish register‐based study on 8,929 survivors

Advances in multimodality cancer treatments have increased the risk of long‐term complications in early‐onset cancer survivors. For female cancer survivors, these include diminished reproductive function, often resulting in a narrowed fertile window. The aim of our study was to evaluate the use of fertility treatments in cancer survivors (aged 0–39 years at diagnosis) compared to siblings. Data from Finnish registers on cancer, birth and prescribed medications were merged to identify 8,929 survivors and 9,495 siblings without previous deliveries. Fertility drug purchases from 1993 to 2012 at the age of 16–41 years were included. A Poisson regression model was used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for the use of fertility drugs, adjusting for age and calendar time at fertility drug purchase. Fertility treatments were more common in survivors compared to siblings, as 6.1% of survivors compared to 3.8% of siblings had bought fertility drugs (IRR 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25–1.65). A subclassification of fertility treatments into ovulation inductions and assisted reproductive technology (ART), showed increased use of ART (IRR 2.41, 95% CI 1.97–2.96), whereas the use of ovulation induction was similar in survivors and siblings. Analyses by calendar time periods showed the use of ART to be significantly higher in the most recent decade, from 2003 onwards. We conclude that cancer survivors have an increased risk for subfertility, which is why fertility counseling is important. However, our results mirror a more active approach among clinicians towards fertility treatments in cancer survivors during the most recent years.