Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cellular and metabolic effects of renin-angiotensin system blockade on glycogen storage disease type I nephropathy

Abstract Glycogen Storage Disease Type I (GSDI) is an inherited disease caused by glucose-6 phosphatase (G6Pase) deficiency, leading to a loss of endogenous glucose production and severe hypoglycemia. Moreover, most GSDI patients develop a chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to lipid accumulation in the kidney. Similar to diabetic CKD, activation of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) promotes renal fibrosis in GSDI. Here, we investigated the physiological and molecular effects of RAS blockers in GSDI patients and mice. A retrospective analysis of renal function was performed in 21 GSDI patients treated with RAS blockers. Cellular and metabolic impacts of RAS blockade were analyzed in K.G6pc−/− mice characterized by G6pc1 deletion in kidneys. GSDI patients started RAS blocker treatment at a median age of 21 years and long-term treatment reduced the progression of CKD in about 50% of patients. However, CKD progressed to kidney failure in 20% of treated patients, requiring renal transplantation. In K.G6pc−/− mice, CKD was associated with an impairment of autophagy and ER stress. RAS blockade resulted in a rescue of autophagy and decreased ER stress, concomitantly with decreased fibrosis and improved renal function, but without impact on glycogen and lipid contents. In conclusion, these data confirm the partial beneficial effect of RAS blockers in the prevention of CKD in GSDI. Mechanistically, we show that these effects are linked to a reduction of cell stress, without affecting metabolism.
Gay Dating Apps in China: Do They Alleviate or Exacerbate Loneliness? The Serial Mediation Effect of Perceived and Internalized Sexuality Stigma

ABSTRACT Gay dating apps have become increasingly popular and been intensively used. However, studies that closely examine the effects of gay dating app usage on mental health outcomes are few. This study tackles an unsolved question on whether gay dating apps alleviate or exacerbate loneliness through perceptions of sexuality stigma. A cross-sectional online survey from 371 Chinese gay or bisexual men found that the intensity of gay dating app usage is positively associated with loneliness. The association between gay dating app usage intensity and loneliness is sequentially mediated by perceived sexuality stigma and internalized sexuality stigma. That is, increased intensity of gay dating app usage strengthens perceived sexuality stigma, which in turn reinforces internalized sexuality stigma, further exacerbating loneliness. This study echoes the “alone together” phenomena and uncovers the feasibility of using stigma perceptions as a mechanism to understand the mental health of gay dating app users.
Multivariate patterns and long‐range temporal correlations of alpha oscillations are associated with flexible manipulation of visual working memory representations

The ability to flexibly manipulate memory representations is embedded in visual working memory (VWM) and can be tested using paradigms with retrospective cues. Although valid retrospective cues often facilitate memory recall, invalid ones may or may not result in performance costs. We investigated individual differences in utilising retrospective cues and evaluated how these individual differences are associated with brain oscillatory activity at rest. At the behavioural level, we operationalised flexibility as the ability to make effective use of retrospective cues or disregard them if required. At the neural level, we tested whether individual differences in such flexibility were associated with properties of resting‐state alpha oscillatory activity (8–12 Hz). To capture distinct aspects of these brain oscillations, we evaluated their power spectral density and temporal dynamics using long‐range temporal correlations (LRTCs). In addition, we performed multivariate patterns analysis (MVPA) to classify individuals' level of behavioural flexibility based on these neural measures. We observed that alpha power alone (magnitude) at rest was not associated with flexibility. However, we found that the participants' ability to manipulate VWM representations was correlated with alpha LRTC and could be decoded using MVPA on patterns of alpha power. Our findings suggest that alpha LRTC and multivariate patterns of alpha power at rest may underlie some of the individual differences in using retrospective cues in working memory tasks.
Fission yeast RNA‐binding proteins Puf2 and Puf4 are involved in repression of ferrireductase Frp1 expression in response to iron

This study identifies a post‐transcriptional mechanism of iron uptake regulation by Puf2 and Puf4 of the Pumilio and FBF (Puf) family of RNA‐binding proteins in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Cells expressing Puf2 and Puf4 stimulate decay of the frp1+ mRNA encoding a key enzyme of the reductive iron uptake pathway. Results consistently showed that frp1+ mRNA is stabilized in puf2Δ puf4Δ mutant cells under iron‐replete conditions. As a result, puf2Δ puf4Δ cells exhibit an increased sensitivity to iron accompanied by enhanced ferrireductase activity. A pool of GFP‐frp1+ 3′UTR RNAs was generated using a reporter gene containing the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of frp1+ that was under the control of a regulatable promoter. Results showed that Puf2 and Puf4 accelerate the destabilization of mRNAs containing the frp1+ 3′UTR which harbors two Pumilio response elements (PREs). Binding studies revealed that the PUM‐homology RNA‐binding domain of Puf2 and Puf4 expressed in Escherichia coli specifically interacts with PREs in the frp1+ 3′UTR. Using RNA immunoprecipitation in combination with reverse transcription qPCR assays, results showed that Puf2 and Puf4 interact preferentially with frp1+ mRNA under basal and iron‐replete conditions, thereby contributing to inhibit Frp1 production and protecting cells against toxic levels of iron.
The Spatial Context of Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells Associates with Improved Ovarian Cancer Survival

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic malignancy. Multi-omics techniques have provided a platform for improved predictive modeling of therapy response and patient outcomes. While high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSOC) tumors are immunogenic and numerous studies have defined positive correlation to immune cell infiltration, immunotherapies in clinical trials have exhibited low efficacy rates. There is a significant need to better comprehend the role and composition of immune cells in mediating ovarian cancer therapeutic response and progression. We performed multiplex IHC with an HGSOC tissue microarray (n = 127) to characterize the immune cell composition within tumors. After analyzing the composition and spatial context of T cells (CD4/CD8), macrophages (CD68), and B cells (CD19) within the tumor, we found that increased B-cell and CD4 T-cell presence correlated with overall survival. More importantly, we observed that the proximity between tumor-associated macrophages and B cells or CD4 T cells significantly correlated with overall survival. Implications: The results highlight the antitumor role of B cells and CD4 T cells, and that the spatial interactions between immune cell types are a novel predictor of therapeutic response and patient outcomes. Visual Overview
Comparison of Apical Root Resorption in Patients Treated with Fixed Orthodontic Appliance and Clear Aligners: A Cone-beam Computed Tomography Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE To carry out comparison of apical root resorption (ARR) in the fixed orthodontic appliance and clear aligners with the help of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. METHODS AND MATERIALS The study was conducted on 576 roots in 110 patients. These patients were divided into two groups such that each group consisted of 55 patients. A total of 288 roots were analyzed in each group. One group consisted of patients treated with the conventional fixed orthodontic appliance. Another group consisted of patients treated with clear aligners. Radiographic images were collected with the help of CBCT for each patient. One image was collected before treatment while another image was collected after treatment. The length of the root of the anterior tooth was measured with the help of CBCT images. The ARR was calculated for each tooth by obtaining the difference between the length of the root measured before orthodontic treatment and after orthodontic treatment. The data were recorded, and statistical analysis was carried out with the help of the paired t test and Chi-square test to compare ARR between the two groups. RESULTS The ARR was more in patients who were treated with fixed orthodontic treatment than in those patients who were treated with clear aligners. The mean value of ARR in fixed orthodontic appliances was 1.51 ± 1.34 mm, whereas the mean value of ARR in clear aligners was 1.12 ± 1.34 mm. The severity of ARR in the clear aligners group (on average) was significantly less than that in the fixed appliances group (on average). It was found that ARR in each individual's tooth included in the study was more in case of the fixed orthodontic appliance as compared with clear aligners (p <0.001). CONCLUSION From the present study, it can be concluded that the amount of resorption at the root apex is less among patients who undergo treatment using clear aligners as compared with those treated with conventional fixed orthodontics appliances. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE ARR found in the orthodontic treatment is a process that causes loss of hard dental tissues such as dentine and cementum at the root apex. Fixed orthodontic appliances are most common method of orthodontic treatment. However, clear aligners are also used commonly for orthodontic treatment.
Characterizing the tumor microenvironment in rare renal cancer histological types

The tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cells, cancer‐associated fibroblasts, endothelial cells, adjacent normal cells, and others, plays a crucial role in influencing tumor behavior and progression. Here, we characterized the TME in 83 primary renal tumors and matched metastatic or recurrence tissue samples (n = 15) from papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) types 1 (n = 20) and 2 (n = 49), collecting duct carcinomas (CDC; n = 14), and high‐grade urothelial carcinomas (HGUC; n = 5). We investigated 10 different markers of immune infiltration, vasculature, cell proliferation, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition by using machine learning image analysis in conjunction with immunohistochemistry. Marker expression was compared by Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests and correlations across markers using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Multivariable Poisson regression analysis was used to compare marker expression between histological types, while accounting for variation in tissue size. Several immune markers showed different rates of expression across histological types of renal carcinoma. Using pRCC1 as reference, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of CD3+ T cells (IRR [95% confidence interval, CI] = 2.48 [1.53–4.01]) and CD20+ B cells (IRR [95% CI] = 4.38 [1.22–5.58]) was statistically significantly higher in CDC. In contrast, CD68+ macrophages predominated in pRCC1 (IRR [95% CI] = 2.35 [1.42–3.9]). Spatial analysis revealed CD3+ T‐cell and CD20+ B‐cell expressions in CDC to be higher at the proximal (p < 0.0001) and distal (p < 0.0001) tumor periphery than within the central tumor core. In contrast, expression of CD68+ macrophages in pRCC2 was higher in the tumor center compared to the proximal (p = 0.0451) tumor periphery and pRCC1 showed a distance‐dependent reduction, from the central tumor, in CD68+ macrophages with the lowest expression of CD68 marker at the distal tumor periphery (p = 0.004). This study provides novel insights into the TME of rare kidney cancer types, which are often understudied. Our findings of differences in marker expression and localization by histological subtype could have implications for tumor progression and response to immunotherapies or other targeted therapies.
Entrepreneurship among Undergraduate Nursing Students at a public university.

OBJECTIVES to identify undergraduate nursing students' entrepreneurial tendency at a public university. METHODS cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, with 135 undergraduate nursing students from a public university in the interior of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected using a socio-professional characterization form and a General measure of Enterprising Tendency test and analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS among the five entrepreneurial tendencies, students presented results equal or above average in two dimensions: Drive and Determination (82.2%) and Need for Success (51.1%). The Creative tendency was the dimension with the highest percentage of participants below the average (68.9%). However, students in research or extension groups scored equal or above average in all five entrepreneurial tendencies. CONCLUSIONS students showed low entrepreneurial tendencies, indicating the need for a broader approach to the subject in nursing education.
Adsorption of solophenyl dyes from aqueous solution by modified nanozeolite from bottom ash and its toxicity to C. dubia

Application: In the area of water purification, nanomaterials have been applied for removal of several compounds. Of the four classes of nanomaterials, zeolites have demonstrated good results for the removal of dyes. Nanozeolite synthesized from bottom ash and modified with hexadecyltrimethylamonium (ZMB) was used as adsorbent to removal of Solophenyl Navy (SN), Solophenyl Turquoise (ST) and their hydrolyzed forms (SNH and STH, respectively) from simulated textile wastewater.
Modulation of Covid‐19 cytokine storm by tocilizumab

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) is the illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, first identified in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared Covid‐19 a global pandemic. The objective of this study is to determine the role of interleukin (IL) inhibitors in the treatment of Covid‐19. By the majority of the reported clinical studies, the use of tocilizumab in Covid‐19 infection appears promising in specific cases of the cytokine storm. Conflicting results prevent the recommendation of IL inhibitors against Covid‐19 infection by many health organizations. However, many low‐case fatality rate countries, with more advanced therapeutic approaches, uniformly include the use of tocilizumab in case of cytokine storms in addition to the standard treatment for severe cases which includes antivirals. Neglecting the other components is likely an explanation for the contradictory results found in the literature.
Parents’ attitudes toward children’s vaccination as a marker of trust in health systems

ABSTRACT Children’s vaccination is a major goal in health-care systems worldwide; nevertheless, disparities in vaccination coverage expose socio-demographic accessibility gaps, unawareness, physicians’ disapproval and parents’ incomplete adherence reflecting insufficient public-provider trust. Our goal was to analyze parents’ attitude toward children’s vaccination in correlation with trust among stakeholders. A total of 1031 parents replied to a “snowball” questionnaire; 72% reported high trust in their physician, 42% trusted the authorities, 11% trusted internet groups. Among minorities, parents who fully vaccinate their children were younger, live in urban areas, eat all kinds of foods and trust the authorities, similar to the general population. Low adherence to children’s vaccination was correlated with trusting internet groups. Females complied significantly more to child vaccination, although in our study mothers were more highly educated and trusted authorities more than males. The results enable to draw a profile of the “vaccination compliant parent” (with an academic degree, young, urban, eats all kinds of foods, uses conservative medicine). Trust is a major factor influencing vaccination, yet external forces such as community voices, social trends and opinions of religious leaders may play a role in vaccination adherence, beyond personal beliefs, individual habits and self-care. In Israel, education and “healthy behavior” perception alongside generous coverage encourage most parents to comply with the routine vaccination program. In the shade of pandemic outbreaks, we suggest a social-determinant transparent approach to encourage parents to vaccinate their children. Social and religious leaders can pose as agents of change, especially in the case of less educated parents.
Metabolically healthy obesity in children enrolled in the CANadian Pediatric Weight management Registry (CANPWR): An exploratory secondary analysis of baseline data

Our study purpose was to determine the prevalence of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and examine factors associated with MHO in children with obesity. This cross‐sectional study was a secondary, exploratory analysis of data that included 2–17 years old with a body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile from the CANadian Pediatric Weight management Registry. Children were classified as having MHO or metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) using consensus‐based criteria. Those with MHO had normal triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting glucose. Logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with MHO, which included calculating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In total, 945 children were included (mean age: 12.3 years; 51% female). The prevalence of MHO was 31% (n = 297), with lower levels across increasing age categories (2–5 years [n = 18; 43%], 6–11 years [n = 127; 35%], 12–17 years [n = 152; 28%]). Children with MHO were younger, weighed less, and had lower BMI z‐scores than their peers with MUO (all p < 0.01). MHO status was positively associated with physical activity (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.01–1.38), skim milk intake (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01–1.19), and fruit intake (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01–1.24) and negatively associated with BMI z‐score (OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.60–0.79), total screen time in hours (OR: 0.79; 96% CI: 0.68–0.92), and intake of fruit flavoured drinks (OR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.84–0.99). These findings may help guide clinical decision‐making regarding obesity management by focusing on children with MUO who are at relatively high cardiometabolic risk.
Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases: Going beyond traditional risk factors

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a chronic non‐infective syndrome characterised clinically by a set of vascular risk factors that include insulin resistance, hypertension, abdominal obesity, impaired glucose metabolism, and dyslipidaemia. These risk factors are due to a pro‐inflammatory state, oxidative stress, haemodynamic dysfunction, and ischaemia, which overlap in ‘dysmetabolic’ patients. This review aimed to evaluate the relationship between the traditional components of MS with cardiovascular disease (CVD), inflammation, and oxidative stress. MEDLINE‐PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched. Chronic low‐grade inflammatory states and metaflammation are often accompanied by metabolic changes directly related to CVD incidence, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity. Moreover, the metaflammation is characterised by an increase in the serum concentration of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, mainly interleukin‐1 β (IL‐1β), IL‐6, and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), originating from the chronically inflamed adipose tissue and associated with oxidative stress. The increase of reactive oxygen species overloads the antioxidant systems causing post‐translational alterations of proteins, lipids, and DNA leading to oxidative stress. Hyperglycaemia contributes to the increase in oxidative stress and the production of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) which are related to cellular and molecular dysfunction. Oxidative stress and inflammation are associated with cellular senescence and CVD. CVD should not be seen only as being triggered by classical MS risk factors. Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial pathological process with several triggering and aetiopathogenic mechanisms. Its medium and long‐term repercussions, however, invariably constitute a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Implementing preventive and therapeutic measures against oxy‐reductive imbalances and metaflammation states has unquestionable potential for favourable clinical outcomes in cardiovascular medicine.
How to improve patient satisfaction behavioral compliance and hospital image through nurse caring: Strategizing for healthcare during COVID-19

Abstract We investigated the impact of nurse caring on patient satisfaction, behavioral compliance, and organization image from a patient’s perspective in the private healthcare sector in the Syrian capital-Damascus. The conceptual model can significantly explain 40, 64, and 49% of satisfaction, compliance, and organization image, respectively in a statistical manner. Responsiveness had more influence on patient satisfaction than communication skills. Friendship behavior had no significant effect on satisfaction, and behavioral compliance. The most important aspect that influenced the organization’s image was the nurse’s communication skills followed by responsiveness and service friendship behavior.
Antioxidant activity of Berberis integerrima seed oil as a natural antioxidant on the oxidative stability of soybean oil

ABSTRACT The barberry fruits are used as food flavoring. Berberis integerrima seeds are used as waste product in barberry’s processes. This study describes the potential use of B. integerrima seed oil (BSO) as a natural antioxidant. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl scavenging activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power of the oil alcoholic extract were determined. Protective effect of BSO in stabilizing soybean oil was further evaluated based on the peroxide values, thiobarbituric acid values, conjugated dienes and trienes, and Rancimat test during storage. Results of gas chromatography (GC-FID) showed that more than 90% of the fatty acids were linolenic (ω-3), linoleic (ω-6), and oleic (ω-9) acids. Total phenolic compounds were 323.0 mg Gallic acid/kg oil. Chromatographic separation of their sterols and tocopherols (HPLC) demonstrated that β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol cholesterol, sitostanol, ∆5-avenasterol, ∆7-avenasterol, clerosterol, and α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol were present in the BSO, respectively. The IC50 of the oil alcoholic extract was less than the commercial antioxidants, including butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene. The statistical results indicated that BSO has significant effects on soybean oil stability on most days.