Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gum Arabic: Can it replace sodium fluoride in toothpaste? “Comparison of their antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans”

Background: The effectiveness of fluoride in caries prevention isenhanced by its ability to reduce demineralization, promote remineralization, and antibacterial properties against streptococcus mutans. Interestingly, Gum Arabic has a remineralization effect similar to that of sodium fluoride. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity of Gum Arabic processed by two methods against Streptococcus mutans and compare it to the antibacterial activity of various concentrations of sodium fluoride in order to compare their caries prevention capability. Design: Antibacterial susceptibility tests for 200mg ethanolic extracts of mechanically ground and spray-dried Gum Arabic, as well as sodium fluoride at concentrations of 0.05% and 1.23% against S. mutans (ATCC 25175) were performed using the agar disc diffusion method. Chlorhexidine and Antibiotic multi-disc for gram-positive bacteria were used as positive controls, while ethanol 20% as a negative control. The diameters of the inhibition zones were measured for all the materials under investigation. Results: The diameters of the inhibition zones of the spray-dried and the mechanically ground Gum Arabic were (10.67 mm & 9.67mm), respectively, almost approximating each other. In comparison, sodium fluoride (0.05% wash and 1.23% gel) showed inhibition zones of diameters (0mm& 2.33mm), respectively. Gum Arabic, with both processing methods, exhibited significantly higher antibacterial activity against S. mutans than sodium fluoride (0.05%, 1.23%) Conclusion: Gum Arabic, either mechanically ground or spray-dried, is a partially active antibacterial against S. mutans. Gum Arabic is a more potent antibacterial against S. mutans than sodium fluoride. Keywords: Gum Arabic, Anti-caries, Sodium fluoride, Streptococcus mutans, Antibacterial activity
Vibration-controlled transient elastography for non-invasive screening of liver fibrosis and steatosis in Turkish patients with psoriasis: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aim The prevalence of fibrosis and steatosis in patients with psoriasis, as determined by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), has not been evaluated in Turkiye to date. The present cross-sectional study aims to present the first systematic screening results, focusing on two primary objectives: 1) establishing the prevalence of fibrosis and steatosis, and 2) identifying independent predictors for liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values in this patient population. Materials and Methods Patients were eligible for inclusion if they had a confirmed diagnosis of psoriasis by a qualified dermatologist based on characteristic signs and symptoms and histopathological examination, and had undergone VCTE for LSM and CAP measurements. Results The diagnosis of severe fibrosis and cirrhosis – identified by LSM values of 10.0−13.9 and ≥14.0 kPa, respectively – was significantly prevalent (7.0% and 10.1%, respectively) among a sizeable cohort of relatively young Turkish patients with psoriasis (n=328; mean age: 49.5±12.7 years). Additionally, severe steatosis, as diagnosed by VCTE and characterized by a CAP value exceeding 290 dB/m, was identified in up to 43.3% of patients. Although body mass index (BMI) was the only variable found to be an independently associated with LSM, multivariable linear regression analysis failed to identify any statistically independent predictor of CAP values. Conclusion The prevalence of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis in Turkish patients with psoriasis is far from negligible, with BMI identified as an independent risk factor for fibrosis.
In Utero Origins of Acute Leukemia in Children

Acute leukemias, mainly consisting of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), comprise a major diagnostic group among hematologic cancers. Due to the early age at onset of ALL, particularly, it has long been suspected that acute leukemias of childhood may have an in utero origin. This supposition has motivated many investigations seeking direct proof of prenatal leukemogenesis, in particular, twin and “backtracking studies”. The suspected in utero origin has also focused on gestation as a critical window of risk, resulting in a rich literature on prenatal risk factors for pediatric acute leukemias. In this narrative review, we recount the circumstantial and direct evidence for an in utero origin of childhood acute leukemias.
A triple-masked, two-center, randomized parallel clinical trial to assess the superiority of eight weeks of grape seed flour supplementation against placebo for weight loss attenuation during perioperative period in patients with cachexia associated with colorectal cancer: a study protocol

Background Progressive, involuntary weight and lean mass loss in cancer are linked to cachexia, a prevalent syndrome in gastrointestinal malignancies that impacts quality of life, survival and postoperative complications. Its pathophysiology is complex and believed to involve proinflammatory cytokine-mediated systemic inflammation resulting from tumor-host interaction, oxidative stress, abnormal metabolism and neuroendocrine changes. Therapeutic options for cachexia remain extremely limited, highlighting the need for clinical research targeting new interventions. Thus, this study primarily assesses the effects of grape-seed flour (GSF), rich in polyphenols and fibers, for attenuating perioperative weight loss in colorectal cancer. Methods This is a dual-center, triple-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase II, randomized clinical trial designed to investigate GSF supplementation in subjects with pre- or cachexia associated with colorectal cancer during the perioperative period. Eighty-two participants will receive 8g of GSF or cornstarch (control) for 8 weeks. Assessments are scheduled around surgery: pre-intervention (4 weeks prior), day before, first week after, and post-intervention (4 weeks later). The primary endpoint is the difference in body weight mean change from baseline to week 8. The secondary endpoints describe the harms from 8-week supplementation and assess its superiority to improve body composition, post-surgical complications, quality of life, anorexia, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, and handgrip strength. The study will also explore its effects on gut bacteria activity and composition, systemic inflammation, and muscle metabolism. Discussion The current trial addresses a gap within the field of cancer cachexia, specifically focusing on the potential role of a nutritional intervention during the acute treatment phase. GSF is expected to modulate inflammation and oxidative stress, both involved in muscle and intestinal dysfunction. The research findings hold substantial implications for enhancing the understanding about cachexia pathophysiology and may offer a new clinical approach to managing cachexia at a critical point in treatment, directly impacting clinical outcomes. Trial registration The Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC), RBR-5p6nv8b; UTN: U1111-1285-9594. Prospectively registered on February 07, 2023.
Prevalência e fatores associados da obesidade na população brasileira: estudo com dados aferidos da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2013

RESUMO: Introdução: A prevalência de obesidade está aumentando em um ritmo alarmante em muitos países. Uma alimentação não saudável e o sedentarismo são os principais fatores de risco para a obesidade. O objetivo deste artigo foi estudar a prevalência e identificar fatores associados à obesidade na população adulta brasileira com base nos dados coletados na Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2013. Método: Amostra de 59.402 indivíduos adultos, excluindo-se as mulheres grávidas. O índice de massa corporal foi calculado por meio das aferições de peso e estatura. A obesidade foi definida por índice de massa corporal ≥ 30 kg/m2. Utilizaram-se modelos de regressão logística para identificar os fatores associados à obesidade. Resultados: As prevalências de obesidade foram de 16,8% para homens e 24,4% para mulheres. Idade avançada (a partir dos 50 anos), nível de instrução baixo (sem instrução ou ensino fundamental incompleto), raça/cor preta e viver com companheiro foram fatores de risco à obesidade. A atividade física no lazer e o hábito de assistir mais de 4 horas de televisão por dia mostraram associações significativas para ambos os sexos. Quanto à morbidade referida, em pessoas obesas, as chances de ter o diagnóstico de hipertensão, diabetes ou de alguma doença crônica não transmissível foram maiores. Homens e mulheres obesos tiveram a pressão arterial sistólica significativamente aumentada. Conclusão: Os achados enfatizam a importância de políticas públicas para a prevenção da obesidade e para a promoção de hábitos saudáveis na sociedade brasileira.
Oromandibular Dystonia After Low-Dose Olanzapine Treatment in a Patient With Marchiafava-Bignami Disease With Demyelinating Lesions in the Corpus Callosum: A Case Report

Marchiafava-Bignami disease is a rare disorder characterized by demyelination and necrosis of the central nervous system. Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions. Herein, we present the case of a patient with Marchiafava-Bignami disease who developed acute oromandibular dystonia after receiving a very low dose of olanzapine. He was a 60-year-old Japanese man who was diagnosed with demyelinating lesions in the corpus callosum associated with Marchiafava-Bignami disease. At one point, he became agitated at night and was administered olanzapine 2.5 mg, resulting in the onset of oromandibular dystonia; however, the symptoms disappeared upon discontinuation of the drug. Primary dystonia is believed to arise solely from abnormal basal ganglia function in the absence of apparent morphological changes, according to the traditional view. However, recent studies suggest the involvement of lesions beyond the basal ganglia and organic factors, including ultrastructural changes. Rare side effects that develop following small doses of olanzapine indicate that demyelinating lesions of the corpus callosum may be partially responsible for oromandibular dystonia. This case report supports previous reports that the corpus callosum is involved in dystonia and provides insights into the pathophysiology underlying oromandibular dystonia.
Effect of precursor concentration in the reaction mixture on the morphology and corrosion behaviour of MgAl-LDH coatings on AZ31 magnesium alloy

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the concentration of precursors in the reaction mixture on the microstructure and electrochemical corrosion properties of MgAl-LDH coatings deposited on magnesium alloy AZ31. The concentrations of precursors Mg(NO 3 ) 2 and Al(NO 3 ) 3 were set to 0.10, 0.05, and 0.02 M and 0.10, 0.05, and 0.02 M, respectively. The deposition time ranged from 12 to 48 hours. The microstructure of LDH coatings and their chemical composition were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS). Electrochemical corrosion properties were evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization in 0.15 M NaCl solution.
Rhetorical Styles of the Theoretical Framework in Thesis Reports of English Language Education Students: Problems and Suggested Actions

This paper began with concerns about the lacks of sharp rhetorical styles in writing, the methods of citing references, and the formulations of theories and arguments within the conceptual framework in thesis reports written by students of the English Language Education Department. The study was carried out to explain the rhetorical styles of students’ theoretical framework in their thesis report, to reveal weaknesses or the lack of strong arguments in conveying ideas in a straightforward and structured manner, and to suggest actions to prevent the problem form reoccurring in the future. The data were collected from the final project manuscripts written by students of the English Education Study Program, totaling 110 works. The analysis followed the stages of data collection, data display, data reduction and drawing conclusions. The general results of the research showed that the students did not include too many elements of critical thinking in their thesis literature review. In general, they used attribution quite excessively (78%), followed by elements of establishing links between sources (15%), and comparing their own findings or interpretations with other sources 4%. Meanwhile, the elements of application, evaluation, and statement of use had the smallest portion, each 1%. Problems found in the sample were listed based on the comparison between the data and the standard commonly used to regulate the procedure of writing a scientific paper. Recommendations were then formulated which can be used as guidelines for final project writers or any other parties related to writing scientific papers in general; they are training students of the importance of using all rhetorical styles in their citation when preparing a strong conceptual framework.
Tofacitinib in Patients Hospitalized With Moderate and Severe COVID-19: Not Just Another Kinase Inhibitor

Background There has been an intense search for pharmacological agents that can complement corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib has shown promise in this regard. This study aimed to determine the impact of adding tofacitinib to standard care on the mortality and total duration of hospital stay in severe COVID-19. Methodology This retrospective study compared the mortality and total duration of hospital stay among patients admitted with severe COVID-19 to a designated COVID-19 hospital in south India who had received tofacitinib in addition to standard care versus standard care alone. Medical case records of severe COVID-19 patients were retrieved and screened for inclusion. Categorical variables such as mortality were expressed as proportions and compared using the chi-square test, while continuous variables such as total duration of hospital stay were compared via the independent t-test. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated for the mortality difference between the two groups. P-values ≤0.05 were considered significant. Results Following the initial screening of 250 medical records, 186 patients were included in the final analysis, of whom 103 had received tofacitinib and 83 had received standard care. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups (OR = 1.58 (95% confidence interval = 0.71 to 3.51); p = 0.26). The total duration of hospital stay was significantly longer among those in the tofacitinib group (17.14 ± 8.85 days vs. 14.04 ± 5.48 days; p = 0.01). Conclusions Tofacitinib did not improve the clinical outcomes when used to supplement corticosteroids in the treatment of severe COVID-19.
Coulomb stress evolution in a diffuse plate boundary: 1400 years of earthquakes in eastern California and western Nevada, USA

Diffuse plate boundaries are characterized by deformation distributed over a wide area in a complex network of active faults and by relatively low strain rates. These characteristics make it difficult to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of seismicity. The area east of the Sierra Nevada, between longitudes 121°W and 116°W, is part of a diffuse plate boundary. At least 17 major surface‐rupturing earthquakes have happened here in the last 1400 years. Our purpose is to determine whether these events influence each other or whether they are randomly distributed in time and space. We model the evolution of coseismic and postseismic Coulomb failure stress changes (ΔCFS) produced by these earthquakes, and we also model interseismic stresses on the entire fault network. Our results show that 80% of the earthquake ruptures are located in areas of combined coseismic and postseismic ΔCFS ≥ 0.2 bar. This relationship is robust, as shown by the control tests that we carried out using random earthquake sequences. We also show that the Fish Lake Valley, Pyramid Lake, and Honey Lake faults have accumulated 45, 37, and 27 bars, respectively, of total ΔCFS (i.e., coseismic + postseismic + interseismic) in the last 1400 years. Such values are comparable to the average stress drop in a major earthquake, and these three faults may be therefore close to failure.
Parent-couple satisfaction, parent depression, and child mental health in families with autistic children

Introduction Within two-parent households, the parent-couple subsystem (marital or romantic partner relationship) is posited to shape the mental health of both parents and children. Autistic children and their parents have an elevated-risk for mental health problems. The present study longitudinally examined the mediating role of the quality of the parent-couple relationship in time-ordered pathways between changes in the mental health problems of autistic children and in parent depression symptoms at a within-family level. Methodology Using four time points of data collected on 188 families of autistic children (aged 5–12 years) across 3 years, the bidirectional associations between parent-couple relationship satisfaction, parent depressive symptoms, and child internalizing and externalizing mental health problems were investigated. Two multi-group (grouped by parent gender) complete longitudinal mediation models in structural equation modeling using Mplus software were conducted. Results Parent-couple relationship satisfaction mediated: (1) the association between higher parent depressive symptoms and higher child internalizing mental health problems 12 months later for both mothers and fathers, and (2) the association between higher child externalizing mental health problems and higher father depression symptoms 12 months later. Father depression symptoms mediated a pathway from lower parent-couple satisfaction to higher child internalizing mental health problems 12 months later, and mother depression symptoms mediated the pathway from higher child externalizing mental health problems to lower parent-couple satisfaction 12 months later. Conclusion Findings highlight the bidirectional and complex ways that parent and child mental health and the quality of the parent-couple relationship are entwined across time in families of autistic children. Family-wide interventions that address the needs of multiple family members and family systems are best suited to improve the mental health of parents and autistic children.
More indications for redox-sensitive cysteine residues of the Arabidopsis 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase

Redox-dependent thiol-disulfide switches of cysteine residues are one of the significant posttranslational modifications of proteins to control rapidly their stability, activity, and protein interaction. Redox control also modulates the tetrapyrrole biosynthesis (TBS). Among the redox-dependent TBS enzymes, 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) was previously recognized to interact with reductants, such a thioredoxins or NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase C. In this report, we aim to verify the redox sensitivity of ALAD and identify the redox-reactive cysteine residues among the six cysteines of the mature protein form Arabidopsis. Based on structural modelling and comparative studies of wild-type ALAD and ALAD mutants with single and double Cys➔Ser substitutions under oxidizing and reducing conditions, we aim to predict the dimerization and oligomerisation of ALAD as well as the crucial Cys residues for disulfide bridge formation and enzyme activity. The Cys404Ser mutation led to a drastic inactivation of ALAD and redox-dependent properties of ALAD were severely impaired, when Cys71 was simultaneously mutated with Cys152 or Cys251. Cys71 is located in a flexible N-terminal arm of ALAD, which could allow intramolecular disulfide bridges with Cys residues at the surface of the remaining globule ALAD structure. As a result, we propose different roles of Cys residues for redox control, catalytic activity and Mg2+-dependent assembly.
Inflammatory Profile Assessment in a Highly Selected Athyreotic Population Undergoing Controlled and Standardized Hypothyroidism

Background: Hypothyroidism (hT) presents heterogeneous symptoms and findings. Evidence on this topic comes mainly from heterogeneous populations in terms of disease duration, residual thyroid function, and comorbidities. Therefore, it would be useful to assess systemic inflammation in a homogeneous hT population. The aim of this study was to investigate inflammation in a population that underwent standardized controlled hT. Methods: We recruited thyroidectomized patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer who were otherwise fit and healthy, showing hypothyroidism before I131 treatment using a standard protocol of LT4 withdrawal. The blood inflammatory indexes (BIIXs) (i.e., NLR, PLR, MLR, SII, SIRI, and AISI) were calculated using the blood tests collected just before I131 administration. Patients were divided according to sex, BMI, and thyroglobulin. The relationships between the BIIXs, age, and thyroid hormones were also investigated. Results: We included 143 patients. The median age of the sample was 43 years. The BIIX median values showed significant differences based on sex, BMI, and thyroglobulin levels (p < 0.05). No significant correlations were found between the BIIXs and age, TSH, FT4, and FT3. Conclusions: This study shows the BIIX median values of a population which underwent standardized hT. It suggests a role for some BIIXs in the evaluation of hypothyroidism in obese people and as hypothetical prognostic markers for thyroid cancer.
4 A New Ecological Framework for Understanding Human- Environment Interactions in Arid Australia

Twenty years ago Stafford Smith and Morton (1990) published an ecological assessment of Australia as a series of propositions that illustrated why the continent stood apart ecologically from other arid areas around the world. The assessment has now been updated in light of recent work (Morton et al. 2011). Both studies provide an opportunity to question how archaeologists working in Australia have utilised ecological information: to what degree have they developed understandings of hunter–gatherer behaviour in the deserts that are different from similar studies in other regions of the world? To answer this question the ecological assessments are summarised, followed by a review of how archaeologists have considered the Australian environment. A case study from recent work in western New South Wales is provided to illustrate how the propositions put forward in the ecological assessment can be investigated archaeologically. People do not necessarily behave in concert with their environment; hence archaeologists have replaced a deterministic model for human–environment interactions with an understanding of how people are both affected by and affect the environment (Kirch 2005). For hunter–gatherers, the theoretical approaches archaeologists use to investigate this interdependence originated from studies of contemporary groups living in places outside Australia. Binford (1979), for instance, worked with high latitude Nunamuit hunters, while Yellen (1977) undertook ethnoarchaeological work with the ! Kung in the Kalahari. Other ethnoarchaeological work was carried out in Australia (e.g. Hayden 1979; O’Connell & Hawkes 1981, 1884; Gould 1991). In all these cases, ethnographic work was limited in duration, spanning a few months through to one to two years. This placed some limitations on the value of the studies for understanding longer term interaction between people and their environment. In an often cited study, Binford (1980) proposed a dichotomy between foragers and collectors as a way of understanding the nature of hunter– gatherer organisation in the ethnographic case studies he was considering.