Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Graphene Oxide-Assisted Morphology and Structure of Electrodeposited ZnO Nanostructures

In this paper, ZnO electrodeposition was studied with the presence of graphene oxide (GO) exploited as a possible structure-directing agent. The effect of deposition potential and duration on the morphology and structure of ZnO was analyzed. The morphology and structure of the hybrids was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The Raman results indicate a successful modification of ZnO with GO sheets and a hybridization threshold of 10 mg L−1 by the evolution of the defect related band of ZnO at 580 cm−1. The morphology results show that a low GO content only slightly influences the morphology and orientation of ZnO nanostructures while a high content as 10 mg L−1 changes the morphology in nanoplates and growth orientation to lateral. The results show that while GO participated in the deposition reaction, it has a two-fold role, also by structure-controlling ZnO, indicating that the approach is valid for the use of GO as a structure-directing agent for the fabrication of ZnO nanostructures by electrodeposition with varying morphologies and orientations.
Objective quantification of BCL2 protein by multiplex immunofluorescence in routine biopsy samples of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma demonstrates associations with survival and BCL2 gene alterations

Abstract Up-regulation of BCL2 in cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can confer treatment resistance. Quantitative immunofluorescence (QIF) histology allows objective quantification of protein-based biomarkers. We investigated the utility of QIF for evaluating BCL2 as a biomarker in DLBCL by quantifying BCL2 selectively in CD20-expressing lymphoma cells in biopsy samples from 116 cases of DLBCL in two cohorts one of which consisted of relapsed/refractory cases from a clinical trial. BCL2 protein by QIF correlated with BCL2 mRNA abundance and was associated with both translocation and copy number gain of the BCL2 gene. Elevated BCL2 protein expression by QIF, but not immunohistochemistry or mRNA quantification, was associated with inferior overall and relapse-free survival in the relapsed/refractory cohort. QIF is an effective means of quantifying BCL2 protein objectively in routine cancer biopsy specimens and shows promise for identifying relapsed/refractory DLBCL patients at risk of inferior outcomes after salvage therapy.
Subchromosome-Scale Nuclear and Complete Mitochondrial Genome Characteristics of Morchella crassipes

Morchella crassipes (Vent.) Pers. , a typical yellow morel species with high economic value, is mainly distributed in the low altitude plains of Eurasia. However, rare research has been performed on its genomics and polarity, thus limiting its research and development. Here, we reported a fine physical map of the nuclear genome at the subchromosomal-scale and the complete mitochondrial genome of M. crassipes. The complete size of the nuclear genome was 56.7 Mb, and 23 scaffolds were assembled, with eight of them being complete chromosomes. A total of 11,565 encoding proteins were predicted. The divergence time analysis showed that M. crassipes representing yellow morels differentiated with black morels at ~33.98 Mya (million years), with 150 gene families contracted and expanded in M. crassipes versus the two black morels (M. snyderi and M. importuna). Furthermore, 409 CAZYme genes were annotated in M. crassipes, containing almost all plant cell wall degrading enzymes compared with the mycorrhizal fungi (truffles). Genomic annotation of mating type loci and amplification of the mating genes in the monospore population was conducted, the results indicated that M. crassipes is a heterothallic fungus. Additionally, a complete circular mitochondrial genome of M. crassipes was assembled, the size reached as large as 531,195 bp. It can be observed that the strikingly large size was the biggest up till now, coupled with 14 core conserved mitochondrial protein-coding genes, two rRNAs, 31 tRNAs, 51 introns, and 412 ncORFs. The total length of intron sequences accounted for 53.67% of the mitochondrial genome, with 19 introns having a length over 5 kb. Particularly, 221 of 412 ncORFs were distributed within 51 introns, and the total length of the ncORFs sequence accounted for 40.83% of the mitochondrial genome, and 297 ncORFs had expression activity in the mycelium stage, suggesting their potential functions in M. crassipes. Meanwhile, there was a high degree of repetition (51.31%) in the mitochondria of M. crassipes. Thus, the large number of introns, ncORFs and internal repeat sequences may contribute jointly to the largest fungal mitochondrial genome to date. The fine physical maps of nuclear genome and mitochondrial genome obtained in this study will open a new door for better understanding of the mysterious species of M. crassipes.
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from a Cardiac Somatic Source: Insights for an In-Vitro Cardiomyocyte Platform

Reprogramming of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has revolutionized the complex scientific field of disease modelling and personalized therapy. Cardiac differentiation of human iPSCs into cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) has been used in a wide range of healthy and disease models by deriving CMs from different somatic cells. Unfortunately, hiPSC-CMs have to be improved because existing protocols are not completely able to obtain mature CMs recapitulating physiological properties of human adult cardiac cells. Therefore, improvements and advances able to standardize differentiation conditions are needed. Lately, evidences of an epigenetic memory retained by the somatic cells used for deriving hiPSC-CMs has led to evaluation of different somatic sources in order to obtain more mature hiPSC-derived CMs.
Calculation of discharge parameters in low-pressure diode-type radio frequency noble gas plasmas

A self-consistent model of capacitively coupled low-pressure rf discharge is formulated. The non-local mechanism of electron heating is considered under simple assumption about the plasma density profile. The transition of electron heating from the plasma body to electrode sheaths is observed. The criterion of a heating mode transition is formulated and expressed in terms of external discharge parameters. The asymptotic solutions for low- and high-current regimes are obtained. The comparison of calculation results with experimental data demonstrates the validity of the proposed model for a wide range of discharge conditions.
Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumour: an interesting diagnostic and surgical case of tumour‐induced osteomalacia

seen. The patient had a smooth recovery and was discharged on postoperative day 5, with further gynaecology follow-up. Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. Up to 6–10% of the general female population may be affected by this condition. Intestinal involvement may occur in 3–34% of females with endometriosis; however, the sigmoid colon and rectum are most commonly affected. Appendiceal endometriosis is rare with a reported incidence of 2.8%. Symptomatic endometriosis of the appendix is highly variable in presentation and may mimic acute appendicitis or other general surgical pathology. Presentations including caecal intussusception, gastrointestinal perforation and per rectal bleeding have all been reported. Differentiating these conditions can be highly challenging. Whilst endometriosis is familiar to gynaecologists, this case explores the atypical presentation and diagnostic challenges appendiceal endometriosis may pose to general surgeons, particularly the mimicry of familiar general surgical pathology. In our case, the patient’s presenting symptoms and history were concerning for subacute appendicitis; however intraoperatively, malignancy was a differential diagnosis. Post-operatively, the patient’s pain subsided, suggesting that the appendiceal endometrial deposits were the cause for symptoms. Nevertheless, in patients found to have appendiceal endometriosis, ongoing pain despite appendicectomy warrants investigation for other abdominopelvic endometrial deposits or nongynaecological diagnoses.
Performance Characterization of Semi-Flexible Composite Mixture

Semi-flexible composite mixture (SFCM) is developed based on a unique material design concept of pouring cement mortar into the voids formed by open graded asphalt mixture. It combines the flexibility of asphalt concrete and the stiffness of Portland cement concrete and has many advantages comparing to conventional roadway paving materials. The main objective of this paper was to evaluate the engineering properties of SFCM and assess the constructability of the SFCM. A slab SFCM sample was fabricated in the laboratory to simulate the filling of cement mortar in the field. Performance testing was carried out by indirect tensile (IDT) test because it was found to be able to correlate with the field performance of asphalt mixtures at low, intermediate, and high temperatures. They were used in this study to evaluate the thermal cracking, fatigue, rutting, as well as moisture resistance of SFCM. A control hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixture was used to compare with the results of SFCM. Based on the testing results, it was found that the designed SFCM showed good filling capability of cement mortar. SFCM had higher dynamic modulus than the control HMA. It had good resistance to rutting and moisture damage. Based on fracture work, SFCM showed better resistance to thermal cracking while lower resistance to fatigue cracking.
Postpartum obesity and weight gain among human immunodeficiency virus‐infected and human immunodeficiency virus‐uninfected women in South Africa

Abstract In South Africa, up to 40% of pregnant women are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and 30–45% are obese. However, little is known about the dual burden of HIV and obesity in the postpartum period. In a cohort of HIV‐uninfected and HIV‐infected pregnant women initiating antiretroviral therapy in Cape Town, South Africa, we examined maternal anthropometry (weight and body mass index [BMI]) from 6 weeks through 12 months postpartum. Using multinomial logistic regression, we estimated associations between baseline sociodemographic, clinical, behavioural, and HIV factors and being overweight–obese I (BMI 25 to <35), or obese II‐III (BMI >35), compared with being underweight or normal weight (BMI <25), at 12 months postpartum. Among 877 women, we estimated that 43% of HIV‐infected women and 51% of HIV‐uninfected women were obese I‐III at enrollment into antenatal care, and 51% of women were obese I‐III by 12 months postpartum. On average, both HIV‐infected and HIV‐uninfected women gained, rather than lost, weight between 6 weeks and 12 months postpartum, but HIV‐uninfected women gained more weight (3.3 kg vs. 1.7 kg). Women who were obese I‐III pre‐pregnancy were more likely to gain weight postpartum. In multivariable analyses, HIV‐infection status, being married/cohabitating, higher gravidity, and high blood pressure were independently associated with being obese II‐III at 12 months postpartum. Obesity during pregnancy is a growing public health concern in low‐ and middle‐income countries, including South Africa. Additional research to understand how obesity and HIV infection affect maternal and child health outcomes is urgently needed.
Influence of Regulated Deficit Irrigation and Environmental Conditions on Reproductive Response of Sweet Cherry Trees

The reproductive response of fifteen year old sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium L.) combination ‘Prime Giant’/SL64 under Mediterranean climate to deficit irrigation was studied in a commercial orchard in south-eastern Spain for four seasons. Three irrigation treatments were assayed: (i) control treatment, irrigated without restrictions at 110% of seasonal crop evapotranspiration; (ii) sustained deficit irrigation treatment, irrigated at 85% ETc during pre-harvest and post-harvest periods, and at 100% ETc during floral differentiation, and (iii) regulated deficit irrigation treatment, irrigated at 100% ETc during pre-harvest and floral differentiation and at 55% ETc during post-harvest. The duration and intensity of the phenological phases of sweet cherry trees, including cold accumulation, flowering, fruit set or fruit and vegetative growth, were assessed to ascertain whether the different irrigation strategies imposed affect the trees’ reproductive response (fruit yield, fruit size, leaf area, fruit physiological disturbances, and starch and soluble carbohydrates stock) in the same season or have a negative effect in the next season. Deficit irrigation did not advance, enhance or penalize flowering, fruit set or fruit growth. Neither did it diminish carbohydrate concentration in roots or cause an increase in the number of double fruits, which was more linked to high temperatures after harvest. However, deficit irrigation decreased vegetative growth and consequently the leaf area/fruit ratio, which, when it fell below 180 cm2 fruit−1, affected cherry size.
Antibodies for the Treatment of Brain Metastases, a Dream or a Reality?

The incidence of brain metastases (BM) in cancer patients is increasing. After diagnosis, overall survival (OS) is poor, elicited by the lack of an effective treatment. Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapy has achieved remarkable success in treating both hematologic and non-central-nervous system (CNS) tumors due to their inherent targeting specificity. However, the use of mAbs in the treatment of CNS tumors is restricted by the blood–brain barrier (BBB) that hinders the delivery of either small-molecules drugs (sMDs) or therapeutic proteins (TPs). To overcome this limitation, active research is focused on the development of strategies to deliver TPs and increase their concentration in the brain. Yet, their molecular weight and hydrophilic nature turn this task into a challenge. The use of BBB peptide shuttles is an elegant strategy. They explore either receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT) or adsorptive-mediated transcytosis (AMT) to cross the BBB. The latter is preferable since it avoids enzymatic degradation, receptor saturation, and competition with natural receptor substrates, which reduces adverse events. Therefore, the combination of mAbs properties (e.g., selectivity and long half-life) with BBB peptide shuttles (e.g., BBB translocation and delivery into the brain) turns the therapeutic conjugate in a valid approach to safely overcome the BBB and efficiently eliminate metastatic brain cells.
Transgenerational impacts of herbivory and inbreeding on reproductive output in Solanum carolinense

Premise Plant maternal effects on offspring phenotypes are well documented. However, little is known about how herbivory on maternal plants affects offspring fitness. Furthermore, while inbreeding is known to reduce plant reproductive output, previous studies have not explored whether and how such effects may extend across generations. Here, we addressed the transgenerational consequences of herbivory and maternal plant inbreeding on the reproduction of Solanum carolinense offspring. Methods Manduca sexta caterpillars were used to inflict weekly damage on inbred and outbred S. carolinense maternal plants. Cross‐pollinations were performed by hand to produce seed from herbivore‐damaged outbred plants, herbivore‐damaged inbred plants, undamaged outbred plants, and undamaged inbred plants. The resulting seeds were grown in the greenhouse to assess emergence rate and flower production in the absence of herbivores. We also grew offspring in the field to examine reproductive output under natural conditions. Results We found transgenerational effects of herbivory and maternal plant inbreeding on seedling emergence and reproductive output. Offspring of herbivore‐damaged plants had greater emergence, flowered earlier, and produced more flowers and seeds than offspring of undamaged plants. Offspring of outbred maternal plants also had greater seedling emergence and reproductive output than offspring of inbred maternal plants, even though all offspring were outbred. Moreover, the effects of maternal plant inbreeding were more severe when plant offspring were grown in field conditions. Conclusions This study demonstrates that both herbivory and inbreeding have fitness consequences that extend across generations even in outbred progeny.
Egyptian fetal ultrasound biometry: pilot data

Purpose Fetal biometry, with the help of ultrasound scanning, provides the most reliable and important information about the fetal growth and can serve for dating pregnancies. However, to ensure accurate diagnosis, selection of the appropriate cross-sectional reference charts is of considerable importance. Several studies have demonstrated significant ethnic variations in fetal size and growth. The aim of this study is to explore the pilot data for Egyptian fetal biometric measurements and to compare these national data with those of other western populations. Patients and methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 71 healthy Egyptian pregnant women with singleton pregnancies and normal outcomes, referred to the Prenatal Diagnosis and Fetal Medicine Department at National Research Centre. The maternal age ranged between 18 and 35 years at the expected date of delivery. The study included pregnancies between 14 and 24 weeks of gestation. The gestational age was established by reference to the first day of the last menstrual period and in close relation to the ultrasound evaluation (±1 week). Fetal ultrasound biometric measurements included biparietal diameter, head circumference (HC), femur length (FL), and abdominal circumference. Results The results showed a gradual increase in all measurements with gestational age, with the maximum increase in biparietal diameter and HC after 22 weeks of gestation, and in FL between the 14th and the 15th weeks. The abdominal circumference showed maximum increase between the 15th and the 16th weeks. Our fetal biometric measurements are significantly different from those of western populations. The main difference between our fetal biometric results and those of the UK and Italian populations was in the FL measurements. However, our data are closer to the Italian data, especially for HC. Conclusion The development of national fetal ultrasound biometric reference charts is recommended.
Secular trend of the skeletal maturation in relation to peak height velocity-a comparison between two groups of children born 1969-1973 and 1996-2000.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES The aims were to study the presence of a secular trend in (a) age at peak height velocity (PHV), (b) velocity at PHV, and (c) duration of skeletal maturation in relation to PHV. MATERIAL/METHOD Two groups of children: 100 children (63 boys, 37 girls) born between 1969-1973 and 71 children (49 boys, 22 girls) born between 1996 and 2000, were compared. Age and velocity at PHV were measured on individual growth velocity curves. Skeletal maturation stages were assessed on hand-wrist radiographs, and duration from the skeletal maturation stages to PHV was determined. RESULTS Age at PHV occurred significantly earlier (0.47 years, CI 95% 0.19-0.76, P < 0.001), and velocity at PHV was significantly higher (0.68 cm/year, CI 95% 1.47-2.06, P < 0.003) in children born 1996-2000 compared to 1969-1973. No significant difference in duration of skeletal maturation was seen between the groups. Skeletal maturation stages occurred significantly in the following order before PHV for both genders: PP2= 2.18 years (P = 0.002), MP3= 1.60 year (P = 0.008), S 1.07 year (P = 0.003), and MP3cap 0.38 year (P = 0.037). LIMITATIONS Most radiographs were taken before PHV, the duration thus mainly reflects the early event of pubertal growth spurt. CONCLUSION A secular trend was evident: significantly decreased age at PHV and significantly increased velocity at PHV. No evidence of a secular trend regarding duration of the skeletal maturation in relation to PHV was found. Due to the declining age at PHV, the skeletal maturation stages occurred earlier in relation to chronological age.
The effect of smartphones and playing video games on decision-making in soccer players: A crossover and randomised study

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of the use of social networks in smartphones or playing video games on the passing decision-making performance in professional soccer athletes. Participants were 25 male professional soccer athletes (mean ± SD: age 23.4 ± 2.8 years). The participants performed three randomised conditions divided into three groups: control (CON), smartphone (SMA), and video game (VID). Before and after each experimental condition, the Stroop Task assessed the level of induced mental fatigue. Then, the athletes performed a simulated soccer match. A CANON® camera recorded the matches for further analysis on passing decision-making performance. A group effect was identified (p < .01) with impairment on passing decision-making performance for the SMA (p = .01, ES = 0.5) and VID (p = .01, ES = 0.5) conditions. We concluded that the use of social networks on smartphones and/or playing video games right before official soccer matches might impair the passing decision-making performance in professional soccer athletes.
A Cortical Substrate for Square-Wave Jerks in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Background and Purpose Square-wave jerks (SWJs) are the most common saccadic intrusion in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), but their genesis is uncertain. We aimed to determine the characteristics of SWJs in PSP (the Richardson subtype) and Parkinson's disease (PD) and to map the brain structures responsible for abnormal SWJ parameters in PSP. Methods Eye movements in 12 patients with PSP, 12 patients with PD, and 12 age-matched healthy controls were recorded using an infrared corneal reflection device. The rate, mean amplitude, and velocity of SWJs were analyzed offline. Voxel-based morphometry using a 3-Tesla MRI scanner was performed to relate changes in brain volume to SWJ parameters. Results The SWJ rate was more than threefold higher in PSP patients than in both PD patients and controls (mean rates: 33.5, 10.3, and 4.3 SWJs per minute, respectively). The volumes of neither the midbrain nor other infratentorial brain regions were correlated with the SWJ rate. Instead, highly significant associations were found for atrophy in the superior, middle, and inferior temporal gyri in the PSP group. Conclusions SWJs in PSP are not mediated by midbrain atrophy. Instead, supratentorial cortical structures located mainly in the temporal lobe appear to be deeply involved in the generation of abnormally high SWJ rates in these patients. Known anatomical connections of the temporal lobe to the superior colliculus and the cerebellum might play a role in SWJ genesis.