Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beyond PD-L1—Identification of Further Potential Therapeutic Targets in Oral Cancer

Simple Summary Tumor immunotherapy is rapidly evolving and approved for the treatment of advanced OSCC cases. In addition, the currently observed shift in the use of checkpoint inhibitors from palliative to neoadjuvant treatment may improve survival. However, not all patients respond to currently applied immune checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, further immune targets for therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. However, there are limited data on immune checkpoint expression in OSCC. This study aimed to perform a comparative analysis of a large number of immune modulators in OSCC compared with healthy controls by NanoString mRNA analysis in order to identify possible targets for therapeutic applications. We were able to ascertain several cellular markers, checkpoints and their correlation, as well as their association with histomorphological parameters. Hence, the study contributes to the understanding of immune escape in OSCC and reveals potential targets for immunotherapy of oral cancer. Abstract Background: The involvement of immune cell infiltration and immune regulation in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is shown. Anti-PD-1 therapy is approved for the treatment of advanced OSCC cases, but not all patients respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Hence, further targets for therapeutic approaches are needed. The number of identified cellular receptors with immune checkpoint function is constantly increasing. This study aimed to perform a comparative analysis of a large number of immune checkpoints in OSCC in order to identify possible targets for therapeutic application. Materials and Methods: A NanoString mRNA analysis was performed to assess the expression levels of 21 immune regulatory checkpoint molecules in OSCC tissue (n = 98) and healthy oral mucosa (NOM; n = 41). The expression rates were compared between the two groups, and their association with prognostic parameters was determined. Additionally, relevant correlations between the expression levels of different checkpoints were examined. Results: In OSCC tissue, significantly increased expression of CD115, CD163, CD68, CD86, CD96, GITRL, CD28 and PD-L1 was detected. Additionally, a marginally significant increase in CD8 expression was observed. BTLA and PD-1 levels were substantially increased, but the differential expression was not statistically significant. The expression of CD137L was significantly downregulated in OSCC compared to NOM. Correlations between immune checkpoint expression levels were demonstrated, and some occurred specifically in OSCC tissue. Conclusions: The upregulation of inhibitory receptors and ligands and the downregulation of activators could contribute to reduced effector T-cell function and could induce local immunosuppression in OSCC. Increased expression of activating actors of the immune system could be explained by the increased infiltration of myeloid cells and T-cells in OSCC tissue. The analysis contributes to the understanding of immune escape in OSCC and reveals potential targets for oral cancer immunotherapy.
Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge and Behaviors Regarding Drug–Dietary Supplement and Drug–Herbal Product Interactions

Given the widespread use of dietary supplements (DS) and herbal products (HP), healthcare professionals (HCPs) will increasingly encounter patients who use these preparations with conventional drugs and who need their services to reduce the consequences of adverse therapeutic outcomes. The aim of our survey was to assess the knowledge and behaviors of HCPs regarding the risk of potential drug–dietary supplement (DDSIs) and drug–herbal product (DHPIs) interactions. This cross-sectional survey collected data via on paper-based questionnaire among general practitioners (GPs) (n = 105), specialty doctors (n = 87) and nurses (n = 154). The HCPs were mostly familiar with the interaction of doxycycline with magnesium (83%) and were least familiar with interaction of warfarin with glucosamine (14%). The results on DDSIs and DHPIs knowledge showed that GPs scored significantly higher than nurses (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), while specialty doctors scored significantly higher than nurses only on DDSIs knowledge (p < 0.001). Only 28% of respondents reported that they often or always ask patients on drug therapy about the use of DS or HP, and 25% of respondents record such data in the medical documentation of patients. Our results showed that HCPs have sufficient knowledge about most major DDSIs and DHPIs, but insufficient knowledge about most moderate interactions. However, their overall knowledge and behavior regarding the risk of these interactions indicate the need for further continuing education and training.
Post cyclic behaviour of Malaysian peat soil

In Malaysia, there are 2.4 million hectares of land covered by peat soil, with 1.5 million hectares available in Sarawak alone. The conversion and draining of peatland for construction, infrastructure, housing and industrial projects has created several maintenance issues that are increasingly appearing on the peat soil. The conventional method that was used to design the roads only considers soil shear strength through static load and does not take into account the vehicular dynamic loading and shear strength thereafter. The purpose of this research is to investigate the engineering properties of peat soils and evaluate the effects of peat soil behaviour under static and dynamic loading. This is also to evaluate and establish the postcyclic undrained behaviour while comparing it to static monotonic stress-strain behaviour. This research is focused on the post-cyclic shear strength of peat soil behaviour characteristics based on cyclic loading and shear strength curves derived from triaxial test under consolidated undrained conditions. Static and post-cyclic monotonic load tests were carried out on peat soil samples from Parit Nipah, Johor (PNpt) and Penor, Pahang (PRpt). 175 specimens were tested, and prepared under effective stresses at 13kPa, 25kPa, 50 kPa, 100 kPa and 200 kPa. Whereas, dynamic load tests were carried out in different frequencies to simulate the loading type such as vibration of machineries, wind, traffic load and earthquake in field from 0.5 Hz, 1.0 Hz, 1.5 Hz and 2.0 Hz with 100 numbers of loading cycles. Post-cyclic monotonic shear strength results as compared to static test showed some significant changes in reduction of stress-strain behaviour. Post-cyclic shear strength decreases with the increase in the frequencies. Averagely, the PRpt has dominantly higher in reduction strength in post-cyclic at 59.24% while PNpt is approximately about 58.72%. Prior to critical yield strain level, the peat specimen experience a significant deformation. The deformation of peats triggers changes in soil structures that causes reduction in stress-strain behaviour. Thus, it can be concluded that the stress-strain behaviour of peat soil decreased after 100 numbers of cyclic loading in post-cyclic test as compared to the static tests, and it decreased substantially when frequencies were applied.
Shared but Clean Household Toilets: What Makes This Possible? Evidence from Ghana and Kenya

Shared sanitation facilities are not considered as basic sanitation owing to cleanliness and accessibility concerns. However, there is mounting evidence that some shared household toilets have a comparable level of service as private toilets. This study examined the factors that contribute to the quality of shared household toilets in low-income urban communities in Ghana and Kenya. The study design comprised household surveys and field inspections. Overall, 843 respondents were interviewed, and 838 household shared sanitation facilities were inspected. Cleanliness scores were computed from the facility inspections, while a total quality score was calculated based on 13 indicators comprising hygiene, privacy, and accessibility. Regression analyses were conducted to determine predictors of cleanliness and the overall quality of the shared sanitation facilities. More than four out of five (84%) shared toilets in Ghana (N = 404) were clean, while in Kenya (N = 434), nearly a third (32%) were clean. Flush/pour-flush toilets were six times (p < 0.01 aOR = 5.64) more likely to be clean. A functional outside door lock on a toilet facility and the presence of live-in landlords led to a threefold increase (p < 0.01 aOR = 2.71) and a twofold increase (p < 0.01 aOR = 1.92), respectively in the odds of shared sanitation cleanliness. Sanitation facilities shared by at most five households (95% CI: 6–7) were generally clean. High-quality shared toilets had live-in landlords, functional door locks, and were water-dependent. Further studies on innovative approaches to maintaining the quality of these high-quality shared toilets are needed to make them eligible for classification as basic sanitation considering the increasing reliance on the facilities.
The Current Status of Research on High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL): A Paradigm Shift from HDL Quantity to HDL Quality and HDL Functionality

The quantity of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) is represented as the serum HDL-C concentration (mg/dL), while the HDL quality manifests as the diverse features of protein and lipid content, extent of oxidation, and extent of glycation. The HDL functionality represents several performance metrics of HDL, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol efflux activities. The quantity and quality of HDL can change during one’s lifetime, depending on infection, disease, and lifestyle, such as dietary habits, exercise, and smoking. The quantity of HDL can change according to age and gender, such as puberty, middle-aged symptoms, climacteric, and the menopause. HDL-C can decrease during disease states, such as acute infection, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune disease, while it can be increased by regular aerobic exercise and healthy food consumption. Generally, high HDL-C at the normal level is associated with good HDL quality and functionality. Nevertheless, high HDL quantity is not always accompanied by good HDL quality or functionality. The HDL quality concerns the morphology of the HDL, such as particle size, shape, and number. The HDL quality also depends on the composition of the HDL, such as apolipoproteins (apoA-I, apoA-II, apoC-III, serum amyloid A, and α-synuclein), cholesterol, and triglyceride. The HDL quality is also associated with the extent of HDL modification, such as glycation and oxidation, resulting in the multimerization of apoA-I, and the aggregation leads to amyloidogenesis. The HDL quality frequently determines the HDL functionality, which depends on the attached antioxidant enzyme activity, such as the paraoxonase and cholesterol efflux activity. Conventional HDL functionality is regression, the removal of cholesterol from atherosclerotic lesions, and the removal of oxidized species in low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Recently, HDL functionality was reported to expand the removal of β-amyloid plaque and inhibit α-synuclein aggregation in the brain to attenuate Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, respectively. More recently, HDL functionality has been associated with the susceptibility and recovery ability of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by inhibiting the activity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The appearance of dysfunctional HDL is frequently associated with many acute infectious diseases and chronic aging-related diseases. An HDL can be a suitable biomarker to diagnose many diseases and their progression by monitoring the changes in its quantity and quality in terms of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities. An HDL can be a protein drug used for the removal of plaque and as a delivery vehicle for non-soluble drugs and genes. A dysfunctional HDL has poor HDL quality, such as a lower apoA-I content, lower antioxidant ability, smaller size, and ambiguous shape. The current review analyzes the recent advances in HDL quantity, quality, and functionality, depending on the health and disease state during one’s lifetime.
Antibacterial Activity of Silver and Gold Particles Formed on Titania Thin Films

Metal-based nanoparticles with antimicrobial activity are gaining a lot of attention in recent years due to the increased antibiotics resistance. The development and the pathogenesis of oral diseases are usually associated with the formation of bacteria biofilms on the surfaces; therefore, it is crucial to investigate the materials and their properties that would reduce bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. This work provides a systematic investigation of the physical-chemical properties and the antibacterial activity of TiO2 thin films decorated by Ag and Au nanoparticles (NP) against Veillonella parvula and Neisseria sicca species associated with oral diseases. TiO2 thin films were formed using reactive magnetron sputtering by obtaining as-deposited amorphous and crystalline TiO2 thin films after annealing. Au and Ag NP were formed using a two-step process: magnetron sputtering of thin metal films and solid-state dewetting. The surface properties and crystallographic nature of TiO2/NP structures were investigated by SEM, XPS, XRD, and optical microscopy. It was found that the higher thickness of Au and Ag thin films results in the formation of the enlarged NPs and increased distance between them, influencing the antibacterial activity of the formed structures. TiO2 surface with AgNP exhibited higher antibacterial efficiency than Au nanostructured titania surfaces and effectively reduced the concentration of the bacteria. The process of the observation and identification of the presence of bacteria using the deep learning technique was realized.
Clinical Practice in the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency: A Central and Eastern European Expert Consensus Statement

Vitamin D deficiency has a high worldwide prevalence, but actions to improve this public health problem are challenged by the heterogeneity of nutritional and clinical vitamin D guidelines, with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of vitamin D deficiency. We aimed to address this issue by providing respective recommendations for adults, developed by a European expert panel, using the Delphi method to reach consensus. Increasing the awareness of vitamin D deficiency and efforts to harmonize vitamin D guidelines should be pursued. We argue against a general screening for vitamin D deficiency but suggest 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) testing in certain risk groups. We recommend a vitamin D supplementation dose of 800 to 2000 international units (IU) per day for adults who want to ensure a sufficient vitamin D status. These doses are also recommended for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, but higher vitamin D doses (e.g., 6000 IU per day) may be used for the first 4 to 12 weeks of treatment if a rapid correction of vitamin D deficiency is clinically indicated before continuing, with a maintenance dose of 800 to 2000 IU per day. Treatment success may be evaluated after at least 6 to 12 weeks in certain risk groups (e.g., patients with malabsorption syndromes) by measurement of serum 25(OH)D, with the aim to target concentrations of 30 to 50 ng/mL (75 to 125 nmol/L).
3D-Printed Hydroxyapatite and Tricalcium Phosphates-Based Scaffolds for Alveolar Bone Regeneration in Animal Models: A Scoping Review

Three-dimensional-printed scaffolds have received greater attention as an attractive option compared to the conventional bone grafts for regeneration of alveolar bone defects. Hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphates have been used as biomaterials in the fabrication of 3D-printed scaffolds. This scoping review aimed to evaluate the potential of 3D-printed HA and calcium phosphates-based scaffolds on alveolar bone regeneration in animal models. The systematic search was conducted across four electronic databases: Ovid, Web of Science, PubMed and EBSCOHOST, based on PRISMA-ScR guidelines until November 2021. The inclusion criteria were: (i) animal models undergoing alveolar bone regenerative surgery, (ii) the intervention to regenerate or augment bone using 3D-printed hydroxyapatite or other calcium phosphate scaffolds and (iii) histological and microcomputed tomographic analyses of new bone formation and biological properties of 3D-printed hydroxyapatite or calcium phosphates. A total of ten studies were included in the review. All the studies showed promising results on new bone formation without any inflammatory reactions, regardless of the animal species. In conclusion, hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphates are feasible materials for 3D-printed scaffolds for alveolar bone regeneration and demonstrated bone regenerative potential in the oral cavity. However, further research is warranted to determine the scaffold material which mimics the gold standard of care for bone regeneration in the load-bearing areas, including the masticatory load of the oral cavity.
Variability in chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Salvia majdae essential oil under various extraction techniques

ABSTRACT Salvia majdae (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic herb of pharmaceutical interest in Iran due to its several biological properties. In the present study, we studied the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of S. majdae essential oil (EO) by comparing several extraction methods, including hydrodistillation (HD), steam distillation (SD), ultrasound-assisted hydrodistillation (UAHD), microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) and ohmic-assisted hydrodistillation (OAHD). The major EOs compounds obtained with all methods included linalool (39.4–45.7%) and camphor (30.9–34.3%). The highest EO yield was obtained using HD and MAHD, with 9 and 5% (w/w), respectively. The shortest extraction time (20 Min) was obtained using MAHD. The antibacterial activity of S. majdae EOs was evaluated by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method on a panel of Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens) and Gram-negative (Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Xanthomonas citri and Escherichia coli) bacteria. Notably, the EO obtained by HD demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity.
Attitude And Intention On Oline Shop: Trust And Risk Perception Relationship

The concept of e-commerce makes consumers change the way they shop through the internet, which is known as online shopping. This online shopping behavior requires consumers to have trust or trust in the seller. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of trust on perceived risk, attitudes towards online shopping, and online shopping intentions on MS Glow products in Mojokerto. There are 100 respondents with the criteria that they have never made an online purchase. Testing using SEM-PLS. There are six hypotheses of the relationship in this study. Of the six relationships that were hypothesized and tested in this study, four of them showed a significant relationship that was accepted, and the other two showed an insignificant relationship that was rejected. The online shopping intention variable is strongly influenced by attitudes towards online shopping. Attitudes towards online shopping are directly influenced by consumer trust. Attitudes towards online shopping are influenced indirectly by trust. Intention to shop online is not directly affected by perceived risk. Attitudes towards online shopping are directly influenced by consumer trust. Attitudes towards online shopping are influenced indirectly by trust. Intention to shop online is not directly affected by perceived risk. Attitudes towards online shopping are directly influenced by consumer trust. Attitudes towards online shopping are influenced indirectly by trust. Intention to shop online is not directly affected by perceived risk.
Blood Vitamin D Levels in Hypercholesterolemic Patients

Received 11 December 2021 Accepted 21 February 2022 Published 10 March 2022 The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Indonesia is currently still high, even though hypercholesterolemia is correlated with non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus and so on. Recent studies have reported an association between low levels of vitamin D and increased cholesterol levels. This is interesting, if it is true that vitamin D is related to cholesterol levels, then people who live in tropical areas like Indonesia, should have low cholesterol levels. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between vitamin D levels and total cholesterol levels in medical students of Malahayati University class of 2017. The design of this research is an analytical survey with a case control approach. The case sample was a total of medical students class 2017 who suffered from hypercholesterolemia as many as 26 people. The control sample was 26 students who had normal cholesterol levels, so the total sample was 52 students. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between cholesterol levels and blood vitamin D levels (0.005), Body Mass Index/BMI (0.001), waist circumference (0.005), exercise regularity (0.016) and outdoor activity habits (0.001). Suggestion: it is necessary to maintain vitamin D levels in the blood by consuming foods containing vitamin D and being active and exercising outdoors to be exposed to ultraviolet B rays from the sun. Keyword:
Knowledge and Factors Influencing the Usage of Emergency Contraception among Students of Tertiary Institution in Southern Senatorial Zone of Kaduna State

Unplanned pregnancies among young female adults are increasingly becoming a social and economic problem for both society and the respective individual. Each year between 2.2 to 4 million female adolescents resort to unsafe abortion globally, and about 2million are exposed to the risk of reproductive health complications. As a result of the increasing involvement of female adolescents in risky sexual activities coupled with the attendant health challenges associated with the practice, this study examine the knowledge of emergency contraception among students of tertiary institution in Southern, Kaduna State and also identify the factors militating against its usage. Data for the study was obtained through the use of questionnaire survey. The required information was elicited from 270 female respondents selected from the three (3) tertiary institutions chosen for the study. Descriptive statistics such as the use of frequency distribution, percentages and chi-square were employed for data analysis. The study revealed that respondents have low knowledge of emergency contraception in spite their increasing involvement in unprotected sexual relationships. The study also showed that a higher proportion of the respondents demonstrated preference for modern contraceptives to traditional contraceptives. Factors such as fear of untimely death, religious teachings or injunctions, poor knowledge of emergency contraception, cultural disapproval among others were found to have influenced the utilization of emergency contraception. The results of the chi-square test revealed that there is a significant relationship between knowledge of emergency contraception and its usage. Arising from these findings the study recommends that a comprehensive reproductive health services should be provided in all health facilities. Also, besides creating public awareness on the benefits of emergency contraception, this study also advocates for the inclusion of topics on the subject in the general studies curriculum of tertiary institutions.