Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermosensitive gel based on cellulose derivative for topical delivery of propolis in acne treatment

Abstract Thermosensitive bioadhesive formulations can display increased retention time, skin permeation, and improve the topical therapy of many drugs. Acne is an inflammatory process triggered by several factors like the proliferation of the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes. Aiming for a new alternative treatment with a natural source, propolis displays great potential due to its antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. This study describes the development of bioadhesive thermoresponsive platform with cellulose derivatives and poloxamer 407 for propolis skin delivery. Propolis ethanolic extract (PES) was added to the formulations with sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and poloxamer 407 (Polox). The formulations were characterized as rheology, bioadhesion, and mechanical analysis. The selected formulations were investigated as in vitro propolis release, cytotoxicity, ex vivo skin permeation by Fourier Transform Infrared Photoacoustic Spectroscopy, and the activity against P. acnes. Formulations showed suitable sol-gel transition temperature, shear-thinning behavior, and texture profile. CMC presence decreased the cohesiveness and adhesiveness of formulations. Polox/HPMC/PES system displayed less cytotoxicity, modified propolis release governed by anomalous transport, skin permeation, and activity against P. acnes. These results indicate important advantages in the topical treatment of acne and suggest a potential formulation for clinical evaluation. Graphical Abstract
Investigating Brain White Matter in Football Players with and without Concussion Using a Biophysical Model from Multishell Diffusion MRI

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There have been growing concerns around potential risks related to sports-related concussion and contact sport exposure to repetitive head impacts in young athletes. Here we investigate WM microstructural differences between collegiate football players with and without sports-related concussion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 78 collegiate athletes (24 football players with sports-related concussion, 26 football players with repetitive head impacts, and 28 non-contact-sport control athletes), available through the Federal Interagency Traumatic Brain Injury Research registry. Diffusion metrics of diffusion tensor/kurtosis imaging and WM tract integrity were calculated. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics and post hoc ROI analyses were performed to test group differences. RESULTS: Significantly increased axial kurtosis in those with sports-related concussion compared with controls was observed diffusely across the whole-brain WM, and some focal areas demonstrated significantly higher mean kurtosis and extra-axonal axial diffusivity in sports-related concussion. The extent of significantly different WM regions decreased across time points and remained present primarily in the corpus callosum. Similar differences in axial kurtosis were found between the repetitive head impact and control groups. Other significant differences were seen at unrestricted return-to-play with lower radial kurtosis and intra-axonal diffusivity in those with sports-related concussion compared with the controls, mainly restricted to the posterior callosum. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the fact that there are differences in diffusion microstructure measures that are present not only between football players with sports-related injuries and controls, but that there are also measurable differences between football players with repetitive head impacts and controls. This work reinforces previous work showing that the corpus callosum is specifically implicated in sports-related concussion and also suggests this to be true for repetitive head impacts.
Fluid structure interaction versus rigid‐wall approach in the study of the symptomatic stenosed carotid artery: Importance of wall compliance and resilience of loose connective tissue

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of a compliant wall approach in modeling of non‐Newtonian and non‐physiological blood flows. A case study of a stenosed and symptomatic carotid bifurcation was considered to show the influence of the wall‐resilience assumption on the flow parameters obtained with numerical simulations. Patient‐specific data concerning the geometry and flow conditions were collected and used to carry out two‐way coupled fluid structure interaction simulations of the pulsatile blood flow through carotid artery. The wall compliance was considered separately as related to the wall‐elasticity and as associated with the reaction of the loose connective tissue surrounding the carotid bifurcation. The obtained hemodynamic parameters were compared to those which were found in rigid‐wall simulations. The difference between the results obtained for rigid‐wall and compliant‐wall approaches for the peak‐systolic area‐averaged wall shear stress achieved 35%, whereas the difference between the time‐averaged local vorticity and shear strain reached, respectively, 42% and 43%. The influence of the highly resilient wall on the monitored hemodynamic parameters was significant even if time‐averaged values are compared, which suggests that these metrics are considerably overestimated if the wall compliance is not considered. Moreover, the findings show that the mechanical response of the loose connective tissue cannot be neglected in blood flow simulations. Additionally, this study indicates that stiffening of the arterial wall due to atherosclerosis significantly rises hemodynamic parameters. This explains the therapeutic benefits of surgical removal of plaque lesions formed in the carotid bifurcation (endarterectomy).
The Normal Functions of Beam Vibration in Series Solutions of Static Problems

The normal functions of beam vibration may be used in series to solve statical problems of beam flexure and the recent appearance of tables of these functions has rendered this method practicable. An outline is given of the procedure. The simple equation of free flexural vibration of beams is 1 where v is the displacement, EI the flexural rigidity andAp the mass per unit length. The separation of variables and the application of appropriate boundary conditions at the ends x = 0 and x = l, gives the following normal functions ϕ(x).
Inhibition of Glutamine Cellular Uptake Contributes to the Cytotoxic Effect of Xanthohumol in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract Breast cancer constitutes the most incident cancer and one of the most common causes of cancer-related death. “Glutamine addiction”, an important metabolic feature of cancer cells, is dependent on supply of this amino acid from external sources. In this study, the effect of several polyphenols (catechin, epicatechin, EGCG, catechin:lysine, naringenin, hesperidin, malvidin, delphinidin, kaempferol, quercetin, rutin, myricetin, resveratrol, xanthohumol, and chrysin) upon glutamine (3H-GLN) uptake by human breast epithelial adenocarcinoma cell lines with distinct characteristics (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) was assessed. Several polyphenols interfere with 3H-GLN uptake by both cell lines. Xanthohumol markedly decreases total and Na+-dependent 3H-GLN uptake and showed a cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effect in MDA-MB-231 cells. Xanthohumol is as an uncompetitive inhibitor of Na+-dependent 3H-GLN uptake and inhibits GPNA (L-γ-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide)-sensitive, both ASCT2 (alanine, serine, cysteine transporter 2)-mediated and non-ASCT2-mediated 3H-GLN uptake. Xanthohumol does not interfere with the transcription rates of ASCT2. The cytotoxic effect of xanthohumol, but not its anti-proliferative effect, is GPNA-sensitive and related to ASCT2 inhibition. Combination of xanthohumol with the breast cancer chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin results in an additive anti-proliferative, but not cytotoxic effect. We conclude that targeting glutamine uptake might constitute a potential interesting strategy for triple-negative breast cancer.
Cardiovascular responses to high‐intensity stair climbing in individuals with coronary artery disease

Exercise‐based cardiac rehabilitation leads to improvements in cardiovascular function in individuals with coronary artery disease. The cardiac effects of coronary artery disease (CAD) can be quantified using clinical echocardiographic measures, such as ejection fraction (EF). Measures of cardiovascular function typically only used in research settings can provide additional information and maybe more sensitive indices to assess changes after exercise‐based cardiac rehabilitation. These additional measures include endothelial function (measured by flow‐mediated dilation), left ventricular twist, myocardial performance index, and global longitudinal strain. To investigate the cardiovascular response to 12 week of either traditional moderate‐intensity (TRAD) or stair climbing‐based high‐intensity interval (STAIR) exercise‐based cardiac rehabilitation using both clinical and additional measures of cardiovascular function in individuals with CAD. Measurements were made at baseline (BL) and after supervised (4wk) and unsupervised (12 week) of training. This study was registered as a clinical trial at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03235674). Participants were randomized into either TRAD (n = 9, 8M/1F) and STAIR (n = 9, 8M/1F). There was a training‐associated increase in one component of left ventricular twist: Cardiac apical rotation (TRAD: BL: 5.6 ± 3.3º, 4 week: 8.0 ± 3.9º, 12 week: 6.2 ± 5.1º and STAIR: BL: 5.1 ± 3.6º, 4 week: 7.4 ± 3.9º, 12 week: 7.8 ± 2.8º, p (time) = 0.03, η2 = 0.20; main effect) and post‐hoc analysis revealed a difference between BL and 4 week (p = 0.02). There were no changes in any other clinical or additional measures of cardiovascular function. The small increase in cardiac apical rotation observed after 4 weeks of training may indicate an early change in cardiac function. A larger overall training stimulus may be needed to elicit other cardiovascular function changes.
Becoming Financially Self-Sufficient: Developing a Need-Supportive and Need-Thwarting Scale for Financial Parenting of Emerging Adults

Abstract The shift in the parent-child relationship during the transition to adulthood presumes that emerging adults progress toward financial self-sufficiency. Research indicates that financial parenting contributes to success in this transition, and these effects extend beyond the financial domain. Nevertheless, there is a lack of theory-based tools to measure relevant financial parenting aspects. By applying the six dimensions of interpersonal behaviors outlined in the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the current study develops a scale targeting the interpersonal style of financial parenting. To validate the scale, it also tests seven preregistered hypotheses predicting internal structure and associations with relevant external variables in a sample of 600 emerging adults (Mage =24.94, SDage = 3.03, range 19–29 years; 52.3% women). The sample, diverse occupational status characteristics, was recruited from an online survey panel using the controlled quota sampling strategy. While study results provide modest evidence for a hypothesized six-factor structure and advocate instead for a more parsimonious two-dimensional one, results provide evidence for the new scale’s convergent, discriminant, criterion, and incremental validity. This is the first study that brings SDT into family financial socialization research and opens a new line of research on family financial socialization, achievement of financial self-sufficiency, and emerging adults’ wellbeing.
Responding to Local Needs by Mobilizing Community Assets: Age-Friendly Community Initiatives During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Background and Objectives Age-friendly community initiatives (AFCIs) strive to make localities better for long and healthy lives by fostering improvements across social, physical, and service environments. Despite the heightened need for community supports during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, very little research has addressed the work of AFCIs in the context of this crisis. We aimed to develop theory on how AFCI core teams have contributed to community responses during the pandemic, as well as what contexts have influenced the initiatives’ ability to contribute. Research Design and Methods As part of a multiyear, community-partnered study on the development of philanthropically supported initiatives in northern New Jersey, we conducted qualitative interviews with 8 AFCI core teams during the winter of 2020–2021. The interviews focused on the leaders’ efforts at that time, with probing questions concerning enabling factors for their community responses. We analyzed the data using an inductive coding process encompassing open, axial, and subcoding. Results The analysis indicated four distinct roles of AFC core groups: good community partner, creator, advocate, and communications broker. We further found that AFC leaders primarily drew on three types of capital—human, social, and tangible—to enact these roles, oftentimes in cumulative ways. Discussion and Implications We interpret our study’s findings and their implications by integrating insights from theories of social impact. We further highlight the importance of continued research on community-centered approaches to promote aging in community during times of societal crisis, and otherwise.
Repeated exposure to heterologous hepatitis C viruses associates with enhanced neutralizing antibody breadth and potency

A prophylactic hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine that elicits neutralizing antibodies could be key to HCV eradication. However, the genetic and antigenic properties of HCV envelope (E1E2) proteins capable of inducing anti-HCV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) in humans have not been defined. Here, we investigated the development of bNAbs in longitudinal plasma of HCV-infected persons with persistent infection or spontaneous clearance of multiple reinfections. By measuring plasma antibody neutralization of a heterologous virus panel, we found that the breadth and potency of the antibody response increased upon exposure to multiple genetically distinct infections and with longer duration of viremia. Greater genetic divergence between infecting strains was not associated with enhanced neutralizing breadth. Rather, repeated exposure to antigenically related, antibody-sensitive E1E2s was associated with potent bNAb induction. These data reveal that a prime-boost vaccine strategy with genetically distinct, antibody-sensitive viruses is a promising approach to inducing potent bNAbs in humans.
Multi-Task Disentangled Autoencoder for Time-Series Data in Glucose Dynamics

The objective of this study is to propose MD-VAE: a multi-task disentangled variational autoencoders (VAE) for exploring characteristics of latent representations (LR) and exploiting LR for diverse tasks including glucose forecasting, event detection, and temporal clustering. We applied MD-VAE to one virtual continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data from an FDA-approved Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus simulator (T1DMS) and one publicly available CGM data of real patients for glucose dynamics of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. LR captured meaningful information to be exploited for diverse tasks, and was able to differentiate characteristics of sequences with clinical parameters. LR and generative models have received relatively little attention for analyzing CGM data so far. However, as proposed in our study, VAE has the potential to integrate not only current but also future information on glucose dynamics and unexpected events including interactions of devices in the data-driven manner. We expect that our model can provide complementary views on the analysis of CGM data.
Increased prefrontal GABA concentrations in adults with autism spectrum disorders

The excitatory‐inhibitory imbalance hypothesis postulates dysregulation of the gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) neurotransmitter systems as a common underlying deficit in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous studies suggest an important role of these systems in the pathophysiology of ASD, including a study of our group reporting decreased glutamate concentrations in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of adults with ASD. The aim of this study was to replicate our previous findings of impaired glutamate metabolism in ASD in a new sample and to additionally quantify GABA in the ACC and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Concentrations of GABA and glutamate‐glutamine (Glx; combined glutamate and glutamine signal) were quantified in the ACC and dlPFC of 43 adults with ASD and 43 neurotypical controls (NTC) by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The ASD group showed increased absolute GABA concentrations and elevated GABA/creatine ratios in the left dlPFC compared to NTC, while no group differences were detected in the pregenual and dorsal ACC. Previous findings of altered Glx concentration in the pregenual ACC of the ASD group could not be replicated. Regarding Glx concentrations and Glx/creatine ratios, there were no significant differences in the dlPFC and ACC either. The study supports the hypothesis of an altered GABA and glutamate equilibrium, indicating an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory metabolism in ASD patients. However, inconsistent results across studies and brain regions suggest a complex underlying phenomenon.
Life without blood: Molecular and functional analysis of hirudins and hirudin‐like factors of the Asian non‐hematophagous leech Whitmania pigra

Several leech species of the genera Hirudo, Hirudinaria, and Whitmania are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the oral treatment of disorders associated with blood stasis. Among them, the non‐hematophagous leech Whitmania pigra expresses a variety of components that have the potential to act on the vertebrate blood coagulation system.
The Good, the Bad and the Hijab: A Study of Implicit Associations Made by Practicing Muslims in Their Native Muslim Country

Recent research indicates that wearing the hijab reduces the attractiveness of female faces perceived by practicing Muslim men and women in their native Muslim country (the United Arab Emirates). The purpose of the current research was to develop this finding to investigate whether other aspects of person perception are also affected when women wear the hijab in this Muslim country. Of particular relevance is that changes in physical attractiveness often affect the personal qualities assigned to individuals. Accordingly, we sought to determine whether such effects occur when the physical attractiveness of women is altered by wearing the hijab. To do this, we used an Implicit Association Test (IAT) to investigate how native Muslim participants in the UAE associated pleasant and unpleasant connotations with images of women either wearing the hijab or with their heads uncovered. As in previous research with native Muslim participants, female faces were again perceived as significantly less attractive when the hijab was worn. However, the accompanying IAT findings showed that these less attractive hijab-wearing images were associated more with pleasant connotations than were the matched uncovered images. These findings provide fresh insight into the effects of the hijab on perceptions of Muslim women in a Muslim country and provide support for the view that cultural clothing can influence person perception beyond physical attractiveness alone.
Problem of Domain/Building Block Preservation in the Evolution of Biological Macromolecules and Evolutionary Computation

Structurally and functionally isolated domains in biological macromolecular evolution, both natural and artificial, are largely similar to “schemata”, building blocks (BBs), in evolutionary computation (EC). The problem of preserving in subsequent evolutionary searches the already found domains / BBs is well known and quite relevant in biology as well as in EC. Both biology and EC are seeing parallel and independent development of several approaches to identifying and preserving previously identified domains / BBs. First, we notice the similarity of DNA shuffling methods in synthetic biology and multi-parent recombination algorithms in EC. Furthermore, approaches to computer identification of domains in proteins that are being developed in biology can be aligned with BB identification methods in EC. Finally, approaches to chimeric protein libraries optimization in biology can be compared to evolutionary search methods based on probabilistic models in EC. We propose to validate the prospects of mutual exchange of ideas and transfer of algorithms and approaches between evolutionary systems biology and EC in these three principal directions. A crucial aim of this transfer is the design of new advanced experimental techniques capable of solving more complex problems of in vitro evolution.
A probabilistic epidemiological model for infectious diseases: The case of COVID‐19 at global‐level

This study has developed a probabilistic epidemiological model a few weeks after the World Health Organization declared COVID‐19 a pandemic (based on the little data available at that time). The aim was to assess relative risks for future scenarios and evaluate the effectiveness of different management actions for 1 year ahead. We quantified, categorized, and ranked the risks for scenarios such as business as usual, and moderate and strong mitigation. We estimated that, in the absence of interventions, COVID‐19 would have a 100% risk of explosion (i.e., more than 25% infections in the world population) and 34% (2.6 billion) of the world population would have been infected until the end of simulation. We analyzed the suitability of model scenarios by comparing actual values against estimated values for the first 6 weeks of the simulation period. The results proved to be more suitable with a business‐as‐usual scenario in Asia and moderate mitigation in the other continents. If everything went on like this, we would have 55% risk of explosion and 22% (1.7 billion) of the world population would have been infected. Strong mitigation actions in all continents could reduce these numbers to, 7% and 3% (223 million), respectively. Although the results were based on the data available in March 2020, both the model and probabilistic approach proved to be practicable and could be a basis for risk assessment in future pandemic episodes with unknown virus, especially in the early stages, when data and literature are scarce.