Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Electrical Polarity in Electrospinning and on the Mechanical and Structural Properties of As-Spun Fibers

Electric field strength and polarity in electrospinning processes and their effect on process dynamics and the physical properties of as-spun fibers is studied. Using a solution of the neutral polymer such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) we explored the electrospun jet motion issued from a Taylor cone. We focused on the straight jet section up to the incipient stage of the bending instability and on the radius of the disk of the fibers deposited on the collecting electrode. A new correlation formula using dimensionless parameters was found, characterizing the effect of the electric field on the length of the straight jet, L˜E~E˜0.55. This correlation was found to be valid when the spinneret was either negatively or positively charged and the electrode grounded. The fiber deposition radius was found to be independent of the electric field strength and polarity. When the spinneret was negatively charged, L˜E was longer, the as-spun fibers were wider. The positively charged setup resulted in fibers with enhanced mechanical properties and higher crystallinity. This work demonstrates that often-overlooked electrical polarity and field strength parameters influence the dynamics of fiber electrospinning, which is crucial for designing polymer fiber properties and optimizing their collection.
The effect of abo and rh blood group antigens on admission to intensive care unit and mortality in patients with COVID-19 infection.

AIM The aim of this study is to analyze the prognostic significance of ABO and Rh blood group antigens along with various parameters in patients followed-up with the diagnosis of COVID-19. METHODS We evaluated 397 patients who were follow-up and treated due to COVID-19 infections. The ages, genders, chronic diseases, ABO and Rh blood group antigens, admission rates to Intensive Care Units (ICU), and mortality rates of the patients were analyzed. FINDINGS The mean age of the 397 patients with COVID-19 was 47±17 years. In the blood group analysis of the patients, A Rh-positive (A +) was the most frequently seen blood type (176 patients, 44.3%) followed by O Rh-positive (0 +) (109 patients, 27,5%); 38 patients were Rh negative (Rh -) (9,6%). 53 of the patients (13,4%) were followed in ICU and 29 patients died (7,3%). Neither mortality nor admission to ICU was seen for Rh - group. The comparison of Rh groups concerning the need for ICU admission revealed a significantly high rate of ICU admission in the Rh + group (p=0,011), while no significant relationship was found between mortality and Rh antigen (p=0,069). CONCLUSION The most frequently seen blood type among COVID-19 patients was A +. The Rh + blood group was found in all cases who were admitted to ICU and had a death outcome. The Rh + blood group was found in a significantly high number of patients who were admitted to ICU, while no significant relationship was found between mortality and Rh blood group.
Alkaloid Concentrations of Lolium perenne Infected with Epichloë festucae var. lolii with Different Detection Methods—A Re-Evaluation of Intoxication Risk in Germany?

Mycotoxins in agriculturally used plants can cause intoxication in animals and can lead to severe financial losses for farmers. The endophytic fungus Epichloë festucae var. lolii living symbiotically within the cool season grass species Lolium perenne can produce vertebrate and invertebrate toxic alkaloids. Hence, an exact quantitation of alkaloid concentrations is essential to determine intoxication risk for animals. Many studies use different methods to detect alkaloid concentrations, which complicates the comparability. In this study, we showed that alkaloid concentrations of individual plants exceeded toxicity thresholds on real world grasslands in Germany, but not on the population level. Alkaloid concentrations on five German grasslands with high alkaloid levels peaked in summer but were also below toxicity thresholds on population level. Furthermore, we showed that alkaloid concentrations follow the same seasonal trend, regardless of whether plant fresh or dry weight was used, in the field and in a common garden study. However, alkaloid concentrations were around three times higher when detected with dry weight. Finally, we showed that alkaloid concentrations can additionally be biased to different alkaloid detection methods. We highlight that toxicity risks should be analyzed using plant dry weight, but concentration trends of fresh weight are reliable.
Novel TGM1 Gene Mutation in a Japanese Patient with Bathing Suit Ichthyosis

Acta Derm Venereol 2020; 100: XX–XX This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license. www.medicaljournals. se/acta doi: 10.2340/00015555-3643 Bathing suit ichthyosis is a minor variant of autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) (1). This phenotype shows a unique distribution of lesions with brownish scaling, involving the scalp, neck and trunk, but sparing the central face and extremities (2). Oji et al. (3) reported that there was a marked decrease in enzyme activity on in situ transglutaminase (TGase) testing in the skin of patients with bathing suit ichthyosis when the temperature was increased from 25°C to 37°C. They suggested that bathing suit ichthyosis was caused by the temperature sensitivity of specific transglutaminase-1 gene (TGM1) mutations (3). We report here a case of bathing suit ichthy osis with a novel TGM1 mutation. In addition, this is the second Japanese case reported as ”bathing suit ichthyosis’’.
Old and Depressed? What We Think About Ending Their Suffering—Attitudes Toward Euthanasia for Elderly Suffering From Physical Versus Mental Illness

This study aims to extend our knowledge regarding attitudes toward euthanasia. Specifically, the effect of patient’s age and illness type. 123 participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups completed the Assessing Right to Die Attitudes (ARDA) questionnaire after reading a patients age (79 vs. 29 year old) and illness type (cancer vs. depression) description. Findings revealed more positive attitudes toward euthanasia when the patient was physically ill, as opposed to mentally ill. Participants’ attitude towards euthanasia was more positive when the patient was elderly. Illness type as a function of the patient’s age did not significantly influence attitudes towards euthanasia. The results of the current study reinforce the individual influence of illness type and of patient age on attitudes toward euthanasia, and suggest additional avenues for further research regarding their combined influence.
Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation 55 Months Following Chemotherapy Including Rituximab and Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation for Malignant Lymphoma

A 54-year-old woman underwent chemotherapy including rituximab and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Before the treatment, she exhibited a resolved hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. She was diagnosed with HBV reactivation based on positive serum HBV-DNA test results, 55 months after her last treatment. Subsequently, he was treated with tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) therapy and her liver function improved. Patients undergoing chemotherapy including rituximab and auto-PBSCT are at a high risk of HBV reactivation. In such cases, careful and long-term observations may be required to detect HBV reactivation.
High pulse pressure is a risk factor for prodromal Alzheimer’s disease: a longitudinal study

It has been increasingly evident that pulse pressure (PP) is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) but whether PP increases AD risk and the mechanism responsible for this association remains unclear. To investigate the effects of PP in the process of AD, we have evaluated the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of PP with AD biomarkers, brain structure and cognition and have assessed the effect of PP on AD risk in a large sample (n= 1,375) from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Multiple linear regression and mixed-model regression were employed in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses respectively. Clinical disease progression was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. High PP was associated with lower β-amyloid 42 (Aβ42) (P= .015), and higher total tau (T-tau) (P= .011), phosphorylated tau (P-tau) (P= .003), T-tau/Aβ42 (P= .004) and P-tau/Aβ42 (P = .001), as well as heavier cortical amyloid-beta burden (P= .011). Longitudinally, baseline high PP was significantly associated with hippocampal atrophy (P= .039), entorhinal atrophy (P= .031) and worse memory performance (P= .058). Baseline high PP showed more rapid progression than those with normal PP (P <.001). These results suggest PP elevation could increase AD risk, which may be driven by amyloid plaques and subclinical neurodegeneration.
Anxiety and depression in informal caregivers of dependent elderly people: an analytical study.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the symptoms of anxiety and depression in informal caregivers of dependent elderly at home. METHODS Analytical, cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Teresina (PI), with informal caregivers of dependent elderly people. Data collection took place from November 2017 to February 2018, using a characterization form for the dependent elderly and their caregiver, Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). The forward linear regression model was used to identify the predictive variables of anxiety and depression. RESULTS It was found that 18.4% of caregivers had symptoms of depression; and 14%, moderate to severe anxiety. There was a correlation between anxiety and depression (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION The findings of this study make it possible to assess anxiety and depression in caregivers of dependent elderly people, making it possible, through these parameters, to view the profile and care demands of this population.
Patients with Initial Negative RT-PCR and Typical Imaging of COVID-19: Clinical Implications

The sensitivity of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been questioned due to negative results in some patients who were strongly suspected of having coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of our study was to analyze the prognosis of infected patients with initial negative RT-PCR in the emergency department (ED) during the COVID-19 outbreak. This study included two cohorts of adult inpatients admitted into the ED. All patients who were suspected to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and who underwent a typical chest CT imaging were included. Thus, we studied two distinct cohorts: patients with positive RT-PCR (PCR+) and those with negative initial RT-PCR (PCR–). The data were analyzed using Bayesian methods. We included 66 patients in the PCR– group and 198 in the PCR+ group. The baseline characteristics did not differ except in terms of a proportion of lower chronic respiratory disease in the PCR– group. We noted a less severe clinical presentation in the PCR– group (lower respiratory rate, lower oxygen need and mechanical ventilation requirement). Hospital mortality (9.1% vs. 9.6%) did not differ between the two groups. Despite an initially less serious clinical presentation, the mortality of patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 with a negative RT-PCR did not differ from those with positive RT-PCR.
Detection of Pathogenic Leptospires in Water and Soil in Areas Endemic to Leptospirosis in Nicaragua

In Nicaragua, there are ideal environmental conditions for leptospirosis. The objective of this investigation was to detect pathogenic and saprophytic leptospires in water and soil samples from leptospirosis-endemic areas in Nicaragua. Seventy-eight water and 42 soil samples were collected from houses and rivers close to confirmed human cases. Leptospira spp was isolated in Ellinghausen–McCullough–Johnson–Harris (EMJH) culture medium with 5-fluororacil and positive samples were analyzed through PCR for the LipL32 gene, specific for pathogenic leptospires (P1 clade). There were 73 positive cultures from 120 samples, however only six of these (5% of all collected samples) were confirmed to be pathogenic, based on the presence of the LipL32 gene (P1 clade). Of these six pathogenic isolates, four were from Leon and two from Chinandega. Four pathogenic isolates were obtained from water and two from soil. This study proved the contamination of water and soil with pathogenic leptospires, which represents a potential risk for public health.
Protein‐carbohydrate ingestion alters Vps34 cellular localization independent of changes in kinase activity in human skeletal muscle

What is the central question of the study? Is Vps34 a nutrient‐sensitive activator of mTORC1 in human skeletal muscle? What is the main finding and its importance? We show that altering nutrient availability, via protein‐carbohydrate feeding, does not increase Vps34 kinase activity in human skeletal muscle. Instead, feeding increased Vps34‐mTORC1 co‐localization in parallel to increased mTORC1 activity. These findings may have important implications in the understanding nutrient‐induced mTORC1 activation in skeletal muscle via interaction with Vps34.
In Vivo Pharmacokinetic Analysis Utilizing Non-Targeted and Targeted Mass Spectrometry and In Vitro Assay against Transient Receptor Potential Channels of Maobushisaishinto and Its Constituent Asiasari Radix

The Japanese traditional medicine maobushisaishinto (MBST) has been prescribed for treating upper respiratory tract infections, such as a common cold. However, its mode of action is poorly understood, especially concerning the MBST constituent Asiasari Radix (AR). In this study, we focused on AR, with an objective of clarifying its bioavailable active ingredients and role within MBST by performing pharmacokinetic and pharmacological studies. Firstly, we performed qualitative non-targeted analysis utilizing high-resolution mass spectrometry to explore the bioavailable ingredients of AR as well as quantitative targeted analysis to reveal plasma concentrations following oral administration of MBST in rats. Secondly, we performed in vitro pharmacological study of bioavailable AR ingredients in addition to other ingredients of MBST to confirm any agonistic activities against transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. As a result, methyl kakuol and other compounds derived from AR were detected in the rat plasma and showed agonistic activity against TRPA1. This study suggests that methyl kakuol as well as other compounds have the potential to be an active ingredient in AR and thus presumably would contribute in part to the effects exerted by MBST.
Ultrasensitive Detection of Tetracycline Using Boron and Nitrogen Co-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots from Natural Carbon Source as the Paper-Based Nanosensing Probe in Difference Matrices

Herein, the boron and nitrogen co-doped 0-dimensional graphene quantum dots (B,N-GQDs) with high quantum yield (QY) were synthesized via microwave-assisted hydrothermal method at 170 °C for 20 min using fresh passion fruit juice and boric acid as the starting materials. The 3–6 layers of B,N-GQDs with mean particle size of 9 ± 1 nm were then used for ultra-sensitive and selective detection of tetracycline in aqueous and biological media. The hybridization of boron and nitrogen atoms into the GQD structures increases the intensity of electronegative, resulting in the enhancement of QY to 50 ± 1%. The B,N-GQDs show their excellent analytical performance on tetracycline determination after 2 min of reaction under an optimal condition at pH 5. The linear range of 0.04–70 µM and with limits of detection (LOD) of 1 nM in phosphate buffer saline (PBS), 1.9 nM in urine and 2.2 nM in human serum are obtained. Moreover, the high selectivity of tetracycline by B,N-GQDs over the other 23 interferences is observed. The π-π interaction and electron donor-acceptor principle play pivotal roles in enhancing the ultra-sensitivity and selectivity of B,N-GQDs toward TC detection. Moreover, the B, N-GQD based paper nanosensor exhibits an excellent analytical performance on visual detection of 0.1–30 µM TC in human serum. Results of this study clearly indicate the feasibility of synthesis of B,N-GQDs derived from passion fruit juice for ultrasensitive tetracycline detection, which can open an avenue to use natural products for the preparation of environmentally benign and biocompatible carbon nanomaterials for highly sensitive detection of drugs, antibiotics, organic compounds and biomarkers.
Psychometric Properties and Factor Analysis of a Short Form of the Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse

The 28-item Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse (MMEA) assesses four common forms of emotional abuse in intimate relationships and has been used extensively to study the development of intimate partner violence (IPV), the consequences of emotional abuse, and the outcomes of IPV interventions. The current study provides psychometric analyses of a shortened version of the MMEA using self-report data from a sample of men receiving treatment at a community-based relationship violence intervention program (RVIP; N = 467) and reports from their relationship partners (N = 252), and data from a sample of undergraduate students (N = 194) who reported on their own and their partners’ abusive behavior. Theoretical and statistical considerations, including internal consistency after item deletion, were used to select items for the shortened version. In the clinic sample (for self- and partner reports) and in the undergraduate sample (for self-report only), the 16-item MMEA-Short Form (MMEA-SF) retains the 4-factor structure of the 28-item MMEA. In both samples and across reporting methods (self and partner), the 16-item MMEA-SF has good internal consistency, good concurrent validity with the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) psychological aggression subscale, and similar correlations with CTS2 physical assault subscale as the original 28-item MMEA version. The MMEA-SF can reduce assessment burden while maintaining good domain coverage and strong psychometric properties and will be an asset to researchers and practitioners who need a brief, multifaceted measure of emotional relationship abuse in both clinic and undergraduate samples.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Stage III Colon Cancer

Simple Summary In patients with stage III colon cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy with a fluoropyrimidine combined with oxaliplatin reduces the risk of recurrence and mortality, with a treatment duration that may be shortened from 6 to 3 months in certain situations allowing to limit toxicities, especially cumulative sensitive neuropathy. However, it is difficult to effectively predict the risk of recurrence individually for each patient. It is indeed necessary not to over-treat patients with potential toxicities of chemotherapy and, conversely, not to under-treat patients at high risk of recurrence, and also to find new treatment approaches for specific subgroups. Though no single biomarker have sufficient predictive value to adapt the therapeutic strategy, we have considerably improved our knowledge of these biomarkers predictive of recurrence in localized colon cancer and many trials testing their ability to guide treatment are ongoing. Abstract In patients with stage III colon cancer (CC), adjuvant chemotherapy with the combination of oxapliplatin to a fluoropyrimidine (FOLFOX or CAPOX) is a standard of care. The duration of treatment can be reduced from 6 months to 3 months, depending on the regimen, for patients at low risk of recurrence, without loss of effectiveness and allowing a significant reduction in the risk of cumulative sensitive neuropathy. However, our capacity to identify patients that do really need this doublet adjuvant treatment remains limited. In fact, only 30% at the most will actually benefit from this adjuvant treatment, 50% of them being already cured by the surgery and 20% of them experiencing disease recurrence despite the adjuvant treatment. Thus, it is necessary to be able to better predict individually for each patient the risk of recurrence and the need for adjuvant chemotherapy together with the need of new treatment approaches for specific subgroups. Many biomarkers have been described with their own prognostic weight, without leading to any change in clinical practices for now. In this review, we will first discuss the recommendations for adjuvant chemotherapy, and then the different biomarkers described and the future perspectives for the management of stage III CC.
The Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prognosis of Acute Kidney Injury in Adult Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Since December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak occurred and has rapidly spread worldwide. However, little information is available about the AKI in COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of AKI in adult patients with COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS This was a retrospective cohort study of 1392 patients with COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital. Clinical characteristics and laboratory data were extracted from electronic hospitalization and laboratory databases. AKI was defined and staged according to the 2012 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Risk factors for AKI and the association of AKI with in-hospital mortality were assessed. RESULTS A total of 7% (99 of 1392) of patients developed AKI during hospitalization, 40% (40 of 99) of which occurred within 1 week of admission. Factors associated with a higher risk of AKI include severe disease (odds ratio [OR], 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37 to 3.67), higher baseline serum creatinine (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.17 to 4.11), lymphopenia (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.12 to 3.53), and elevated D-dimer level (OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.07 to 6.70). The in-hospital mortality in patients with AKI stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3 was 62%, 77%, and 80%, respectively. AKI was associated with in-hospital mortality even after adjustment for confounders (OR, 5.12; 95% CI, 2.70 to 9.72). CONCLUSIONS AKI is uncommon but carries high in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19.
Bioactive Phenolics and Antioxidant Capacity of Some Wild Edible Greens as Affected by Different Cooking Treatments

The study aimed to assess the influence of three cooking methods (boiling, steaming, and microwave-cooking) on (i) composition in individual phenolic compounds, (ii) total phenolic content (TPC), and (iii) total antioxidant activity (TAA) of eight Mediterranean wild edible species (Asparagus acutifolius, Asphodeline lutea, Beta vulgaris, Helminthotheca echioides, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officinale, Urospermum picroides, Urtica dioica). In raw greens, several caffeic acid derivatives (chicoric, caftaric, chlorogenic, neochlorogenic, 1,5-and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acids) and flavonoids (glycosides of apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol) were identified. Cooking treatments did not affect qualitative phenolic composition, while quantitative changes were recorded in some phenolic compounds and in TPC. Generally, boiling decreased TPC and TAA, while chicoric, caftaric, chlorogenic acids and quercetin-3-rutinoside increased in some species after steaming and microwave-cooking, showing positive correlation with TAA. Results confirmed steaming and microwave-cooking as mild procedures able to increase antioxidant capacity of some species, producing beneficial effects on their nutraceutical properties.