Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using of EHF and IR methods for studying hydration of polycytidylic acid

The use of dielectric measurements in the range of millimeter range (extremely high kequencies (EHF)) is important in a number of areas of biology and medicine. In particular, they allow one to study the state of water in biological solutions El]. The methods of X-ray diffi-action analysis, NMP, IR and CD spectroscopy, dielectrometry and others have established the presence of bound water around biomacromolecules [2]. Such solvent molecules attach to the hydration-active sites on the biopolymer surface through hydrogen bonding. In energy terms the water molecule may be considered ((bound)) if its energy of interaction with any hydration center exceeds the mean energy of water-water interaction in the liquid phase. Numerous investigations demonstrated that without detailed knowledge of the features of the interaction of biomolecules with water there could be no complete understanding the properties and behavior of the macromolecules. Because the bound molecules have a lower mobility, the corresponding relaxation peak is observed near 100 MHz while the peak due to ordinary water locates around 20 GHz [3]. Unfortunately, the dispersion of dielectric permittivity of biomolecules is also observed near 100 MHz creating substantial difficulties in the interpretation of dielectric data. On the other hand, in the millimeter range the dispersion observed is only due to the relaxation of bulk water and hydration leads to a lowering of the dielectric permittivity of solution as compared with that of solvent [l]. This decrement can be used to study the interaction of biomolecule with water. The present work is devoted to the investigation of the hydration environment existing around poly(rC) (polyribocytidylic acid). This polynucleotide is known to form different structures in aqueous solutions as a function of the pH, temperature and ion content [4]. At room temperature and neutral pH, poly(rC) is an ordered single-strand helix. In the range 3.7<pH<5.5 it forms a helical double-strand complex in which a proton is added to the ring nitrogen for each pair of bases (Fig.1). Below pH 3.5, through the addition of a second proton per base pair, a dissociation into two disordered chains with protonated cytosines occurs. It is believed that the hydrogen bond between the protonated and unprotonated rings mainly stabilizes the hemiprotonated complex.
Fundamentals of MDF Panel Dimensional Stability: Analysis of MDF High-Density Layers

Abstract The inherent resin and fiber chemistry of medium density fiberboard (MDF) panels has been compared with panel cold water soak properties. In hot-pressed panels it was observed that resin type and hydrophobicity significantly impact panel swell behavior. Resin affects both fiber hydrophobicity and equilibrium moisture content (EMC), but does not prevent water uptake. It is the influence of resin type on high-density layer thickness swell which suggests resin efficacy is important to retaining bonding in the fiber network and resisting fiber spring-back and panel swell. Fiber contact angles were found to be of less importance, only manifesting when comparing E0 and E1 urea formaldehyde (UF) resins. The E0 panel was considerably more hydrophilic, impacting its wetting behavior, and contributing to greater panel layer thickness swells. For cold-pressed panels, the absence of a high-density layer and relative fiber hydrophobicity were important. Cold-pressed polymeric methylene diisocyanate (pMDI) panels had greater hydrophobicity than E1 UF resin panels which, together with the greater bonding of pMDI, led to improved panel water soak properties. In the case of the cold-pressed E1 UF resin, the relatively hydrophilic fiber and relatively even density profile contributed to an extremely poor water soak performance. Overall, results show that the interactions of contributing factors to panel swell are complex and all may significantly affect panel water soak behaviors.
The Efficacy of Ketogenic Therapies in the Clinical Management of People with Neurodegenerative Disease: A Systematic Review.

Ketone bodies have potential disease-modifying activity that represent a novel therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). The aim of this systematic review was to summarize and evaluate the evidence for the application of ketogenic therapies (dietary or exogenous ketogenic agents) for NDD and provide recommendations for future research. Eight databases were electronically searched for articles reporting on controlled trials (≥4 wk duration) that induced ketosis or elevated serum ketone concentrations in people with NDD. Of 4498 records identified, 17 articles met the inclusion criteria with a total of 979 participants including studies on mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 6), multiple sclerosis (n = 4), Alzheimer's disease (n = 5), Parkinson's disease (n = 1), and MCI secondary to Parkinson's disease (n = 1). Of 17 studies, 7 were randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials. Most studies used dietary interventions (n = 9), followed by medium-chain triglycerides (n = 7) and a fasting protocol (n = 1). Generally, trials were 6 wk in duration and assessed cognition as the primary outcome. Studies were heterogeneous in type and severity of NDD, interventions used, and outcomes assessed. Overall, 3/17 studies carried a low risk of bias. Based on available evidence, exogenous ketogenic agents may be more feasible than dietary interventions in NDD from a compliance and adherence perspective; more research is required to confirm this. Recommendations for future research include improving exogenous formulations to reduce adverse effects, exploring interindividual factors affecting response-to-treatment, and establishing a "minimum required dose" for clinically meaningful improvements in disease-specific symptoms, such as cognition or motor function.
Identification and Characterization of a Novel Thermostable GDSL-Type Lipase from Geobacillus thermocatenulatus

Two putative genes, lip29 and est29, encoding lipolytic enzymes from the thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus thermocatenulatus KCTC 3921 were cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant Lip29 and Est29 were purified 67.3-fold to homogeneity with specific activity of 2.27 U/mg and recovery of 5.8% and 14.4-fold with specific activity of 0.92 U/mg and recovery of 1.3%, respectively. The molecular mass of each purified enzyme was estimated to be 29 kDa by SDSPAGE. The alignment analysis of amino acid sequences revealed that both enzymes belonged to GDSL lipase/esterase family including conserved blocks with SGNH catalytic residues which was mainly identified in plants before. While Est29 showed high specificity toward short-chain fatty acids (C4-C8), Lip29 showed strong lipolytic activity to long-chain fatty acids (C12-C16). The optimal activity of Lip29 toward p-nitrophenyl palmitate as a substrate was observed at 50°C and pH 9.5, respectively, and its activity was maintained more than 24 h at optimal temperatures, indicating that Lip29 was thermostable. Lip29 exhibited high tolerance against detergents and metal ions. The homology modeling and substrate docking revealed that the long-chain substrates showed the greatest binding affinity toward enzyme. Based on the biochemical and in silico analyses, we present for the first time a GDSL-type lipase in the thermophilic bacteria group.
Determination of the pore-size distributions and pore-space interconnectivity of Vycor porous glass from adsorption-desorption hysteresis capillary condensation isotherms

A model of a chaotic pore space in which cavities are randomly connected together by constrictions or windows is given. The behaviour of the system is described in terms of the cavity-size distribution, the window-size distribution, and the number of windows per cavity. A Bethe tree is used as the network of pore connections. The analysis of capillary condensation adsorption and desorption scanning curves is described, and the conclusion is drawn that desorption scanning curves are the more valuable in terms of the information that can be derived from them. This model is applied to the large number of scanning isotherms obtained by A. J. Brown (Ph. D. thesis, University of Bristol (1963)) for xenon on Vycor porous glass at 151 K. A method of correlating the results is given in which there is no need to separate the amount of capillary condensation from the amount of surface adsorption. The family of adsorption isotherms confirms the theory but some systematic differences remain. The family of desorption isotherms is used in a simple method that gives an estimate of the cavity-size distribution in terms of the Kelvin radius. The same isotherms are used in a more complicated method to give an estimate of the number of windows per cavity, together with a more precise cavity-size distribution and a window-size distribution. These results are then used to calculate the thickness of the surface adsorption. This enables the geometric pore sizes to be obtained from the Kelvin pore sizes. The cavity-size distribution thus obtained is in agreement with published values.
Cx43 hemichannel microdomain signaling at the intercalated disc enhances cardiac excitability.

Cx43, a major cardiac connexin, forms precursor hemichannels that accrue at the intercalated disc to assemble as gap junctions. While gap junctions are crucial for electrical conduction in the heart, little is known on potential roles of hemichannels. Recent evidence suggests that inhibiting Cx43 hemichannel opening with Gap19 has antiarrhythmic effects. Here, we used multiple electrophysiology, imaging and super-resolution techniques to understand and define the conditions underlying Cx43 hemichannel activation in ventricular cardiomyocytes, their contribution to diastolic Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and their impact on electrical stability. We showed that Cx43 hemichannels are activated during diastolic Ca2+ release in single ventricular cardiomyocytes and cardiomyocyte cell pairs from mouse and pig. This activation involved Cx43 hemichannel Ca2+ entry and coupling to Ca2+ release microdomains at the intercalated disc resulting in enhanced Ca2+ dynamics. Hemichannel opening furthermore contributed to delayed afterdepolarizations and triggered action potentials. In single cardiomyocytes, cardiomyocyte cell pairs and arterially perfused tissue wedges from failing human hearts, increased hemichannel activity contributed to electrical instability as compared to non-failing rejected donor hearts. We conclude that microdomain coupling between Cx43 hemichannels and Ca2+ release is a novel, targetable, mechanism of cardiac arrhythmogenesis in heart failure.
Particle growth modeling of gas phase polymerization of butadiene

Butadiene polymerization in the gas phase is modeled by a polymeric multilayer model. Intraparticle mass and heat transfer effects are studied. The effects of catalyst size and diffusivity of butadiene on the radial profile of monomer concentration in polymeric particles and on the rate of particle growth are significant. Intraparticle temperature gradients do appear to be negligible under normal reaction conditions. External boundary layer heat effects are studied for various operation conditions. The model predicts that there is no significant temperature rise of the polymeric particles, even in the case of large catalyst particles. The effect of deactivation of active sites on the rate of particle growth is also studied. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 203–212, 1997
Increased Risk of Severe Gastric Symptoms by Virulence Factors vacAs1c, alpA, babA2, and hopZ in Helicobacter pylori Infection

Two virulence factors of Helicobacter pylori, cagA and vacA, have been known to play a role in the development of severe gastric symptoms. However, they are not always associated with peptic ulcer or gastric cancer. To predict the disease outcome more accurately, it is necessary to understand the risk of severe symptoms linked to other virulence factors. Several other virulence factors of H. pylori have also been reported to be associated with disease outcomes, although there are many controversial descriptions. H. pylori isolates from Koreans may be useful in evaluating the relevance of other virulence factors to clinical symptoms of gastric diseases because the majority of Koreans are infected by toxigenic strains of H. pylori bearing cagA and vacA. In this study, a total of 116 H. pylori strains from Korean patients with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancers were genotyped. The presence of virulence factors vacAs1c, alpA, babA2, hopZ, and the extremely strong vacuolating toxin was found to contribute significantly to the development of severe gastric symptoms. The genotype combination vacAs1c/alpA/babA2 was the most predictable determinant for the development of severe symptoms, and the presence of babA2 was found to be the most critical factor. This study provides important information on the virulence factors that contribute to the development of severe gastric symptoms and will assist in predicting clinical disease outcomes due to H. pylori infection.
1,4‐Bis(1H‐benzotriazol‐1‐yl­methyl)­benzene tetrahydrate

Molecules of the title compound, C20H16N6.4H2O, lie across crystallographic inversion centres. The dihedral angle between each benzotriazole moiety and the central benzene ring is 74.95 (9)°. In the crystal structure, the molecular organization is stabilized by well defined weak C—H⋯π, π–π, O—H⋯O and O—H⋯N intermolecular interactions, leading to the formation of a two-dimensional network.
Prevalence and predictors of secondary traumatic stress symptoms in health care professionals working with trauma victims: A cross-sectional study

Introduction Medical personnel is an occupational group that is especially prone to secondary traumatic stress. The factors conditioning its occurrence include organizational and work-related factors, as well as personal features and traits. The aim of this study was to determine Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) indicators in a group of medical personnel, considering occupational load, job satisfaction, social support, and cognitive processing of trauma. Material and methods Results obtained from 419 medical professionals, paramedics and nurses, were analyzed. The age of study participants ranged from 19 to 65 (M = 39.60, SD = 11.03). A questionnaire developed for this research including questions about occupational indicators as well as four standard evaluation tools: Secondary Traumatic Stress Inventory, Job Satisfaction Scale, Social Support Scale which measures four support sources (supervisors, coworkers, family, friends) and Cognitive Processing of Trauma Scale which allows to evaluate cognitive coping strategies (positive cognitive restructuring, downward comparison, resolution/acceptance, denial, regret) were used in the study. Results The results showed that the main predictor of STS symptoms in the studied group of medical personnel is job satisfaction. Two cognitive strategies also turned out to be predictors of STS, that is regret (positive relation) and resolution/acceptance (negative relation). The contribution of other analyzed variables, i.e., denial, workload and social support to explaining the dependent variable is rather small. Conclusions Paramedics and nurses are at the high risk of indirect traumatic exposure and thus may be more prone to secondary traumatic stress symptoms development. It is important to include the medical personnel in the actions aiming at prevention and reduction of STS symptoms.
“Here I can just be myself”: How youth and adults collaboratively develop an identity‐safe community across difference

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the development of identity safety—where all participants are valued, included, and can engage without fear of stigmatization—among underrepresented youth and adults in a community‐based youth development program. Qualitative in‐depth interviews were conducted daily with three youth and two adult mentors about their experiences in the program (a total of 32 interviews). Data analysis revealed that participants developed identity safety through engaging in programmatic activities that explored youth's identities, practicing authenticity in daily interactions, and facilitating dynamic communication across intergenerational friendships. Participants described sustaining identity safety through formal social support spaces, mutual support in group settings, and peer support. Ultimately, these experiences set the foundation for youth and adults to engage in positive risk‐taking and self‐reflection. Implications for researchers and youth development programs are discussed.
Survival and complications with a surgical approach in advanced hypopharyngeal cancer

The treatment paradigm for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer has shifted from surgical approaches to organ preservation. However, recent studies indicated that surgical approaches may be associated with better survival rates. This study aimed to conduct a head‐to‐head comparison of survival outcomes and complications with surgical versus nonsurgical approaches using a nationwide database.
Does deeper hypothermia reduce the risk of acute kidney injury after circulatory arrest for aortic arch surgery?

OBJECTIVES The impact of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) temperature on postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been evaluated. This study examined the association between circulatory arrest temperatures and AKI in patients undergoing proximal aortic surgery with HCA. METHODS A total of 759 consecutive patients who underwent proximal aortic surgery (ascending ± valve ± root) including arch replacement requiring HCA between July 2005 and December 2016 were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional aortic surgery database. The primary outcome was AKI as defined by Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) criteria. The association between minimum nasopharyngeal (NP) and bladder temperatures during HCA and postoperative AKI was assessed, adjusting for patient-level factors using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 85% (n = 645) of patients underwent deep hypothermia (14.1-20.0°C), 11% (n = 83) low-moderate hypothermia (20.1-24.0°C) and 4% (n = 31) high-moderate hypothermia (24.1-28.0°C) as classified by NP temperature. When analysed by bladder temperature, 59% (n = 447) underwent deep hypothermia, 22% (n = 170) low-moderate, 16% (n = 118) high-moderate and 3% mild (n = 24) (28.1-34.0°C) hypothermia. The median systemic circulatory arrest time was 17 min. The incidence of AKI did not differ between hypothermia groups, whether analysed using minimum NP or bladder temperature. In the multivariable analysis, the association between degree of hypothermia and AKI remained non-significant whether analysed as a categorical variable (hypothermia group) or as a continuous variable (minimum NP or bladder temperature) (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In patients undergoing proximal aortic surgery including arch replacement requiring HCA, degree of systemic hypothermia was not associated with the risk of AKI. These data suggest that moderate hypothermia does not confer increased risk of AKI for patients requiring circulatory arrest, although additional prospective data are needed.
KAP-COVIDGLOBAL: a multinational survey of the levels and determinants of public knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19

Objective The adherence to public health recommendations to control COVID-19 spread is influenced by public knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP). We performed this cross-sectional study to assess the levels and determinants of public KAP towards COVID-19 in a large, multinational sample. Design Cross-sectional study (survey). Setting The questionnaire was distributed to potential respondents via online platforms. Participants 71 890 individuals from 22 countries. Methods We formulated a four-section questionnaire in English, followed by validation and translation into seven languages. The questionnaire was distributed (May to June 2020) and each participant received a score for each KAP section. Results Overall, the participants had fair knowledge (mean score: 19.24±3.59) and attitudes (3.72±2.31) and good practices (12.12±1.83) regarding COVID-19. About 92% reported moderate to high compliance with national lockdown. However, significant gaps were observed: only 68.2% knew that infected individuals may be asymptomatic; 45.4% believed that antibiotics are an effective treatment; and 55.4% stated that a vaccine has been developed (at the time of data collection). 71.9% believed or were uncertain that COVID-19 is a global conspiracy; 36.8% and 51% were afraid of contacting doctors and Chinese people, respectively. Further, 66.4% reported the pandemic had moderate to high negative effects on their mental health. Female gender, higher education and urban residents had significantly (p≤0.001) higher knowledge and practice scores. Further, we observed significant correlations between all KAP scores. Conclusions Although the public have fair/good knowledge and practices regarding COVID-19, significant gaps should be addressed. Future awareness efforts should target less advantaged groups and future studies should develop new strategies to tackle COVID-19 negative mental health effects.
Effect of different bleaching techniques on DNA damage biomarkers in serum, saliva, and GCF

Bleaching agents containing a high concentration of H2O2 in the dental market lead to formation of reactive oxygen species, which have genotoxic effects. However, ozone bleaching, one of the most effective oxidants known, stimulates blood circulation and immune response and thus it has strong antimicrobial activity against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. For these reasons, one of our hypothesis was ozone bleaching would reduce local and systemic DNA damage in the body. Hence, we aimed to determine the oxidative DNA damage biomarker levels in serum, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) by measuring 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) after different bleaching methods. Forty-eight volunteers who requested dental bleaching were divided into three treatment groups (n = 16). Group 1: ozone bleaching with the ozone-releasing machine; Group 2: chemical bleaching with 40% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) gel; Group 3: 40% H2O2 gel activated with the diode laser. Initial and post-operative (immediately after bleaching and two weeks later) color measurements were performed with a spectrophotometer. The color changes were calculated with the CIEDE2000 (ΔE 00) formula. 8-OHdG levels in serum, saliva, and GCF samples were determined with ELISA. All three treatments resulted in efficient and statistically similar bleaching. The 8-OHdG levels in the serum and saliva were not affected by all bleaching methods (p > 0.05), but a temporary increase was observed in the GCF for chemical and laser-assisted groups except the ozone group (p > 0.05). According to the findings, chemical and laser-assisted bleaching can affect DNA damage locally but not systemically. Bleaching with ozone may eliminate this local DNA damage.