Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Whole-Genome Sequencing for Investigating a Health Care-Associated Outbreak of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) outbreaks in hospital settings challenge the treatment of patients and infection control. Understanding the relatedness of clinical isolates is important in distinguishing outbreak isolates from sporadic cases. This study investigated 11 CRAB isolates from a hospital outbreak by whole-genome sequencing (WGS), utilizing various bioinformatics tools for outbreak analysis. The results of multilocus sequence typing (MLST), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, and phylogenetic tree analysis by WGS through web-based tools were compared, and repetitive element polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) typing was performed. Through the WGS of 11 A. baumannii isolates, three clonal lineages were identified from the outbreak. The coexistence of blaOXA-23, blaOXA-66, blaADC-25, and armA with additional aminoglycoside-inactivating enzymes, predicted to confer multidrug resistance, was identified in all isolates. The MLST Oxford scheme identified three types (ST191, ST369, and ST451), and, through whole-genome MLST and whole-genome SNP analyses, different clones were found to exist within the MLST types. wgSNP showed the highest discriminatory power with the lowest similarities among the isolates. Using the various bioinformatics tools for WGS, CRAB outbreak analysis was applicable and identified three discrete clusters differentiating the separate epidemiologic relationships among the isolates.
Washout and Awakening Times after Inhaled Sedation of Critically Ill Patients: Desflurane Versus Isoflurane

In recent years, inhaled sedation has been increasingly used in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this prospective, controlled trial was to compare washout and awakening times after long term sedation with desflurane and isoflurane both administered with the Mirus™ system (TIM GmbH, Koblenz, Germany). Twenty-one consecutive critically ill patients were alternately allocated to the two study groups, obtaining inhaled sedation with either desflurane or isoflurane. After 24 h study sedation, anesthetic washout curves were recorded, and a standardized wake-up test was performed. The primary outcome measure was the time required to decrease the endtidal concentration to 50% (T50%). Secondary outcome measures were T80% and awakening times (all extremities moved, RASS −2). Decrement times (min) (desflurane versus isoflurane, median (1st quartile—3rd quartile)) (T50%: 0.3 (0.3–0.4) vs. 1.3 (0.4–2.3), log-rank test P = 0.002; P80%: 2.5 (2–5.9) vs. 12.1 (5.1–20.2), P = 0.022) and awakening times (to RASS −2: 7.5 (5.5–8.8) vs. 41.0 (24.5–43.0), P = 0.007; all extremities moved: 5.0 (4.0–8.5) vs. 13.0 (8.0–41.25), P = 0.037) were significantly shorter after desflurane compared to isoflurane. The use of desflurane with the Mirus™ system significantly shortens the washout times and leads to faster awakening after sedation of critically ill patients.
Polyethylene Glycol Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles: Hybrid Nanofluid Formulation, Properties and Drug Delivery Prospects

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are widely used materials for biomedical applications owing to their intriguing chemical, biological and magnetic properties. The evolution of MNP based biomedical applications (such as hyperthermia treatment and drug delivery) could be advanced using magnetic nanofluids (MNFs) designed with a biocompatible surface coating strategy. This study presents the first report on the drug loading/release capability of MNF formulated with methoxy polyethylene glycol (referred to as PEG) coated MNP in aqueous (phosphate buffer) fluid. We have selected MNPs (NiFe2O4, CoFe2O4 and Fe3O4) coated with PEG for MNF formulation and evaluated the loading/release efficacy of doxorubicin (DOX), an anticancer drug. We have presented in detail the drug loading capacity and the time-dependent cumulative drug release of DOX from PEG-coated MNPs based MNFs. Specifically, we have selected three different MNPs (NiFe2O4, CoFe2O4 and Fe3O4) coated with PEG for the MNFs and compared their variance in the loading/release efficacy of DOX, through experimental results fitting into mathematical models. DOX loading takes the order in the MNFs as CoFe2O4 > NiFe2O4 > Fe3O4. Various drug release models were suggested and evaluated for the individual MNP based NFs. While the non-Fickian diffusion (anomalous) model fits for DOX release from PEG coated CoFe2O4, PEG coated NiFe2O4 NF follows zero-order kinetics with a slow drug release rate of 1.33% of DOX per minute. On the other hand, PEG coated NiFe2O4 follows zero-order DOX release. Besides, several thermophysical properties and magnetic susceptibility of the MNFs of different concentrations have been studied by dispersing the MNPs (NiFe2O4, CoFe2O4 and Fe3O4) in the base fluid at 300 K under ultrasonication. This report on the DOX loading/release capability of MNF will set a new paradigm in view that MNF can resolve problems related to the self-heating of drug carriers during mild laser treatment with its thermal conducting properties.
Propagation Velocity and Structure of Flames in Droplet-Vapor-Air Mixtures

Abstract Abstract-Flame speeds of ethanol and n-octane mixtures of mono-sized droplets, vapor and air have been measured to study the fundamental aspects of spray combustion. The state of the mixtures, which were prepared in an apparatus similar to the Wilson cloud chamber, was experimentally verified in detail. A rugged, undulated and thickened flame front with the cellular structure is peculiar to the flame propagation in the mixtures containing large droplets and is in sharp contrast to the smooth and continuous flame front observed with premixed gas mixtures or mixtures containing droplets of much smaller size. This difference in the flame structure, caused by the heterogeneous nature of the unburned mixture, can explain the observation that the burning velocity in a droplet-vapor-air mixture is larger than in a homogeneous mixture of the same overall fuel-air ratio, even on the lean side of the stoichiometric point, provided that the droplet diameter is large enough. Another aspect of the flame propa.
Production of grape pekmez by Ohmic heating-assisted vacuum evaporation

Pekmez is a concentrated syrup-like food conventionally produced by vacuum evaporation process from sugar-rich fruits. In this study, the applicability of grape pekmez production by ohmic heating assisted vacuum evaporation (ΩVE) method was investigated. Conventional vacuum evaporation (CVE) and ΩVE methods were compared in terms of physicochemical properties, HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) contents, rheological properties, and energy consumptions. ΩVE was run at four different voltage gradients (17.5, 20, 22.5, and 25 V/cm). Total process times for grape pekmez production were determined as 57, 28.5, 32, 39, and 50 minutes for CVE, ΩVE (25 V/cm), ΩVE (22.5 V/cm), ΩVE (20 V/cm) and ΩVE (17.5 V/cm), respectively. Energy consumption of CVE method was higher than ΩVE method for all voltage gradients. Energy efficiency increased as the voltage gradient increased. There was no significant difference between CVE and ΩVE methods for HMF contents. The results show that the ΩVE method could be an alternative to the CVE process for grape pekmez production.
Use of Quorum Sensing Inhibition Strategies to Control Microfouling

Interfering with the quorum sensing bacterial communication systems has been proposed as a promising strategy to control bacterial biofilm formation, a key process in biofouling development. Appropriate in vitro biofilm-forming bacteria models are needed to establish screening methods for innovative anti-biofilm and anti-microfouling compounds. Four marine strains, two Pseudoalteromonas spp. and two Vibrio spp. , were selected and studied with regard to their biofilm-forming capacity and sensitivity to quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors. Biofilm experiments were performed using two biofilm cultivation and quantification methods: the xCELLigence® system, which allows online monitoring of biofilm formation, and the active attachment model, which allows refreshment of the culture medium to obtain a strong biofilm that can be quantified with standard staining methods. Although all selected strains produced acyl-homoserine-lactone (AHL) QS signals, only the P. flavipulchra biofilm, measured with both quantification systems, was significantly reduced with the addition of the AHL-lactonase Aii20J without a significant effect on planktonic growth. Two-species biofilms containing P. flavipulchra were also affected by the addition of Aii20J, indicating an influence on the target bacterial strain as well as an indirect effect on the co-cultured bacterium. The use of xCELLigence® is proposed as a time-saving method to quantify biofilm formation and search for eco-friendly anti-microfouling compounds based on quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) strategies. The results obtained from these two in vitro biofilm formation methods revealed important differences in the response of biosensor bacteria to culture medium and conditions, indicating that several strains should be used simultaneously for screening purposes and the cultivation conditions should be carefully optimized for each specific purpose.
The Influence of Vowel Identity, Vowel Production Variability, and Consonant Environment on Envelope Following Responses

Objectives: The vowel-evoked envelope following response (EFR) is a useful tool for studying brainstem processing of speech in natural consonant-vowel productions. Previous work, however, demonstrates that the amplitude of EFRs is highly variable across vowels. To clarify factors contributing to the variability observed, the objectives of the present study were to evaluate: (1) the influence of vowel identity and the consonant context surrounding each vowel on EFR amplitude and (2) the effect of variations in repeated productions of a vowel on EFR amplitude while controlling for the consonant context. Design: In Experiment 1, EFRs were recorded in response to seven English vowels (/ij/, /Ι/, /ej/, /ε/, /æ/, /u/, and //) embedded in each of four consonant contexts (/hVd/, /sVt/, /zVf/, and /Vv/). In Experiment 2, EFRs were recorded in response to four different variants of one of the four possible vowels (/ij/, /ε/, /æ/, or //), embedded in the same consonant-vowel-consonant environments used in Experiment 1. All vowels were edited to minimize formant transitions before embedding in a consonant context. Different talkers were used for the two experiments. Data from a total of 30 and 64 (16 listeners/vowel) young adults with normal hearing were included in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. EFRs were recorded using a single-channel electrode montage between the vertex and nape of the neck while stimuli were presented monaurally. Results: In Experiment 1, vowel identity had a significant effect on EFR amplitude with the vowel /æ/ eliciting the highest amplitude EFRs (170 nV, on average), and the vowel /ej/ eliciting the lowest amplitude EFRs (106 nV, on average). The consonant context surrounding each vowel stimulus had no statistically significant effect on EFR amplitude. Similarly in Experiment 2, consonant context did not influence the amplitude of EFRs elicited by the vowel variants. Vowel identity significantly altered EFR amplitude with /ε/ eliciting the highest amplitude EFRs (104 nV, on average). Significant, albeit small, differences (<21 nV, on average) in EFR amplitude were evident between some variants of /ε/ and /u/. Conclusion: Based on a comprehensive set of naturally produced vowel samples in carefully controlled consonant contexts, the present study provides additional evidence for the sensitivity of EFRs to vowel identity and variations in vowel production. The surrounding consonant context (after removal of formant transitions) has no measurable effect on EFRs, irrespective of vowel identity and variant. The sensitivity of EFRs to nuances in vowel acoustics emphasizes the need for adequate control and evaluation of stimuli proposed for clinical and research purposes.
Paracellular Filtration Secretion Driven by Mechanical Force Contributes to Small Intestinal Fluid Dynamics

Studies of fluid secretion by the small intestine are dominated by the coupling with ATP-dependent generation of ion gradients, whereas the contribution of filtration secretion has been overlooked, possibly by the lack of a known mechanistic basis. We measured apical fluid flow and generation of hydrostatic pressure gradients by epithelia of cultured mouse enterocytes, Caco-2 and T-84 cells, and fibroblasts exposed to mechanical force provided by vigorous aeration and in response to ion gradients, inhibitors of ion channels and transporters and in vitro using intact mouse and rat small intestine. We describe herein a paracellular pathway for unidirectional filtration secretion that is driven by mechanical force, requires tight junctions, is independent of ionic and osmotic gradients, generates persistent hydrostatic pressure gradients, and would contribute to the fluid shifts that occur during digestion and diarrhea. Zinc inhibits the flow of fluid and the paracellular marker fluorescein isothyocyanate conjugated dextran (MW = 4 kD) across epithelia of cultured enterocytes (>95%; p < 0.001) and intact small intestine (>40%; p = 0.03). We propose that mechanical force drives fluid secretion through the tight junction complex via a “one-way check valve” that can be regulated. This pathway of filtration secretion complements chloride-coupled fluid secretion during high-volume fluid flow. The role of filtration secretion in the genesis of diarrhea in intact animals needs further study. Our findings may explain a potential linkage between intestinal motility and intestinal fluid dynamics.
Endometriosis and Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes the evidence for the association between endometriosis and adverse pregnancy outcome, including gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, and small for gestational age, preterm birth, placenta previa, placental abruption, cesarean section, stillbirth, postpartum hemorrhage, spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy, and spontaneous bowel perforation in pregnancy. Methods: We performed the literature review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), by searches in PubMed and EMBASE, until 1 November 2020 (PROSPERO ID CRD42020213999). We included peer-reviewed observational cohort studies and case-control studies and scored them according to the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, to assess the risk of bias and confounding. Results: 39 studies were included. Women with endometriosis had an increased risk of gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, placenta previa, placental abruption, cesarean section, and stillbirth, compared to women without endometriosis. These results remained unchanged in sub-analyses, including studies on spontaneous pregnancies only. Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy and bowel perforation seemed to be associated with endometriosis; however, the studies were few and did not meet the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: The literature shows that endometriosis is associated with an increased risk of gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, placenta previa, placental abruption, cesarean section, and stillbirth.
Improving CO2/N2 separation performance using nonionic surfactant Tween containing polymeric gel membranes

Polymeric gel membranes containing 0 to 65 wt% of Tween20, Tween21 and Tween80 in PEBA2533 were prepared using a solvent casting method. The effect of Tween with different lengths of alkyl chain on the properties and performance of the gel membranes was discussed. The results showed a better compatibility of PEBA2533 with Tween21 than Tween20 and Tween80. Both the pure CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 selectivity increased with the increase in the number of N-alkyl groups in Tween. On the other hand, with the increase of Tween content, CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 selectivity simultaneously increased. The best separation performance was achieved for the PEBA2533/Tween80-65 gel membrane, which had CO2 permeability of 289 Barrer and CO2/N2 selectivity of 40.70, at 0.6 atm and 25 °C. This suggests a potential application in gas separation membranes, for instance for CO2 capture.
Eating disorder features in bipolar disorder: clinical implications

Abstract Background Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with elevated rates of eating disorders (EDs), but the nature and impact of specific ED features are unclear. Aims This study sought to identify which ED features are common in BD, and whether these relate to quality of life (QoL) impairment and body mass index (BMI). Method A clinical sample of 73 adults with BD completed self-report measures of health, ED features, emotion regulation ability, impulsivity, and QoL. Results Binge eating (45%), excessive dietary restriction (39%), overvaluation of weight/shape (51%), purging (16%) and driven exercise (27%) were common, and associated with a poorer clinical picture, including poorer QoL and poorer emotion regulation. Furthermore, regular binge eating episodes explained a significant proportion of variance in QoL impairment after controlling for other significant predictors. The best predictors of BMI were number of medical conditions, impulsivity and positive beliefs about binge eating. Conclusions ED features that may not meet criteria for a fully diagnosable ED – particularly overvaluation of weight/shape and binge eating – warrant greater attention, as they may still significantly worsen QoL. Future research should focus on modifying existing psychological interventions to better target ED features among individuals with BD and thereby improve clinical outcomes.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Refractory Focal Epilepsy: Unraveling the Insertional Effect up to Five Months Without Stimulation

Following electrode implantation, a subgroup of patients treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) for focal epilepsy exhibits a reduction of seizure frequency before stimulation is initiated. Microlesioning of the target structure has been postulated to be the cause of this “insertional” effect (IE). We examined the occurrence and duration of this IE in a group of patients with focal epilepsy following electrode implantation in the anterior nuclei of the thalamus (ANT) and/or nucleus accumbens (NAC) for DBS treatment.
Heating-stability, physical and chemical analysis of calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers.

AIM To evaluate possible modifications in root canal sealers subjected to a variety of heating conditions using vibrational spectroscopy and analysis of physical and chemical properties. METHODOLOGY EndoSequence BC Sealer HiFlow, Bio-C Sealer, BioRoot RCS, and AH Plus were analysed chemically using Raman spectroscopy (25-220 °C) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) (37-100 °C ). For FT-IR, the materials were tested individually and mixed with root dentine powder. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and coupled-energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to evaluate surface and chemical elements. ISO 6876-2012 specifications were followed to evaluate flow, setting time (moist and dry), solubility, radiopacity. Also, pH analysis at 37 °C and 100 °C was performed. Shapiro-Wilk and Mixed ANOVA (within and between the effects of the subjects), Levene, and a post hoc analyses with Bonferroni correction were performed (P < 0.05). RESULTS Vibrational spectroscopy exhibited peaks of tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, and zirconium dioxide. Chemical changes in the Raman spectra during heating were discrete, as the inorganic-content predominated the signaling for all root canal sealers. FT-IR analysis exhibited spectral changes in water absorption for EndoSequence BC Sealer HiFlow and Bio-C Sealer, probably related to dehydration. For BioRoot RCS and AH Plus, no significant chemical changes were observed. Bio-C Sealer exhibited a band of polyethylene glycol band only after heating at 100 °C, probably related to its thermal decomposition. SEM/EDS analysis corroborated the composition results observed in vibrational spectroscopy for all materials. Heating at 100 °C significantly changed the flowability of all calcium silicate-based sealers with a wide variation in setting times at both temperatures, along with solubility levels above ISO-standard. For all tested sealers, radiopacity fulfilled the requirements, and pH exhibited alkaline values. CONCLUSIONS The tested calcium silicate-based sealers were affected by heating. Calcium silicate-based root canal sealers exhibited high solubility which may represent a concern regarding their clinical use. AH Plus was the only root canal sealer that was stable after heating.
Docetaxel/dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes: preparation, in vitro evaluation and physicochemical characterization

Abstract Despite the development in novel drug delivery techniques and synthesis of multifunctional excipients, oral delivery of hydrophobic drug like docetaxel (DTX) is still challenging. The present work investigates the inclusion complexation of DTX, and dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD) to improve the solubility, dissolution and permeability of the drug. Amongst the native and modified β-cyclodextrins, DM-β-CD showed the highest solubility of DTX. Solid binary inclusion complex (IC) of DTX with DM-β-CD was prepared by solvent evaporation technique and thoroughly characterized for solubility, dissolution, permeability, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The aqueous solubility and in vitro dissolution rate of DTX/DM-β-CD IC were markedly increased by 76.04- and 3.55-fold compared to free DTX powder. The permeability of DTX/DM-β-CD IC showed similar absorptive permeability but decreased efflux from the absorbed DTX, compared to pure DTX. Further, physicochemical studies of IC revealed the change of crystalline state DTX to its amorphous form. Moreover, FT-IR and 1H NMR results indicate the formation of true inclusion complex between DTX and DM-β-CD at 1:1 molar ratio. Collectively, solid inclusion complexes prepared by spray drying method can be an effective strategy to enhance the biopharmaceutical performance of a highly hydrophobic drug DTX.