Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D Status during Pregnancy versus the Anthropometric Parameters of Two- and Four-Year-Olds: A Pilot Study

Apart from being associated with a well-documented risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, maternal deficiency of vitamin D may also negatively affect the physical development of their children. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between maternal as well as umbilical cord blood levels of vitamin D and the weight and height values of two- and four-year-olds. The study was conducted in a group of 52 ‘mother–child’ pairs. On the day of the delivery, total 25(OH)D concentration in blood was measured using immunological tests (LIAISON). Weight and height values were obtained from the database of routine health checks for children aged two and four, which are obligatory in Poland. Multiple regression analysis was used for statistical analysis. No association was detected between maternal-neonatal concentrations of vitamin D and weight and height values of the investigated two- and four-year-olds despite extreme differences in maternal (4.0–37.7 ng/mL) and neonatal (5.9–46.6 ng/mL) concentrations and the fact that vitamin D deficiency was detected in almost 54% of the mothers and 37% of the newborns. Therefore, no relationship between maternal-fetal vitamin D concentrations and the anthropometric parameters of the investigated children up to the age of four was found.
Use of glucocorticoids megadoses in SARS-CoV-2 infection in a spanish registry: SEMI-COVID-19

Objective To describe the impact of different doses of corticosteroids on the evolution of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, based on the potential benefit of the non-genomic mechanism of these drugs at higher doses. Methods Observational study using data collected from the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry. We evaluated the epidemiological, radiological and analytical scenario between patients treated with megadoses therapy of corticosteroids vs low-dose of corticosteroids and the development of complications. The primary endpoint was all-cause in-hospital mortality according to use of corticosteroids megadoses. Results Of a total of 14,921 patients, corticosteroids were used in 5,262 (35.3%). Of them, 2,216 (46%) specifically received megadoses. Age was a factor that differed between those who received megadoses therapy versus those who did not in a significant manner (69 years [IQR 59–79] vs 73 years [IQR 61–83]; p < .001). Radiological and analytical findings showed a higher use of megadoses therapy among patients with an interstitial infiltrate and elevated inflammatory markers associated with COVID-19. In the univariate study it appears that steroid use is associated with increased mortality (OR 2.07 95% CI 1.91–2.24 p < .001) and megadose use with increased survival (OR 0.84 95% CI 0.75–0.96, p 0.011), but when adjusting for possible confounding factors, it is observed that the use of megadoses is also associated with higher mortality (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.32–1.80; p < .001). There is no difference between megadoses and low-dose (p .298). Although, there are differences in the use of megadoses versus low-dose in terms of complications, mainly infectious, with fewer pneumonias and sepsis in the megadoses group (OR 0.82 95% CI 0.71–0.95; p < .001 and OR 0.80 95% CI 0.65–0.97; p < .001) respectively. Conclusion There is no difference in mortality with megadoses versus low-dose, but there is a lower incidence of infectious complications with glucocorticoid megadoses.
A Specific High-Protein Weight Loss Program Does Not Impair Renal Function in Patients Who Are Overweight/Obese

Although high-protein diets appear to be the most efficient way to lose weight, concerns may arise about their innocuity on renal function. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of a weight loss program on renal function. A multicentric cohort-based study was performed using the RNPC© French national weight loss program. Patients with at least two creatinine measurements at the beginning of the program and at the end of the weight loss phase between 1 January 2016 and 1 July 2021 were included. Renal function was assessed by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). From 4394 patients with two creatinine measurements included, 1579 (35.9%) had normal eGFR (MDRD 90–120 mL/min/1.73 m2), 210 (4.8%) had hyperfiltration (MDRD > 120 mL/min/1.73 m2), 2383 (54.2%) had chronic kidney disease (CKD) grade 2 (MDRD 60–90 mL/min/1.73 m2), and 221 (5.0%) had CKD grade 3 (MDRD 30–60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Multivariable analyses showed no eGFR change for patients in initial CKD grade 2, normal eGFR and hyperfiltration, and a significant increase in CKD grade 3. The RNPC© program avoids renal function impairment during the two first phases, regardless of the initial eGFR.
Helicobacter pylori infection is not associated with portal hypertension-related gastrointestinal complications: A meta-analysis

Despite the importance of Helicobacter pylori infection and portal hypertension (PH)-associated gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, such as esophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG), the impact of H. pylori infection on PH-related GI complications has not yet been elucidated. This meta-analysis investigated the association between H. pylori infection and the risk of PH-related GI complications. An electronic search for original articles published before May 2020 was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Independent reviewers conducted the article screening and data extraction. We used the generic inverse variance method for the meta-analysis, and Begg’s rank correlation test and Egger’s regression test to assess publication bias. A total of 1,148 cases of H. pylori infection and 1,231 uninfected controls were included from 13 studies. H. pylori infection had no significant association with esophageal varices [relative risk (RR) = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87–1.06 for all selected studies; RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.84–1.07 for cohort studies; odds ratio (OR) = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.60–1.54 for case-control studies]. Although H. pylori infection was significantly associated with PHG in case-control studies [OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.17–2.96], no significant differences were found in the cohort studies [RR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.91–1.05] or all studies combined [RR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.93–1.52]. In conclusion, H. pylori infection was not associated with the risk of PH-related GI complications. Clinicians should carefully treat cirrhotic patients with PH-related GI complications, regardless of H. pylori infection.
The Association of Toxoplasma gondii IgG Antibody and Chronic Kidney Disease Biomarkers

Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a parasite that infects more than 40 million Americans and causes toxoplasmosis. Most cases of toxoplasmosis are asymptomatic; however, T. gondii is capable of invading organs like the kidney, causing chronic infections and cell destruction. Methods: This study focused on evaluating the association between T. gondii exposure and chronic kidney disease (CKD) using data from the 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). T. gondii exposure was assessed using Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody status, and the status of CKD was assessed using the CKD biomarkers. The evaluation of risk rate and population prevalence was performed. In addition, multivariable regression models were used to further investigate this association after adjusting for sociodemographic, anthropometric, behavioral, and clinical covariates commonly associated with kidney dysfunction. Results: The positive T. gondii IgG antibody participants had significantly higher levels of CKD biomarkers, including second albumin-to-creatinine ratio (p = 0.0376), second albuminuria (p = 0.0005), and persistent albuminuria (p < 0.0001) compared to the negative participants. Furthermore, there were statistical associations between T. gondii exposure and the status of CKD (negative vs. positive) (p = 0.0001), and between T. gondii exposure and the CKD stage (negative, stage 1, …, stage 5) (p = 0.0004). Without adjusting for age, the positive T. gondii participants had a significantly higher risk (27% higher) of having CKD than the negative participants (RRcrude = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.09–1.49). The age-adjusted prevalence of CKD was higher among Toxoplasma-positive participants compared to the Toxoplasma-negative participants (10.45 vs. 8.99). T. gondii infection was significantly associated with CKD (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.06–1.84, p = 0.00447) after adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and BMI. Age was positively associated with CKD (OR = 8.89, 95% CI = 6.31–12.51, p < 0.0001) with the participants 45+ years old being 8.89 times more likely to have CKD than those who are <45 years old, after adjusting for T. gondii infection, gender, race/ethnicity, and BMI. Moreover, positive T. gondii increased the odds of CKD progression (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.07–1.86, p = 0.0424). Conclusions: Positive T. gondii IgG antibody is associated with CKD and the progression of CKD stages. This association is more apparent among older people. Further investigations are needed to examine these findings in different geographical locations and among differentially exposed populations.
Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Antimicrobial Polymers Based on the Inclusion of Polyethylene Glycol/TiO2 Nanocomposites in Cyclodextrin as Drug Carriers for Sulfaguanidine

Polymers and their composites have recently attracted attention in both pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a versatile polymer extensively used in medicine. Herein, three novel PEG-based polymers that are pseudopolyrotaxane (PEG/α-CD) (1), titania–nanocomposite (PEG/TiO2NPs) (2), and pseudopolyrotaxane–titania–nanocomposite (PEG/α-CD/TiO2NPs) (3), were synthesized and characterized. The chemical structure, surface morphology, and optical properties of the newly materials were examined by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, SEM, and UV–Vis. , respectively. The prepared polymers were used as drug carriers of sulfaguanidine as PEG/α-CD/Drug (4), PEG/TiO2NPs/Drug (5), and PEG/α-CD/TiO2NPs/Drug (6). The influence of these drug-carrying formulations on the physical and chemical characteristics of sulfaguanidine including pharmacokinetic response, solubility, and tissue penetration was explored. Evaluation of the antibacterial and antibiofilm effect of sulfaguanidine was tested before and after loading onto the prepared polymers against some Gram-negative and positive bacteria (E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)), as well. The results of this work turned out to be very promising as they confirmed that loading sulfaguanidine to the newly designed polymers not only showed superior antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy compared to the pure drug, but also modified the properties of the sulfaguanidine drug itself.
The Effect of pH and Sodium Caseinate on the Aqueous Solubility, Stability, and Crystallinity of Rutin towards Concentrated Colloidally Stable Particles for the Incorporation into Functional Foods

Poor water solubility and low bioavailability of hydrophobic flavonoids such as rutin remain as substantial challenges to their oral delivery via functional foods. In this study, the effect of pH and the addition of a protein (sodium caseinate; NaCas) on the aqueous solubility and stability of rutin was studied, from which an efficient delivery system for the incorporation of rutin into functional food products was developed. The aqueous solubility, chemical stability, crystallinity, and morphology of rutin (0.1–5% w/v) under various pH (1–11) and protein concentrations (0.2–8% w/v) were studied. To manufacture the concentrated colloidally stable rutin–NaCas particles, rutin was dissolved and deprotonated in a NaCas solution at alkaline pH before its subsequent neutralisation at pH 7. The excess water was removed using ultrafiltration to improve the loading capacity. Rutin showed the highest solubility at pH 11, while the addition of NaCas resulted in the improvement of both solubility and chemical stability. Critically, to achieve particles with colloidal stability, the NaCas:rutin ratio (w/w) had to be greater than 2.5 and 40 respectively for the lowest (0.2% w/v) and highest (4 to 8% w/v) concentrations of NaCas. The rutin–NaCas particles in the concentrated formulations were physically stable, with a size in the range of 185 to 230 nm and zeta potential of −36.8 to −38.1 mV, depending on the NaCas:rutin ratio. Encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of rutin in different systems were 76% to 83% and 2% to 22%, respectively. The concentrated formulation containing 5% w/v NaCas and 2% w/v rutin was chosen as the most efficient delivery system due to the ideal protein:flavonoid ratio (2.5:1), which resulted in the highest loading capacity (22%). Taken together, the findings show that the delivery system developed in this study can be a promising method for the incorporation of a high concentration of hydrophobic flavonoids such as rutin into functional foods.
Remarkably High-Performance Nanosheet GeSn Thin-Film Transistor

High-performance p-type thin-film transistors (pTFTs) are crucial for realizing low-power display-on-panel and monolithic three-dimensional integrated circuits. Unfortunately, it is difficult to achieve a high hole mobility of greater than 10 cm2/V·s, even for SnO TFTs with a unique single-hole band and a small hole effective mass. In this paper, we demonstrate a high-performance GeSn pTFT with a high field-effect hole mobility (μFE), of 41.8 cm2/V·s; a sharp turn-on subthreshold slope (SS), of 311 mV/dec, for low-voltage operation; and a large on-current/off-current (ION/IOFF) value, of 8.9 × 106. This remarkably high ION/IOFF is achieved using an ultra-thin nanosheet GeSn, with a thickness of only 7 nm. Although an even higher hole mobility (103.8 cm2/V·s) was obtained with a thicker GeSn channel, the IOFF increased rapidly and the poor ION/IOFF (75) was unsuitable for transistor applications. The high mobility is due to the small hole effective mass of GeSn, which is supported by first-principles electronic structure calculations.
Carotid Artery Ultrasound in the (peri-) Arrest Setting—A Prospective Pilot Study

Point-of-care ultrasounds (US) are used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Carotid ultrasounds are a potential non-invasive monitoring tool for chest compressions, but their general value and feasibility during CPR are not fully determined. In this prospective observational study, we performed carotid US during conventional- and extracorporeal CPR and after ROSC with at least one transverse and coronal image, corresponding loops with and without color doppler, and pulsed-wave doppler loops. The feasibility of carotid US during (peri-)arrest and type and frequency of diagnostic findings were examined. We recruited 16 patients and recorded utilizable US images in 14 cases (88%; complete imaging protocols in 11 patients [69%]). In three of all patients (19%) and in 60% (3/5) of cases during CPR plus a full imaging protocol, we observed: (i) in one patient a collapse of the common carotid artery linked to hypovolemia, and (ii) in two patients a biphasic flow during CPR linked to prolonged low-flow time prior to admission and adverse outcome. Carotid artery morphology and carotid blood flow characteristics may serve as therapeutic target and prognostic parameters. However, future studies with larger sample sizes are needed.
Orofacial Cleft and Mandibular Prognathism—Human Genetics and Animal Models

Many complex molecular interactions are involved in the process of craniofacial development. Consequently, the network is sensitive to genetic mutations that may result in congenital malformations of varying severity. The most common birth anomalies within the head and neck are orofacial clefts (OFCs) and prognathism. Orofacial clefts are disorders with a range of phenotypes such as the cleft of the lip with or without cleft palate and isolated form of cleft palate with unilateral and bilateral variations. They may occur as an isolated abnormality (nonsyndromic—NSCLP) or coexist with syndromic disorders. Another cause of malformations, prognathism or skeletal class III malocclusion, is characterized by the disproportionate overgrowth of the mandible with or without the hypoplasia of maxilla. Both syndromes may be caused by the presence of environmental factors, but the majority of them are hereditary. Several mutations are linked to those phenotypes. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the genetics of those phenotypes and describe genotype–phenotype correlations. We then present the animal models used to study these defects.
Fracture Resistance in Non-Vital Teeth: Absence of Interproximal Ferrule and Influence of Preparation Depth in CAD/CAM Endocrown Overlays—An In Vitro Study

There is ample evidence to support the use of endocrowns to restore endodontic teeth. However, the influence of the position of the interproximal margins on fracture strength has not yet been studied. The aim was to determine the relationship between the apicocoronal position of the interproximal restorative margins and fracture resistance in nonvital teeth restored with CAD/CAM endocrown overlays. Forty extracted human maxillary premolars were prepared for endocrown overlay restorations without ferrule on the interproximal aspects and classified according to the position of the interproximal restoration margins in relation to the alveolar crest: 2 mm (group A), 1 mm (group B), 0.5 mm (group C), and 0 mm (group D). Fracture strength was measured using a universal testing machine applying a compressive force to the longitudinal tooth axis. Group A had a mean fracture resistance of 859.61 (±267.951) N, group B 1053.9 (±333.985) N, group C 1124.6 (±291.172) N, and group D 780.67 (±183.269) N, with statistical differences between groups. Group C had the highest values for fracture strength compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). The location of the interproximal margins appears to influence the fracture resistance of CAD/CAM endocrown overlays. A distance of 0.5 mm between the interproximal margin and the alveolar crest was associated with increased fracture resistance.
The Improved Milk Quality and Enhanced Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Acetylserotonin-O-methyltransferase (ASMT) Overexpressed Goats: An Association with the Elevated Endogenous Melatonin Production

Background: Transgenic animal production is an important means of livestock breeding and can be used to model pharmaceutical applications. Methods: In this study, to explore the biological activity of endogenously produced melatonin, Acetylserotonin-O-methyltransferase (ASMT)-overexpressed melatonin-enriched dairy goats were successfully generated through the use of pBC1-ASMT expression vector construction and prokaryotic embryo microinjection. Results: These transgenic goats have the same normal phenotype as the wild-type goats (WT). However, the melatonin levels in their blood and milk were significantly increased (p < 0.05). In addition, the quality of their milk was also improved, showing elevated protein content and a reduced somatic cell number compared to the WT goats. No significant changes were detected in the intestinal microbiota patterns between groups. When the animals were challenged by the intravenous injection of E. coli, the ASMT-overexpressed goats had a lower level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and higher anti-inflammatory cytokines compared to the WT goats. Metabolic analysis uncovered a unique arachidonic acid metabolism pattern in transgenic goats. Conclusions: The increased melatonin production due to ASMT overexpression in the transgenic goats may have contributed to their improved milk quality and enhanced the anti-inflammatory ability compared to the WT goats.
Enzymatic Conversion of Lignosulfonate into Wood Adhesives: A Next Step towards Fully Biobased Composite Materials

This study investigates the effect of the enzymatic polymerization of lignosulfonate for the formulation of a lignosulfonate-based adhesive. For this, beech lamellas were glued together and tested according to the EN 302-1 standard. The results showed that the laccase-polymerized lignosulfonate-based wood adhesives (LS-p) had similar mechanical properties as a standard carpenter’s glue (PVAc-based D3 class white glue), as no significant difference in tensile shear strength between these two adhesive types was found. However, carpenter’s glue showed almost 100% wood failure, while with the lignosulfonate-based wood glue, the samples failed, mainly in the glueline. Pre-polymerization of LS-p is the most critical factor to achieve the required viscosity, which is also connected to the wetting properties and the resulting tensile shear strength. The longer the pre-polymerization, the higher the viscosity of the LS-p adhesive, with the tensile shear strength reaching a plateau. The presented data show the potential of using enzymatically pre-polymerized lignosulfonate as a well-performing wood adhesive. Further development and optimization of the pre-polymerization process is required, which is also important to push towards upscaling and practical applications.
Prevalence of targeted therapy-related genetic variations in NSCLC and their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics

Background Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common cancer type in China. Targeted therapies have been used to treat NSCLC for two decades, which is only suitable for a subgroup of patients with specific genetic variations. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of genetic variations leading to sensitivity or resistance to targeted therapies in NSCLC, and their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics of the patients. Methods Tumor samples were collected from 404 patients who were diagnosed to have NSCLC and underwent surgery, transthoracic biopsy, bronchoscopy biopsy, or pleural aspiration in Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2019 to March 2020. Commercial amplification-refractory mutation system kits were used to detect targeted therapy-related genetic variations in those tumor samples. The prevalence of genetic variations and their relationship with patient clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed using statistical software, followed by subgroup analysis. Results In all, 50.7% of the NSCLC patients had sensitive genetic variations to anti-EGFR therapies, and 4.9% of those patients had co-existing resistant genetic variations. Fusions in ALK, ROS1, or RET were found in 7.7% of the patients, including 2 patients with co-existing EGFR exon 19 deletion or L858R. EGFR exon 19 deletion and L858R were more common in female patients and adenocarcinoma. Further subgroup analysis confirmed the observation in female patients in adenocarcinoma subgroup, and in adenocarcinoma in male patients. In addition, smokers were more likely to have squamous cell carcinoma and KRAS mutation and less likely to have EGFR L858R, which were also confirmed after standardization of gender except KRAS mutations. Conclusion Nearly half of the NSCLC patients were eligible for anti-EGFR treatments. In NSCLC, female gender and adenocarcinoma may indicate higher chance of EGFR exon 19 deletion or L858R, and smoking history may indicate squamous cell carcinoma and EGFR L858R.