Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Folate Receptor Alpha Autoantibodies in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Folate deficiency and folate receptor autoimmune disorder are major contributors to infertility, pregnancy related complications and abnormal fetal development including structural and functional abnormalities of the brain. Food fortification and prenatal folic acid supplementation has reduced the incidence of neural tube defect (NTD) pregnancies but is unlikely to prevent pregnancy-related complications in the presence of folate receptor autoantibodies (FRAb). In pregnancy, these autoantibodies can block folate transport to the fetus and in young children, folate transport to the brain. These antibodies are prevalent in neural tube defect pregnancies and in developmental disorders such as cerebral folate deficiency (CFD) syndrome and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the latter conditions, folinic acid treatment has shown clinical improvement in some of the core ASD deficits. Early testing for folate receptor autoantibodies and intervention is likely to result in a positive outcome. This review discusses the first identification of FRAb in women with a history of neural tube defect pregnancy and FRAb’s association with sub-fertility and preterm birth. Autoantibodies against folate receptor alpha (FRα) are present in about 70% of the children with a diagnosis of ASD, and a significant number of these children respond to oral folinic acid with overall improvements in speech, language and social interaction. The diagnosis of folate receptor autoimmune disorder by measuring autoantibodies against FRα in the serum provides a marker with the potential for treatment and perhaps preventing the pathologic consequences of folate receptor autoimmune disorder.
Sequential P‐GEMOX and radiotherapy for early‐stage extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma: A multicenter study

Extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal‐type (ENKTL) is a distinct subtype of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and most of the patients presented localized disease. Combined modality therapy (CMT), namely chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy, has been recommended for patients with early‐stage ENKTL. However, the optimal CMT has not been fully clarified. This study reports the efficacy and toxicity of sequential P‐GEMOX (pegaspargase, gemcitabine and oxaliplatin) and radiotherapy in a large Chinese cohort comprising of 202 patients diagnosed with early‐stage ENKTL from six medical centers. The observed best overall response rate was 96.0% and 168 (83.2%) patients achieved complete remission. With a median follow‐up of 44.1 months, the 3‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 74.6% and 85.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis suggested that extensive primary tumor (PFS, hazard ratio [HR] 3.660, 95% CI 1.820–7.359, p < 0.001; OS, HR 3.825, 95% CI 1.442–10.148, p = 0.007) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 2 (PFS, 3.042, 95% CI 1.468–6.306, p = 0.003; OS, HR 3.983, 95% CI 1.678–9.457, p = 0.02) were independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes. Among the established prognostic models for ENKTL, the nomogram‐revised risk index model had optimal prognostic risk stratification ability (PFS, p < 0.001; OS, p < 0.001) and relatively balanced population distribution. The adverse events of this CMT were well‐tolerated and manageable. In conclusion, sequential P‐GEMOX and radiotherapy showed favorable efficacy with acceptable toxicity, and could be an effective treatment option for early‐stage ENKTL patients.
The Effect of Annealing Temperatures on Selected Properties of WC/C Coatings, Deposited Using Hexacarbonyl Wolfram in an N2-SiH4 Atmosphere

In this paper, we present the results of an experimental study on WC/C coatings, deposited by using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition in an N2-SiH4 atmosphere, annealed at temperatures of 200, 500 and 800 °C, in which the hexacarbonyl of W was used as a precursor. During the experiments, the topography, chemical composition, morphology, as well as selected mechanical properties, such as hardness, Young’s modulus, and coefficient of friction of the WC/C coatings were analyzed. Annealing without the protective atmosphere in the mentioned temperatures caused a decrease in hardness (up to 15 ± 2.7 GPa). In addition, the coefficient of friction value increased only to 0.37 ± 0.03.
Assessment of Volatile Aromatic Compounds in Smoke Tainted Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Using a Low-Cost E-Nose and Machine Learning Modelling

Wine aroma is an important quality trait in wine, influenced by its volatile compounds. Many factors can affect the composition and levels (concentration) of volatile aromatic compounds, including the water status of grapevines, canopy management, and the effects of climate change, such as increases in ambient temperature and drought. In this study, a low-cost and portable electronic nose (e-nose) was used to assess wines produced from grapevines exposed to different levels of smoke contamination. Readings from the e-nose were then used as inputs to develop two machine learning models based on artificial neural networks. Results showed that regression Model 1 displayed high accuracy in predicting the levels of volatile aromatic compounds in wine (R = 0.99). On the other hand, Model 2 also had high accuracy in predicting smoke aroma intensity from sensory evaluation (R = 0.97). Descriptive sensory analysis showed high levels of smoke taint aromas in the high-density smoke-exposed wine sample (HS), followed by the high-density smoke exposure with in-canopy misting treatment (HSM). Principal component analysis further showed that the HS treatment was associated with smoke aroma intensity, while results from the matrix showed significant negative correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between ammonia gas (sensor MQ137) and the volatile aromatic compounds octanoic acid, ethyl ester (r = −0.93), decanoic acid, ethyl ester (r = −0.94), and octanoic acid, 3-methylbutyl ester (r = −0.89). The two models developed in this study may offer winemakers a rapid, cost-effective, and non-destructive tool for assessing levels of volatile aromatic compounds and the aroma qualities of wine for decision making.
Kidney Dysfunction Is Associated with Thrombosis and Disease Severity in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: Implications from the German Study Group for MPN Bioregistry

Simple Summary In patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and in patients with kidney dysfunction, a higher rate of thrombosis has been reported compared with the general population. Furthermore, MPN patients are more prone to develop kidney dysfunction. In our study, we assessed the importance of specific risk factors for kidney dysfunction and thrombosis in MPN patients. We found that the rate of thrombosis is correlated with the degree of kidney dysfunction, especially in myelofibrosis. Significant associations for kidney dysfunction included arterial hypertension, MPN treatment, and increased inflammation, and those for thrombosis comprised arterial hypertension, non-excessive platelet counts, and antithrombotic therapy. The identified risk factor associations varied between MPN subtypes. Our data suggest that kidney dysfunction in MPN patients is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis, mandating closer monitoring, and, possibly, early thromboprophylaxis. Abstract Inflammation-induced thrombosis represents a severe complication in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and in those with kidney dysfunction. Overlapping disease-specific attributes suggest common mechanisms involved in MPN pathogenesis, kidney dysfunction, and thrombosis. Data from 1420 patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET, 33.7%), polycythemia vera (PV, 38.5%), and myelofibrosis (MF, 27.9%) were extracted from the bioregistry of the German Study Group for MPN. The total cohort was subdivided according to the calculated estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, (mL/min/1.73 m2)) into eGFR1 (≥90, 21%), eGFR2 (60–89, 56%), and eGFR3 (<60, 22%). A total of 29% of the patients had a history of thrombosis. A higher rate of thrombosis and longer MPN duration was observed in eGFR3 than in eGFR2 and eGFR1. Kidney dysfunction occurred earlier in ET than in PV or MF. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified arterial hypertension, MPN treatment, increased uric acid, and lactate dehydrogenase levels as risk factors for kidney dysfunction in MPN patients. Risk factors for thrombosis included arterial hypertension, non-excessive platelet counts, and antithrombotic therapy. The risk factors for kidney dysfunction and thrombosis varied between MPN subtypes. Physicians should be aware of the increased risk for kidney disease in MPN patients, which warrants closer monitoring and, possibly, early thromboprophylaxis.
Impact of Age and Sex on Antibody Response Following the Second Dose of COVID-19 BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine in Greek Healthcare Workers

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD (receptor-binding domain) IgG antibody levels were monitored in 1643 volunteer healthcare workers of Eginition, Evangelismos, and Konstantopoulio General Hospitals (Athens, Greece), who underwent vaccination with two doses of COVID-19 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (Pfizer) and had no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Venous blood was collected 20–30 days after the second vaccine dose and anti-RBD IgG levels were determined using CMIA SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant (Abbott) on ARCHITECT i System or ADVIA Centaur SARS-CoV-2 IgG (Siemens) on Centaur XP platform. From the total population of 1643 vaccinees (533 M/1110 F; median age = 49; interquartile range-IQR = 40–56), 1636 (99.6%) had anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers above the positivity threshold of the assay used. One-Way ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis H test showed a statistically significant difference in the median of antibody titers between the different age groups (p < 0.0001). Consistently, Spearman’s correlation coefficient (r) for IgGs and age as continuous variables was −0.2380 (p = 1.98 × 10−17). Moreover, antibody titers were slightly higher by 1.2-mean fold (p = 3 × 10−6) in the total female population of the three hospitals (median = 1594; IQR = 875–2584) as compared to males (median = 1292; IQR = 671.9–2188). The present study supports that BNT162b2 vaccine is particularly effective in producing high anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels in healthy individuals, and this humoral response is age- and gender-dependent.
Potential Short-Term Air Pollution Effects on Rheumatoid Arthritis Activity in Metropolitan Areas in the North of Italy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) flare is related to increased joint damage, disability, and healthcare use. The impact of short-term air pollution exposure on RA disease activity is still a matter of debate. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated whether short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM)10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) affected RA disease activity (DAS28 and SDAI) in 422 consecutive RA residents in Lombardy, North of Italy. Air pollutant concentrations, estimated by Regional Environmental Protection Agency (Lombardy—Italy) at the municipality level, were used to assign short-term exposure from the day of enrolment, back to seven days. Some significant negative associations emerged between RA disease activity, PM10, and NO2, whereas some positive associations were observed for O3. Patients were also stratified according to their ongoing Disease-Modifying anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) treatment: no DMARDs (n = 25), conventional synthetic DMARDs (n = 108), and biological or targeted synthetic DMARDs (n = 289). Therapy interaction seemed partially able to influence the relationship between short-term air pollution exposure and RA disease activity (PM2.5 levels and DAS28 at the day of the visit-O3 levels and disease activity scores for the seven days before the evaluation). According to our results, the impact of short-term air pollution exposure (seven days) minimally impacts disease activity. Moreover, our study suggests therapy could alter the response to environmental factors. Further evidence is needed to elucidate determinants of RA flare and its management.
Systematic Review of the Relationships between 24-Hour Movement Behaviours and Health Indicators in School-Aged Children from Arab-Speaking Countries

The Australian and Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines for children and youth synthesized studies in English and French or other languages (if able to be translated with Google translate) and found very few studies published in English from Arabic countries that examined the relationship between objectively measured sedentary behaviour (SB), sleep and physical activity (PA) and health indicators in children aged 5–12 years. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the relationships between 24-hour movement behaviours and health indicators in school-aged children from Arab-speaking countries. Online databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTdiscus, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Scopus were searched for English, French and Arabic studies (written in English), while Saudi Digital Library, ArabBase, HumanIndex, KSUP, Pan-Arab Academic Journal, e-Marefa, Al Manhal eLibrary and Google Scholar were searched for Arabic studies. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework was used to assess the risk of bias and the quality of evidence for each health indicator. A total of 16 studies, comprising 15,346 participants from nine countries were included. These studies were conducted between 2000 and 2019. In general, low levels of PA and sleep and high SB were unfavourably associated with adiposity outcomes, behavioural problems, depression and low self-esteem. Favourable associations were reported between sleep duration and adiposity outcomes. SB was favourably associated with adiposity outcomes, withdrawn behaviour, attention and externalizing problems. PA was favourably associated with improved self-esteem and adiposity outcomes. Further studies to address the inequality in the literature in the Arab-speaking countries to understand the role of 24-hour movement behaviours and its positive influence on health outcomes across childhood are urgently needed.
Self-Reported School Difficulties and the Use of the School Nurse Services by Adolescent Students

Adolescents are increasingly finding school difficult and physical, mental and social problems increase the risk of exclusion. School health services help to identify problems and prevent them from escalating and the school nurse should be consulted when children are struggling academically. This study explored associations between school difficulties and the use of school health nurse services by 73,680 comprehensive school students with median age of 15.3. The study was based on nationally representative data from the 2017 Finnish School Health Promotion study and analyzed by gender. Difficulties in schooling were common and ranged from 9.9–32.7%. Girls reported difficulties more frequently than boys. Having self-reported difficulties was associated with greater use of school health nurse services, with girls seeking help more often than boys with similar issues and more boys saying they had no need for services. In addition, more self-reported difficulties with schooling were associated with unmet need for school health nurse services. School difficulties were associated with greater use of the school health nurse service use when the data were controlled for background factors. This study highlights shortcomings in access to school health nurse services by children with self-reported school difficulties and that girls were more likely report problems and seek help.
Single Dose of N-Acetylcysteine in Local Anesthesia Increases Expression of HIF1α, MAPK1, TGFβ1 and Growth Factors in Rat Wound Healing

In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the gene expression profile, neoangiogenesis, neutrophils and macrophages in a rat model of incisional wounds. Before creating wounds on the backs of 24 Sprague–Dawley rats, intradermal injections were made. Lidocaine–epinephrin solutions were supplemented with 0.015%, 0.03% or 0.045% solutions of NAC, or nothing (control group). Scars were harvested on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 60th day post-surgery. We performed immunohistochemical staining in order to visualize macrophages (anti-CD68), neutrophils (anti-MPO) and newly formed blood vessels (anti-CD31). Additionally, RT-qPCR was used to measure the relative expression of 88 genes involved in the wound healing process. On the 14th day, the number of cells stained with anti-CD68 and anti-CD31 antibodies was significantly larger in the tissues treated with 0.03% NAC compared with the control. Among the selected genes, 52 were upregulated and six were downregulated at different time points. Interestingly, NAC exerted a significant effect on the expression of 45 genes 60 days after its administration. In summation, a 0.03% NAC addition to the pre-incisional anesthetic solution improves neovasculature and increases the macrophages’ concentration at the wound site on the 14th day, as well as altering the expression of numerous genes that are responsible for the regenerative processes.
Discriminant Canonical Tool for Differential Biometric Characterization of Multivariety Endangered Hen Breeds

Simple Summary Breed undefinition boosts the risk of irreversible breed loss due to its substitution by dominant breeds. Breed loss results detrimental for the fraction of the genetic pool which is linked to the value of livestock as perfectly adapted elements of domestic ecosystems among other desirable features. In turn, this ensures and maximizes population sustainability. The present study aimed to design a biometric characterization tool in autochthonous avian breeds and their varieties in Andalusia (south of Spain): Utrerana and Sureña breeds. For this, different quantitative and qualitative measurements were collected in 473 females and 135 roosters belonging to these breeds. Even though both genotypes belong to a common original trunk, discriminant canonical analysis (DCA) revealed clear differences between both breeds and within the varieties that they comprise. In particular, certain variables such as ocular ratio and phaneroptic characteristics, which may be intrinsically related to the capacity of the breeds to adapt to the environmental conditions in which they thrive, could allow breeders to develop breeding programs focused on the enhancement productive potential of individuals. Abstract This study aimed to develop a tool to perform the morphological characterization of Sureña and Utrerana breeds, two endangered autochthonous breeds ascribed to the Mediterranean trunk of Spanish autochthonous hens and their varieties (n = 608; 473 females and 135 males). Kruskal–Wallis H test reported sex dimorphism pieces of evidence (p < 0.05 at least). Multicollinearity analysis reported (variance inflation factor (VIF) >5 variables were discarded) white nails, ocular ratio, and back length (Wilks’ lambda values of 0.191, 0.357, and 0.429, respectively) to have the highest discriminant power in female morphological characterization. For males, ocular ratio and black/corneous and white beak colors (Wilks’ lambda values of 0.180, 0.210, and 0.349, respectively) displayed the greatest discriminant potential. The first two functions explained around 90% intergroup variability. A stepwise discriminant canonical analysis (DCA) was used to determine genotype clustering patterns. Interbreed and varieties proximity was evaluated through Mahalanobis distances. Despite the adaptability capacity to alternative production systems ascribed to both avian breeds, Sureña and Utrerana morphologically differ. Breed dimorphism may evidence differential adaptability mechanisms linked to their aptitude (dual purpose/egg production). The present tool may serve as a model for the first stages of breed protection to be applicable in other endangered avian breeds worldwide.
Two Sides to Every Question: Attempts to Activate Chicken Innate Immunity in 2D and 3D Hepatic Cell Cultures

The liver with resident tissue macrophages is the site of vivid innate immunity, activated also by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) leaking through the intestinal barrier. As gut-derived inflammatory diseases are of outstanding importance in broiler chickens, the present study aimed to establish a proper hepatic inflammatory model by comparing the action of different PAMPs from poultry pathogens on chicken 2D and 3D primary hepatocyte—non-parenchymal cell co-cultures, the latter newly developed with a magnetic bioprinting method. The cultures were challenged by the bacterial endotoxins lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli, lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Staphylococcus aureus and by enterotoxin (ETxB) from Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium derived flagellin, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) as a model proinflammatory agent and polyinosinic polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) for mimicking viral RNA exposure. Cellular metabolic activity was assessed with the CCK-8 test, membrane damage was monitored with the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage assay and interleukin-6 and -8 (Il-6 and -8) concentrations were measured in cell culture medium with a chicken specific ELISA. Both LPS and LTA increased the metabolic activity of the 3D cultures, concomitantly decreasing the LDH leakage, while in 2D cultures ETxB stimulated, PMA and poly I:C depressed the metabolic activity. Based on the moderately increased extracellular LDH activity, LTA seemed to diminish cell membrane integrity in 2D and poly I:C in both cell culture models. The applied endotoxins remarkably reduced the IL-8 release of 3D cultured cells, suggesting the effective metabolic adaptation and the presumably initiated anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the 3D spheroids. Notwithstanding that the IL-6 and IL-8 production of 2D cells was mostly not influenced by the endotoxins used, only the higher LTA dose was capable to evoke an IL-8 surge. Flagellin, PMA and poly I:C exerted proinflammatory action in certain concentrations in both 2D and 3D cultures, reflected by the increased cellular IL-6 release. Based on these data, LTA, flagellin, PMA and poly I:C can be considered as potent candidates to induce inflammation in chicken primary hepatic cell cultures, while LPS failed to trigger proinflammatory cytokine production, suggesting the relatively high tolerance of avian liver cells to certain bacterial endotoxins. These results substantiate that the established 3D co-cultures seemed to be proper tools for testing potential proinflammatory molecules; however, the remarkable differences between 2D and 3D models should be addressed and further studied.