Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Negative Affect and Cigarette Cessation in Dual Users of Cigarettes and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems

Abstract Objectives: Dual use of cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) is increasingly common in adult smokers, who often report using ENDS to quit smoking. Elevated negative affect is an established predictor of increased difficulty quitting smoking combustible cigarettes but has not yet been examined in the context of cigarette cessation for dual users. Method: This study examined whether mood-related factors predict cigarette smoking cessation among dual users (N = 364) over 12-months. Self-reported cigarette smoking at 12 months, with abstinence defined as no smoking for the past 7 days, was the primary outcome variable. Logistic regression included baseline levels of depression symptoms (CES-D), anxiety symptoms (MASQ), and negative affect expectancies for smoking, with baseline nicotine dependence for cigarettes (NDSS), motivation to quit, age, race/ethnicity, rate of cigarette smoking at baseline, and ENDS usage at baseline and 12 months as covariates. Interactions between CES-D, MASQ, and negative affect expectancies were examined. We predicted that negative affect, especially for smokers who had high negative affect expectancies for smoking, would be negatively associated with quitting. Results: Contrary to expectations, negative affect constructs did not predict quitting. Baseline nicotine dependence for cigarettes, gender, and race/ethnicity significantly predicted the likelihood of cigarette cessation. Higher rates of ENDS use, higher motivation, and lower negative affect smoking expectancies were significantly correlated with quitting cigarettes. Conclusion: In this non-treatment seeking sample of dual users, negative affect did not predict cigarette cessation over and above nicotine dependence for cigarettes, gender, and race/ethnicity.
The lncRNA PILA promotes NF-κB signaling in osteoarthritis by stimulating the activity of the protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT1

Inflammatory cytokine–induced activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). We identified PILA as a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) that enhances NF-κB signaling and OA. The abundance of PILA was increased in damaged cartilage from patients with OA and in human articular chondrocytes stimulated with the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Knockdown of PILA inhibited TNF-induced NF-κB signaling, extracellular matrix catabolism, and apoptosis in chondrocytes, whereas ectopic expression of PILA promoted NF-κB signaling and matrix degradation. PILA promoted PRMT1-mediated arginine methylation of DExH-box helicase 9 (DHX9), leading to an increase in the transcription of the gene encoding transforming growth factor β–activated kinase 1 (TAK1), an upstream activator of NF-κB signaling. Furthermore, intra-articular injection of an adenovirus vector encoding PILA triggered spontaneous cartilage loss and exacerbated posttraumatic OA in mice. This study provides insight into the regulation of NF-κB signaling in OA and identifies a potential therapeutic target for this disease. Description The lncRNA PILA exacerbates osteoarthritis by enhancing NF-κB–mediated inflammatory signaling. Joint degeneration by lncRNA Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling contributes to the development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA) by promoting cartilage degradation and joint inflammation. Tang et al. found that the long noncoding RNA PILA stimulated NF-κB signaling in OA. In human articular chondrocytes, PILA interacted with and stimulated the activity of the protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT1. Modification of the RNA helicase DHX9 by PRMT1 increased the expression of TAK1, which encodes a kinase that promotes the activation of NF-κB. PILA was increased in abundance in human osteoarthritic cartilage and enhanced inflammation-induced extracellular matrix degradation in articular chondrocytes. Expression of PILA in the knee joints of mice stimulated spontaneous cartilage degradation and enhanced experimentally induced OA. Together, these findings identify PILA as a factor that promotes articular cartilage degradation and exacerbates inflammation-induced joint damage in OA by augmenting NF-κB signaling.
PEGDA microencapsulated allogeneic islets reverse canine diabetes without immunosuppression

Background Protection of islets without systemic immunosuppression has been a long-sought goal in the islet transplant field. We conducted a pilot biocompatibility/safety study in healthy dogs followed by a dose-finding efficacy study in diabetic dogs using polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) microencapsulated allogeneic canine islets. Methods Prior to the transplants, characterization of the canine islets included the calculations determining the average cell number/islet equivalent. Following measurements of purity, insulin secretion, and insulin, DNA and ATP content, the islets were encapsulated and transplanted interperitoneally into dogs via a catheter, which predominantly attached to the omentum. In the healthy dogs, half of the microspheres injected contained canine islets, the other half of the omentum received empty PEGDA microspheres. Results In the biocompatibility study, healthy dogs received increasing doses of cells up to 1.7 M cells/kg body weight, yet no hypoglycemic events were recorded and the dogs presented with no adverse events. At necropsy the microspheres were identified and described as clear with attachment to the omentum. Several of the blood chemistry values that were abnormal prior to the transplants normalized after the transplant. The same observation was made for the diabetic dogs that received higher doses of canine islets. In all diabetic dogs, the insulin required to attempt to control blood glucose was cut by 50–100% after the transplant, down to no required insulin for the course of the 60-day study. The dogs had no adverse events and behavioral monitoring suggested normal activity after recovery from the transplant. Conclusions and implications The study provides evidence that PEGDA microencapsulated canine islets reversed the signs of diabetes without immunosuppression and led to states of insulin-independence or significantly lowered insulin requirements in the recipients.
A non-chemical weed control strategy, introducing duckweed into the paddy field.

BACKGROUND Herbicide resistance in weeds and environmental pollution resulting from excessive application of chemical herbicides keeps increasing. Development of environment-friendly and effective weed management strategies are required for sustainable agricultural production. In this study we investigated the effects of duckweeds (Landoltia punctata (G. Meyer) Les & D. J. Crawford and Spirodela polyrhiza (Linnaeus) Schle iden) introduction on the weed community and rice growth in paddy fields. RESULTS The study was conducted in the two rice-growing seasons (2018 and 2019) with three treatments: rice grown without duckweed introduction (CK), with L. punctata introduction (LP), and with S. polyrhiza introduction (SP). On average, LP and SP significantly reduced total weed density by more than 90% and 97%, respectively. Early in the rice-growing season, both duckweed species completely prevented weed growth. Further, both species significantly promoted rice plant growth in the advanced stages. SP significantly improved grain yield of rice by 23%. Light transmittance, temperature of the floodwater and soil, floodwater pH, and dissolved oxygen content significantly decreased following introduction of the duckweeds, indicating that the duckweeds introduction might inhibit weeds growth by altering environmental factors. CONCLUSION This study provides a possible environment-friendly way to inhibit weed biomass in the paddy field by introducing duckweeds and interpreted the possible reasons of the impacts of duckweed on environmental variables. Weed control is beneficial for rice growth. Duckweed coverage might be limited in open fields and the associated practice requires additional investigation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Protein interactions in the biological assembly of iron–sulfur clusters in Escherichia coli : Molecular and mechanistic aspects of the earliest assembly steps

This contribution focuses on the earliest steps of the assembly of FeS clusters and their insertion into acceptor apoproteins, that call for transient formation of a 2Fe2S cluster on a scaffold protein from sulfide and iron salts. For the sake of simplicity, this report is essentially limited to the Escherichia coli isc‐encoded proteins and does not take into account agents that modulate the enzymatic synthesis of sulfide by protein in the same operon or the redox events associated with both sulfide generation and conversion of 2Fe2S structures in clusters of higher nuclearity. Therefore, the results discussed here are based on chemical reconstitution systems using inorganic sulfide, ferric salts, and excess thiols. This simplification offers the possibility to address some mechanistic issues related to the role of protein/protein interaction as for modulating: (a) the rate of cluster assembly on scaffold proteins; (b) the stability of the cluster on the scaffold protein; and (c) the rate of transfer to acceptor apoproteins as also influenced by the acceptor concentration. The emerging picture highlights the mechanistic versatility of the systems, that is discussed in terms of the capability of such an apparently simple combination of proteins to cope with various physiological situation. The hypothetical mechanism presented here may represent an additional way of modulating the rate and outcome of the overall process while avoiding potential toxicity issues.
The role of ball backspin alignment and variability in basketball shooting accuracy

ABSTRACT Interaction between the shooting hand and ball at the moment a basketball is released generates a three-dimensional backspin of the ball. This study is the first to investigate how characteristics of the backspin alignment and variability contribute to lateral shooting accuracy. Spin axis (SA) direction and backspin magnitude were measured on 25 shot attempts for 26 collegiate basketball players (male: n = 16, female: n = 10). The mean SA alignment, as viewed from the shooting hand side, was found to be tipped down and towards the target (p < 0.001). Standard deviations (SD) in the SA alignment were strong predictors of lateral accuracy (vertical SD: r = 0.80, p < 0.001, forward-backward SD: r = 0.51, p = 0.01), with variation in the vertical alignment being the best predictor. No significant correlation between mean SA misalignment and lateral accuracy was observed. However, intra-individual relationships between SA misalignment and lateral error revealed that individuals tended to have 0.17 degrees more misalignment for each cm of lateral error (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.24–0.09). These indicate that while an individual’s mean alignment may not predict lateral accuracy, improving one’s SA alignment and reducing alignment variability may increase lateral accuracy.
COOLING OF DESKTOP COMPUTER USING HEAT PIPES

The present experimental work investigates the heat transfer performance of parallel heat pipe in a desktop computer, which consists of four single tube heat pipe connected by two copper blocks at the top & bottom ends. For this purpose, the copper tube of 4.75 mm ID is used with acetone as working fluid. One copper block is placed above the heat source (on the processor) & another copper block is placed above the heat sink to dissipate the heat to the outer finned surface (natural convection). Heat transfer characteristics are determined experimentally, based on the principle of phase change. The experimental results show that, the steady state temperature of the processor has been reduced substantially when using heat pipes compared to the cooling fan. Cooling fan in the condenser section can also give promising result as well as natural convection by finned surface, which have also been studied in this project.
Radiotherapy respiratory motion management in hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies: a systematic review of patient factors influencing effectiveness of motion reduction with abdominal compression

Abstract Background The effectiveness of abdominal compression for motion management in hepatobiliary-pancreatic (HPB) radiotherapy has not been systematically evaluated. Methods & materials A systematic review was carried out using PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases up to 1 July 2021. No date restrictions were applied. Additional searches were carried out using the University of Manchester digital library, Google Scholar and of retrieved papers’ reference lists. Studies conducted evaluating respiratory motion utilising imaging with and without abdominal compression in the same patients available in English were included. Studies conducted in healthy volunteers or majority non-HPB sites, not providing descriptive motion statistics or patient characteristics before and after compression in the same patients or published without peer-review were excluded. A narrative synthesis was employed by tabulating retrieved studies and organising chronologically by abdominal compression device type to help identify patterns in the evidence. Results The inclusion criteria were met by 6 studies with a total of 152 patients. Designs were a mix of retrospective and prospective quantitative designs with chronological, non-randomised recruitment. Abdominal compression reduced craniocaudal respiratory motion in the majority of patients, although in four studies there were increases seen in at least one direction. The influence of patient comorbidities on effectiveness of compression, and/or comfort with compression was not evaluated in any study. Conclusion Abdominal compression may not be appropriate for all patients, and benefit should be weighed with potential increase in motion or discomfort in patients with small initial motion (<5 mm). Patient factors including male sex, and high body mass index (BMI) were found to impact the effectiveness of compression, however with limited evidence. High-quality studies are warranted to fully assess the clinical impact of abdominal compression on treatment outcomes and toxicity prospective in comparison to other motion management strategies.
Study on the serum level of CoQ10B in patients with Moyamoya disease and its mechanism of affecting disease progression

ABSTRACT Background: At present, the etiology and pathogenesis of Moyamoya disease (MMD) are not completely clear. Patients are usually diagnosed after cerebrovascular events. Therefore, it is of great clinical significance to explore the predictive factors of MMD. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the serum level of CoQ10B, the amount of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and mitochondrial function of EPCs in MMD patients. Methods: Forty-one MMD patients and 20 healthy controls were recruited in this study. Patients with MMD were divided into two groups: Ischemic type (n=23) and hemorrhagic type (n=18). Blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein and analyzed by CoQ10B ELISA and flow cytometry. Measures of mitochondrial function of EPCs include oxygen consumption rate (OCR), mitochondrial membrane potential, Ca 2+ concentration, adenosine triphosphatases activity and ROS level. Results: The serum CoQ10B level in MMD patients was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (p<0.001). The relative number of EPCs in MMD patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (p<0.001). Moreover, the OCR, mitochondrial membrane potential and ATPase activity were decreased and the Ca 2+ and reactive oxygen species levels were increased in MMD patients (p<0.001). Conclusions: Our results showed obviously decreased serum CoQ10B level and increased EPCs number in patients with MMD compared with healthy patients, and the mitochondria function of EPCs in MMD patients was abnormal.
A systematic review of cartilage procedures for unstable osteochondritis dissecans

ABSTRACT Objectives Osteochondritis dissecans can result in significant limitations in activity, pain, and early osteoarthritis. There are various treatment modalities to address these defects. The purpose of this study was to provide a qualitative summary of the various treatment options for unstable osteochondritis dissecans in the knee. Methods A literature search was performed on osteochondritis dissecans in the knee using PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and Cochrane electronic databases. The search was completed using a combination of the following terms: ‘osteochondritis dissecans,’ ‘OCD,’ ‘osteochondral,’ ‘articular cartilage,’ ‘repair,’ ‘surgery,’ ‘treatment,’ ‘osteochondral allograft,’ ‘autologous chondrocyte implantation,’ ‘unstable,’ ‘knee,’ ‘clinical studies. ’ Results A total of 682 studies were found, of which 24 were included in the qualitative analysis. The quality score ranged from 46 to 80, and the mean follow-up ranged from 2 to 17 years. The most common surgical procedures were internal fixation (n = 7 studies), ACI (n = 6), fragment excision (n = 3), MACI (n = 2), bone graft + ACI (n = 2), OCA (n = 2), mosaicplasty/OAT (n = 2), and scaffold (n = 2). Overall, the reported outcome measures were heterogeneous in nature. Post-operative International Knee Documentations Committee (IKDC) scores ranged from 75 to 85 and Lysholm scores ranged from 70 to 93.5. Tegner scores ranged from 4 to 5. Rates of failure, complication, and revision were highly variable across studies and surgical techniques. Conclusion There are a variety of surgical options for the treatment of unstable osteochondritis dissecans. In skeletally immature patients, internal fixation demonstrated acceptable rates of radiographic union and patient reported outcome measures. In skeletally mature patients with large lesions, MACI and OCA transplantation provided similar patient reported outcomes.
Investigating preparation and characterisation of diphtheria toxoid‐loaded on sodium alginate nanoparticles

Abstract This paper aims to investigate the preparation and characterisation of the alginate nanoparticles (NPs) as antigen delivery system loaded by diphtheria toxoid (DT). For this purpose, both the loading capacity (LC) and Loading efficiency (LE) of the alginate NPs burdened by DT are evaluated. Moreover, the effects of different concentrations of sodium alginate and calcium chloride on the NPs physicochemical characteristics are surveyed in addition to other physical conditions such as homogenization time and rate. To do so, the NPs are characterised using particle size and distribution, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release study and FT‐IR spectroscopy. Subsequently, the effects of homogenization time and rate on the NPs are assessed. At the meantime, the NPs LC and efficiency in several DT concentrations are estimated. The average size of the NPs was 400.7 and 276.6 nm for unloaded and DT loaded, respectively. According to the obtained results, the zeta potential of the blank and DT loaded NPs are estimated as −23.7 mV and −21.2 mV, respectively. Whereas, the LC and LE were >80% and >90%, in that order. Furthermore, 95% of the releasing DT loaded NPs occurs at 140 h in the sustained mode without any bursting release. It can be concluded that the features of NPs such as morphology and particle size are strongly depended on the calcium chloride, sodium alginate concentrations and physicochemical conditions in the NPs formation process. In addition, appropriate concentrations of the sodium alginate and calcium ions would lead to obtaining the desirable NPs formation associated with the advantageous LE, LC (over 80%) and sustained in vitro release profile. Ultimately, the proposed NPs can be employed in vaccine formulation for the targeted delivery, controlled and slow antigen release associated with the improved antigen stability.
Body Image and Cosmesis after Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy versus Conventional Open Microdiscectomy for Sciatica

Study Design Randomized controlled trial Objective Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) was introduced as a less invasive procedure to treat sciatica. Even though the PTED has a small scar size, it is unknown if PTED also leads to better scar-related patient-reported outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to compare scar-related outcomes between patients undergoing PTED vs open microdiscectomy. Methods Patients with at least 6 weeks of radiating leg pain were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to PTED or open microdiscectomy. Scar-related patient-reported outcomes were measured using the Body Image Score (BIS), Cosmesis Scale (CS) and a 0-10 numeric rating scale (NRS) on scar esthetic. Results Of the 530 included patients, 286 patients underwent PTED and 244 underwent open microdiscectomy as allocated. At 12 months of follow-up, 95% of the patients had data available. At 12 months, the BIS was 6.2 ± 1.7 in the PTED-group and 6.6 ± 1.9 in the open microdiscectomy group (between-group difference .4, 95% CI .2 to .7). CS was 21.3 ± 3.0 in the PTED-group and 18.6 ± 3.4 in the open microdiscectomy group (between-group difference −2.7, 95% CI −3.1 to −2.3). Average NRS for scar esthetic was 9.2 ± 1.3 and 7.8 ± 1.6 in the PTED and open microdiscectomy groups, respectively (between-group difference −1.4, 95% CI −1.6 to −1.2) Conclusions PTED leads to a higher self-rated scar esthetic as compared to open microdiscectomy, while self-reported body image seems to be comparable between both groups. Therefore, from an esthetic point, PTED seems to be the preferred technique to treat sciatica.
Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Serum Vitamin D Levels in People Under Age 18 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic the implementation of a range of measures to suppress transmission, such as social distancing and home confinement resulted in limited sunlight exposure and physical inactivity in people under age 18 years, which can elevate the risk of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. The aim of this study was to systemically evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on serum vitamin D levels in people under age 18 years. Material/Methods Following the PRISMA recommendations, we searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Database for trials from inception to November 3, 2021. All trials assessing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on serum vitamin D levels in people under age 18 years were included and analyzed. Mean differences (MDs) of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D) levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were calculated and pooled using a random-effects model. Risk differences were used to assess changes in the proportions of people under age 18 years with vitamin D deficiency. Results Our analysis included 5 studies comprising 4141 people under age 18 years. The combined result MD of serum 25(OH)D levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic as 3.28 ng/mL, 95% CI=0.95–5.62 ng/mL, P<0.01] indicated serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decreased serum 25(OH)D level was not observed among infants (age under 1 year) (P=0.28). Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, the serum vitamin D levels of people under age 18 years were significantly lower and vitamin D supplementation for people under age 18 years might reduce the risk of COVID-19. More research is needed to validate the present findings.