Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical comparative study of optimized metronidazole loaded lipid nanocarrier vaginal emulgel for management of bacterial vaginosis and its recurrence

Abstract The main focus of the current work was to design, evaluate and clinically compare the efficiency of novel metronidazole (MTD) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) vaginal emulgel with the marketed vaginal gel (Metron®) against Bacterial vaginosis (BV). Eight formulations were fabricated using 23 full factorial design and prepared by stearic acid and tween 80 as solid lipid and surfactant, respectively. Lipid and surfactant concentrations in addition to sonication amplitude were chosen as the independent variables (X1–X3). Then, the prepared MTD loaded SLNs were evaluated based on the dependent variables which were particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and cumulative % drug release for 24 h (Y1–Y5). The in vitro release study exhibited a sustained release of MTD from the SLNs up to 24 h. The optimal MTD loaded SLNs showed nanosized particles (256 nm) with EE% (52%), and an acceptable ZP value (−29.5 mV). Also, the optimized MTD-SLNs formulation was incorporated into Carbopol emulgel and investigated clinically for its effect against BV. Clinical studies recorded significant enhancement in therapeutic response of MTD from optimized SLNs vaginal emulgel formulation regarding the clinical treatment (p < .05) and low recurrence rate (p < .001) against the marketed product. In conclusion, our findings recommend that the fabricated MTD loaded SLNs vaginal emulgel have significant therapeutic effect in terms of BV management over commercially obtainable marketed vaginal gel (Metron®).
Internalising and externalising in early adolescence predict later executive function, not the other way around: a cross-lagged panel analysis

ABSTRACT Developmental changes in the brain networks involved in emotion regulation are thought to contribute to vulnerability to mental health problems during adolescence. Executive control is often viewed as allowing top-down regulation of emotional responses. However, while associations between executive control and mental health are commonly observed in both clinical and non-clinical populations, the direction of these associations remains unclear. Low, or immature, cognitive control could limit emotion regulation. Reversely, high emotionality could impede cognitive functioning. The scarcity of longitudinal studies testing for bi-directional effects, particularly in adolescence, has made it difficult to draw conclusions. This study analysed data from 1,445 participants of a longitudinal cohort in a cross-lagged panel design to understand bi-directional longitudinal associations between executive function and emotional behaviours across adolescence. Executive function was assessed using experimental working memory and inhibitory control tasks, emotional behaviours through parental report of internalising and externalising behaviours. Cross-sectional associations were replicated. Controlling for cross-sectional associations, early executive functions were not found to predict later emotional behaviours. Instead, early emotional behaviours predicted later executive function, with the strongest link observed between early externalising and later working memory. These results suggest that emotional well-being may affect the maturation of executive function during adolescence.
Home blood pressure during COVID-19-related lockdown in patients with hypertension

Department of Cardiovascular, Neural and Metabolic Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Ospedale San Luca, Via Magnasco, 2, 20149, Milan, Italy; “Misuriamo ICT platform”, Milan, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Biostatistics Unit, Milan, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 1 20126, Italy; Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 1 20126, Italy; and Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 1 20126, Italy
The real-world tolerability and efficacy of asparaginase in adults aged 40 years and older with Philadelphia-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Matthew J. Rees , Simon Wu, Mridula Mokoonlall, Caroline H. K. Dix, Christian E. Bryant, James D’Rozario, Anthony Schwarer, Andrew Grigg and Ing Soo Tiong Department of Clinical Haematology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australia; Institute of Haematology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
Pharmacological management of secondary spinal cord injury

ABSTRACT Introduction: Secondary spinal cord injury (SCI) sets on immediately after trauma and, despite prompt treatment, may become chronic. SCI is a complex condition and presents numerous challenges to patients and physicians alike, also considering the lack of an approved pharmacological therapy. Areas covered: This review describes the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to secondary SCI to highlight possible targets for pharmacological therapy. Furthermore, an extensive search of the literature on different databases (PubMed, Google scholar, Embase, and Scopus) and of the current clinical trials (clinicaltrials.gov) was performed to investigate the current outlook for the pharmacological management of SCI. Only drugs with performed or ongoing clinical trials were considered. Expert opinion: Pharmacological therapy aims to improve motor and sensory function in patients. Overall, drugs are divided into neuroprotective compounds, which aim to limit the damage induced by the pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic milieu of SCI, and neuroregenerative drugs, which induce neuronal and axonal regrowth. While many compounds have been trialed with promising results, none has yet completed a stage III trial and has been approved for the pharmacological management of SCI.
Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine in a hemodialysis cohort

Nephrologists call for priority access to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in patients receiving in-centre haemodialysis [1] for two main reasons: a very high risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection compared with the general population (5–16 times more likely [2] because they travel to their dialysis centre three times a week and are surrounded by other patients and caregivers) and also a particular high mortality rate (close to 20%) when infected by SARS-CoV-2 [3]. Our team is taking care of 470 in-centre haemodialysis patients in Marseille and its surroundings, a region severely affected by COVID-19. As soon as vaccination was prioritized for our patients, we proceeded to a large-scale campaign as of 18 January 2021, when the first injections were administered. Nevertheless, a major downside is vaccine hyporesponsiveness among such immune-compromised patients, who often show disappointing seroconversion rates (e.g. a 44% rate following a double-dose vaccination schedule for hepatitis B [4]). In this context and given the lack of data on COVID-19 vaccination in dialysis, we decided to evaluate the vaccine response of our patients by serology testing in order to optimize their future management.
Rheology of methane hydrate slurries formed from water-in-oil emulsions

Solid structures known as natural gas hydrates can form in subsea pipelines, hindering and sometimes blocking flow completely. A knowledge of the flow properties of hydrate containing slurries could help the oil industry better predict and prevent hydrate formation. In particular, the rheology (e.g., viscosity, yield stress) of hydrate slurries is not well understood. On a more scientific level, the transient rheological properties of an emulsion converting to a suspension has not been studied extensively. A high pressure rheometer apparatus was developed to study hydrate formation from water-in-oil emulsions. This study conducted investigations on three different emulsions from which hydrates were formed: water-in-West African crude oil (a fluid found in subsea pipelines), water-in-dodecane with AOT surfactant (a model emulsion with low viscosity), and water-in-70T mineral oil with span 80 and AOT surfactants (a model emulsion with high viscosity). Each of these emulsions provides a unique way to observe hydrate rheology. In every emulsion, viscosity increased on the order of minutes upon hydrate formation. Hydrate formation from water-in-oil emulsions increased viscosity, increased shear-thinning behavior, and introduced a yield stress to the original emulsion. The transient viscosity profile as hydrate form and grow were influenced by many factors including conversion of liquid water drops to solid particles, aggregation of hydrate particles, methane depletion and diffusion, and capillary bridging. In the mineral oil-based system, methane saturated emulsion viscosity was about an order of magnitude larger than methane saturated mineral oil viscosity. The maximum viscosity observed during hydrate formation was on the order of a 10-fold increase in viscosity. So, introduction of water to oil in a pipeline followed by hydrate formation may cause a 100fold increase in viscosity. Fractional conversion of water to hydrate was calculated from pressure measurements. Hydrate slurry viscosity reached a maximum at less than 100%
The role of socioeconomic status in the relationship between social support and burden among cancer caregivers

While much research has focused on the direct impact of socioeconomic status on cancer patients, what is not clear is the impact of socioeconomic status on social support and the burden of care for caregivers. In this study, a cross-sectional method, using a convenience sampling approach, was adopted to collect the data of 191 caregivers of cancer patients who were referred to the oncology clinic and cancer institute of hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The participants completed a questionnaire on basic demographics, the short version of the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers, and Zimet Multidimensional Perceived Social Support. A maximum likelihood exploratory factor analysis with oblique rotation to assess the factor structure of the constructs and the measurement model was conducted. The two-factor model consisting of 22 items explained 65.116% of the variance. There was a significant negative relationship between social support and burden (b = −0.771, P < 0.001) and also between economic status and burden (b = −0.308, P < 0.01). Moreover, there was a significant positive association between the interaction of social support and economic status and burden (b = 0.138, P < 0.05). More specifically, the negative relationship between social support and burden was statistically stronger for participants with weak economic status (b = −0.663, P < 0.001) than those with good economic status (b = −0.356, P < 0.01). Social support and an individual’s economic status are essential determinants of caregiver burden. Further studies are recommended to better inform the precise support needed by caregivers to enhance their quality of life, and ultimately, that of the patients under their care.
The association between diabetes numeracy and diabetes self-management among Saudi adults with insulin-treated diabetes

Objectives: To describe the association between diabetes numeracy and diabetes self-management among Saudi adults with insulin-treated diabetes. Methods: From August 2018 to January 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 diabetes centers in Riyadh, Buraydah, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Systematic random sampling was used to include 290 Saudi adults with insulin-treated diabetes. The levels of diabetes numeracy and diabetes self-management were measured by using the Diabetes Numeracy Test tool (DNT-15) and Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire tool (DSMQ). Results: The final analysis included 279 completed surveys. The mean total score of DSMQ was 6.47. The total DSMQ score was higher among patients who had a lower level of education (p=0.02), and patients who had a higher level of diabetes knowledge (p=0.01). The mean total score of DNT-15 was 41.3%. Patients who had lower diabetes numeracy scores tended to be younger, married, have fewer years of education, have a lower monthly income(p<0.001), use insulin only, and have type 1 diabetes. Patients who achieved a total score of 82%, and higher in DNT-15 have also achieved the highest score in DSMQ (p=0.17). A linear regression analysis adjusted for level of education, diabetes knowledge, and other variables found a modest association between low diabetes numeracy and low diabetes self-management (p=0.08). Conclusion: Lower level of diabetes numeracy was associated with lower level of diabetes self-management.
Thyroid function and mood disorders: a Mendelian Randomization study

Background Observational studies suggest that even minor variations in thyroid function are associated with the risk of mood disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). However, it is unknown whether these associations are causal or not. We used a Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach to investigate causal effects of minor variations in TSH and FT4 levels on MDD and BD risk. Methods We performed two-sample MR analyses using data from the largest publicly available genome-wide association studies on normal-range TSH (N=54,288) and FT4 (N=49,269) levels, MDD (170,756 cases, 329,443 controls) and BD (20,352 cases, 31,358 controls). Secondary MR analyses investigated the effects of TSH and FT4 levels on specific MDD and BD subtypes. Reverse MR was also performed to assess the effects of MDD and BD on TSH and FT4 levels. Results There were no associations between genetically predicted TSH and FT4 levels and MDD risk, nor MDD subtypes and minor depressive symptoms. A one standard deviation increase in FT4 levels was nominally associated with an 11% decrease in the overall BD risk (OR=0.89, 95%CI=0.80-0.98, P=0.022) and a 13% decrease in the BD type 1 risk (OR=0.87, 95%CI=0.75-1.00, P=0.047). In the reverse direction, genetic predisposition to MDD and BD was not associated with TSH nor FT4 levels. Conclusions Variations in normal-range TSH and FT4 levels have no effects on the risk of MDD and its subtypes, and neither on minor depressive symptoms. This indicates that depressive symptoms should not be attributed to minor variations in thyroid function. Borderline associations with BD and BD type 1 risks suggest that further clinical studies should investigate the effect of thyroid hormone treatment in BD.
Oral health changes among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians: findings from two national oral health surveys.

BACKGROUND Historically, Indigenous Australians experienced poorer oral health than non-Indigenous Australians. We aimed to ascertain if Indigenous Australian oral health improved relative to non-Indigenous oral health between 2004-06 and 2017-18 National Surveys of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH). METHODS Both NSAOHs were population-based cross-sectional surveys of Australian adults aged 15 years or more. In both surveys, representative samples of adults were drawn through a three-stage, stratified sample design within metropolitan and regional areas in each state/territory. Frequencies of Indigenous and non-Indigenous self-reported and clinical oral health variables were ascertained, and differences calculated, between the 2004-06 and 2017-18 NSAOHs. Ninety five percent confidence intervals were calculated and weights were used to account for the complex sampling methodology of both surveys. RESULTS In 2004-06, 229 Indigenous and 13,882 non-Indigenous Australians provided self-report data, and 87 and 5418 of these had dental examinations, respectively. In 2017-18, 334 Indigenous and 15,392 non-Indigenous Australians provided self-report data, and 84 and 4937 of these had dental examinations, respectively. Between the surveys, relative to their non-Indigenous counterparts, Indigenous Australians experienced greater levels of; inadequate dentition (4.2%), experience of toothache (4.8%), problem-based dental attendance (4.5%) and 1+ teeth decayed, missing or filled (4.4%). CONCLUSIONS The gap between poor self-reported and clinical oral health between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians was greater in the more recent survey.
A TDDFT Computational Study of Platinum Complexes Bound to Nucleobases

The electronic spectra of a number of platinum (II) complexes bound to single nucleobases have been investigated using Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT). The calculated spectra obtained in this work have been benchmarked against recent gas-phase photo-dissociation spectra of platinum complex-nucleobase clusters. UV spectra have been calculated for a range of density functionals and basis sets to determine the best functional-basis set combination for reproducing the experimental spectra. The first series of TDDFT calculations conducted in this work investigated the electronic transitions of iodide ion-nucleobase clusters and their constituent “monomer” parts (i.e. the isolated iodide anion and isolated nucleobases). Calculations on the I-∙Nu clusters (Nu = Uracil, Thymine or Adenine) and isolated uracil, cytosine, thymine and adenine produced computed UV spectra and the associated electronic transitions were characterised by inspection of respective molecular orbitals. For the nucleobases, these orbitals were revealed to be mainly of ππ* character. The electronic transitions of the I-∙Nu clusters were dominated by excitations involving orbitals localised on the nucleobases. A second series of studies focused on the electronic transitions of isolated platinum (II) and platinum (IV) cyanide complexes as well as their clusters involving a single water molecule. The excited states of the Pt(CN)4,62-∙H2O complexes were found to involve only platinum localised orbitals. The final set of TDDFT calculations were performed on Pt(CN)4,62-∙M complexes (M = Uracil or Cytosine). The electronic transitions occurring in the Pt(CN)42-∙Uracil and Pt(CN)42-∙Cytosine complexes were found to be of a short-range charge transfer nature. Conversely, the electronic transitions of Pt(CN)42-∙Uracil involved uracil localised orbitals that were of ππ* character.
Green synthesis, characterization applications of iron oxide nanoparticles for antialgal and wastewater bioremediation using three brown algae

Abstract This study aims at controlling excess nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, and harmful algae that pollute the marine environment using biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles. Aqueous extracts of brown seaweeds named Petalonia fascia, Colpomenia sinuosa, and Padina pavonica were selected for iron oxide nanoparticles' biosynthesis. The extracts were used as reductants of ferric chloride, and dark brown colors due to Fe3O4-NPs biosynthesis were observed. Iron signals were recorded in EDX spectra. FTIR analyses showed that the three algae extracts contained proteins and lipids that have the ability to proceed dual functions of bioreduction and stabilization of Fe3O4-NPs, suggesting that proteins in P. fascia, C. sinuosa, and P. pavonica extracts reduced FeCl3, and the aromatic compounds stabilized the biogenic Fe3O4-NPs. The biosynthesized Fe3O4-NPs via P. pavonica had the best nitrogen reduction percentage, followed by C. sinuosa and P. fascia for both concentrations 2 and 4 µg mL−1. The best results of phosphorus removal and Chlorophyll a (Chl a) reduction percentages using the Fe3O4-NPs concentrations were 2 and 4 µg mL−1 with nanoparticles synthesized via P. fascia and P. pavonica, respectively. The highest reduction in optical density for both 2 and 4 µg mL−1 was achieved by the nanoparticles synthesized by P. fascia. Novelty Statement Application of nanoparticles using seaweeds extracts could be alternative safe bioremediation of wastewaters. Currently, iron oxide nanoparticles are used to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus and reduce the blooming of harmful algae; little information about this issue has been reported. Such study also presented the anti-algal impacts of Fe3O4-NPs by tracing optical density and Chl a concentrations in the examined real seawater samples. Modern biotechnology to develop phytoremediation and seaweeds to enhance these remediation methods can be adopted.
Socket preservation or guided bone regeneration - a case report.

The greatest challenge of modern implantology is the loss of bone tissue in esthetic region of maxilla and mandible. Significant bone changes caused for example by cysts, unerupted teeth or traumatic extraction often provoke bilateral or trilateral bone defects. Thanks to the possibility of applying demineralized dentin and dentin blocks gained from extracted teeth of the patient, it is possible to successfully regenerate bone tissue especially in the esthetic zone. AIM The aim of the study was to present a case of a patient who underwent bone augmentation for implantation. In addition, a review of the literature illustrating the effectiveness of autogenous bone graft material derived from ground teeth in augmentation procedures was performed. A CASE REPORT The paper presents a case of a 26-year-old man in whom bone defect was augmented with material derived from dentin blocks and partially demineralized dentin processed in the BonMaker device after extraction of the root of tooth 11. A systematic review of literature was conducted analyzing articles published between 1975 and 2020. From 80 articles, 25 were selected for this study. CONCLUSIONS The presented case and the systematic review of literature indicate that tooth-derived bone graft material prepared from extraction can effectively restore alveolar bone defect. The results we get so far are very satisfying. Further studies should be performed to confirm the osteogenic effects and safety use of this tooth based graft material.
Supervised Obesity Reduction Trial for AF ablation patients: results from the SORT-AF trial

Abstract Aims Weight management seems to be beneficial for obese atrial fibrillation (AF) patients; however, randomized data are sparse. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the influence of weight reduction on AF ablation outcomes. Methods and results SORT-AF is an investigator-sponsored, prospective, randomized, multicentre, and clinical trial. Patients with symptomatic AF (paroxysmal or persistent) and body mass index (BMI) 30–40 kg/m2 underwent AF ablation and were randomized to either weight-reduction (group 1) or usual care (group 2), after sleep–apnoea–screening and loop recorder (ILR) implantation. The primary endpoint was defined as AF burden between 3 and 12 months after AF ablation. Overall, 133 patients (60 ± 10 years, 57% persistent AF) were randomized to group 1 (n = 67) and group 2 (n = 66), respectively. Complications after AF-ablation were rare (one stroke and no tamponade). The intervention led to a significant reduction of BMI (34.9 ± 2.6–33.4 ± 3.6) in group 1 compared to a stable BMI in group 2 (P < 0.001). Atrial fibrillation burden after ablation decreased significantly (P < 0.001), with no significant difference regarding the primary endpoint between the groups (P = 0.815, odds ratio: 1.143, confidence interval: 0.369–3.613). Further analyses showed a significant correlation between BMI and AF recurrence for patients with persistent AF compared with paroxysmal AF patients (P = 0.032). Conclusion The SORT-AF study shows that AF ablation is safe and successful in obese patients using continuous monitoring via ILR. Although the primary endpoint of AF burden after ablation did not differ between the two groups, the effects of weight loss and improvement of exercise activity were beneficial for obese patients with persistent AF demonstrating the relevance of life-style management as an important adjunct to AF ablation in this setting. Trial registration number NCT02064114.