Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chitinase 3–like 1 and neurofilament light chain in CSF and CNS atrophy in MS

Objective To investigate cross-sectional associations of CSF levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) and of the newly emerging marker chitinase 3–like protein 1 (CHI3L1) with brain and spinal cord atrophy, which are established MRI markers of disease activity in MS, to study CHI3L1 and NfL in relapsing (RMS) and progressive MS (PMS), and to assess the expression of CHI3L1 in different cell types. Methods In a single-center study, 131 patients with MS (42 RMS and 89 PMS) were assessed for NfL and CHI3L1 concentrations in CSF, MRI-based spinal cord and brain volumetry, MS subtype, age, disease duration, and disability. We included 42 matched healthy controls receiving MRI. CHI3L1 expression of human brain cell types was examined in 2 published single-cell RNA sequencing data sets. Results CHI3L1 was associated with spinal cord volume (B = −1.07, 95% CI −2.04 to −0.11, p = 0.029) but not with brain volumes. NfL was associated with brain gray matter (B = −7.3, 95% CI −12.0 to −2.7, p = 0.003) but not with spinal cord volume. CHI3L1 was suitable to differentiate between progressive or relapsing MS (p = 0.015, OR 1.0103, CI for OR 1.002–1.0187), and its gene expression was found in MS-associated microglia and macrophages and in astrocytes of MS brains. Conclusions NfL and CHI3L1 in CSF were differentially related to brain and spinal cord atrophy. CSF CHI3L1 was associated with spinal cord volume loss and was less affected than NfL by disease duration and age, whereas CSF NfL was associated with brain gray matter atrophy. CSF NfL and CHI3L1 measurement provides complementary information regarding brain and spinal cord volumes. Classification of evidence This study provides Class II evidence that CSF CHI3L1 is associated with spinal cord volume loss and that CSF NfL is associated with gray matter atrophy.
Dietary Patterns and Their Association with Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Markers in Children and Adolescents: Genobox Cohort

Diet is a key factor for obesity development; however, limited data are available on dietary cluster analysis in children with obesity. We aimed to assess the associations between dietary patterns and obesity and several cardiometabolic markers. Anthropometry, bioelectrical impedance, blood pressure and plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial damage were determined in 674 Caucasian children, aged 5–16, with normal or excess weight. Using a food frequency questionnaire and cluster analysis, two consistent dietary patterns were shown, labeled as health conscious (HC) and sweet and processed (SP). The HC pattern included a greater proportion of participants with overweight/obesity than the SP cluster (80.1% vs. 63.8%). However, children with obesity within the HC cluster, showed less abdominal fat, through waist to hip (0.93 vs. 0.94) and waist to height (0.61 vs. 0.63) indexes (p < 0.01). Univariate general models showed several additional differences in cardiometabolic risk biomarkers in the global and stratified analyses, with a healthier profile being observed mainly in the HC cluster. However, multivariate models questioned these findings and pointed out the need for further studies in this field. Anyhow, our findings support the benefits of a healthy diet and highlight the importance of dietary patterns in the cardiometabolic risk assessment of children with overweight/obesity, beyond weight control.
A Smartphone-Based Approach to Screening for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Cross-Sectional Validity Study

Background Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an otologic emergency that warrants urgent management. Pure-tone audiometry remains the gold standard for definitively diagnosing SSNHL. However, in clinical settings such as primary care practices and urgent care facilities, conventional pure-tone audiometry is often unavailable. Objective This study aimed to determine the correlation between hearing outcomes measured by conventional pure-tone audiometry and those measured by the proposed smartphone-based Ear Scale app and determine the diagnostic validity of the hearing scale differences between the two ears as obtained by the Ear Scale app for SSNHL. Methods This cross-sectional study included a cohort of 88 participants with possible SSNHL who were referred to an otolaryngology clinic or emergency department at a tertiary medical center in Taipei, Taiwan, between January 2018 and June 2019. All participants underwent hearing assessments with conventional pure-tone audiometry and the proposed smartphone-based Ear Scale app consecutively. The gold standard for diagnosing SSNHL was defined as the pure-tone average (PTA) difference between the two ears being ≥30 dB HL. The hearing results measured by the Ear Scale app were presented as 20 stratified hearing scales. The hearing scale difference between the two ears was estimated to detect SSNHL. Results The study sample comprised 88 adults with a mean age of 46 years, and 50% (44/88) were females. PTA measured by conventional pure-tone audiometry was strongly correlated with the hearing scale assessed by the Ear Scale app, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of . 88 (95% CI .82-.92). The sensitivity of the 5–hearing scale difference (25 dB HL difference) between the impaired ear and the contralateral ear in diagnosing SSNHL was 95.5% (95% CI 87.5%-99.1%), with a specificity of 66.7% (95% CI 43.0%-85.4%). Conclusions Our findings suggest that the proposed smartphone-based Ear Scale app can be useful in the evaluation of SSNHL in clinical settings where conventional pure-tone audiometry is not available.
Key Factors Influencing Low-Carbon Behaviors of Staff in Star-Rated Hotels—An Empirical Study of Eastern China

To guide sustainable development in the hospitality industry requires hotel staff engagement, so what causes and how to facilitate the implementation of low-carbon behaviors should be high priorities. However, most prior studies focused on hotel guest behavior or discussed, on an individual level, the psychological aspects of the factors of the low-carbon behavior of either managers or employees. Therefore, this research aims to examine the effect of influencing factors inside and outside of the hotel context on hotel staff’s low-carbon behaviors in star-rated hotels. A set of influencing factors were identified by using literature retrieval, ground theory and in-depth interviews. Structural equation modelling was then applied with 440 valid questionnaires collected from representative star-rated hotels in Eastern China. The results revealed that low-carbon managerial activities, strategic orientation, social norms, and perceived behavior control were four key factors affecting the low-carbon behavior adoption of staff from star-rated hotels. Among them, low-carbon managerial activities were found to be the strongest factor affecting hotel staff’s low-carbon behaviors. Consumer attitude, however, exerted no significant impact. Targeted strategies were finally proposed for the improvement of hotel staff’s low-carbon behavior from the perspectives of hoteliers and governments. This study contributes to the generation mechanism of low-carbon behavior among staff and, in practice, towards behavioral improvement by providing comprehensive insights about the attribution of factors belonging to multiple dimensions related to the low-carbon behavior of staff in the hotel industry.
Verticillium wilt evaluation of olive breeding selections under semi-controlled conditions.

Genetic resistance is the most recommended measure to control verticillium wilt in olive (VWO), a vascular disease caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae, which has promoted in recent years the development of olive breeding programs aiming at obtaining new resistant and highly yielding cultivars. Screening has been commonly performed under controlled condition in grow chamber after artificial inoculation at the early stage of breeding programs, but additional evaluation is necessary to confirm previous results as well as testing for additional agronomic traits. In this work, 20 breeding selections initially classified as resistant to the disease have been re-evaluated in artificially infested soils under natural environmental conditions. The maximum disease incidence (52.6%) was reached at 26 months after planting and the disease intensity index reached the maximum value of 38.5% at 29 months after plant. Nine breeding selections consistently confirm previous results of resistance to V. dahliae infection but contradictory results, compared to previous evaluation under controlled condition in grow chamber, were obtained for the rest of selections tested, which underlines the need of long-term experimentation under natural environmental conditions. Additional positive agronomic traits such as early bearing was also observed for some of the resistant selections, while variability for plant vigor was found. Some of them seems highly promising for releasing as new cultivars once characterization for other important agronomic traits is completed in future works.
The Role of Fairness in Early Characterization of New Technologies: Effects on Selective Exposure and Risk Perception

Previous research suggests that when individuals have limited knowledge to make sense of new or emerging technologies, they may rely more on available cues, such as the fairness of those managing the risks, when developing their attitudinal and behavioral responses to the technology. To examine this further, we designed an online experiment (N = 1,042) to test the effects of risk managers’ nonoutcome fairness on individuals’ selective exposure to additional information and perceived risk. As the study context, we used the development of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), which uses drilling to tap deep underground sources of heat for district heating and electricity and remains low in familiarity among the U.S. public. The results suggest that participants who read about the fair risk manager were subsequently more likely to have positive attitudes toward EGS development. In turn, those with more positive attitudes were more likely to select and read positively valenced articles about EGS, resulting in an indirect effect of the fairness condition. Although this study also explored whether uncertainty moderated this fairness effect on information seeking, it found no evidence. Additionally, when participants were exposed to information featuring fair risk managers, perceived risk decreased, an effect that was mediated by beliefs that EGS was controllable and not dreadful. These results underscore the importance of using practices that will increase nonoutcome fairness in the introduction of new technologies.
First Report of aacC5-aadA7Δ4 Gene Cassette Array and Phage Tail Tape Measure Protein on Class 1 Integrons of Campylobacter Species Isolated from Animal and Human Sources in Egypt

Simple Summary Campylobacter species are among the major causes of bacterial foodborne infections. Here, we investigate, for the first time, class 1 integrons and associated gene cassettes among pan drug-resistant (PDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Campylobacter species isolated from livestock animals and humans in Egypt. Our results revealed alarming PDR (2.55%) and inordinate XDR (68.94%) and MDR (28.5%) Campylobacter isolates. None of the examined isolates were pan-susceptible. The existence of a novel gene cassette array, namely aacC5-aadA7Δ4 and a putative phage tail tape measure protein on class 1 integrons of Campylobacter species is the most highlighted novelty of the current study. Evidence from this study showed the possibility of Campylobacter–bacteriophage interactions as well as treatment failure in animals and humans due to horizontal gene transfer mediated by class 1 integrons. Abstract Campylobacter species are common commensals in the gastrointestinal tract of livestock animals; thus, animal-to-human transmission occurs frequently. We investigated for the first time, class 1 integrons and associated gene cassettes among pan drug-resistant (PDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Campylobacter species isolated from livestock animals and humans in Egypt. Campylobacter species were detected in 58.11% of the analyzed chicken samples represented as 67.53% Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) and 32.47% Campylobacter coli (C. coli). C. jejuni isolates were reported in 51.42%, 74.28%, and 66.67% of examined minced meat, raw milk, and human stool samples, respectively. Variable antimicrobial resistance phenotypes; PDR (2.55%), XDR (68.94%), and MDR (28.5%) campylobacters were reported. Molecular analysis revealed that 97.36% of examined campylobacters were integrase gene-positive; all harbored the class 1 integrons, except one possessed an empty integron structure. DNA sequence analysis revealed the predominance of aadA (81.08%) and dfrA (67.56%) alleles accounting for resistance to aminoglycosides and trimethoprim, respectively. This is the first report of aacC5-aadA7Δ4 gene cassette array and a putative phage tail tape measure protein on class 1 integrons of Campylobacter isolates. Evidence from this study showed the possibility of Campylobacter–bacteriophage interactions and treatment failure in animals and humans due to horizontal gene transfer mediated by class 1 integrons.
Antibacterial, Antifungal and Ecotoxic Effects of Ammonium and Imidazolium Ionic Liquids Synthesized in Microwaves

Ionic liquids are increasingly used for their superior properties. Four water-immiscible ionic liquids (butyltriethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, octyltriethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, dodecyltriethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) and their water miscible precursors (bromides) were synthesized in a microwave reactor and by conventional heating. The best conditions for microwave-assisted synthesis concerning the yield and the purity of the product are proposed. The heating in the microwave reactor significantly shortened the reaction time. Biocide and ecotoxic effects of synthesized ionic liquids and their precursors were investigated. All tested compounds had at least a little effect on the growth or living of microorganisms (bacteria or mold). The precursor dodecyltriethylammonium bromide was found to be the strongest biocide, but posed a risk to the aquatic environment due to its relatively high EC50 value in the test with Vibrio fischeri. We assumed that apart from the alkyl chain length, the solubility in water, duration of action, or type of anion can influence the final biocide and ecotoxic effect.
Pulmonary function in Williams–Beuren syndrome: Spirometric data of 22 Italian patients

Williams–Beuren syndrome (WBS) is caused by an haploinsufficiency of the 7q11.2 region which involves the elastin gene (ELN). A deficiency of elastin is a known pathophysiological mechanism of emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A previous study hypothesized a higher risk of COPD in WBS patients. Herein, this phenomenon was further investigated looking for a possible correlation between COPD and WBS. Dynamic lung volumes (forced vital capacity [FVC], FEV1, FEV1/FVC) were measured in 22 patients (age range 18.9 ± 7.4 years) affected with WBS, genetically confirmed, correlating these parameters to respiratory risk factors. Dyspnea, cough and wheezing were detected in 6/22 (27%) patients. Obstructive and restrictive patterns were identified in 6/22 (27%) and 2/22 (9%) cases, respectively with no evidence of irreversible obstruction. CVF, FEV1 and FEV1/CVF mean values were all normal, with values of 91.3% (n.v. > 80%), 84.2% (n.v. > 80%) and 0.82 (n.v. > 0.7), respectively. The severity of the comorbidities did not show a cause‐effect relation with the respiratory patterns, nevertheless patients treated with anti‐hypertensive drugs had poorer pulmonary function. Our findings are in accordance with previous observations, showing that emphysema/COPD is not a typical finding in young patients with WBS. However, a respiratory function assessment should be included in the follow‐up of WBS patients, especially in adolescents/young adults under treatment with anti‐hypertensive drugs.
Systematic Analysis of Intronic miRNAs Reveals Cooperativity within the Multicomponent FTX Locus to Promote Colon Cancer Development

Our study illustrates the functional relationships between individual components of multigenic loci in regulating cancer progression. Approximately half of all miRNA reside within intronic regions and are often cotranscribed with their host genes. However, most studies of intronic miRNA focus on individual miRNA, while conversely most studies of protein-coding and noncoding genes frequently ignore any intron-derived miRNA. We hypothesize that the individual components of such multigenic loci may play cooperative or competing roles in driving disease progression and that examining the combinatorial effect of these components would uncover deeper insights into their functional importance. To address this, we performed systematic analyses of intronic miRNA:host loci in colon cancer. The FTX locus, comprising of a long noncoding RNA FTX and multiple intronic miRNA, was highly upregulated in cancer, and cooperativity within this multicomponent locus promoted cancer growth. FTX interacted with DHX9 and DICER and regulated A-to-I RNA editing and miRNA expression. These results show for the first time that a long noncoding RNA can regulate A-to-I RNA editing, further expanding the functional repertoire of long noncoding RNA. Intronic miR-374b and miR-545 inhibited tumor suppressors PTEN and RIG-I to enhance proto-oncogenic PI3K-AKT signaling. Furthermore, intronic miR-421 may exert an autoregulatory effect on miR-374b and miR-545. Taken together, our data unveil the intricate interplay between intronic miRNA and their host transcripts in the modulation of key signaling pathways and disease progression, adding new perspectives to the functional landscape of multigenic loci. Significance: This study illustrates the functional relationships between individual components of multigenic loci in regulating cancer progression. See related commentary by Calin, p. 1212
Shear Stress Modulates Osteoblast Cell and Nucleus Morphology and Volume

Mechanical loading preserves bone mass and function—yet, little is known about the cell biological basis behind this preservation. For example, cell and nucleus morphology are critically important for cell function, but how these morphological characteristics are affected by the physiological mechanical loading of bone cells is under-investigated. This study aims to determine the effects of fluid shear stress on cell and nucleus morphology and volume of osteoblasts, and how these effects relate to changes in actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion formation. Mouse calvaria 3T3-E1 (MC3T3-E1) osteoblasts were treated with or without 1 h pulsating fluid flow (PFF). Live-cell imaging was performed every 10 min during PFF and immediately after PFF. Cytoskeletal organization and focal adhesions were visualized, and gene and protein expression quantified. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) morphometric analyses were made using MeasureStack and medical imaging interaction toolkit (MITK) software. 2D-images revealed that 1 h PFF changed cell morphology from polygonal to triangular, and nucleus morphology from round to ellipsoid. PFF also reduced cell surface area (0.3-fold), cell volume (0.3-fold), and nucleus volume (0.2-fold). During PFF, the live-cell volume gradually decreased from 6000 to 3000 µm3. After PFF, α-tubulin orientation was more disorganized, but F-actin fluorescence intensity was enhanced, particularly around the nucleus. 3D-images obtained from Z-stacks indicated that PFF increased F-actin fluorescence signal distribution around the nucleus in the XZ and YZ direction (2.3-fold). PFF increased protein expression of phospho-paxillin (2.0-fold) and integrin-α5 (2.8-fold), but did not increase mRNA expression of paxillin-a (PXNA), paxillin-b (PXNB), integrin-α5 (ITGA51), or α-tubulin protein expression. In conclusion, PFF induced substantial changes in osteoblast cytoskeleton, as well as cell and nucleus morphology and volume, which was accompanied by elevated gene and protein expression of adhesion and structural proteins. More insights into the mechanisms whereby mechanical cues drive morphological changes in bone cells, and thereby, possibly in bone cell behavior, will aid the guidance of clinical treatment, particularly in the field of orthodontics, (oral) implantology, and orthopedics.
Thermal and Structural Analysis of Epoxidized Jatropha Oil and Alkaline Treated Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Poly(Lactic Acid) Biocomposites

New environmentally friendly plasticized poly(lactic acid) (PLA) kenaf biocomposites were obtained through a melt blending process from a combination of epoxidized jatropha oil, a type of nonedible vegetable oil material, and renewable plasticizer. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the incorporation of epoxidized jatropha oil (EJO) as a plasticizer and alkaline treatment of kenaf fiber on the thermal properties of PLA/Kenaf/EJO biocomposites. Kenaf fiber was treated with 6% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution for 4 h. The thermal properties of the biocomposites were analyzed using a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It must be highlighted that the addition of EJO resulted in a decrease of glass transition temperature which aided PLA chain mobility in the blend as predicted. TGA demonstrated that the presence of treated kenaf fiber together with EJO in the blends reduced the rate of decomposition of PLA and enhanced the thermal stability of the blend. The treatment showed a rougher surface fiber in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs and had a greater mechanical locking with matrix, and this was further supported with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Overall, the increasing content of EJO as a plasticizer has improved the thermal properties of PLA/Kenaf/EJO biocomposites.
New Data on the Devonian Plant and Miospores from the Lode Formation, Latvia

The higher plant of Progymnospermopsida Svalbardia bankssi Matten is described from taphocoenosis A of the Devonian Lode Formation in Lode clay pit. This locality is the second in the world besides the type locality from North America where this plant has been found. Miospores taken from the same deposits containing impressions of S. banksii demonstrate the Givetian age of the taphocoenosis A.
Dynamic Adjustments of Parenteral Support in Early Adult Intestinal Failure—Essential Role of Sodium

Intestinal failure (IF) requires parenteral support (PS) substituting energy, water, and electrolytes to compensate intestinal losses and replenish deficits. Convalescence, adaptation, and reconstructive surgery facilitate PS reduction. We analyzed the effect of changes of PS on body mass index (BMI) in early adult IF. Energy, volume, and sodium content of PS and BMI were collected at the initial contact (FIRST), the time of maximal PS and BMI (MAX) and the last contact (LAST). Patients were categorized based on functional anatomy: small bowel enterostomy—group 1, jejuno-colic anastomosis—group 2. Analysis of variance was used to test the relative impact of changes in energy, volume, or sodium. Total of 50 patients were followed for 596 days. Although energy, volume, and sodium support were already high at FIRST, we increased PS to MAX, which was accompanied by a significant BMI increase. Thereafter PS could be reduced significantly, leading to a small BMI decrease in group 1, but not in group 2. Increased sodium support had a stronger impact on BMI than energy or volume. Total of 13 patients were weaned. Dynamic PS adjustments are required in the early phase of adult IF. Vigorous sodium support acts as an independent factor.