Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Teacher and Family Support on University Student Motivation and Engagement

Although many studies endorse the notion that the way students perceive support influences their engagement, very few have explored the possible mediator role of intention to learn between these variables. The present work provides new evidence to the existing literature because it analyses the work of intention to learn (measured with expectancy–value beliefs and achievement goals) as a mediating motivational variable in the relation between university students’ external support (teacher and family) and their engagement. The Educational Situation Quality Model (MOCSE, its acronym in Spanish) has employed as a theoretical framework to perform this analysis. A sample of 267 Spanish university students completed the questionnaires employed to measure the considered variables at three times. They answered teacher and family support scales when the course began (time 1), intention to learn scales halfway through the course (time 2), and engagement scales when the course ended (time 3). The obtained structural equation models showed a positive and significant effect for teacher and family support on the considered motivational variables (expectancy–value beliefs and achievement goals) and these, in turn, on student behavioral engagement. These results allow us to point out a series of recommendations for university teachers to improve their students’ involvement in their learning process.
Microglial Heterogeneity and Its Potential Role in Driving Phenotypic Diversity of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is increasingly recognized as a highly heterogeneous disorder occurring under distinct clinical and neuropathological phenotypes. Despite the molecular determinants of such variability not being well defined yet, microglial cells may play a key role in this process by releasing distinct pro- and/or anti-inflammatory cytokines, potentially affecting the expression of the disease. We carried out a neuropathological and biochemical analysis on a series of AD brain samples, gathering evidence about the heterogeneous involvement of microglia in AD. The neuropathological studies showed differences concerning morphology, density and distribution of microglial cells among AD brains. Biochemical investigations showed increased brain levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, CCL17, MMP-7 and CXCL13 in AD in comparison with control subjects. The molecular profiling achieved by measuring the brain levels of 25 inflammatory factors known to be involved in neuroinflammation allowed a stratification of the AD patients in three distinct “neuroinflammatory clusters”. These findings strengthen the relevance of neuroinflammation in AD pathogenesis suggesting, in particular, that the differential involvement of neuroinflammatory molecules released by microglial cells during the development of the disease may contribute to modulate the characteristics and the severity of the neuropathological changes, driving—at least in part—the AD phenotypic diversity.
New Solids in As-O-Mo, As(P)-O-Mo(W) and As(P)-O-Nb(W) Systems That Exhibit Nonlinear Optical Properties

Interactions between well-mixed fine powders of As2O3, P2O5, MoO3, WO3 and Nb2O5 at different stoichiometry in quartz ampoules under vacuum at ~1000 °C in the presence of metallic molybdenum (or niobium), over several weeks, led to shiny dichroic crystalline materials being formed in cooler parts of the reaction vessel. An addition of small quantities of metals-Mo or Nb-was made with the aim of partially reducing their highly oxidized Mo(VI), W(VI) or Nb(V) species to corresponding Mo(V), W(V) and Nb(IV) centers, in order to form mixed valence solids. Sublimed crystals of four new compounds were investigated using a variety of techniques, with prime emphasis on the X-ray analysis, followed by spectroscopy (diffusion reflectance, IR, Raman and EPR), second harmonic generation (SHG), thermal analysis under N2 and air atmosphere, and single crystals electrical conductivity studies. The results evidenced the formation of new complex solids of previously unknown compositions and structures. Three out of four compounds crystallized in non-centrosymmetric space groups and represent layered 2D polymeric puckered structures that being stacked on each other form 3D lattices. All new solids exhibit strong second-harmonic-generation (SHG effect; based on YAG 1064 nm tests with detection of 532 nm photons), and a rare photosalient effect when crystals physically move in the laser beam. Single crystals’ electrical conductivity of the four new synthesized compounds was measured, and the results showed their semiconductor behavior. Values of band gaps of these new solids were determined using diffusion reflectance spectroscopy in the visible region. Aspects of new solids’ practical usefulness are discussed.
The Biochemical Diagnosis of Acromegaly

Background: The diagnosis of acromegaly still poses a clinical challenge, and prolonged diagnostic delay is common. The most important assays for the biochemical diagnosis and management of acromegaly are growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Objective: Discuss the role of IGF-1, basal serum GH, and nadir GH after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients with acromegaly. Methods: We performed a narrative review of the published data on the biochemical diagnosis and monitoring of acromegaly. An English-language search for relevant studies was conducted on PubMed from inception to 1 January 2021. The reference lists of relevant studies were also reviewed. Results: Serum IGF-1 levels, basal GH values, and nadir GH after OGTT play a major role in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients with acromegaly. Measurement of IGF-1 levels is the key factor in the diagnosis and monitoring of acromegaly, but basal and nadir GH following OGTT are also important. However, several factors may significantly influence the concentrations of these hormones, including assay methods, physiologic and pathologic factors. In some cases, discordant GH and IGF-1 levels may be challenging and usually requires additional data and monitoring. Conclusion: New GH and IGF-1 standards are much more precise and provide more accurate tools to diagnose and monitor patients with acromegaly. However, all these biochemical tools have their limitations, and these should be taken under consideration, along with the history, clinical features and imaging studies, when assessing patients for acromegaly.
Sleeve Gastrectomy Is Associated with a Greater Reduction in Plasma Liver Enzymes Than Bypass Surgeries—A Registry-Based Two-Year Follow-Up Analysis

Bariatric surgeries may lead to an improvement in metabolic fatty liver disease, and a reduction in the levels of the hepatic enzyme Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT). We compared the effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG), Roux en Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) on the levels of ALT by analysis of two-year follow-up data from 4980 patients in the Israeli Bariatric Registry that included laboratory tests and demographic information. Pre-operative characteristics of patients, and particularly levels of liver enzymes, were similar across surgery types. Regression modeling and retrospective matching showed that SG was superior to RYGB and OAGB in reducing ALT levels, and in reducing the fraction of patients with abnormally high ALT levels. Two-year post-surgery, an increase in ALT levels from normal to abnormal levels was observed in 5% of SG patients, and in 18% and 23% of RYGB and OAGB patients. In conclusion, SG leads to a greater reduction in ALT levels compared with bypass surgeries and a lower incidence of post-surgical elevation of ALT levels. Further studies are required to identify the cause for the rise in liver enzymes, and to determine whether ALT levels correlate with liver pathology especially following bariatric surgery.
A cellular expression map of epidermal and subepidermal cell layer‐enriched transcription factor genes integrated with the regulatory network in Arabidopsis shoot apical meristem

Abstract Transcriptional control of gene expression is an exquisitely regulated process in both animals and plants. Transcription factors (TFs) and the regulatory networks that drive the expression of TF genes in epidermal and subepidermal cell layers in Arabidopsis are unexplored. Here, we identified 65 TF genes enriched in the epidermal and subepidermal cell layers of the shoot apical meristem (SAM). To determine the cell type specificity in different stages of Arabidopsis development, we made YFP based transcriptional fusion constructs by taking a 3‐kb upstream noncoding region above the translation start site. Here, we report that for ~52% (22/42) TF genes, we detected transcription activity. TF genes derived from epidermis show uniform expression in early embryo development; however, in the late globular stage, their transcription activity is suppressed in the inner cell layers. Expression patterns linked to subepidermal cell layer identity were apparent in the postembryonic development. Potential upstream regulators that could modulate the activity of epidermal and subepidermal cell layer‐enriched TF genes were identified using enhanced yeast‐one‐hybrid (eY1H) assay and validated. This study describes the activation of TF genes in epidermal and subepidermal cell layers in embryonic and postembryonic development of Arabidopsis shoot apex.
Prognostic Impact of Baseline Immunologic Profile in Aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas

Host immune homeostasis as an independent prognostic indicator has been inadequately evaluated in aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL). The present study addresses the prognostic significance in aggressive NHLs of the immunologic profile evaluated by pretreatment serum levels of immunoglobulins (Ig) and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR). In this series of 90 patients with aggressive lymphoma, the median level for IgG was 1,024mg/dl (range 436–2236), and for LMR was 2.2 (range 0.2–13.8). CR rate was higher with IgG levels ≥1,024mg/dL (91% vs 77% p=0.059). LMR ≤ 2.2 was associated with lower 1-year PFS (73% vs. 92%, p 0.016). Patients with good/very good R-IPI showed a reduced PFS if IgG or LMR was low, while patients with poor R-IPI did better if LMR or IgG levels were high. We combined both parameters with the R-IPI and produced a four-risk prognostic score showing one-year PFS of 95% (95% CI 68%–99%), 100% (95% CI 100%–100%), 73% (95% CI 52%–86%), and 59% (95% CI 31%–79%), in patients with zero, one, two and three risk factors, respectively. The results indicate for the first time the value of baseline serum Ig levels in the prognostic assessment of aggressive lymphoma.
Identifying Risk Factors of Breast Cancer Among Women Attending Selected Hospitals of Addis Ababa City: Hospital-Based Unmatched Case-Control Study

Background Breast cancer, one of the chronic diseases, is the most common cancer among women in the world. In Ethiopia, late-stage breast cancer is widely diagnosed and women have very little access to adequate medication, pain relief, or palliative care. In addition, there are few research on risk factors for breast cancer in Ethiopia. A safer way out of this is to concentrate on prevention; one of the prevention methods is to recognize risk factors sooner. The study therefore aimed to establish risk factors for breast cancer among women in hospitals in the city of Addis Ababa. Methods Hospital-based, unmatched case-control research conducted in selected Addis Ababa hospitals from April to September 2017 (Case=110 and Control=110). Data were collected by standardized questionnaires for both cases and controls. Cases were initially detected by mammography screening accompanied by histopathological examinations, while controls were those women who were negative by mammogram testing, stress levels were assessed by perceived stress scale (PSS) and body mass index measured by WHO norm. Summary statistics Computed and binary logistic regression analysis to classify risk factors for breast cancer modified odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) calculated. Results The participants’ mean age of was 43.80 years (SD ±12.63) and 39.64 years (SD ±12.91) for cases and controls, respectively. Physical activity (AOR=0.2, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.41) was correlated with lower probability of breast cancer, while never breastfeed (AOR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.21, 9.67); menopausal state (AOR=6.8, 95% CI: 1.92, 24.16), and body mass index above 25. 1 kg/m2 (AOR=5.9, 95% CI: 2.16, 16.48) were factors risk factors for breast cancer. Conclusion This research shows the importance of physical exercise, breastfeeding, menopausal status, and nutritional status in the occurrence of breast cancer. Actions aimed at increasing physical activity, breastfeeding habits and keeping a balanced diet will help to minimize the incidence of breast cancer.
Musculoskeletal Disorders among Italian Dentists and Dental Hygienists

Dental professionals often perform physically and mentally demanding therapeutical procedures. They work maintaining muscular imbalance and asymmetrical positions for a long time. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence and the factors associated to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among Italian dental professionals and the most affected body regions. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between March 2019 and February 2020. The Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) was implemented with questions related to working habits (dental occupation, working hours per week and per days, years of work) and lifestyle (practiced physical activity, including frequency and duration, mobilization activities, and knowledge of ergonomic guidelines) was used. The-chi square test was carried out to detect any statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Logistic regression was carried out to detect the most significant factors associated to WMSD occurrence. A total of 284 questionnaires have been used for the analysis. A high proportion of dental professionals (84.6%) were affected by WMSD in the last 12 months. A higher prevalence was found in females (87%) when compared to males (80%). The prevalence of WMSD was correlated to the working hours/day and hour/week, with a higher risk for operators working >5 h/day and >30 h/week. In addition, a high prevalence was found in operators working for 2–5 years after graduation. Most of the surveyed dental professionals practiced physical activity (70.1%) but only a few had satisfactorily knowledge of ergonomic guidelines (12.7%). Interestingly, participants who practiced yoga or stretching as physical activities demonstrated lower WMSD (77%) when compared to other physical activities (84%). We can highlight that generic physical activities have no functional effect on WMSD for dental professionals. The most affected body areas were neck (59.9%), shoulders (43.3%), lumbar region (52.1%), dorsal region (37.7%) and wrists (30.6%). Considering the magnitude of the problem, there is an urgent need to implement the education in ergonomics among dental professionals, that may be achieved by teaching biomechanics, posturology and integrative functional therapies (such as yoga) during the university education and by promoting holistic health of dental operators.
Prediction of soil organic and inorganic carbon contents at a national scale (France) using mid‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (MIRS)

This work aimed to evaluate the potential of mid‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (MIRS) to predict soil organic and inorganic carbon contents with a 2086‐sample set representative of French topsoils (0–30 cm). Ground air‐dried samples collected regularly using a 16 × 16‐km grid were analysed for total (dry combustion) and inorganic (calcimeter) carbon; organic carbon was calculated by difference. Calibrations of MIR spectra with partial least square regressions were developed with 10–80% of the set and five random selections of samples. Comparisons between samples with contrasting organic or inorganic carbon content and regression coefficients of calibration equations both showed that organic carbon was firstly associated with a wide spectral region around 2500–3500 cm−1 (which was a reflection of its complex nature), and inorganic carbon with narrow spectral bands, especially around 2520 cm−1. Optimal calibrations for both organic and inorganic carbon were achieved by using 20% of the total set: predictions were not improved much by including more of the set and were less stable, probably because of atypical samples. At the 20% rate, organic carbon predictions over the validation set (80% of the total) yielded mean R2, standard error of prediction (SEP) and RPD (ratio of standard deviation to SEP) of 0.89, 6.7 g kg−1 and 3.0, respectively; inorganic carbon predictions yielded 0.97, 2.8 g kg−1 and 5.6, respectively. This seemed appropriate for large‐scale soil inventories and mapping studies but not for accurate carbon monitoring, possibly because carbonate soils were included. More work is needed on organic carbon calibrations for large‐scale soil libraries.
Postural Responses to Sudden Horizontal Perturbations in Tai Chi Practitioners

Tai Chi has been shown to elicit numerous positive effects on health and well-being. In this study, we examined reactive postural control after sudden unloading horizontal perturbations, which resembled situations encountered during Tai Chi. The study involved 20 participants, 10 in the Tai Chi group (age: 37.4 ± 7.8 years), who had been regularly training the push-hand technique for at least 7 years, and 10 in the control group, consisting of healthy adults (age: 28.8 ± 5.0). Perturbations were applied at three different positions (hips, shoulders, and arms) via the load-release paradigm. Twenty measurements were carried out for each perturbation position. We measured peak vertical and horizontal forces on the ground (expressed percentage of body mass (%BM)), peak center of pressure displacement and peak horizontal and vertical velocities at the knee, hip and shoulder joints. The Tai Chi group exhibited smaller increases in vertical ground reaction forces when perturbations were applied at the hips (11.5 ± 2.1 vs. 19.6 ± 5.5 %BW; p = 0.002) and the arms (14.1 ± 4.2 vs. 23.2 ± 8.4 %BW; p = 0.005). They also responded with higher horizontal force increase after hip perturbation (16.2 ± 3.2 vs. 13.1 ± 2.5 %BW; p < 0.001). Similar findings were found when observing various outcomes related to velocities of vertical movement. The Tai Chi group also showed lower speeds of backward movement of the knee (p = 0.005–0.009) after hip (0.49 ± 0.13 vs. 0.85 ± 0.14 m/s; p = 0.005) and arm perturbations (0.97 ± 0.18 vs. 1.71 ± 0.29 m/s; p = 0.005). Center of pressure displacements were similar between groups. Our study demonstrated that engaging in Tai Chi could be beneficial to reactive postural responses after sudden perturbations in a horizontal direction; however, future interventional studies are needed to directly confirm this. Moreover, because of the age difference between the groups, some confounding effects of age cannot be ruled out.
Silk Fibroin Nanoparticle Functionalization with Arg-Gly-Asp Cyclopentapeptide Promotes Active Targeting for Tumor Site-Specific Delivery

Simple Summary Many tumor cell types overexpress integrins, a glycoprotein, on their cell membranes. The tripeptide motif Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) is well-known for being recognized by the integrin superfamily members and can thus be used to actively target nanoparticles containing cytotoxic drugs directly to the tumor cells. According to this strategy, the antitumor activity is boosted, and healthy organs are spared. In this paper, silk fibroin, a naturally derived protein, has been used to prepare nanoparticles (SFNs) functionalized on their surface with RGD. In vitro experiments revealed that functionalization of SFNs with RGD provided active internalization by tumor cells overexpressing integrin receptors. Therefore, RGD-SFNs may be used for tumor-specific delivery of anticancer drugs. Abstract Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-based cyclopentapeptides (cRGDs) have a high affinity towards integrin αvβ3 and αvβ5, which are overexpressed by many tumor cells. Here, curcumin-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFNs) have been functionalized on the surface with cRGD to provide active targeting towards tumor cells; a “click reaction” between the RGD-based cyclopentapeptide carrying an azide group and triple-bond-functionalized nanoparticles has been exploited. Both naked and functionalized SFNs were less than 200 nm in diameter and showed a round-shaped morphology but, after functionalization, SFNs increased in size and protein molecular weight. The functionalization of SFNs’ surfaces with cRGD provided active internalization by cells overexpressing integrin receptors. At the lowest concentration tested (0.01 mg/mL), functionalized SFNs showed more effective uptake with respect to the naked by tumor cells that overexpress integrin receptors (but not for non-overexpressing ones). In contrast, at higher concentrations, the non-specific cell membrane protein–particle interactions are promoted and coupled to specific and target mediated uptake. Visual observations by fluorescence microscopy suggested that SFNs bind to integrin receptors on the cell surface and are then internalized by endocytosis. Overall, SFN functionalization provided in vitro active targeting for site-specific delivery of anticancer drugs, boosting activity and sparing healthy organs.
Drug Injection-Related and Sexual Behavior Changes in Drug Injecting Networks after the Transmission Reduction Intervention Project (TRIP): A Social Network-Based Study in Athens, Greece

The Transmission Reduction Intervention Project (TRIP) was a network-based, enhanced contact tracing approach, targeting recently HIV-infected people who inject drugs (PWID) in Athens, Greece (2013–2015). This analysis examines behavioral changes of participants in TRIP and their determinants between baseline and follow-up visits to the program. All participants of TRIP were tested for HIV and interviewed using a questionnaire with items on drug injection-related and sexual behaviors. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine potential relationships between participants’ behaviors and sociodemographic or other characteristics. The analysis included 292 participants. At follow-up, the percentage of participants who injected drugs decreased [92.5%, n = 270 versus 72.3%, n = 211 (p < 0.001)], and more participants adopted safer behaviors. Employment, age, and gender were significantly associated with some behavioral changes. For instance, unemployed participants were half as likely as the employed to stop drug injection [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.475, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.228, 0.988]. Increasing age was associated with lower probability of sharing syringes at follow-up (aOR: 0.936, 95%CI: 0.887, 0.988). Finally, females were less likely than males to improve their behavior related to sharing cookers, filters, or rinse water (aOR: 0.273, 95% CI: 0.100, 0.745). In conclusion, adoption of safer behaviors was observed following TRIP implementation. Future prevention programs should focus on younger PWID and especially females. Social efforts to support employment of PWID are also important.