Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Whole Transcription Profile of Responders to Anti-TNF Drugs in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: Up to 30% of patients with pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) do not respond to anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor (anti-TNF) therapy. The aim of this study was to identify pharmacogenomic markers that predict early response to anti-TNF drugs in pediatric patients with IBD. Methods: An observational, longitudinal, prospective cohort study was conducted. The study population comprised 38 patients with IBD aged < 18 years who started treatment with infliximab or adalimumab (29 responders and nine non-responders). Whole gene expression profiles from total RNA isolated from whole blood samples of six responders and six non-responders taken before administration of the biologic and after two weeks of therapy were analyzed using next-generation RNA sequencing. The expression of six selected genes was measured for purposes of validation in all of the 38 patients recruited using qPCR. Results: Genes were differentially expressed in non-responders and responders (32 before initiation of treatment and 44 after two weeks, Log2FC (Fold change) >0.6 or <−0.6 and p value < 0.05). After validation, FCGR1A, FCGR1B, and GBP1 were overexpressed in non-responders two weeks after initiation of anti-TNF treatment (Log2FC 1.05, 1.21, and 1.08, respectively, p value < 0.05). Conclusion: Expression of the FCGR1A, FCGR1B, and GBP1 genes is a pharmacogenomic biomarker of early response to anti-TNF agents in pediatric IBD.
The Effects of Sleep Quality on Dream and Waking Emotions

Despite the increasing interest in sleep and dream-related processes of emotion regulation, their reflection into waking and dream emotional experience remains unclear. We have previously described a discontinuity between wakefulness and dreaming, with a prevalence of positive emotions in wakefulness and negative emotions during sleep. Here we aim to investigate whether this profile may be affected by poor sleep quality. Twenty-three ‘Good Sleepers’ (GS) and 27 ‘Poor Sleepers’ (PS), identified through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) cut-off score, completed three forms of the modified Differential Emotions Scale, assessing, respectively, the frequency of 22 emotions over the past 2 weeks, their intensity during dreaming and during the previous day. The ANOVA revealed a different pattern of emotionality between groups: GS showed high positive emotionality in wakefulness (both past 2 weeks and 24 h) with a significant shift to negative emotionality in dreams, while PS showed evenly distributed emotional valence across all three conditions. No significant regression model emerged between waking and dream affect. In the frame of recent hypotheses on the role of dreaming in emotion regulation, our findings suggest that the different day/night expression of emotions between groups depends on a relative impairment of sleep-related processes of affect regulation in poor sleepers. Moreover, these results highlight the importance of including sleep quality assessments in future dream studies.
Analysis of semen quality of 38 905 infertile male patients during 2008–2016 in Wenzhou, China

This study analyzed the trend in semen quality of infertile male patients in Wenzhou, China, based on the data obtained from 38 905 patients during 2008–2016 in The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Wenzhou, China). The results showed that only 24.9% of the patients had normal semen quality. For the semen quality of infertile male patients, that of the workers and 40-year-olds was significantly worse than the other occupational and age groups. For all the infertile patients, low semen volume, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia accounted for 8.4%, 50.5%, and 54.1%, respectively. During 2008–2016, the annual mean percentage of fast forward motile spermatozoa, percentage of total forward motile spermatozoa, and percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology decreased linearly with slopes of −2.11, −2.59, and −0.70, respectively. The proportion of patients with asthenozoospermia and multi-abnormal spermatozoa increased during 2008–2016 with slopes of 4.70 and 4.87, respectively, while for low semen volume, it decreased with a slope of −0.47 in the same time period. The proportion of patients with teratozoospermia increased from 2008 to 2011 and from 2011 to 2016 with slopes of 17.10 and 2.09, respectively. In general, the deteriorating trend of semen quality of infertile male patients in Wenzhou was obvious. Future efforts should be made to reveal the adverse influences on semen quality, such as occupational exposure, environmental quality, and living habits. Furthermore, more pervasive reproduction health education is necessary.
EFFECTS OF AERATED LIQUID LEVEL ABOVE DOWNCOMER ON HYDRODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXTERNAL-LOOP AIRLIFT REACTOR

Effects of the aerated liquid level above the downcomer on riser superficial liquid velocity, gas flow rates, and gas holdups in individual sections were investigated in an external-loop airlift reactor. The aerated liquid level is an important operating parameter, and the valve connected to the extension tube could adjust it. As the aerated liquid level was increased up to 0.158 m, which was slightly larger than the diameter of the riser, both the liquid circulation velocity and the gas flow rate in the extension tube increased, whereas the riser gas holdup, the downcomer gas holdup, and the gas flow rate in other individual sections except the extension tube decreased. A combination of the gas-liquid separation ability and hydraulic resistance of the head region and the surface aeration could explain the impact of the aerated liquid level on the hydrodynamic characteristics. However, the effect was negligible when the aerated liquid level was higher than 0.158 m.
Ca(OH)2 Nanoparticle Characterization:Microscopic Investigation Of Their ApplicationOn Natural Stones

Owing to conversion of lime into calcium carbonate, lime is usually adopted for conservative surface treatments. However, some critical aspects concerning the treatments reduced penetration depth, the binder concentration and the incomplete lime carbonation process still represent undesired limits and hindrances. In order to improve lime treatments, Ca(OH)2 particles with nanometric dimensions (nanolime) have recently been introduced in Cultural Heritage conservation (frescoes, stuccoes, .). The aim of the present work is to characterize Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles synthesized by a chemical precipitation process starting from two base supersaturated aqueous solutions of calcium chloride and sodium hydroxide. After several washes, necessary to remove the sodium chloride, the aqueous medium is partially substituted by 2-propanol to improve the suspension stability; an alcoholic nanolime suspension is obtained, characterised by a given concentration and a residual water content. In order to identify the structure of the formed phases and the particles reactivity, the obtained nanolime is characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and profile analysis; scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM-TEM) are performed too. The results show hexagonally plated and regularly shaped particles with side dimensions equal to or less than 300nm; moreover particles have pure crystalline features and a high reactivity in terms of the carbonation process. Finally, the Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles are applied on some natural lithotypes; SEM analyses are performed to evaluate penetration depth and grain adhesion of the nanolime treatments itself. From SEM micrographs a partial filling of the lithotypes pores, located at a distance from the surface of more than 200μm, is observed.
Nicotine and what else?: HPLC elution optimization for the analysis of alkaloids found in electronic cigarettes

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 LIST OF TABLES 4 LIST OF FIGURES 5 INTRODUCTION 7 Purpose 7 What’s an E-Cigarette? 7 E-Cigarettes Vs. Traditional Cigarettes 8 Production & Sales of E-Cigarettes 9 Public Opinion & Regulation 12 E-Cigarette Alkaloids: General Properties 14 Nicotine 15 Anabasine 16 Cotinine 17 Myosmine 17 Existing E-Cigarette Research 18 CHROMATOGRAPHIC THEORY 20 Liquid Chromatography 20 Compound Identification & Detectors 22 The General Elution Problem 23 Mobile Phase Theory 23 Buffers in RP-HPLC 26 EXPERIMENTAL 28 Materials 28 Standard Preparation 29 Instrument Conditions 29 RESULTS & DISCUSSION 31 UV-Visible Spectra 31
Dynamic Characteristics of Woven Flax/Epoxy Laminated Composite Plate

Due to the growing environmental awareness, the development of sustainable green composites is in high demand in composite industries, mainly in the automotive, aircraft, construction and marine applications. This work was an attempt to experimentally and numerically investigate the dynamic characteristics of Woven Flax/Bio epoxy laminated composite plates. In addition, the optimisation study on the dynamic behaviours of the Woven Flax/Bio epoxy composite plate is carried out using the response surface methodology (RSM) by consideration of the various parameters like ply orientation, boundary condition and aspect ratio. The elastic constants of the Woven Flax/Bio epoxy composite lamina needed for the numerical simulation are determined experimentally using two methods, i.e., the usual mechanical tests as well as through the impulse excitation of vibration-based approach and made a comparison between them. The numerical analysis on the free vibration characteristics of the composite was carried out using ANSYS, a finite element analysis (FEA) software. The confirmation of the FE model was accomplished by comparing the numerical results with its experimental counterpart. Finally, a comparison was made between the results obtained through the regression equation and finite element analysis.
Effect of macrovoids in nano-silica/polyimide mixed matrix membranes for high flux CO2/CH4 gas separation

Macrovoid structured mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) composed of nano-size (200 nm) silica particles and co-polyimide were prepared from 6FDA–ODA–DAM (6FDA = 4,4′-(hexafluoroiso-propylidene)diphthalic anhydride; ODA = 4,4′-oxidianiline; DAM = 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,6-phenylenediamine) with different proportions (1 : 1 and 1 : 4) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) via the sol–gel method. The separation performance of MMMs with 6FDA–ODA–DAM treated at high temperature (450 °C) was excellent for CO2/CH4 separation (for 6FOD–ODA–DAM (1 : 1): CO2 permeability ∼265 Barrer and CO2/CH4 selectivity ∼32; for 6FOD–ODA–DAM (1 : 4): CO2 permeability ∼302 Barrer and CO2/CH4 selectivity ∼25). Remarkably, the best membrane could resist pressure up to 600 psi without any loss of permselectivity. The CO2/CH4 separation performance of a series of silica–6FDA–ODA–DAM(11) MMMs with different SiO2 loadings is theoretically predicted using a modified Maxwell model where both gas permeability and macrovoid shape factor are simultaneously considered as adjustable parameters. Applying the optimized values, the modified Maxwell model predictions were in excellent agreement with experimental permeability data (less than 2% deviation).
Immune Cell Production Is Targeted by Parasitoid Wasp Virulence in a Drosophila–Parasitoid Wasp Interaction

The interactions between Drosophila melanogaster and the parasitoid wasps that infect Drosophila species provide an important model for understanding host–parasite relationships. Following parasitoid infection, D. melanogaster larvae mount a response in which immune cells (hemocytes) form a capsule around the wasp egg, which then melanizes, leading to death of the parasitoid. Previous studies have found that host hemocyte load; the number of hemocytes available for the encapsulation response; and the production of lamellocytes, an infection induced hemocyte type, are major determinants of host resistance. Parasitoids have evolved various virulence mechanisms to overcome the immune response of the D. melanogaster host, including both active immune suppression by venom proteins and passive immune evasive mechanisms. We identified a previously undescribed parasitoid species, Asobara sp. AsDen, which utilizes an active virulence mechanism to infect D. melanogaster hosts. Asobara sp. AsDen infection inhibits host hemocyte expression of msn, a member of the JNK signaling pathway, which plays a role in lamellocyte production. Asobara sp. AsDen infection restricts the production of lamellocytes as assayed by hemocyte cell morphology and altered msn expression. Our findings suggest that Asobara sp. AsDen infection alters host signaling to suppress immunity.
Kinetic Behavior of Quaternary Ammonium Hydroxides in Mixed Methane and Carbon Dioxide Hydrates

This study evaluates the kinetic hydrate inhibition (KHI) performance of four quaternary ammonium hydroxides (QAH) on mixed CH4 + CO2 hydrate systems. The studied QAHs are; tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH), tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH), tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH), and tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPrAOH). The test was performed in a high-pressure hydrate reactor at temperatures of 274.0 K and 277.0 K, and a concentration of 1 wt. % using the isochoric cooling method. The kinetics results suggest that all the QAHs potentially delayed mixed CH4 + CO2 hydrates formation due to their steric hindrance abilities. The presence of QAHs reduced hydrate formation risk than the conventional hydrate inhibitor, PVP, at higher subcooling conditions. The findings indicate that increasing QAHs alkyl chain lengths increase their kinetic hydrate inhibition efficacies due to better surface adsorption abilities. QAHs with longer chain lengths have lesser amounts of solute particles to prevent hydrate formation. The outcomes of this study contribute significantly to current efforts to control gas hydrate formation in offshore petroleum pipelines.
Strategy of Salt Tolerance and Interactive Impact of Azotobacter chroococcum and/or Alcaligenes faecalis Inoculation on Canola (Brassica napus L.) Plants Grown in Saline Soil

A pot experiment was designed and performed in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) to determine the main effect of two plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and their co-inoculation on growth criteria and physio-biochemical attributes of canola plants (Brassica napus L.) plant grown in saline soil. The results showed that inoculation with two PGPR (Azotobacter chroococcum and/or Alcaligenes faecalis) energized the growth parameters and photosynthetic pigments of stressed plants. Moreover, soluble sugars’ and proteins’ contents were boosted due to the treatments mentioned above. Proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents were markedly declined. At the same time, antioxidant enzymes, viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidase (POD), were augmented due to the inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum and/or Alcaligenes faecalis. Regarding minerals’ uptake, there was a decline in sodium (Na) and an increase in nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) uptake due to the application of either individual or co-inoculation with the mentioned bacterial isolates. This study showed that co-inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum and Alcaligenes faecalis was the most effective treatment and could be considered a premium tool used in facing environmental problems, especially saline soils.
Health Literacy: An Interactive Outcome Among Secondary Students in Beijing

Background: Health literacy enables a person to make good decisions regarding health care, disease prevention, and health promotion to maintain and improve health. Although health literacy research in China has gained increasing attention in recent years, most existing studies focus on adults rather than adolescents. In addition, little theory-driven empirical research has been conducted to fully understand the relationship among health literacy, its influencing factors, and health outcomes scored on a skills-based health literacy instrument. Objective: This study applied Manganello's framework to investigate how health literacy was related to its antecedents and health status in secondary students in Beijing, China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 650 students in Years 7 to 9 (age 11–17 years) from four secondary schools. Students completed a self-administered questionnaire based on Manganello's health literacy framework, which measured key upstream determinants, including health literacy and self-report health status. Health literacy was measured on an 8-item skills-based instrument that assesses a person's ability to find, understand, appraise, and communicate health information in everyday life (scores range from 0–37). Descriptive statistics and path analysis were conducted to investigate the mediating role of health literacy in predicting health status. Key Results: Overall, the average scores of students' health literacy was 26.37 (±5.89). Manganello's framework was supported by the data collected (χ2/df = 2.049, p = .001, comparative fix index = 0.966, root mean square error of approximation = 0.041). Personal self-efficacy (r = 0.11, p = .007), social support (r = 0.18, p < .001), and school environment (r = 0.27, p < .001) predicted health literacy, which in turn predicted students' health status (r = 0.12, p = .005). Conclusions: Adolescent health literacy is not only a person's capability to protect health, but also an interactive outcome with the broader environment. Promoting health literacy could be a useful strategy to improve health status for adolescents; however, a holistic approach is needed to increase students' self-efficacy, promote social support, and create positive school environments to achieve optimal health literacy and health outcomes. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2021;5(1):e1–e14. ] Plain Language Summary: We investigated how health literacy was related to its influencing factors and health status among secondary students in Years 7 to 9 in Beijing, China. Students with low self-efficacy, low social support, and low perceptions of positive school environment were more likely to have low health literacy, which in turn predicted poor health status.
Spatial correlations constrain cellular lifespan and pattern formation in corneal epithelium homeostasis

Homeostasis in adult tissues relies on the replication dynamics of stem cells, their progenitors and the spatial balance between them. This spatial and kinetic coordination is crucial to the successful maintenance of tissue size and its replenishment with new cells. However, our understanding of the role of cellular replicative lifespan and spatial correlation between cells in shaping tissue integrity is still lacking. We developed a mathematical model for the stochastic spatial dynamics that underlie the rejuvenation of corneal epithelium. Our model takes into account different spatial correlations between cell replication and cell removal. We derive the tradeoffs between replicative lifespan, spatial correlation length, and tissue rejuvenation dynamics. We determine the conditions that allow homeostasis and are consistent with biological timescales, pattern formation, and mutants phenotypes. Our results can be extended to any cellular system in which spatial homeostasis is maintained through cell replication.
Effect of Exposure to e-Cigarettes With Salt vs Free-Base Nicotine on the Appeal and Sensory Experience of Vaping

Key Points Question Does exposure to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in salt vs free-base nicotine formulations improve the appeal and sensory experience of vaping? Findings In this randomized clinical trial, 119 adult nicotine or tobacco product users rated puffs from e-cigarettes in nicotine salt (benzoic acid added) and nicotine free-base (no benzoic acid) formulations. Salt vs free-base nicotine formulations resulted in statistically significant higher ratings of appeal, sweetness, and smoothness, and lower ratings of bitterness and harshness. Meaning In this study, acid additives in e-cigarettes that change nicotine from free base to salt appeared to enhance the appeal and sensory experience of vaping and merit consideration in e-cigarette regulation.
Immunological Characterization of Proteins Expressed by Genes Located in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Specific Genomic Regions Encoding the ESAT6-like Proteins

The 6 kDa early secreted antigen target (ESAT6) is a low molecular weight and highly immunogenic protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with relevance in the diagnosis of tuberculosis and subunit vaccine development. The gene encoding the ESAT6 protein is located in the M. tuberculosis-specific genomic region known as the region of difference (RD)1. There are 11 M. tuberculosis-specific RDs absent in all of the vaccine strains of BCG, and three of them (RD1, RD7, and RD9) encode immunodominant proteins. Each of these RDs has genes for a pair of ESAT6-like proteins. The immunological characterizations of all the possible proteins encoded by genes in RD1, RD7 and RD9 have shown that, besides ESAT-6 like proteins, several other proteins are major antigens useful for the development of subunit vaccines to substitute or supplement BCG. Furthermore, some of these proteins may replace the purified protein derivative of M. tuberculosis in the specific diagnosis of tuberculosis by using interferon-gamma release assays and/or tuberculin-type skin tests. At least three subunit vaccine candidates containing ESAT6-like proteins as antigen components of multimeric proteins have shown efficacy in phase 1 and phase II clinical trials in humans.
In Their Own Words: Resources Needed by School Nurses to Facilitate Student Immunization Compliance

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND All 50 states have school‐entry immunization requirements, and many also allow exemptions based on medical and non‐medical reasons. School nurses are responsible for managing student immunization compliance based on state policies, but lack standardized resources and guidance. METHODS Pennsylvania school nurses (N = 21) participated in semi‐structured interviews regarding their strategies for communication and management of student immunization information, along with resources needed for practice improvement. Data were analyzed using descriptive content analysis. RESULTS Nurses reported similarities in timelines used for communication of immunization requirements, but differences in mechanisms used to secure and manage immunization records. Nurses reported a need for clarity regarding exclusions and exemption policy implementation and requested standardized resources and guidance for navigating immunization compliance. CONCLUSIONS A need exists for standardized processes that support immunization compliance. Furthermore, nurses highlighted a need for additional training and enhanced networks to develop creative strategies for promoting immunization uptake among families.