Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Post-Cure on the Static and Viscoelastic Properties of a Polyester Resin

This work intends to study the effect of the curing parameters on the mechanical properties of a polyester resin without a complete curing reaction process. For this purpose, cures at room temperature, 40 °C, and 60 °C, and post-cures at 40 °C and 60 °C, with different exposure times, were considered. Three-point bending tests were performed to assess the bending properties and both stress relaxation and creep behavior. The degree of crosslinking was estimated by evaluating the C = C ester bond, by Fourier infrared spectroscopy and complemented with the thermal characterization made by differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that higher curing temperatures are preferable to methods involving curing and post-curing, which can be confirmed by the higher degree of conversion of unsaturated ester bonds at 60 °C. Compared to the resin cured at room temperature, the bending strength increased by 36.5% at 40 °C and 88.6% at 60 °C. A similar effect was observed for bending stiffness. In terms of stress relaxation and creep strain, the lowest values were obtained for samples cured at 60 °C.
Impact of Prolonged Lockdown due to COVID-19 in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled countries to impose lockdowns to curb the spread. As a result of the lockdown and need for health care services to cater to acute diseases on priority, patients with chronic illnesses such as Parkinson's disease (PD) may be facing several difficulties. Aims: This study aimed to explore the effects of prolongation of lockdown on patients with PD by evaluating possible problems faced during a lockdown and worsening of symptoms if any. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients with PD and their caregivers were contacted. Results: We observed a significant increase in problems faced due to this pandemic, specifically, the inability to access health care, and difficulty procuring medication. Patients also reported worsening of motor symptoms. Conclusions: The present findings highlight the need for health care systems to consider a plan of action for chronic neurological diseases like PD, which are worsening in the absence of regular hospital visits.
Decomposition Rates of Various Quantities of Buried Litter in a Desert

size, including the more recent Seber-Jolly method, largely would have been inappropriate for the present data. We strongly recommend, therefore, that biologists avail themselves of the powerful and thorough analyses provided by CAPTURE to analyze capture-recapture data. During field work, supported by the Caesar Kleberg Research Program in Wildlife Ecology, Guthery was a Research Assistant with Texas A&M Univ. The Noxious Brush and Weed Control Program, Texas Tech Univ., supported analytical portions of the study. We thank L. Celentano for assistance in computer analysis. This is College of Agricultural Sciences publ. no. T-9-257.FRED S. GUTHERY AND NANCY H. HERBERT, Dept. of Range and Wildlife Management, Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, TX 79409.
Genome-Wide Detection of Selection Signatures in Duroc Revealed Candidate Genes Relating to Growth and Meat Quality

With the development of high-throughput genotyping techniques, selection signatures in the genome of domestic pigs have been extensively interrogated in the last decade. The Duroc, a major commercial pig breed famous for its fast growth rate and high lean ratio, has not been extensively studied focusing on footprints of intensively artificial selection in their genomes by a lot of re-sequencing data. The goal of this study was to investigate genomic regions under artificial selection and their contribution to the unique phenotypic traits of the Duroc using whole-genome resequencing data from 97 pigs. Three complementary methods (di, CLR, and iHH12) were implemented for selection signature detection. In Total, 464 significant candidate regions were identified, which covered 46.4 Mb of the pig genome. Within the identified regions, 709 genes were annotated, including 600 candidate protein-coding genes (486 functionally annotated genes) and 109 lncRNA genes. Genes undergoing selective pressure were significantly enriched in the insulin resistance signaling pathway, which may partly explain the difference between the Duroc and other breeds in terms of growth rate. The selection signatures identified in the Duroc population demonstrated positive pressures on a set of important genes with potential functions that are involved in many biological processes. The results provide new insights into the genetic mechanisms of fast growth rate and high lean mass, and further facilitate follow-up studies on functional genes that contribute to the Duroc’s excellent phenotypic traits.
Embryological Studies in the Orchidaceae. I. Gametophytes

When one considers that out of more than 15,000 species of orchids, only about 175 species have so far been studied embryologically and even these very imperfectly, the need for further information on these plants is quite apparent. In India alone about 125 genera and 1500 species are recorded but only a few of these have been studied from the embryological standpoint (Seshagiriah, 1941; Swamy, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947).
Late-sequalae of Kawasaki disease characterized by optical coherence tomography.

De Gasperis Cardio Center, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy, Clinica Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy, Clinica Alemana de Santiago, Santiago, Chile, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, and Rady Children’s Hospital and San Diego Cardiac Center and Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
Risk stratification of cutaneous melanoma reveals carcinogen metabolism enrichment and immune inhibition in high-risk patients

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most lethal form of skin cancer. Risk assessment should facilitate stratified surveillance and guide treatment selection. Here, based on the mRNA-seq data from 419 CM patients in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we developed a prognostic 21-gene signature to distinguish the outcomes of high- and low-risk patients, which was further validated in two external cohorts. The signature achieved a higher C-index as compared with other known biomarkers and clinical characteristics in both the TCGA and validation cohorts. Notably, in high-risk patients the expression levels of three driver genes, BRAF, NRAS, and NF1 in the MAPK pathway, were lower but exhibited a stronger positive correlation as compared with low-risk patients. Moreover, the genes involved in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism were negatively correlated with the expression of BRAF in the high-risk group. Function analysis revealed that the upregulated genes in the high-risk group were enriched in the cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of chemical carcinogens. Furthermore, the low-risk group had high levels of gamma delta T cells infiltration, while regulatory T cells were accumulated in the high-risk group. The present study offers a promising new prognostic signature for CM, and provides insight into the mechanisms of melanoma progression.
Conditioning Effect of Inhalational Anesthetics on Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been identified as an independent predictor of poor outcome in numerous studies. OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential protective role of inhalational anesthetics against angiographic vasospasm, DCI, and neurologic outcome in SAH patients. METHODS After Institutional Review Board approval, data were collected retrospectively for SAH patients who received general anesthesia for aneurysm repair between January 1st, 2010 and May 31st, 2018. Primary outcomes were angiographic vasospasm, DCI, and neurologic outcome as measured by modified Rankin scale at hospital discharge. Univariate and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify independent predictors of these outcomes. RESULTS The cohort included 390 SAH patients with an average age of 56 ± 15 (mean ± SD). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified inhalational anesthetic only technique, Hunt-Hess grade, age, anterior circulation aneurysm and average intraoperative mean blood pressure as independent predictors of angiographic vasospasm. Inhalational anesthetic only technique and modified Fishers grade were identified as independent predictors of DCI. No impact on neurological outcome at time of discharge was noted. CONCLUSION Our data provide additional evidence that inhalational anesthetic conditioning in SAH patients affords protection against angiographic vasospasm and new evidence that it exerts a protective effect against DCI. When coupled with similar results from preclinical studies, our data suggest further investigation into the impact of inhalational anesthetic conditioning on SAH patients, including elucidating the most effective dosing regimen, defining the therapeutic window, determining whether a similar protective effect against early brain injury, and on long-term neurological outcome exists.
Studies on citrus melanose and citrus stem-end rot by Diaporthe citri (Faw.) Wolf. Part 9. Effect of light and temperature on the self-defense reaction of citrus plants.

Light and temperature were both very important for the induction of a self-defense reaction of citrus plants against penetration by Diaporthe citri (Faw.) Wolf or against mechanical injury. Under light (5, 000 lux, 25C), melanose spots or scars made up of brown cells and a cork-like layer were produced on leaves inoculated with the pathogen or injured mechanically. Scoparone, a phytoalexin, was produced in these leaves, and the infecting pathogen was found to be arrested within the melanose spots. Under dark (<0.5 lux, 25C), however, neither melanose spots nor scars were produced when the leaves were inoculated or injured, nor was any scoparone detected in the leaves. The infected pathogen spread in the leaves without being impeded by any barricade, and pycnidia and pycnospore developed on the leaves 2 weeks after inoculation. The cell browning and cell division in inoculated leaves or the incised part of the shoot were most severe at 25C. The degree of cell browning and division decreased as the temperature became lower. At 15C, the infected epidermal cells or the cells in the incised part granulated and only slightly turned brown, but no adjacent cells divided. At 10 and 5C, neither cell browning nor cell division occurred even in citrus plants kept under light (5, 000 lux) after the treatment. Scoparone production was also affected by temperature. The largest quantity was produced in the melanose spots or scars at 25C. The amount decreased at the temperature became lower, until no scoparone was detected at 10 or 5C. These results mean that the self-defence reaction, which can effectively impede pathogen invasion, in citrus plants depends strongly on light and temperature.
Characterization and validation of a preventative therapy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a murine model of the disease

Significance Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects 1:500 of the general population. Current drug therapy is used to manage symptoms in patients. There is an unmet need for treatments that can prevent the cardiomyopathy. Here we identify biomarkers of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy resulting from causing cardiac troponin I mutation Gly203Ser, and present a safe, nontoxic, preventative approach for the treatment of associated cardiomyopathy. Currently there is an unmet need for treatments that can prevent hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Using a murine model we previously identified that HCM causing cardiac troponin I mutation Gly203Ser (cTnI-G203S) is associated with increased mitochondrial metabolic activity, consistent with the human condition. These alterations precede development of the cardiomyopathy. Here we examine the efficacy of in vivo treatment of cTnI-G203S mice with a peptide derived against the α-interaction domain of the cardiac L-type calcium channel (AID-TAT) on restoring mitochondrial metabolic activity, and preventing HCM. cTnI-G203S or age-matched wt mice were treated with active or inactive AID-TAT. Following treatment, targeted metabolomics was utilized to evaluate myocardial substrate metabolism. Cardiac myocyte mitochondrial metabolic activity was assessed as alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential and flavoprotein oxidation. Cardiac morphology and function were examined using echocardiography. Cardiac uptake was assessed using an in vivo multispectral imaging system. We identified alterations in six biochemical intermediates in cTnI-G203S hearts consistent with increased anaplerosis. We also reveal that AID-TAT treatment of precardiomyopathic cTnI-G203S mice, but not mice with established cardiomyopathy, restored cardiac myocyte mitochondrial membrane potential and flavoprotein oxidation, and prevented myocardial hypertrophy. Importantly, AID-TAT was rapidly targeted to the heart, and not retained by the liver or kidneys. Overall, we identify biomarkers of HCM resulting from the cTnI mutation Gly203Ser, and present a safe, preventative therapy for associated cardiomyopathy. Utilizing AID-TAT to modulate cardiac metabolic activity may be beneficial in preventing HCM in “at risk” patients with identified Gly203Ser gene mutations.
Assessment of Changes over Time of Lipid Profile, C-Reactive Protein Level and Body Mass Index in Teenagers and Young Adults on Different Diets Belonging to Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Numerous scientific studies on patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggest a significant role of inflammation processes or lipid disorders in this spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders. Unfortunately, there is a lack of assessments of changes over time regarding level of lipids and inflammatory markers in people diagnosed with ASD using different diets. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in lipid profile, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and body mass index (BMI) in individuals diagnosed with ASD and healthy controls. Variables were assessed at two time points (2015/17 and 2017/20) for each subject. Methods: After applying the selection criteria, for the first assessment period, 96 participants were qualified (the group consisted of 59 males with ASD and 37 healthy volunteers, i.e., age-matched control group—CG). The final assessment included 93 participants (57 from ASD group and 36 from CG). Subjects were on low-fat diet (LFD), gluten–casein-free diet (GF–CF) and regular diet (RD), respectively. All members of CG were on regular diet. A fasting lipid profile and hs-CRP level were analyzed. BMI and percentiles were calculated. Eating habits were checked by analyzing data from questionnaires. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used separately for every assessment. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the medians of variables in the scheme of pairwise comparisons between control and ASD groups on different diets for separate assessment, while differences over time between variables were tested by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Statistically significant differences between BMI, CRP, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), non-HDL-C and TC/HDL ratio were found in ASD group in comparison to healthy volunteers (increased BMI, CRP and TC/HDL and decreased HDL-C for all types of diets, increased TG in the group of LFD and RD individual and increased non-HDL-C in the group of GF–CF and RD individuals) during the first assessment period. The second assessment over time also showed increased levels of TC, non HDL-C and TC/HDL and decreased level of HDL-C for all ASD individuals regardless of diets used, while BMI and CRP increased only for individuals on LFD and RD. No statistically significant correlations between age of participants and other variables comparing with CG were found. Conclusions: Our studies suggest that targeted, individualized nutritional pattern and periodic screening for lipid and immune disorders would be beneficial for teenagers and adults diagnosed with ASD.
The Endogenous Opioid System in Schizophrenia and Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia: Increased Plasma Endomorphin 2, and κ and μ Opioid Receptors Are Associated with Interleukin-6

Background: activation of the immune-inflammatory response system (IRS) and the compensatory immune-regulatory system (CIRS) plays a key role in schizophrenia (SCZ) and treatment resistant SCZ. There are only a few data on immune and endogenous opioid system (EOS) interactions in SCZ and treatment resistant SCZ. Methods: we examined serum β-endorphin, endomorphin-2 (EM2), mu-opioid (MOR) and kappa-opioid (KOR) receptors, and interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in 60 non responders to treatment (NRTT), 55 partial RTT (PRTT) and 43 normal controls. Results: serum EM2, KOR, MOR, IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly increased in SCZ as compared with controls. β-endorphin, EM2, MOR and IL-6 were significantly higher in NRTT than in PRTT. There were significant correlations between IL-6, on the one hand, and β-endorphin, EM2, KOR, and MOR, on the other, while IL-10 was significantly correlated with MOR only. A large part of the variance in negative symptoms, psychosis, hostility, excitation, mannerism, psychomotor retardation and formal thought disorders was explained by the combined effects of EM2 and MOR with or without IL-6 while increased KOR was significantly associated with all symptom dimensions. Increased MOR, KOR, EM2 and IL-6 were also associated with neurocognitive impairments including in episodic, semantic and working memory and executive functions. Conclusion: the EOS contributes to SCZ symptomatology, neurocognitive impairments and a non-response to treatment. In SCZ, EOS peptides/receptors may exert CIRS functions, whereas increased KOR levels may contribute to the pathophysiology of SCZ and EM2 and KOR to a non-response to treatment.
GSK3‐ARC/Arg3.1 and GSK3‐Wnt signaling axes trigger amyloid‐β accumulation and neuroinflammation in middle‐aged Shugoshin 1 mice

The cerebral amyloid‐β accumulation that begins in middle age is considered the critical triggering event in the pathogenesis of late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). However, the molecular mechanism remains elusive. The Shugoshin 1 (Sgo1−/+) mouse model, a model for mitotic cohesinopathy‐genomic instability that is observed in human AD at a higher rate, showed spontaneous accumulation of amyloid‐β in the brain at old age. With the model, novel insights into the molecular mechanism of LOAD development are anticipated. In this study, the initial appearance of cerebral amyloid‐β accumulation was determined as 15‐18 months of age (late middle age) in the Sgo1−/+ model. The amyloid‐β accumulation was associated with unexpected GSK3α/β inactivation, Wnt signaling activation, and ARC/Arg3.1 accumulation, suggesting involvement of both the GSK3‐Arc/Arg3.1 axis and the GSK3‐Wnt axis. As observed in human AD brains, neuroinflammation with IFN‐γ expression occurred with amyloid‐β accumulation and was pronounced in the aged (24‐month‐old) Sgo1−/+ model mice. AD‐relevant protein panels (oxidative stress defense, mitochondrial energy metabolism, and β‐oxidation and peroxisome) analysis indicated (a) early increases in Pdk1 and Phb in middle‐aged Sgo1−/+ brains, and (b) misregulations in 32 proteins among 130 proteins tested in old age. Thus, initial amyloid‐β accumulation in the Sgo1−/+ model is suggested to be triggered by GSK3 inactivation and the resulting Wnt activation and ARC/Arg3.1 accumulation. The model displayed characteristics and affected pathways similar to those of human LOAD including neuroinflammation, demonstrating its potential as a study tool for the LOAD development mechanism and for preclinical AD drug research and development.
Retrospective Exposure Assessment Methods Used in Occupational Human Health Risk Assessment: A Systematic Review

As part of the assessment and management of chemical risk and occupational hygiene, retrospective exposure assessment (REA) to chemical agents can be defined as the estimate of exposure associated with a person’s work history. The fundamental problem underlying the reconstruction of the exposure is that of transforming this type of information in quantitative terms to obtain an accurate estimate. REA can follow various approaches, some of which are technically complicated and both time and resource consuming. The aim of this systematic review is to present the techniques mainly used for occupational REA. In order to carry out this evaluation, a systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted. Forty-four studies were identified (published from 2010 to date) and analyzed. In exposure reconstruction studies, quantitative approaches should be preferable, especially when estimates will be used in the context of health impact assessment or epidemiology, although it is important to stress how, ideally, the experimental data available for the considered scenario should be used whenever possible as the main starting information base for further processing. To date, there is no single approach capable of providing an accurate estimate of exposure for each reasonably foreseeable condition and situation and the best approach generally depends on the level of information available for the specific case. The use of a combination of different reconstruction techniques can, therefore, represent a powerful tool for weighting and integrating data obtained through qualitative and quantitative approaches, in order to obtain the best possible estimate.
Dark Triad Traits and Risky Behaviours: Identifying Risk Profiles from a Person-Centred Approach

The relationship between Dark Triad traits and risky behaviours has been shown in recent years. However, few studies have attempted to disentangle this relationship using a person-centred approach. The goal of the current study was to identify subgroups of individuals on the basis of their scores on Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism and analyse the differences between them in a set of risky behaviours (i.e., frequency of substance use, reactive and proactive aggression, risk perception and risk engagement, and problematic internet use). The sample consisted of 317 undergraduates aged 18–34 (46% males). The results of the latent profile analysis showed five subgroups of individuals that were identified based on their scores on the Dark Triad traits: low-Dark Triad, narcissistic, Machiavellian/narcissistic, psychopathic, and Machiavellian/psychopathic. Overall, the Machiavellian/narcissistic and Machiavellian/psychopathic subgroups showed higher scores for most risky behaviours. The low-Dark Triad scored higher for risk perception. No significant differences between subgroups were found as regards frequency of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use. These findings suggest that the combination of the Dark Triad traits lead to more negative outcomes as regards risky behaviour than individual components. Moreover, they highlight the relevance of using a person-centred approach in the study of dark personalities.