Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Paradox Effect of Calcification in Carotid Atherosclerosis: Microcalcification Is Correlated with Plaque Instability

Background: this study aims to investigate the possible association among the histopathologic features of carotid plaque instability, the presence of micro- or macrocalcifications, the expression of in situ inflammatory biomarkers, and the occurrence of the major risk factors in this process in a large series of carotid plaques. Methods: a total of 687 carotid plaques from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients were collected. Histological evaluation was performed to classify the calcium deposits in micro or macrocalcifications according to their morphological features (location and size). Immunohistochemistry was performed to study the expression of the main inflammatory biomarkers. Results: results here reported demonstrated that calcifications are very frequent in carotid plaques, with a significant difference between the presence of micro- and macrocalcifications. Specifically, microcalcifications were significantly associated to high inflamed unstable plaques. Paradoxically, macrocalcifications seem to stabilize the plaque and are associated to a M2 macrophage polarization instead. Discussion: the characterization of mechanisms involved in the formation of carotid calcifications can lay the foundation for developing new strategies for the management of patients affected by carotid atherosclerosis. Data of this study could provide key elements for an exhaustive evaluation of carotid plaque calcifications allowing to establish the risk of associated clinical events.
Association of Female Reproductive Factors With Incidence of Fracture Among Postmenopausal Women in Korea

Key Points Question Are female reproductive factors associated with bone health in postmenopausal women? Findings In this population-based cohort study of 1 272 115 postmenopausal Korean women, later menarche, earlier menopause, and shorter reproductive span were each independently associated with increased risk of fracture. Meaning This study’s findings suggest that female reproductive factors are independent risk factors for fracture incidence, with a higher risk associated with shorter lifetime endogenous estrogen exposure.
Prescription Opioid Use and Laboratory Value Derangements: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of NHANES Data.

BACKGROUND The use of opioids for the treatment of pain is a risk versus benefit analysis and metabolic disease is an often overlooked variable in the equation and may lead to increased risk of comorbidities of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and diabetes. OBJECTIVES Our objective was to identify and describe abnormalities among the comprehensive metabolic and lipid panels of individuals taking prescription opioids. STUDY DESIGN We performed a cross-sectional study of the laboratory values with 3 cycles (2011-2016) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in March 2020. SETTING NHANES sampling is conducted using a multistaged, stratified, cluster sampling technique to create a representative sample of the United States. METHODS We excluded patients with histories of cancer and under the age of 25 years. Our final sample size was 11,061 (n = 162,547,635), with 797 reportedly using a prescription opioid in the past 30 days-a weighted percent representing 22.95% of the US population. Our analyses identified mean differences in biomarkers between individuals taking prescription opioids and the US population. RESULTS Laboratory values from the comprehensive metabolic panel were all within reference ranges for both groups, with only bilirubin levels being statistically lower in the group currently taking prescription opioids. Values from the lipid panel of both the opioid using and comparison groups were above reference range for total cholesterol and fasting glucose. The opioid using group was also higher than the reference range for triglycerides (mean [M] = 165.4, standard deviation [SD] = 14.2) and insulin (M = 15.5, SD = 2.2), whereas the comparison group was not. The oral glucose measure was within normal ranges for both groups; however, the opioid using group was 13.7 points higher than the comparison group (M = 122.3, SD = 1.8; M = 108.6, SD = 4.0; P < 0.01). LIMITATIONS While our study uses a large sample for a robust generalizable analysis it is a correlation study and a longitudinal cohort would provide better evidence linking potential disease states to prescription opioid use. CONCLUSIONS Although all Americans should be alarmed at the lipid levels reported in this study, specific combinations of heightened lipid laboratory values among prescription opioid users accelerate the trajectories toward comorbidities-heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes-leading to diminished quality of life. Therefore pain management and comprehensive drug recovery programs should include nutritional counseling and physical activity as part of their overall treatment plan.
Neuronal Death in the CNS Autonomic Control Center Comes Very Early after Cardiac Arrest and Is Not Significantly Attenuated by Prompt Hypothermic Treatment in Rats

Autonomic dysfunction in the central nervous system (CNS) can cause death after recovery from a cardiac arrest (CA). However, few studies on histopathological changes in animal models of CA have been reported. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of neuronal death and damage in various brain regions and the spinal cord at early times after asphyxial CA and we studied the relationship between the mortality rate and neuronal damage following hypothermic treatment after CA. Rats were subjected to 7–8 min of asphyxial CA, followed by resuscitation and prompt hypothermic treatment. Eight regions related to autonomic control (the cingulate cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, myelencephalon, and spinal cord) were examined using cresyl violet (a marker for Nissl substance) and Fluoro-Jade B (a marker for neuronal death). The survival rate was 44.5% 1 day post-CA, 18.2% 2 days post-CA and 0% 5 days post-CA. Neuronal death started 12 h post-CA in the gigantocellular reticular nucleus and caudoventrolateral reticular nucleus in the myelencephalon and lamina VII in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spinal cord, of which neurons are related to autonomic lower motor neurons. In these regions, Iba-1 immunoreactivity indicating microglial activation (microgliosis) was gradually increased with time after CA. Prompt hypothermic treatment increased the survival rate at 5 days after CA with an attenuation of neuronal damages and death in the damaged regions. However, the survival rate was 0% at 12 days after CA. Taken together, our study suggests that the early damage and death of neurons related to autonomic lower motor neurons was significantly related to the high mortality rate after CA and that prompt hypothermic therapy could increase the survival rate temporarily after CA, but could not ultimately save the animal.
Propylene–ethylene random copolymers: Comonomer effects on crystallinity and application properties

For understanding the correlation chain from the polymer structure to the final application properties of propylene–ethylene random copolymers, four commercial grades with different ethylene content (0–8 mol %) but identical molecular weight distributions were investigated. Structural investigations concerning the comonomer distribution, using two different techniques (temperature rising elution fractionation and stepwise isothermal segregation), showed an increase of inhomogeneity with the total comonomer content, which was reflected for temperature rising elution fractionation in a widening of the elution temperature range. Crystallinity and crystallization speed studies confirmed the reduced overall crystallinity and increase of γ-modification content as reported previously, but they also showed the reason for these effects in the distinctive decrease of the spherulitic growth speed. Good correlations of all these parameters to the mechanical performance of the four materials were obtained. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 1073–1081, 2005
Interstitial Fluid Effects in Hopper Flows of Granular Material

In recent years a number of theoretical, experimental and computational research programs (Refs. [5], [8] and [3] for example) have substantially increased our fundamental understanding of the mechanics of flowing granular material. However most of these studies have concentrated on the simplest type of flow namely that of uniform size particles in the absence of any interstitial fluid effects or other complicating factors. The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the effects of interstitial fluid. In his classic study of granular flows Bagnold (1954) observed from his Couette flow studies that viscous effects of the interstitial fluid became significant when a number (which is now termed the Bagnold number, Ba) defined as [equation] becomes less than about 450. Here [delta] is the velocity gradient or shear rate. (We have chosen to omit from the definition of Ba a volume fraction parameter which is usually of order unity and is therefore not important qualitively). In the Couette flow experiments the appropriate shear rate, [delta], is clearly defined; in other flows (such as the very practical flow in a hopper) the corresponding condition (or shear rate) in not known. The purpose here is to investigate the effects of the interstitial fluid in the primarily extensional flows which occur in the flow of a granular material in a hopper.
The Impact of ABO Blood Grouping on COVID-19 Vulnerability and Seriousness: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Controlled Study among the Arab Community

Background and Objectives: Studies have noted that some ABO blood types are more susceptible to COVID-19 virus infection. This study aimed to further confirm the relationship between different blood groups on the vulnerability, symptoms, cure period, and severity among COVID-19 recovered patients. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study approached the participants from the Arab community via social media (mainly Facebook and WhatsApp). The data were collected through two Google Form questionnaires, one for COVID-19 recovered patients (COVID-19 group, n = 726), and the other for the healthy people (Control group, n = 707). Results: The subjects with blood group O were the least likely to be infected with the COVID-19 virus, while those with blood group A were not likely to be the most susceptible. There were significant differences among different ABO blood groups regarding the distribution of oxygen saturation percentage, myalgia, and recovery time after COVID-19 infection (p < 0.01, 0.01, and 0.05, respectively). The blood group A showed the highest percentage of patients who experienced an oxygen saturation range of 90–100%, whereas the blood group O showed the highest percentage of patients who experienced an oxygen saturation range of 70–80%. The blood group A showed the lowest percentage of patients who required artificial respiration, whereas the blood group O showed the highest percentage of patients who required artificial respiration. The blood group B showed the lowest percentage of patients who experienced myalgia and exhibited the lowest percentage of patients who needed 3 weeks or more to recover. Conclusion: The people of blood group O may be the least likely to be infected with COVID-19, however, they may be the more in need of treatment in hospital and artificial respiration compared to the other blood groups.
Effect of platelet‐rich plasma on the outcome of mini‐punch grafting procedure in localized stable vitiligo: Clinical evaluation and relation to lesional basic fibroblast growth factor

Surgical methods are favorably used for treatment of stable vitiligo, and platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) can be added to augment the effect. The additive value of PRP, however, remains elusive. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is released from activated platelets with a capacity for stimulating melanocyte proliferation and migration. The treatment outcomes for the mini‐punch grafting (MPG)/phototherapy treatment with and without PRP were assessed and the relation between bFGF and the obtained results were evaluated. Thirty‐four vitiliginous patches, two per each patient with stable vitiligo, were enrolled in this intrapatient‐controlled study and treated with autologous MPG and subsequent exposure to phototherapy with and without enhancement via PRP procedure at the time of the procedure, and monthly for the subsequent 3 months. Re‐pigmentation assessment via vitiligo scores as well as measurement of lesional bFGF were done. PRP assistance to MPG/phototherapy treatment resulted in earlier re‐pigmentation at week 8. However, this enhancement effect vanished at the study end (week 20) as ideal re‐pigmentation (>75% re‐pigmentation) was encountered in 10 patches (58.8%) treated with MPG/phototherapy modality, and in 12 patches (70.6%) treated with PRP‐assisted method without significant difference between them. Lesional bFGF increased after both treatments with a higher expression with PRP assistance but without clinical reflection on the final outcome. PRP can speed the re‐pigmentation response for MPG/phototherapy procedure without any significant effect on the final outcome.
Morphometry of Asterion and its Proximity to Dural Venous Sinuses in Northwest Ethiopian Adult Skulls.

INTRODUCTION The asterion is a craniometric point in the norma lateralis of skull situated at the confluence of parietal, temporal, and occipital bones. The aim of this study is to determine the type and mapping of asterion and its relation with transverse-sigmoid venous sinus junction (TSSJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-one dry and intact adult human skulls of unknown sex and age were used. The measurements were implemented using stainless steel sliding vernier caliper. The data were analyzed using SPSS version-20 and independent t-test analysis was implemented. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS In the study, type II was found to be the predominant asterion type. There was statistically significant difference in measurements of central thickness of right and left sides of asterion (P = 0.04, Eta squared = 0.025). Besides, the TSSJ was situated above the asterion and at the level of asterion in 39.34% and 60.66 of the cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The Northwest Ethiopian population has a high incidence of type II asterion. In most of the cases, the TSSJ is situated at the level of the asterion. The finding of the present study may be useful to neurosurgeons to reduce the risk during posterior cranial fossa surgeries. This work may also offer worthy information to radiologists, anthropologists, anatomists, and forensic scientists.
Dynamics of Top‐Down Control and Motor Networks in Parkinson's Disease

Motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients might be related to high‐level task‐control deficits. We aimed at investigating the dynamics between sensorimotor network and top‐down control networks (frontal–parietal, cingulo‐opercular, and cerebellar) in PD and at determining the effects of levodopa on the dynamics of these networks.
Quality Improvement Project of a Massive Transfusion Protocol (MTP) to Reduce Wastage of Blood Components

Massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) facilitate the organized delivery of blood components for traumatically injured patients. MTPs vary across institutions, and ratios of blood components can change during clinical management. As a result, significant amounts of components can be wasted. We completed a review of all MTP activations from 2015 to 2018, providing an in-depth analysis of waste in our single Level 1 trauma center. An interdepartmental group analyzed patterns of blood component wastage to guide three quality improvement initiatives. Specifically, we (1) completed a digital timeline for each MTP activation and termination, (2) improved communications between departments, and (3) provided yearly training for all personnel about MTP deployment. The analysis identified an association between delayed MTP deactivations and waste (RR = 1.48, CI 1.19–1.85, p = 0.0005). An overall improvement in waste was seen over the years, but this could not be attributed to increased closed-loop communication as determined by the proportion of non-stop activations (F(124,3) = 0.98, not significant). Delayed MTP deactivations are the primary determinant of blood component waste. Our proactive intervention on communications between groups was not sufficient in reducing the number of delayed deactivations. However, implementing a digital timeline and regular repetitive training yielded a significant reduction in wasted blood components.
3D-Printed Hermetic Alumina Housings

Ceramics are repeatedly investigated as packaging materials because of their gas tightness, e.g., as hermetic implantable housing. Recent advances also make it possible to print the established aluminum oxide in a Fused Filament Fabrication process, creating new possibilities for manufacturing personalized devices with complex shapes. This study was able to achieve integration of channels with a diameter of 500 µm (pre-sintered) with a nozzle size of 250 µm (layer thickness 100 µm) and even closed hemispheres were printed without support structures. During sintering, the weight-bearing feedstock shrinks by 16.7%, resulting in a relative material density of 96.6%. The well-known challenges of the technology such as surface roughness (Ra = 15–20 µm) and integrated cavities remain. However, it could be shown that the hollow structures in bulk do not represent a mechanical weak point and that the material can be gas-tight (<10−12 mbar s−1). For verification, a volume-free helium leak test device was developed and validated. Finally, platinum coatings with high adhesion examined the functionalization of the ceramic. All the prerequisites for hermetic housings with integrated metal structures are given, with a new level of complexity of ceramic shapes available.
Morph‐anatomic and histochemical study of ileum of goose (Alopochen egyptiacus) with special references to immune cells, mucous and serous goblet cells, telocytes, and dark and light smooth muscle fibers

The morphological characteristics of the ileum of 20 adult male Egyptian geese were determined using LM, SEM, and TEM. The mean length of the ileum in the male goose was approximately 158.71 mm, representing nearly 10.19% of the total length of the small intestine. The ileum is composed of four layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscular layer, and serosa. The mucosal layer comprises the epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosa. The mucosa forms finger‐like villi and is invaginated at the bases, forming the crypts of Lieberkühn. The ileum is lined by simple columnar epithelium that contains absorptive dark and light enterocytes with two types of goblet cells (mucous and serous varieties) microfold like cells, dendritic reticulum cells, Paneth cells, and a closed type of enteroendocrine cells. The lamina propria has diffuse lymphoid tissue containing lymphocytes, macrophages, mast cells, plasma cells, and heterophils as well as telocytes. The muscularis mucosa comprises circular smooth muscle fibers extending into the core of the villi. The submucosa is a thin layer of elastic‐rich connective tissue. The muscular level consists of four layers, with light and dark smooth muscle fibers. We described in detail the structure of all cellular components and histomorphometric measurements.
Caregivers’ Role in the Effectiveness of Two Dutch School-Based Nutrition Education Programmes for Children Aged 7–12 Years Old

Childhood eating behaviours can track into adulthood. Therefore, programmes that support early healthy eating, including school-based nutrition education programmes, are important. Although school-based programmes may be beneficial in improving nutrition knowledge, impact on actual fruit and vegetable (FV) intake is generally limited as FV intake is also influenced by the home environment. The current study includes secondary analyses of data from an evaluation study on Dutch nutrition education and examined the role of caregivers’ health promotion behaviours (HPB) in influencing healthy eating behaviours in primary school children (n = 1460, aged 7–12 years) and whether caregivers’ HPB contribute to programme effectiveness. Children’s nutrition knowledge, FV intake and caregivers’ HPB (FV/sugar-sweetened beverages/sweets provision to take to school, cooking together and talking about healthy food at home) were measured by child-reported questionnaires at baseline, during, and 6 months post-programme. Results indicated that caregivers’ HPB was positively associated with children’s healthy eating behaviours and that programme effectiveness was highest in those in the lower HPB subcategory. In conclusion, children with less encouragement to eat healthily at home potentially benefit more from school-based nutrition education programmes than children receiving more encouragement. This highlights the important role of the home environment in supporting healthy eating behaviour in children.
Study on the Propagation Characteristics of Terahertz Waves in Dusty Plasma with a Ceramic Substrate by the Scattering Matrix Method

The propagation characteristics of terahertz (THz) waves incident vertically into inhomogeneous and collisional dusty plasma with a ceramic substrate are studied using the scattering matrix method (SMM). The effects of the incident wave frequency and plasma parameters, such as the maximal electron density, dust particle density, dust particle radius and collision frequency, on the reflectance and transmittance of THz waves in the dusty plasma are discussed. In addition, the differences of the propagation properties in the dusty plasma, with and without ceramic substrate, are analyzed. Meanwhile, the differences of the propagation properties in dusty plasma and common plasma, respectively, with ceramic substrate are also compared. Simulation results show that the substrate and dust particles have significant influence on the propagation characteristics of THz wave in plasma sheath. Finally, the transmission increases with the increase of electron density, dust density, dust particle radius and collision frequency.
Novel Cecropin-4 Derived Peptides against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Increasing microbial resistance, coupled with a lack of new antimicrobial discovery, has led researchers to refocus on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as novel therapeutic candidates. Significantly, the less toxic cecropins have gained widespread attention for potential antibacterial agent development. However, the narrow activity spectrum and long sequence remain the primary limitations of this approach. In this study, we truncated and modified cecropin 4 (41 amino acids) by varying the charge and hydrophobicity balance to obtain smaller AMPs. The derivative peptide C18 (16 amino acids) demonstrated high antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as yeasts. Moreover, C18 demonstrated a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4 µg/mL against the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and showed synergy with daptomycin with a fractional inhibition concentration index (FICI) value of 0.313. Similar to traditional cecropins, C18 altered the membrane potential, increased fluidity, and caused membrane breakage at 32 µg/mL. Importantly, C18 eliminated 99% persisters at 10 × MIC within 20 min and reduced the biofilm adherence by ~40% and 35% at 32 and 16 µg/mL. Besides, C18 possessed a strong binding ability with DNA at 7.8 μM and down-regulated the expression of virulence factor genes like agrA, fnb-A, and clf-1 by more than 5-fold (p < 0.05). Interestingly, in the Galleria mellonella model, C18 rescued more than 80% of larva infected with the MRSA throughout 120-h post-infection at a single dose of 8 mg/kg (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study provides a reference for the transformation of cecropin to derive small peptides and presents C18 as an attractive therapeutic candidate to be developed to treat severe MRSA infections.