Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Etching Anisotropy in Fused Silica by Double-Pulse Fabrication

Femtosecond laser-induced selective etching (FLISE) is a promising technology for fabrication of a wide range of optical, mechanical and microfluidic devices. Various etching conditions, together with significant process optimisations, have already been demonstrated. However, the FLISE technology still faces severe limitations for a wide range of applications due to limited processing speed and polarization-dependent etching. In this article, we report our novel results on the double-pulse processing approach on the improvement of chemical etching anisotropy and >30% faster processing speed in fused silica. The effects of pulse delay and pulse duration were investigated for further understanding of the relations between nanograting formation and etching. The internal sub-surface modifications were recorded with double cross-polarised pulses of a femtosecond laser, and a new nanograting morphology (grid-like) was demonstrated by precisely adjusting the processing parameters in a narrow processing window. It was suggested that this grid-like morphology impacts the etching anisotropy, which could be improved by varying the delay between two orthogonally polarized laser pulses.
Effect of grape juice, red wine and resveratrol solution on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepactic function and lipid profile in rats feds with high-fat diet

Abstract The objective was to investigate the role of consumption of grape juice (GJ), red wine (RW) or resveratrol solution (RS) on rats treated with a high-fat diet (HFD). Among the drinks offered, GJ had lower content of polyphenols and trans-resveratrol. Nevertheless, GJ showed similar content of anthocyanin and antioxidant activity to RW, although higher than RS. In rats treated with HFD, consumption of GJ presented best antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, reducing glutathione peroxidase and interleukin-6 serum levels. In addition, GJ promoted better levels of cholesterol and liver markers. On the other hand, RW aggravated the oxidizing effect of HFD, increasing catalase activity and interleukin-6 level. Already, RS showed no benefit in animals. Thus, GJ minimized the effects of HFD on oxidative stress and inflammation beyond promoted better levels of lipid profile and liver biomarkers. However, consumption of RS showed no benefit and RW revealed a pro-oxidant effect, as did HFD.
An Italian sacrifice to the COVID-19 epidemic

As reported by Newsweek magazine on 4 April 2020 [1], coronavirus has killed over 100 doctors and nurses around the world, nearly half of whom are reported to be in Italy. This report, however, underestimated the size of the problem. To date, 151 doctors and more than 40 nurses have died in Italy from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The report of Italian doctors who died during the COVID-19 outbreak should inform us not to forget https://bit.ly/3cbSbkU
The Arabidopsis ISR1 locus is required for rhizobacteria-mediated induced systemic resistance against different pathogens

In Arabidopsis thaliana, non-pathogenic, root-colonizing Pseudomonas fluorescens WCS417r bacteria trigger an induced systemic resistance (ISR) that is phenotypically similar to pathogen-induced systemic acquired resistance (SAR). In contrast to SAR, WCS417r-mediated ISR is controlled by a salicylic acid (SA)-independent signalling pathway that requires an intact response to the plant hormones jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET). Arabidopsis accessions RLD1 and Ws-0 fail to express ISR against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and show enhanced disease susceptibility to this pathogen. Genetic analysis of progeny from crosses between WCS417r-responsive and non-responsive accessions demonstrated that ISR inducibility and basal resistance against P. syringae pv. tomato are controlled by a single dominant locus (ISR1) on chromosome III (Ton et al., 1999[8]). Here, we investigated the role of the ISR1 locus in ISR, SAR and basal resistance against three additional pathogens: Xanthomonas campestris pv. armoraciae, Peronospora parasitica and turnip crinkle virus (TCV), using accessions Col-0 (ISR1), RLD1 (isr1) and Ws-0 (isr1) as host plants.
Relação entre a variação genética de caracteres quantitativos e marcadores moleculares em subpopulações de cagaiteira (Eugenia dysenterica DC)

This research aimed to measure the association between molecular diversity and the genetic variation of quantitative traits, estimated from a progeny trial, under controlled conditions. Ten natural subpopulations of cagaita tree from the southeast of Goias State, Brazil, were investigated. The maternal families were evaluated in a trail using the randomized complete block design with four replications and a single tree per plot. Quantitative data were analyzed estimating the coefficient of heritability (hmi2 ), on a progeny mean basis and the genetic coefficient of variation (CVgi) for each subpopulation. The traits considered were: plant height and the respective diameter and the corresponding annual rates of increment. Estimates of gene diversity (Hei) and fixation index (fi), available for the same subpopulations, based on isozymes, SSR and RAPD markers, were taken for comparison. Simple linear correlation and multiple regression analysis were used for measuring the association between those estimates on intra and interpopulation level. The weak correlation between gene diversity estimated with codominant and dominant markers reduced the expectation of a good correlation between those statistics and the genetic variation of the quantitative traits. In general, the possibility to infer the magnitude of quantitative variation within subpopulations, based on molecular gene diversity, was not confirmed. RAPD results were more promising, indicating the importance to have an adequate genomic coverage in this kind of research. On the other hand, the interpopulation level, a much better association was detected for all markers. The possibility of predicting quantitative variation based on molecular information was, therefore, not excluded.
Association of Sarcopenic Dysphagia with Underlying Sarcopenia Following Hip Fracture Surgery in Older Women

This study aimed to investigate the association between the development of dysphagia in patients with underlying sarcopenia and the prevalence of sarcopenic dysphagia in older patients following surgical treatment for hip fracture. Older female patients with hip fractures (n = 89) were studied. The data of skeletal muscle mass, hand-grip strength, and nutritional status were examined. The development of dysphagia postoperatively was graded using the Food Oral Intake Scale by a certified nurse in dysphagia nursing. The patients’ mean age was 85.9 ± 6.5 years. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 76.4% at baseline. Of the 89 patients, 11 (12.3%) and 12 (13.5%) had dysphagia by day 7 of hospitalization and at discharge, respectively. All patients who developed dysphagia had underlying sarcopenia. Lower skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) (<4.7 kg/m2) and grip strength (<8 kg) at baseline indicated a higher incidence of dysphagia on day 7 (p = 0.003 and Phi = 0.391) and at discharge (p = 0.001 and Phi = 0.448). Dysphagia developed after hip fracture surgery could be sarcopenic dysphagia, and worsening sarcopenia was a risk factor for dysphagia following hip fracture surgery. Clinicians and medical coworkers should become more aware of the risks of sarcopenic dysphagia. Early detection and preventive interventions for dysphagia should be emphasized.
COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact on Craniofacial Surgery

Abstract In late 2019, a novel coronavirus strain, SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), also known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), triggered a global pandemic as the virus spread from the Wuhan Province, China, across all continents. Although infrequent, severe respiratory infection and death caused by SARS-CoV-2 is disproportionately high amongst healthcare providers such as craniofacial surgeons who work in the head and neck region. Factors this impact SARS-CoV-2 transmission include: (1) high viral loads in the mucosa of the oral and nasopharynx, (2) limited and/or imprecise disease screening/confirmation testing, (3) access to and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
SALMFamide neuropeptides cause relaxation and eversion of the cardiac stomach in starfish

Feeding in starfish of the species Asterias rubens involves eversion of the cardiac stomach over prey such as mussels and oysters. For eversion to be accomplished the cardiac stomach must be relaxed. Here we show that two neuropeptides (S1 and S2) belonging to a family of echinoderm neuropeptides called SALMFamides cause concentration–dependent relaxation of the cardiac stomach in vitro, with S2 being 10 to 20 times more potent than S1. Previously, we have obtained evidence that nitric oxide mediates neural control of cardiac stomach relaxation in Asterias. However, S2–induced relaxation of the cardiac stomach is not affected by an inhibitor of the nitric oxide ‘receptor’ soluble guanylyl cyclase. Therefore, cardiac stomach relaxation in starfish appears to be controlled by at least two neural signalling pathways acting in parallel. To assess the involvement of the SALMFamides in mediating cardiac stomach eversion in Asterias, experiments were performed in which water (control) or S1 or S2 was injected into the perivisceral coelom. Cardiac stomach eversion was observed after 5 min in 3% of tests with water, in 11% of tests with S1 and in 57% of tests with S2. Importantly, the effectiveness of S1 and S2 in promoting eversion corresponds with their relative potency as cardiac stomach relaxants in vitro. Collectively, these data indicate that SALMFamide neuropeptides may be involved in regulating the process of cardiac stomach eversion in starfish.
Sequential path analysis of grain yield and its components in maize

The efficiency of a breeding programme depends mainly on the direction and magnitude of the association between yield and its components and also the relative importance of each factor involved in contributing to grain yield. The purpose of this research is to describe the application of causal path analysis to grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.) to take into account the sequential development of yield components. Causal-admissible path analysis was performed assuming unidirectional causal relationships among yield components of eight maize populations. Sequential path analysis of the five yield components studied revealed that ears per plant had the highest direct effect on grain yield. However, the indirect effects of component traits via number of grains per ear was maximum. It was concluded that the number of kernels per ear, prolificacy, and grain size serve as potential characters in breeding for superior lines for grain yield in maize.
The association between androgen receptor splice variant 7 status and prognosis of metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta‑analysis

Recent studies have found that metastatic castrated‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with positive androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR‐V7) may have poor prognosis during endocrine or chemotherapy treatment, but the specific mechanism was still unclear. We had finished literature search in March 2019 from PubMed, Web of Science database, and Embase. The final results were presented in this research. The pooled results showed that AR‐V7 status predicted pooled PSA‐PFS (HR = 4.31, 95% CI: 2.57–7.24, p < .001), rPFS (HR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.28–4.48, p = .006) and OS (HR = 4.27, 95% CI: 3.22–5.66, p < .001) in mCRPC patients after endocrine or chemotherapy treatment. Subgroup analysis of different treatments revealed that mCRPC patients treated with chemotherapy had significant association between positive AR‐V7 and OS (HR = 2.82, 95% CI: 1.72–4.62, p < .001), and also during endocrine therapy (HR = 4.78, 95% CI: 3.33–6.86, p < .001). Our study demonstrated that AR‐V7‐positive mCRPC patients may have worse prognosis. AR‐V7 may be an independent prognostic factor for endocrine therapy or chemotherapy in patients with mCRPC.
PLGA Nanoparticles for the Intraperitoneal Administration of CBD in the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer: In Vitro and In Ovo Assessment

The intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapeutics has emerged as a potential route in ovarian cancer treatment. Nanoparticles as carriers for these agents could be interesting by increasing the retention of chemotherapeutics within the peritoneal cavity. Moreover, nanoparticles could be internalised by cancer cells and let the drug release near the biological target, which could increase the anticancer efficacy. Cannabidiol (CBD), the main nonpsychotropic cannabinoid, appears as a potential anticancer drug. The aim of this work was to develop polymer nanoparticles as CBD carriers capable of being internalised by ovarian cancer cells. The drug-loaded nanoparticles (CBD-NPs) exhibited a spherical shape, a particle size around 240 nm and a negative zeta potential (−16.6 ± 1.2 mV). The encapsulation efficiency was high, with values above 95%. A controlled CBD release for 96 h was achieved. Nanoparticle internalisation in SKOV-3 epithelial ovarian cancer cells mainly occurred between 2 and 4 h of incubation. CBD antiproliferative activity in ovarian cancer cells was preserved after encapsulation. In fact, CBD-NPs showed a lower IC50 values than CBD in solution. Both CBD in solution and CBD-NPs induced the expression of PARP, indicating the onset of apoptosis. In SKOV-3-derived tumours formed in the chick embryo model, a slightly higher—although not statistically significant—tumour growth inhibition was observed with CBD-NPs compared to CBD in solution. To sum up, poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles could be a good strategy to deliver CBD intraperitoneally for ovarian cancer treatment.
Uric acid stone disease: lessons from recent human physiologic studies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW An overly acidic urine resulting in supersaturation of urine with respect to uric acid is the major mechanism responsible for uric acid nephrolithiasis. The present review summarizes findings from recent human physiologic studies examining the pathophysiology and reversibility of low urine pH in uric acid stone formers. RECENT FINDINGS Epidemiologic and metabolic studies have confirmed an increase in the prevalence of uric acid nephrolithiasis and reported its association with several features of the metabolic syndrome including dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, hepatic steatosis, and greater visceral adiposity. Physiologic studies in uric acid stone formers have identified diet-independent excessive net acid excretion and concomitant reduction in urinary buffering from impaired renal ammoniagenesis as the two causes underlying the greater aciduria. Administration of the insulin sensitizer pioglitazone to uric acid stone formers reduced the acid load presented to the kidney and enhanced ammoniagenesis and ammonium excretion, resulting in significantly higher urine pH. SUMMARY Recent human physiologic studies have identified greater acid excretion and reduced urinary buffering by ammonia as two culprits of aciduria in uric acid nephrolithiasis that can be reversed by pioglitazone, raising new questions regarding the origin of the aciduria and opening the door to pathophysiology-based treatment of uric acid stones.
FADS1 (Fatty Acid Desaturase 1) Genotype Associates With Aortic Valve FADS mRNA Expression, Fatty Acid Content and Calcification

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Aortic stenosis (AS) contributes to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity but disease mechanisms remain largely unknown. Recent evidence associates a single nucleotide polymorphism rs174547 within the FADS1 gene, encoding FADS1 (fatty acid desaturase 1), with risk of several cardiovascular outcomes, including AS. FADS1 encodes a rate-limiting enzyme for ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acid metabolism. The aim of this study was to decipher the local transcriptomic and lipidomic consequences of rs174547 in tricuspid aortic valves from patients with AS. Methods: Expression quantitative trait loci study was performed using data from Illumina Human610-Quad BeadChip, Infinium Global Screening Arrays, and Affymetrix Human Transcriptome 2.0 arrays in calcified and noncalcified aortic valve tissue from 58 patients with AS (mean age, 74.2; SD, 5.9). Fatty acid content was assessed in aortic valves from 25 patients with AS using gas chromatography. Δ5 and Δ6 desaturase activity was assessed by the product-to-precursor ratio. Results: The minor C-allele of rs174547, corresponding to the protective genotype for AS, was associated with higher FADS2 mRNA levels in calcified valve tissue, whereas FADS1 mRNA and other transcripts in proximity of the single nucleotide polymorphism were unaltered. In contrast, the FADS1 Δ5-desaturase activity and the FADS2 Δ6-desaturase activity were decreased. Finally, docosahexaenoic acid was decreased in calcified tissue compared with non-calcified tissue and C-allele carriers exhibited increased docosahexaenoic acid levels. Overall desaturase activity measured with ω-3 fatty acids was higher in C-allele carriers. Conclusions: The association between the FADS1 genotype and AS may implicate effects on valvular fatty acids.
Therapeutic Targeting of Pancreatic Cancer via EphA2 Dimeric Agonistic Agents

Recently, we reported on potent EphA2 targeting compounds and demonstrated that dimeric versions of such agents can exhibit remarkably increased agonistic activity in cellular assays compared to the monomers. Here we further characterize the activity of dimeric compounds at the structural, biochemical, and cellular level. In particular, we propose a structural model for the mechanism of receptor activation by dimeric agents and characterize the effect of most potent compounds in inducing EphA2 activation and degradation in a pancreatic cancer cell line. These cellular studies indicate that the pro-migratory effects induced by the receptor can be reversed in EphA2 knockout cells, by treatment with either a dimeric natural ligand (ephrinA1-Fc), or by our synthetic agonistic dimers. Based on these data we conclude that the proposed agents hold great potential as possible therapeutics in combination with standard of care, where these could help suppressing a major driver for cell migration and tumor metastases. Finally, we also found that, similar to ephrinA1-Fc, dimeric agents cause a sustained internalization of the EphA2 receptor, hence, with proper derivatizations, these could also be used to deliver chemotherapy selectively to pancreatic tumors.
Burden of Rare Variants in ALS and Axonal Hereditary Neuropathy Genes Influence Survival in ALS: Insights from a Next Generation Sequencing Study of an Italian ALS Cohort

Although the genetic architecture of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is incompletely understood, recent findings suggest a complex model of inheritance in ALS, which is consistent with a multistep pathogenetic process. Therefore, the aim of our work is to further explore the architecture of ALS using targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis, enriched in motor neuron diseases (MND)-associated genes which are also implicated in axonal hereditary motor neuropathy (HMN), in order to investigate if disease expression, including the progression rate, could be influenced by the combination of multiple rare gene variants. We analyzed 29 genes in an Italian cohort of 83 patients with both familial and sporadic ALS. Overall, we detected 43 rare variants in 17 different genes and found that 43.4% of the ALS patients harbored a variant in at least one of the investigated genes. Of note, 27.9% of the variants were identified in other MND- and HMN-associated genes. Moreover, multiple gene variants were identified in 17% of the patients. The burden of rare variants is associated with reduced survival and with the time to reach King stage 4, i.e., the time to reach the need for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) positioning or non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) initiation, independently of known negative prognostic factors. Our data contribute to a better understanding of the molecular basis of ALS supporting the hypothesis that rare variant burden could play a role in the multistep model of disease and could exert a negative prognostic effect. Moreover, we further extend the genetic landscape of ALS to other MND-associated genes traditionally implicated in degenerative diseases of peripheral axons, such as HMN and CMT2.
Effects of Magnesium Oxide (MgO) Shapes on In Vitro and In Vivo Degradation Behaviors of PLA/MgO Composites in Long Term

Biodegradable devices for medical applications should be with an appropriate degradation rate for satisfying the various requirements of bone healing. In this study, composite materials of polylactic acid (PLA)/stearic acid-modified magnesium oxide (MgO) with a 1 wt% were prepared through blending extrusion, and the effects of the MgO shapes on the composites’ properties in in vitro and in vivo degradation were investigated. The results showed that the long-term degradation behaviors of the composite samples depended significantly on the filler shape. The degradation of the composites is accelerated by the increase in the water uptake rate of the PLA matrix and the composite containing the MgO nanoparticles was influenced more severely by the enhanced hydrophilicity. Furthermore, the pH value of the phosphate buffer solution (PBS) was obviously regulated by the dissolution of MgO through the neutralization of the acidic product of the PLA degradation. In addition, the improvement of the in vivo degrading process of the composite illustrated that the PLA/MgO materials can effectively regulate the degradation of the PLA matrix as well as raise its bioactivity, indicating the composites for utilization as a biomedical material matching the different requirements for bone-related repair.
Estimation of dietary threonine requirement for growth and immune responses of broilers

This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing threonine (Thr) at different levels in the diets on growth performance and immune responses of broiler chickens challenged with infectious bursal disease (IBD) and also to estimate Thr requirement based on different response criterion. A total of 300 one-day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to one of the six dietary treatments. Chickens were fed eight graded levels of Thr: 0.60, 0.67, 0.74, 0.81, 0.88 or 0.95% from day 21 to 42 of age. On day 28, all birds were challenged with a commercial live-IBDV vaccine. Body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass characterisation (breast, thigh and fat pad percentage) were significantly influenced by Thr levels. Increasing advisable level up to 0.81% of the diet resulted in significant improvement in the FCR and BWG. Thr supplementation had great effects on the antibody titer against IBD; the broilers receiving the Thr levels of higher than National Research Council (NRC) recommendation have a higher IBD antibody titer than those that received lower levels of Thr. The highest (0.8224±0.0211) and the lowest (0.7240±0.0140) were estimated with straight broken-line analysis for immune response (14 days post-challenge) and breast weight, respectively. The results obtained in the present study indicated that Thr requirements of broiler based on the recommendation of NRC are not sufficient to meet the requirement of the new commercial broiler companies under stress and non-hygienic conditions. The best level of Thr based on the current study was 0.81% for support growth performance and immune function.