Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Telomere Length in Idiopathic Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Abstract Objective Telomere length is used as an indicator of biological aging. It is well known that one of the most remarkable risk factors of recurrent pregnancy losses is advanced maternal age. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss and telomere length. Method The study group included 40 women, while the control group consisted of 41 healthy women whose age and body mass index were matched. A venous blood sample was taken from all participants into EDTA tubes in the early follicular phase, and telomere length was measured through the qPCR technique. Results When the mean TL of the groups was compared, it was determined that TL was significantly shorter among the iRPL group (7763.89±924.58 base pair) compared to the control group (8398.84±1102.95 base pair) (p<0.006). Whereas FSH and E2 were higher in the iRPL group, TAFC was lower (p<0.001). When the correlation between telomere length and endocrine parameters was statistically tested in the iRPL group, a negative correlation was found between FSH and telomere length (r=-0.437; p<0.001). Conclusion Shortened telomere length might play a role in the etiology of iRPL. We are of the opinion that patients with RPL should be screened for the presence of cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases, as is the case for POF.
Stressing State Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beam Strengthened by CFRP Sheet with Anchoring Device

This paper investigates the working performance of reinforcement concrete (RC) beams strengthened by Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) with different anchoring under bending moment, based on the structural stressing state theory. The measured strain values of concrete and Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) sheet are modeled as generalized strain energy density (GSED), to characterize the RC beams’ stressing state. Then the Mann–Kendall (M–K) criterion is applied to distinguish the characteristic loads of structural stressing state from the curve, updating the definition of structural failure load. In addition, for tested specimens with middle anchorage and end anchorage, the torsion applied on the anchoring device and the deformation width of anchoring device are respectively set parameters to analyze their effects on the reinforcement performance of CFRP sheet through comparing the strain distribution pattern of CFRP. Finally, in order to further explore the strain distribution of the cross-section and analyze the stressing-state characteristics of the RC beam, the numerical shape function (NSF) method is proposed to reasonably expand the limited strain data. The research results provide a new angle of view to conduct structural analysis and a reference to the improvement of reinforcement effect of CFRP.
Chemotherapy‐based approach is the preferred treatment for sporadic late‐onset nemaline myopathy with a monoclonal protein

Sporadic late‐onset nemaline myopathy (SLONM) associated with monoclonal protein (MP) is a rare disease with an aggressive, and often fatal course. Whether SLONM + MP represents a malignancy or dysimmune disease remains unclear. Currently, two main approaches are used to treat SLONM + MP: nonchemotherapy‐based treatment (immunosuppression, intravenous immunoglobulins, plasmapheresis and plasma exchange) or chemotherapy with or without autologous stem cell transplantation. Due to the rare occurrence of the disease, the best treatment modality is unknown. We analyzed treatment and outcomes in a large cohort of 53 patients with SLONM + MP: four our own patients and 49 cases from published literature. Neurological improvement in the nonchemotherapy group (N = 25) was observed in 52% of patients: 8% reached marked improvement, 8% moderate response, 36% mild response; none reached complete remission (CR). In the chemotherapy group (N = 28), neurological improvement was seen in 86% of patients: 46% reached CR, 25% marked response, 11% moderate response and 4% mild response. The best neurological improvement correlated with deep hematological remission. Mean time to best response in the chemotherapy group was 8 months versus 21 months in the nonchemotherapy group (P < .001). Overall survival was higher in patients in the chemotherapy group. A chemotherapy approach should be the preferred treatment for patients with SLOMN + MP with the goal to reach complete hematologic remission. Based on the clinical, morphological peculiarities, aggressive disease course and superior clinical benefits of chemotherapy over nonchemotherapy, SLONM + MP should be considered as a hematological malignancy with the presence of MP of clinical rather than undetermined significance.
Photocatalytic transformation of organic compounds in the presence of inorganic ions

Abstract The influence of halide ions on the photocatalytic process on titanium dioxide has been investigated carefully. Chloride and bromide ions, acting as hole scavengers, generate active radical species (e.g., ·Cl and ·Br) that participate in reactions with the organic compounds and the transient intermediates. Chloride and bromide ions have shown to deeply inhibit the degradation rate of chloroform and tetrachloromethane and to modify both the qualitative and quantitative distribution of their intermediates formed during the degradation process. In the presence of bromide, CBrCl3 is detected as intermediate during CCl4 degradation, while in the presence of chloride, formation of CCl4 is observed in the CHCl3 degradation. Fluoride ions, differently from the other halides, cannot be oxidized by the valence hole and may be used as a diagnostic tool in mechanistic studies. The influence of fluoride on phenol has been investigated, and, by choosing appropriate experimental conditions, it was possible to evaluate the role of the different active species in the photocatalytic process.
“Following Your Gut” or “Questioning the Scientific Evidence”: Understanding Vaccine Skepticism among More-Educated Dutch Parents

This study aims to understand vaccine skepticism among a population where it is remarkably prevalent—more-educated Dutch parents—through 31 in-depth interviews. Whereas all respondents ascribe a central role to the individual in obtaining knowledge (i.e., individualist epistemology), this is expressed in two repertoires. A neoromantic one focuses on deriving truth through intuition and following a “natural” path and informs a risk typology: embracing (refusing) “natural” (“unnatural”) risks such as “childhood diseases” (“pharmaceutical substances”). A critical-reflexive repertoire centers on scientific methods but is skeptical about the scientific consensus and informs a risk calculation: opting for the choice perceived to bear the smallest risk. Thus, the same vaccine can be rejected because of its perceived harm to natural processes (neoromantic repertoire) or because its scientific basis is deemed insufficient (critical-reflexive repertoire). Moreover, these opposing repertoires are likely to inspire different responses to the same health-related information.
Pentraxin 3 is more accurate than C-reactive protein for Takayasu arteritis activity assessment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Aims Whether the circulating levels of pentraxin 3 (PTX3), an acute phase reactant (APR), are higher in active Takayasu arteritis (TAK), and if so, whether PTX3 is more accurate than C-reactive protein (CRP) in TAK activity assessment has been investigated in this study. Study design Research works such as PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and two Chinese literature databases (CNKI and WanFang) were searched for studies conducted till August 30th, 2019. Two investigators searched the studies independently, who evaluated the quality of the study using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) and extracted data. Pooled standard mean difference (SMD) and diagnostic indexes, with a 95% confidence interval (CI), were calculated using a random-effect model. Results Totally, 8 studies involving 473 TAK (208 active and 265 inactive TAK) patients and 252 healthy controls were eventually included in the meta-analysis. PTX3 level in the blood in active TAK patients were found to be higher than that in dormant TAK with pooled SMD of 0.761 (95% CI = 0.38–1.14, p<0.0001; I2 = 68%, p of Q test = 0.003). And there was no publication bias. Among the 8 studies, 5 studies identified active TAK with both PTX3 and CRP. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC values of PTX3 in active TAK diagnosis were higher than those of CRP (0.78 [95% CI = 0.65–0.87] vs. 0.66 [95% CI = 0.53–0.77], p = 0.012; 0.85 [95% CI = 0.77–0.90] vs. 0.77 [95% CI = 0.56–0.90], p = 0.033; 0.88 [95% CI = 0.85–0.90] vs. 0.75 [95% CI = 0.71–0.79], p < 0.0001). It showed potential publication bias using Egger’s test (p of PTX3 = 0.031 and p of CRP = 0.047). Conclusions PTX3 might be better than CRP in the assessment of TAK activity. Yet, it should be cautious before clinical use for moderate heterogeneity and potential publication bias of the meta-analysis.
Pathophysiology linking depression and type 2 diabetes: Psychotherapy, physical exercise, and fecal microbiome transplantation as damage control

Diabetes increases the likelihood of developing depression and vice versa. Research on this bidirectional association has somewhat managed to delineate the interplay among implicated physiological processes. Still, further exploration is required in this context. This review addresses the comorbidity by investigating suspected common pathophysiological mechanisms. One such factor is psychological stress which disturbs the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis causing hormonal imbalance. This includes elevated cortisol levels, a common biomarker of both depression and diabetes. Disrupted insulin signaling drives the hampered neurotransmission of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Also, adipokine hormones such as adiponectin, leptin, and resistin and the orexigenic hormone, ghrelin, are involved in both depression and T2DM. This disarray further interferes with physiological processes encompassing sleep, the gut–brain axis, metabolism, and mood stability. Behavioral coping mechanisms, such as unhealthy eating, mediate disturbed glucose homeostasis, and neuroinflammation. This is intricately linked to oxidative stress, redox imbalance, and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, interventions such as psychotherapy, physical exercise, fecal microbiota transplantation, and insulin‐sensitizing agents can help to manage the distressing condition. The possibility of glucagon‐like peptide 1 possessing a therapeutic role has also been discussed. Nonetheless, there stands an urgent need for unraveling new correlating targets and biological markers for efficient treatment.
Effect of Various Maturity Stages at Harvest on Storability of Persimmon Fruits (Diospyros kaki L.)

Fruits of a commercial cultivar of sweet persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) were harvested at four stages of maturity to evaluate the practical maximum postharvest storage during 1998 and 1990. Fruits were harvested at four stages of maturity which corresponded to 6 th October, 19 th October, 4 th November, 29 th November in 1998 and 1 st October, 15 th October and 29 th October in 1999, respectively. Fruits were held at 2 ±1 o C and 95 % relative humidity for a period of twenty weeks. Fruit firmness, titrable acidity (TA), soluble tannin and vitamin C content significantly decreased with increasing maturity, while pH and soluble solid concentrations (SSC) increased. After storage, fruit harvested at all stages of maturity had higher pH, SSC, weight loss, and breakdown, but lower TA, firmness, vitamin C and soluble tannins as compared with their quality attributes at harvest. The least weight loss (less than 10 percent) during twenty weeks storage occurred in fruits harvested at the early stage of maturity (first harvest ), compared to other harvest dates. Fruit firmness, SSC and vitamin C content were also best in the same order for the first harvest. However, at the end of storage period, total soluble tannins were remarkably high in fruit harvested at the early stage of maturity. In contrast, harvesting fruit at early maturity stage (i.e., SSC around 13 % and fruit firmness of 15 kg/cm 2 ) was found to be the best stage for minimising a postharvest loss and maintaining a marketable persimmon fruit quality product for short term storage.
A behavioural and ERP investigation of the wearable camera photo review in autobiographical memory

ABSTRACT Wearable camera photo review has successfully been used to enhance memory, yet very little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Here, the sequential presentation of wearable camera photos – a key feature of wearable camera photo review – is examined using behavioural and EEG measures. Twelve female participants were taken on a walking tour, stopping at a series of predefined targets, while wearing a camera that captured photographs automatically. A sequence of four photos leading to these targets was selected (∼ 200 trials) and together with control photos, these were used in a recognition task one week later. Participants’ recognition performance improved with the sequence of photos (measured in hit rates, correct rejections, & sensitivity), revealing for the first time, a positive effect of sequence of photos in wearable camera photo review. This has important implications for understanding the sequential and cumulative effects of cues on episodic remembering. An old-new ERP effect was also observed over visual regions for hits vs. correct rejections, highlighting the importance of visual processing not only for perception but also for the location of activated memory representations.
Copper nitride thin film prepared by reactive radio-frequency magnetron sputtering

Copper nitride (Cu3N) thin films were deposited on glass substrates by reactive radio-frequency magnetron sputtering of a pure copper target in a nitrogen/argon atmosphere. The deposition rate of the films gradually decreased with increasing nitrogen flow rate. The color of the deposited films was a reddish dark brown. The Cu3N films obtained by this method were strongly textured with crystal direction [100]. The grain size of the polycrystalline films ranged from 16 to 26 nm. The Hall effect of the copper nitride (Cu3N) thin films was investigated. The optical energy gap of the films was obtained from the Hall coefficient and found to vary with the nitrogen content. The surface morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The copper nitride thin films are unstable and decompose into nitrogen and copper upon heat treatment when annealed in vacuum with argon protected at 200 °C for 1 h.
Parents’ Communication Work in the Management of Food Allergies

ABSTRACT The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has identified food allergies as a critical public health issue that significantly affects quality of life for patients and their families. Despite the crisis-level status of food allergies, especially in children, there are currently no curative treatments. As a result, impacted families must learn how to carry the burden of disease management. Using an expanded application of the concept of communication work, this study features data from interviews with 26 parents of food allergic children and explores how parents navigate the nuances of food allergy maintenance while negotiating and preserving valued relationships and identities through everyday talk. Results revealed that parents used communication to legitimate food allergy, balance potential face-threats with identity and relational goals, and coordinate care with spouses. Due to the lack of therapeutic treatment options, we found that parents utilize communication work, which is both demanding and effortful, as a form of disease management.
A Peek Into the Future: How a Pandemic Resulted in the Creation of Models to Predict the Impact on Sexually Transmitted Infection(s) in New York State (Excluding New York City)

Decreases in reported sexually transmitted infections were observed during the initial COVID-19 peak in New York State. Differences in predicted and reported sexually transmitted infections suggest high rebound morbidity, affecting public health service delivery. Abstract During the initial height of COVID-19 in New York State excluding New York City in March 2020, reports of sexually transmitted infections declined. Prediction models developed to estimate the incidence of early syphilis and gonorrhea during the COVID-19 pandemic were used to study impact on STI diagnoses/reporting and inform sexual health program planning.
Using a water‐effect ratio approach to establish effects of an effluent‐influenced stream on copper toxicity to the fathead minnow

Water‐effect ratio (WER) testing, examining the relative toxicity of copper in various dilutions of effluent and stream water as compared with laboratory dilution water, was conducted during January, April, and June, 1995, to assess the potential of seasonal and flow effects on site water quality and toxicity of copper to the fathead minnow. Total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved solids were significantly related to effluent concentration in the site water (R2 = 0.92, p < 0.01), resulting in higher copper median lethal concentrations (LC50s) and higher WERs as effluent contribution in site water increased. Total recoverable copper LC50s were similar to dissolved copper LC50s in laboratory and upstream water tests (p > 0.10), while effluent and stream water tests had significantly higher total recoverable than dissolved copper LC50s (p < 0.01), suggesting more solids or complexing agents when effluent was present. The LC50 and WER for upstream water were significantly higher in April than in January (p < 0.05), consistent with the higher TOC, alkalinity, and lower stream flow observed during April. The WER tests, using different proportions of upstream water and effluent (tests of additivity) in both January and April, indicated that total recoverable copper WER was predictable under a variety of stream flow conditions. Dissolved copper WERs were less predictable, in part because effluent and upstream water WERs were similar, particularly in April. Low‐flow stream conditions (when effluent concentration was greatest) appeared to be the limiting condition in terms of greatest copper toxicity at this site. Furthermore, winter low‐flow conditions appeared to be more limiting (less water effect on copper toxicity) than similar or even lower flows in spring (April) or summer (June). This was probably due to the higher TOC and dissolved solids present in upstream water in the warmer seasons. All analyses indicated that copper was at least five times less toxic in the effluent‐influenced stream water than in typical laboratory test dilution water. Our data indicate that seasonal effects on water quality, as well as stream flow, can be important in determining limiting conditions on copper toxicity in effluent‐dominated stream systems.
Sugar-Sweetened Soft Drink Consumption Acutely Decreases Spontaneous Baroreflex Sensitivity and Heart Rate Variability.

In healthy humans, fructose-sweetened water consumption increases blood pressure variability (BPV) and decreases spontaneous cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (cBRS) and heart rate variability (HRV). However, if consuming commercially available soft drinks containing high levels of fructose elicits similar responses is unknown. We hypothesized that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) sweetened soft drink consumption increases BPV and decreases cBRS and HRV to a greater extent compared to artificially-sweetened (Diet) and sucrose-sweetened (Sucrose) soft drinks and water. Twelve subjects completed four randomized, double-blinded trials in which they drank 500 mL of water or commercially available soft drinks matched for taste and caffeine content. We continuously measured beat-to-beat blood pressure (photoplethysmography) and R-R interval (ECG) before and 30 minutes after drink consumption during supine rest for 5 minutes during spontaneous and paced breathing. BPV was evaluated using standard deviation (SD), average real variability (ARV), and successive variation (SV) methods for systolic and diastolic blood pressure. cBRS was assessed using the sequence method. HRV was evaluated using the root mean square of successive differences in R-R interval (RMSSD). There were no differences between conditions in the magnitude of change from baseline in SD, ARV, and SV (P≥0.07). There were greater reductions in cBRS during spontaneous breathing in the HFCS (-3±5 ms/mmHg) and Sucrose (-3±5 ms/mmHg) trials compared to Water (+1±5 ms/mmHg, P<0.03). During paced breathing, HFCS evoked greater reductions in RMSSD compared to Water (-26±34 vs. +2±26 ms, P<0.01). These findings suggest that sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption alters cBRS and HRV but not BPV.
Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation and Syndecan-1 Shedding Are Increased After Trauma

ABSTRACT Background: Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) stimulate endothelial syndecan-1 shedding and neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) formation. The role of NETs in trauma and trauma-induced hypercoagulability is unknown. We hypothesized that trauma patients with accelerated thrombin generation would have increased NETosis and syndecan-1 levels. Methods: In this pilot study, we analyzed 50 citrated plasma samples from 30 trauma patients at 0 h (n = 22) and 6 h (n = 28) from time of injury (TOI) and 21 samples from healthy volunteers, for a total of 71 samples included in analysis. Thrombin generation was quantified using calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) and reported as lag time (LT), peak height (PH), and time to peak (ttPeak). Nucleosome calibrated (H3NUC) and free histone standardized (H3Free) ELISAs were used to quantify NETs. Syndecan-1 levels were quantified by ELISA. Results are presented as median [interquartile range] and Spearman rank correlations. Results: Plasma levels of H3NUC were increased in trauma patients as compared with healthy volunteers both at 0 h (89.8 ng/mL [35.4, 180.3]; 18.1 ng/mL [7.8, 37.4], P = 0.002) and at 6 h (86.5 ng/mL [19.2, 612.6]; 18.1 ng/mL [7.8, 37.4], P = 0.003) from TOI. H3Free levels were increased in trauma patients at 0 h (5.74 ng/mL [3.19, 8.76]; 1.61 ng/mL [0.66, 3.50], P = 0.002) and 6 h (5.52 ng/mL [1.46, 11.37]; 1.61 ng/mL [0.66, 3.50], P = 0.006). Syndecan-1 levels were greater in trauma patients (4.53 ng/mL [3.28, 6.28]; 2.40 ng/mL [1.66, 3.20], P < 0.001) only at 6 h from TOI. H3Free and syndecan-1 levels positively correlated both at 0 h (0.376, P = 0.013) and 6 h (0.583, P < 0.001) from TOI. H3NUC levels and syndecan-1 levels were positively correlated at 6 h from TOI (0.293, P = 0.041). TtPeak correlated inversely to H3 NUC (−0.358, P = 0.012) and syndecan-1 levels (−0.298, P = 0.038) at 6 h from TOI. Conclusions: Our pilot study demonstrates that trauma patients have increased NETosis, measured by H3NUC and H3Free levels, increased syndecan-1 shedding, and accelerated thrombin generation kinetics early after injury.