Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dental Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome: An Intriguing Approach for Neuroprotection and Neuroregeneration

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known for their beneficial effects and regenerative potential. In particular, dental-derived MSCs have the advantage of easier accessibility and a non-invasive isolation method. Moreover, thanks to their neural crest origin, dental MSCs seem to have a more prominent neuroregenerative potential. Indeed, in basal conditions they also express neuronal markers. However, it is now well known that the beneficial actions of MSCs depend, at least in part, on their secretome, referring to all the bioactive molecules released in the conditioned medium (CM) or in extracellular vesicles (EVs). In this review we focus on the applications of the secretome derived from dental MSCs for neuroregeneration and neuroprotection. The secretomes of different dental MSCs have been tested for their effects for neuroregenerative purposes, and the secretomes of dental pulp stem cells and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth are the most studied. Both the CM and EVs obtained from dental MSCs showed that they are able to promote neurite outgrowth and neuroprotective effects. Interestingly, dental-derived MSC secretome showed stronger neuroregenerative and neuroprotective effects compared to that obtained from other MSC sources. For these reasons, the secretome obtained from dental MSCs may represent a promising approach for neuroprotective treatments.
Effects of Out-of-Hospital Continuous Nursing on Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients by Medical Big Data

This study aimed to explore the application value of the intelligent medical communication system based on the Apriori algorithm and cloud follow-up platform in out-of-hospital continuous nursing of breast cancer patients. In this study, the Apriori algorithm is optimized by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and graphics processing unit (GPU) to improve its data mining speed. At the same time, a cloud follow-up platform-based intelligent mobile medical communication system is established, which includes the log-in, my workstation, patient records, follow-up center, satisfaction management, propaganda and education center, SMS platform, and appointment management module. The subjects are divided into the control group (routine telephone follow-up, 163) and the intervention group (continuous nursing intervention, 216) according to different nursing methods. The cloud follow-up platform-based intelligent medical communication system is used to analyze patients' compliance, quality of life before and after nursing, function limitation of affected limb, and nursing satisfaction under different nursing methods. The running time of Apriori algorithm is proportional to the data amount and inversely proportional to the number of nodes in the cluster. Compared with the control group, there are statistical differences in the proportion of complete compliance data, the proportion of poor compliance data, and the proportion of total compliance in the intervention group (P < 0.05). After the intervention, the scores of the quality of life in the two groups are statistically different from those before treatment (P < 0.05), and the scores of the quality of life in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The proportion of patients with limited and severely limited functional activity of the affected limb in the intervention group is significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The satisfaction rate of postoperative nursing in the intervention group is significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001), and the proportion of basically satisfied and dissatisfied patients in the control group was higher than that in the intervention group (P < 0.05).
Fully automated segmentation of pneumonia infection based on Probabilistic Graphical Model and U-Net blend network

ABSTRACT COVID-19 spread rapidly in the global world, causing a serious medical treatment crisis. Automated segmentation of pulmonary infection from Computed Tomography (CT) images strengthened the traditional treatment strategy against COVID-19. We proposed an automated fully lung CT image infection segmentation framework named Probabilistic Graphical Model U-Net (PGM-U-Net). The whole framework iterative training end-to-end with general back-propagation mechanism with minor computational overhead from PGM component. The U-Net feature extractor benefits from modelling spatial correlations through the PGM component. Compared to the baseline network without modelling spatial correlations, experimental results illustrate that the proposed PGM-U-Net framework achieves higher accuracy probability maps of region predictions in the isolated infection regions. For further quantitative comparison experiment, we demonstrate that our framework outperforms the existing methods in pulmonary infection segmentation and achieves the Free-response Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (FROC) score of 0.912 on the test data set.
Antenatal Care (ANC) Coverage, Health Infrastructure, and Postnatal Care (PNC) Services Utilization: A District Level Analysis of Punjab-Pakistan

Awareness of receiving postnatal care is uncommon in Punjab (Pakistan) and supply-side is also unfortunate. Sufficient uptake of PNC may helpful in reducing maternal mortality. Thus, this study explored the demand and supply-side determinants of maternal health (utilization of PNC) care for 35 districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Percentage of women of reproductive ages using PNC services in the 35 districts of Punjab was the outcome variable. While, ANC utilization, adult literacy rate, household wealth, physical infrastructure had been considered as the explanatory variables. Secondary data were obtained from Punjab Development Statistics reports from the years 2010 to 2016. Pooled ordinary least square (OLS) and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) were applied as estimation techniques. It was found that the percentage of women of reproductive ages using ANC services (0.662, p < 0.01), the percentage of households receiving remittances from abroad (0.570, p < 0.01), the percentage of households having access to improved sanitation facilities (0.569, p < 0.01), the percentage of households having their own houses (0.530, p < 0.05), and district-based health infrastructure index (0.237, p < 0.05) had strong positive and significant impact on PNC utilization. The study concluded that district-based targets relating to PNC coverage could be achieved by intervening through ANC utilization behavior, household wealth (remittances receipts), and through the provision of infrastructure (healthcare, sanitation) to the residents of the district. Need to ensure the availability and accessibility of PNC in order to reduce the health disparities among the districts of Punjab.
The complete chloroplast genome of Prunus clarofolia (Rosaceae), a wild cherry endemic to China

Abstract Prunus clarofolia (Schneid.) Yu et Li is a very attractive wild flowering cherry endemic to China. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of P. clarofolia was assembled. The total length of the chloroplast genome was 157,899 bp, containing a pair of inverted repeat regions of 26,393 bp each, separated by a small single-copy region of 19,142 bp, and a large single-copy region of 85,971 bp. The overall GC content of the chloroplast genome was 36.71%. The genome contained 131 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, eight rRNA genes, and one pseudogene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. clarofolia and P. pseudocerasus showed the closest relationship.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the parent polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) of the omega-3 family, which is essential to the human diet as many studies suggest that high amounts of omega-3 fats yields greater health benefit. Consumption of various foods providing PUFA could benefit in health areas such as metabolic syndrome and diabetes, inflammation and rheumatism, depression and mood disorders, and cancer and palliative care.
Assessing the Impact of Basel III: Evidence from Structural Macroeconomic Models

This paper (i) reviews the different channels of transmission of prudential policy highlighted in the literature and (ii) provides a quantitative assessment of the impact of Basel III reforms using “offthe-shelf” DSGE models. It shows that the effects of regulation are positive on GDP whenever the costs and benefits of regulation are both introduced. However, this result may be associated with a temporary economic slowdown in the transition to Basel III, which can be accommodated by monetary policy. The assessment of liquidity requirements is still an area for research, as most models focus on costs, rather than on benefits, in particular in terms of lower contagion risk.
Pedagogical in-Service Courses and Novice Teachers' Professional Development

Current study aims to investigate the effect of in-service training courses on novice teachers’ professional development. Moreover, the study seeks to examine the types of in-service courses that novice teachers need. The study population is 30 English high school teachers with teaching certificates in the southern district of Israel. The instrument of the study is an online questionnaire with additional open-ended questions. Study findings showed that 47% of the participants prefer courses in social interaction and educational knowledge. However, few participants showed an interest in self-esteem related courses. The researcher advises novice teachers to priorities their needs in social interaction and educational knowledge courses in order to steadily develop professionally. Moreover, further studies need to be explored in order to examine the effect of pedagogical in-service training courses on veteran teachers' professional development and compare the data between two studies.
Comparative study of certain antioxidants-electrolyzed reduced water, tocotrienol and vitamin E in heat-induced oxidative damage and performance in broilers

This study was designed to examine the anti-oxidative effect of electrolyzed reduced water, tocotrienol and vitamin E on heat-induced oxidative damage and performance in an experimental model in broilers. On day 12, broiler chickens were subjected to one of the following dietary groups; (i) basal diet and untreated drinking water (control), (ii) basal diet and electrolyzed reduced drinking water (ERW), (iii) basal diet supplemented with 2% rice bran scum oil (as a source of tocotreinol) and untreated drinking water (TOCO), and (iv) basal diet supplemented with vitamin E at 50 mg/kg and untreated drinking water (VITE). On day 14, chickens were exposed to either 34°C continuously for a period of 14 days, or maintained at 24°C on the same diet. Heat-exposed birds consumed significantly less feed resulting in lower weight gain and feed efficiency compared with birds kept at 24°C. Skeletal muscle and liver MDA levels were significantly increased in heat-exposed control birds. The heat-exposed ERW chicks showed significantly improved growth performance and lower levels of MDA contents in tissues than heat-stressed control broilers. Following heat exposure, TOCO and VITE chicks did not exhibit improved performance, while those chicks significantly reduced oxidative damage to the various organs. The results demonstrate that electrolyzed reduced water, tocotrienol and vitamin E effectively protect heat-induced oxidative damage in broilers but they do not improve growth performance except electrolyzed reduced water treatment.
Determination of Zn, Fe, Cr and Cu in Marine Fish Commonly Consumed in Senegal

The content of four heavy metals (zinc, iron, chromium and copper) in muscles, liver and gonads has been studied for the five most consumed fish species (Cephalopholus taeniops, Scomber japonicus, Lagocephalus laevigatus, Pagellus bellottii and Pagrus caeruleostictus) in the Soumbedioune region. The samples were digested by acid digestion. The metal contents were quantified using a PF-11 type photometer. The results obtained show that metals such as zinc, iron and chromium are significantly higher (p <0.05) in the muscles of the four species than in the liver and gonads. However, the levels of heavy metals in the muscles, liver, and gonads of the five species are above the acceptable limit recommended by the FAO and WHO, with the exception of the copper levels in the gonads of the species Pagellus bellottii.
The use of plant growth promoting bacteria for biofertigation; effects on concentrations of nutrients in inoculated aqueous vermicompost extract and on the yield and quality of tomatoes

ABSTRACT Plant nutrient deficiencies can reduce crop development and yields and can be especially problematic in high-yielding intensive crop production systems and when organic materials are used as the only source of nutrients. Aqueous extracts used in organic agriculture, such as compost – or vermicompost-tea, often have deficiencies in macro-nutrients and ionic imbalances. However, when organic materials are used as fertilisers, they are often applied in combination with plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB), which can improve the availability of the nutrients. In this study, PGPB were used as a tool to facilitate the nutrition of horticultural crops without using synthetic fertilisers. Three bacterial species (Azotobacter vinelandii (AV), Bacillus megaterium (BM) and Frateuria aurantia (FA)) were tested as (i) inoculated to an aqueous vermicompost extract and (ii) applied directly by fertigation to the growing medium in two tomato production cycles. The results showed that it was possible to obtain a balanced nutrient solution, with adequate concentrations of the main nutrient ions, from an aqueous and aerated solution made from vermicompost, without the addition of PGPB. In the second trial, the inoculation with PGPB to the growing substrate for tomatoes fertigated with vermicompost tea, resulted in significant increases in the yield and quality of the tomato fruit, increased nutrient assimilation by the plants and increased enzymatic activity in the growing substrate.
Towards Mapping of the Human Brain N-Glycome with Standardized Graphitic Carbon Chromatography

The brain N-glycome is known to be crucial for many biological functions, including its involvement in neuronal diseases. Although large structural studies of brain N-glycans were recently carried out, a comprehensive isomer-specific structural analysis has still not been achieved, as indicated by the recent discovery of novel structures with galactosylated bisecting GlcNAc. Here, we present a detailed, isomer-specific analysis of the human brain N-glycome based on standardized porous graphitic carbon (PGC)-LC-MS/MS. To achieve this goal, we biosynthesized glycans with substitutions typically occurring in the brain N-glycome and acquired their normalized retention times. Comparison of these values with the standardized retention times of neutral and desialylated N-glycan fractions of the human brain led to unambiguous isomer specific assignment of most major peaks. Profound differences in the glycan structures between naturally neutral and desialylated glycans were found. The neutral and sialylated N-glycans derive from diverging biosynthetic pathways and are biosynthetically finished end products, rather than just partially processed intermediates. The focus on structural glycomics defined the structure of human brain N-glycans, amongst these are HNK-1 containing glycans, a bisecting sialyl-lactose and structures with fucose and N-acetylgalactosamine on the same arm, the so-called LDNF epitope often associated with parasitic worms.
The Psychosocial Burden of Families with Childhood Blood Cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death for children, and leukemias are the most common pediatric cancer diagnoses in Chile. Childhood cancer is a traumatic experience and is associated with distress, pain, and other negative experiences for patients and their families. Thus, psychosocial costs represent a large part of the overall burden of cancer. This study examines psychosocial experiences in a sample of 90 families of children with blood-related cancer in Chile. We provide a global overview of the family experience, focusing on patients, caregivers, and siblings. We find that most families report a negative impact upon diagnosis; disruptions in family dynamics; a range of negative feelings of the patient, such as depression, discouragement, and irritability; and difficulty with social lives. Additionally, they report negative effects in the relationship between the siblings of the patient and their parents, and within their caregivers’ spouse/partner relationship, as well as a worsening of the economic condition of the primary caregiver. Furthermore, over half of the families in the sample had to move due to diagnosis and/or treatment. Promoting interventions that can help patients, siblings, and parents cope with distress and promote resilience and well-being are important.
Mix Design and Engineering Properties of Fiber-Reinforced Pervious Concrete Using Lightweight Aggregates

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the mix design and performance of fiber-reinforced pervious concrete using lightweight coarse aggregates instead of ordinary coarse aggregates. There were two main stages in the relevant testing work. First, the properties of the matrix were tested with a rheological test and then different amounts of lightweight coarse aggregate and fine aggregate were added to the matrix to measure the properties of the obtained lightweight pervious concrete (LPC). In order to greatly reduce the experimental workload, the Taguchi experimental design method was adopted. An orthogonal array L9(34) was used, which was composed of four controllable three-level factors. There were four test parameters in this study, which were the lightweight coarse aggregate size, ordinary fine aggregate content, matrix type, and aggregate/binder ratio. The research results confirmed that the use of suitable materials and the optimal mix proportions were the key factors for improving the mechanical properties of the LPC. Due to the use of silica fume, ultrafine silica powder, and polypropylene fibers, the 28-day compressive strength, 28-day flexural strength, and 28-day split tensile strength of the LPC specimens prepared in this study were 4.80–7.78, 1.19–1.86, and 0.78–1.11 MPa, respectively. On the whole, the mechanical properties of the prepared LPC specimens were better than those of the LPC with general composition.
Wheat and White Sorghum Supernatants as Alternatives to Calotropis procera Extract in Making Cheese

Plant coagulant, animal rennet and microbial coagulant are used as milk coagulating agents resulting in different cheese products. However, emphasis has been on the use of plant coagulant as opposed to that from animal source, rennet. Alternative milk coagulants are therefore investigated instead of animal enzymes. The use of vegetable extracts as milk coagulants has evolved in soft cheese processing. This study explored the potential of plant coagulants as an ideal choice in the production of cheese. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the coagulants on the yield and proximate composition of cheese. To compare them with cheese coagulated with supernatants from fermented white sorghums (WSS) and wheat (WS) in the laboratory. The results were also compared with cheese coagulated with Calotropis procera leaf extract (CPE) in terms of yield, the percentage composition of total solids (TS), fat, protein, lactose ash and the pH of the cheeses. The same parameters were evaluated in the whey (by-product). The minerals, pH and the proximate components in WS and WSS were also compared. Maximum cheese yield was recorded at equal volumes of milk and coagulants. CPE was superior to these other two considering the constituents in all three cheeses. The chemical composition of CPE coagulant was superior to WS and WSS in terms of TS, fat, protein and ash but lower in moisture content compared with the other two. Protein content was higher in cheese prepared with CPE (22%) about six times the amount in raw milk and the least was WSS (12%). Moreover, the cheese made with CPE had the highest yield (31.76g) and differed significantly (P< 0.05) from WSS (28.87g) and WS (29.70g). Also, cheese made with WS (30.57g/ml) had the highest whey volume compared with WSS (28.11g/ml). However, increasing levels of each supernatant with a constant volume of raw milk (100ml) produced higher cheese yield at 100ml of the supernatant and 100ml of milk. Whey from WSS was the most acidic (5.85) of all the three produced but with increased acidity as the storage days increased. The study revealed that cheese with high nutritional quality can be produced with CPE, WSS and WS. The use of equal volume of coagulant (WSS or WS) to raw milk would give optimal cheese yield. This will promote the utilization of WSS and WS, which is naturally left as the waste product.
Alternative splicing analysis benchmark with DICAST

Alternative splicing is a major contributor to transcriptome and proteome diversity in health and disease. A plethora of tools have been developed for studying alternative splicing in RNA-seq data. Previous benchmarks focused on isoform quantification and mapping. They neglected event detection tools, which arguably provide the most detailed insights into the alternative splicing process. DICAST offers a modular and extensible framework for the analysis of alternative splicing integrating 11 splice-aware mapping and eight event detection tools. We benchmark all tools extensively on simulated as well as whole blood RNA-seq data. STAR and HISAT2 demonstrated the best balance between performance and run time. The performance of event detection tools varies widely with no tool outperforming all others. DICAST allows researchers to employ a consensus approach to consider the most successful tools jointly for robust event detection. Furthermore, we propose the first reporting standard to unify existing formats and to guide future tool development.
Morphological, Gene, and Hormonal Changes in Gonads and In-Creased Micrococcal Nuclease Accessibility of Sperm Chromatin Induced by Mercury

Mercury is one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants. In this work, we analysed the effects of exposure of Mytilus galloprovincialis to 1, 10 and 100 pM HgCl2 for 24 h on the gonadal morphology and on the expression level of three stress genes: mt10, hsp70 and πgst. In this tissue we also evaluated the level of steroidogenic enzymes 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD and the expression of PL protein genes. Finally, we determined difference in sperm chromatin accessibility to micrococcal nuclease. We found alterations in gonadal morphology especially after exposure to 10 and 100 pM HgCl2 and hypo-expression of the three stress genes, particularly for hsp70. Furthermore, decreased labelling with both 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD antibodies was observed following exposure to 1 and 10 pM HgCl2 and complete absence at 100 pM HgCl2 exposure. Gonads of mussels exposed to all HgCl2 doses showed decreased expression of PL protein genes especially for PLIII. Finally, micrococcal nuclease digestions showed that all doses of HgCl2 exposure resulted in increased sperm chromatin accessibility to this enzyme, indicative of improper sperm chromatin structure. All of these changes provide preliminary data of the potential toxicity of mercury on the reproductive health of this mussel.