Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TIM-3 levels correlate with enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity and improved clinical outcome in AML patients

ABSTRACT Accumulating evidence indicates that immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can restore CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) functions in preclinical models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, ICIs targeting programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1, best known as PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) have limited clinical efficacy in patients with AML. Natural killer (NK) cells are central players in AML-targeting immune responses. However, little is known on the relationship between co-inhibitory receptors expressed by NK cells and the ability of the latter to control AML. Here, we show that hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2 (HAVCR2, best known as TIM-3) is highly expressed by NK cells from AML patients, correlating with improved functional licensing and superior effector functions. Altogether, our data indicate that NK cell frequency as well as TIM-3 expression levels constitute prognostically relevant biomarkers of active immunity against AML.
The Association Between Ferritin and Vitamin D Levels in Premenopausal Fibroid Uterus Cases With Anemia

Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the association between serum ferritin and vitamin D levels in fibroid uterus cases presenting with anemia. Methods Sixty premenopausal women with uterine fibroids (30 associated with anemia and 30 without anemia) were enrolled as cases and control. All participants were evaluated on the basis of a questionnaire, which included queries related to obstetric, medical, and sociodemographic history. Peripheral blood smear, complete blood count (CBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and serum ferritin concentration were measured by a fully automated analyzer, and 25(OH) vitamin D level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results There was a significant difference in ferritin levels between cases and control (p<0.001). The exposure to sunlight was moderate (one-hour exposure) in all subjects, eliminating the confounding effect of sunlight exposure influencing vitamin D levels. The median vitamin D level in cases was 5.0 ng/ml [interquartile range (IQR): 4.8], and that in control was 18.4 ng/ml (IQR: 7.9; p<0.001). A strong positive correlation of (r)=0.616 (p<0.001) was found between serum ferritin and vitamin D levels. Conclusion Fibroid uterus cases with anemia are more prone to vitamin D deficiency as compared to cases without anemia. Vitamin D estimation in fibroid uterus cases presenting with anemia would be useful for better patient management.
Evaluation of Fuel Properties of Butanol−Biodiesel−Diesel Blends and Their Impact on Engine Performance and Emissions

Present work deals with the development of butanol−diesel−biodiesel blends to substitute for petrodiesel. These blends were tested for physical stability and various fuel properties conforming to ASTM standards. Subsequently engine performance and emission tests were conducted with each blend. Observations revealed the blends to be thermally and physically stable, and they showed good resemblance to the properties of diesel, with the exception of flash point only. Brake power showed marginal decrease and fuel consumption an increase in the range of 4.9%−10.7% as compared to diesel for identical performance. Exhaust gas temperature showed a drop in the range of 3.3%−9.4% due to quenching effect of butanol, whereas brake thermal efficiency showed a reduction of 6.3%−10% to that over petrodiesel. Exhaust gas emissions showed a significant decrease in CO (42%) at medium and higher loads, whereas NO showed an average increase of 2.4%−11% as compared to diesel.
Ascertaining the Prevalence of Group B Streptococcal Infection in Patients with Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from Pakistan

Introduction Literature has shown varying results regarding the presence of group B Streptococcal (GBS) infection in pregnant females with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). The infection can be detrimental to maternal and neonatal well-being. There is a lack of studies that showed the extent of this problem in the local population of Pakistan. Our study aims to determine the frequency of GBS infection in females with PPROM. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Lahore General Hospital, Pakistan for six months. Informed consent was obtained from each patient. Demographic data were also recorded. Then the amniotic fluid sample was taken during a vaginal examination and was sent to the laboratory of the hospital for assessment of the presence or absence of GBS. Reports were assessed for GBS infection. Baseline demographics including age, body mass index (BMI), parity, and gestational age were presented as mean and standard deviation. Categorical data like parity and GBS infection were presented as frequency and percentage. Results The mean age of women was 30.04 ± 6.75 years. The mean gestational age of patients was 34.51 ± 1.75 weeks. Among 150 women, GBS infection was diagnosed in 24 (16%) patients. The occurrence of GBS infection was significantly associated with the age and parity status of women (p < 0.05). However, it was not significantly associated with gestational age and BMI of women (p > 0.05). Conclusion Our study showed a low prevalence of GBS infection in females presenting with PPROM. Nonetheless, the presence of infection can lead to detrimental outcomes including neonatal and maternal sepsis. The rate and risk factors of maternal and neonatal GBS colonization may vary in different communities. These rates, as well as the incidence of neonatal disease, need to be thoroughly evaluated to develop appropriate strategies for prevention.
Poly(lactic acid) Synthesis in Solution Polymerization

The step-growth polymerization of L-lactic acid in solution was studied in this work. In order to attain a polymer with high molecular weight, the water formed during the polymerization must be continuously removed. The use of organic solvents with high boiling point, drying agents and reduced pressure led to poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with high molecular weight, directly from the monomer. Tin (II) chloride dihydrate, SnCl 2 . 2H 2 O, was the best of the catalysts tested as it allowed achieving PLA with a molecular weight close to 80 000 g.mol -1 . However, the stereoregurarity control is a severe problem in PLA synthesis by step-growth due to transesterification reactions, which lead to an inversion of the conformation and a decrease of the optical purity of the polymer. Specific rotation measurements were used in this work and showed to be a powerful technique to evaluate the racemization extent. The thermal stability of the PLA samples was evaluated by DSC which exhibits a thermal behaviour similar to the commercial Polylactide.
COVID-19 integrated imaging: our experience and literature review

Purpose To investigate the imaging features of emerging COVID-19 pneumonia on chest ultrasound, radiographs and computed tomography examinations performed at admission. In addition, we provide a review of the literature and compare our results with recent evidence regarding the imaging characteristics of this novel disease. Material and methods From March 17, 2020 to April 25, 2020, 23 patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay confirmed COVID-19 were identified. All 23 patients were evaluated and admitted at San Giuseppe Moscati Hospital in Aversa, Italy. Multi-modality imaging findings were evaluated and compared. Literature research was conducted through a methodical search on PubMed. Results Twenty-three patients were included in the study. Chest transthoracic ultrasound (US), chest X-ray (CXR), and computed tomography (CT) were performed respectively in 11, 16 and 21 patients. Chest US findings were consistent with diffuse B lines (91%), subpleural consolidations (45%), and thickened pleural line (18%). CXR showed prevalent manifestations of consolidations (50%) and hazy increased opacities (37%). Typical CT features are bilateral and multilobar ground-glass opacities (GGO). Indeed GGO were present in 100% of our patients. Consolidations were visible in 76% of our study population. Notably both GGO and consolidations had a peripheral distribution in all our patients. Other CT imaging features included crazy-paving pattern, fibrous stripes, subpleural lines, architectural distortion, air bronchogram sign, vascular thickening and nodules. Our literature review identified thirty original studies supporting our imaging chest findings. Conclusions At admission, COVID-19 pneumonia can manifest in chest imaging as B-lines and consolidations on US, hazy opacities and consolidations on CXR, multiple GGO and consolidations on CT scan.
Controlling CaCO3 Particle Size with {Ca2+}:{CO32–} Ratios in Aqueous Environments

The effect of stoichiometry on the new formation and subsequent growth of CaCO3 was investigated over a large range of solution stoichiometries (10–4 < raq < 104, where raq = {Ca2+}:{CO32–}) at various, initially constant degrees of supersaturation (30 < Ωcal < 200, where Ωcal = {Ca2+}{CO32–}/Ksp), pH of 10.5 ± 0.27, and ambient temperature and pressure. At raq = 1 and Ωcal < 150, dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed that ion adsorption onto nuclei (1–10 nm) was the dominant mechanism. At higher supersaturation levels, no continuum of particle sizes is observed with time, suggesting aggregation of prenucleation clusters into larger particles as the dominant growth mechanism. At raq ≠ 1 (Ωcal = 100), prenucleation particles remained smaller than 10 nm for up to 15 h. Cross-polarized light in optical light microscopy was used to measure the time needed for new particle formation and growth to at least 20 μm. This precipitation time depends strongly and asymmetrically on raq. Complementary molecular dynamics (MD) simulations confirm that raq affects CaCO3 nanoparticle formation substantially. At raq = 1 and Ωcal ≫ 1000, the largest nanoparticle in the system had a 21–68% larger gyration radius after 20 ns of simulation time than in nonstoichiometric systems. Our results imply that, besides Ωcal, stoichiometry affects particle size, persistence, growth time, and ripening time toward micrometer-sized crystals. Our results may help us to improve the understanding, prediction, and formation of CaCO3 in geological, industrial, and geo-engineering settings.
Bonding Trends in Lanthanide Mandelates

The lanthanide mandelates have been prepared by reacting the lanthanide hydroxides with mandelic acid (HL). The coordination number in these compounds has been discussed on the basis of analytical, infrared and electronic spectral, and thermal data. The mandelates have the general formula, LnL3.nH2O, where n3 for LnLa, Pr, Nd and Sm, and n=2 for LnGd, Dy, Br, Yb and Y. The infrared spectral data reveal that the mandelate ion is coordinated to the lanthanide ions in a bidentate fashion through the oxygen atoms of the carboxylate and the hydroxyl groups. The antisymmetric COO−, the δ OH, and the Ln-O frequencies in the mandelates show a linear relationship with the ionic radius of the lanthanide ions. The infrared spectral and thermal data afford evidence of the coordination of all the molecules of water to the lanthanide ions. Hence, coordination numbers nine and eight have been assigned to the two sets of mandelates. This conclusion is supported by a study of the shapes of the hypersensitive transitions in the electronic absorption spectra of Nd and Br mandelates. The electronic spectra also suggest that the bonding in these compounds is predominantly ionic.
Timing of HIV testing among pregnant and breastfeeding women and risk of mother‐to‐child HIV transmission in Malawi: a sampling‐based cohort study

Pregnant women living with HIV can achieve viral suppression and prevent HIV mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) with timely HIV testing and early ART initiation and maintenance. Although it is recommended that pregnant women undergo HIV testing early in antenatal care in Malawi, many women test positive during breastfeeding because they did not have their HIV status ascertained during pregnancy, or they tested negative during pregnancy but seroconverted postpartum. We sought to estimate the association between the timing of last positive HIV test (during pregnancy vs. breastfeeding) and outcomes of maternal viral suppression and MTCT in Malawi’s PMTCT programme.
Effects of a School-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Obesity and Health-Related Physical Fitness in Adolescents With Intellectual Disability: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Childhood obesity accompanied by lower levels of health-related physical fitness (HRPF) is a major threat to public health both internationally and locally. Children with intellectual disability, especially adolescents, have a higher risk of being overweight/obese and having poor HRPF levels. Therefore, more interventions are needed to help this population attain their optimal health levels. However, there has been relatively limited research on this population compared with on their typically developing peers. Objective The proposed study aims to fill this knowledge gap by developing and examining the success of a physical activity (PA) intervention for the target population. Methods The proposed study will be a 12-week, school-based randomized controlled trial. The participants (N=48) will be recruited from special schools for students with mild intellectual disability and then randomly allocated to either the intervention group (IG) or the wait-list control group (CG). During the intervention period, the participants in the IG will receive a fun game–based moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) training program (2 sessions/week, 60 minutes/session, for a total of 24 sessions). The intensity of the activities will increase in a progressive manner. Participants in the CG will receive no program during the study period, but the same PA program will be provided to them after the completion of the study. To observe and evaluate the sustaining effects of the intervention, follow-up testing will be scheduled for the participants 12 weeks after the intervention concludes. The study outcomes will include primary outcomes (obesity- and fitness-related outcomes) and a secondary outcome (blood pressure). All of the measurements will be taken at 3 time points. After the follow-up tests, the same PA training program will be provided to the participants in the CG. Results This study is ongoing. The participants were recruited from October 2020 to November 2020. The total duration of the study is 13 months. Study results are expected at the end of 2021. Conclusions The proposed study is expected to reduce obesity and improve HRPF levels in children with intellectual disability. If proven effective, the intervention will be made accessible to more special schools and mainstream schools with students with intellectual disability. Furthermore, the study can serve as an example for international researchers, policy makers, and members of the public who are seeking to tackle the problem of obesity and poor HRPF among children with intellectual disability. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04554355; https://www.clinicaltrials. gov/ct2/show/NCT04554355 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/25838
Common genetic polymorphisms contribute to the association between chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and non-melanoma skin cancer.

BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a positive association between chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). We hypothesized that shared genetic risk factors between CLL and NMSC could contribute to the association observed between these diseases. METHODS We examined the association between (i) established NMSC susceptibility loci and CLL risk in a meta-analysis including 3100 CLL cases and 7667 controls and (ii) established CLL loci and NMSC risk in a study of 4242 basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cases, 825 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases and 12802 controls. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) for CLL, BCC and SCC were constructed using established loci. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Higher CLL-PRS was associated with increased BCC risk (OR4th-quartile-vs-1st-quartile = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02-1.24, Ptrend = 0.009), even after removing the shared 6p25.3 locus. No association was observed with BCC-PRS and CLL risk (Ptrend = 0.68). These findings support a contributory role for CLL in BCC risk, but not for BCC in CLL risk. Increased CLL risk was observed with higher SCC-PRS (OR4th-quartile-vs-1st-quartile = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08-1.38, Ptrend = 1.36 × 10-5), which was driven by shared genetic susceptibility at the 6p25.3 locus. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the role of pleiotropy regarding the pathogenesis of CLL and NMSC and shows that a single pleiotropic locus, 6p25.3, drives the observed association between genetic susceptibility to SCC and increased CLL risk. The study also provides evidence that genetic susceptibility for CLL increases BCC risk.
Large- and Medium-sized Arteries Remaining in Transmural Scar Distal to Permanent Coronary Ligation Undergo Neointimal Hyperplasia and Inward Remodeling

This study aimed to investigate the structural integrity and dynamic changes in chronically occluded residual arteries found in post–myocardial infarction (MI) scar. A transmural MI was induced in middle-aged, male Sprague-Dawley rats by left coronary artery ligation. The rats were euthanized 3 days and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after MI, and their hearts were processed into paraffin for histology, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative morphometry. It has been found that large- and medium-sized arteries were able to survive inside the transmural scars for 12 post-MI weeks. Furthermore, most residual arteries preserved their structural integrity for up to 2 weeks post-MI, but gradually all disused vessels had undergone neointimal hyperplasia and inward remodeling at later time periods. In addition, the replacement of vascular smooth muscle cells in the wall of residual arteries by extracellular matrix components led to a disruption of the vessel integrity and progressive obliteration of their lumen between 4 and 12 post-MI weeks. Taken together, this study demonstrate that residual arteries in post-infarcted region were capable of maintaining their structural integrity, including the patent lumen, during two post-MI weeks, suggesting that during this period they can be used as potential conduits for conceivable reflow of arterial blood within the scarred region of the heart
TiO2 Nanonetwork on Rough Ti Enhanced Osteogenesis In Vitro and In Vivo

The objective in this study was to enhance osteogenic responses (in vitro and in vivo) to roughened titanium (Ti) dental implants through the formation of superhydrophilic TiO2 nanonetwork surface structure. Sandblasting and acid etching (SLA) was used to roughen the Ti surface. An electrochemical anodization process was then used to form a superhydrophilic TiO2 nanonetwork on the SLA Ti surfaces. The pore size of the nanonetwork structure ranged from a few nanometers to more than 100 nm, which is on the same scale as many biological species. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were used as an in vitro test model. The TiO2 nanonetwork structure was shown to have a significantly positive effect on hydrophilicity, protein adsorption, cell adhesion, cell migration, cell mineralization, and the gene and protein expression of osteogenic markers. The osseointegration of an anodized SLA screw-type Ti dental implant was investigated in vivo via implantation in the femur of New Zealand white rabbits for durations of 4 or 12 wk. The presence of a superhydrophilic surface TiO2 nanonetwork was shown to significantly enhance the bone-to-implant contact of the roughened SLA screw-type Ti dental implants. Overall, the proposed superhydrophilic TiO2 nanonetwork structure on the roughened SLA Ti surface proved highly effective in enhancing osteogenic responses in vitro and in vivo.
Natural Zeitgebers Under Temperate Conditions Cannot Compensate for the Loss of a Functional Circadian Clock in Timing of a Vital Behavior in Drosophila

The adaptive significance of adjusting behavioral activities to the right time of the day seems obvious. Laboratory studies implicated an important role of circadian clocks in behavioral timing and rhythmicity. Yet, recent studies on clock-mutant animals questioned this importance under more naturalistic settings, as various clock mutants showed nearly normal diel activity rhythms under seminatural zeitgeber conditions. We here report evidence that proper timing of eclosion, a vital behavior of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, requires a functional molecular clock under quasi-natural conditions. In contrast to wild-type flies, period01 mutants with a defective molecular clock showed impaired rhythmicity and gating in a temperate environment even in the presence of a full complement of abiotic zeitgebers. Although period01 mutants still eclosed during a certain time window during the day, this time window was much broader and loosely defined, and rhythmicity was lower or lost as classified by various statistical measures. Moreover, peak eclosion time became more susceptible to variable day-to-day changes of light. In contrast, flies with impaired peptidergic interclock signaling (Pdf01 and han5304 PDF receptor mutants) eclosed mostly rhythmically with normal gate sizes, similar to wild-type controls. Our results suggest that the presence of natural zeitgebers is not sufficient, and a functional molecular clock is required to induce stable temporal eclosion patterns in flies under temperate conditions with considerable day-to-day variation in light intensity and temperature. Temperate zeitgebers are, however, sufficient to functionally rescue a loss of PDF-mediated clock-internal and -output signaling
Gut Microbiome Alterations and Functional Prediction in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Patients

The effects of the gut microbiome on both allergy and autoimmunity in dermatological diseases have been indicated in several recent studies. Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a disease involving allergy and autoimmunity, and there is no report detailing the role of microbiota alterations in its development. This study was performed to identify the fecal microbial composition of CSU patients and investigate the different compositions and potential genetic functions on the fecal microbiota between CSU patients and normal controls. The gut microbiota of CSU patients and healthy individuals were obtained by 16s rRNA massive sequencing. Gut microbiota diversity and composition were compared, and bioinformatics analysis of the differences was performed. The gut microbiota composition results showed that Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia were dominant microbiota in CSU patients. The differential analysis showed that relative abundance of the Proteobacteria (p = 0.03), Bacilli (p = 0.04), Enterobacterales (p = 0.03), Enterobacteriaceae (p = 0.03) was significantly increased in CSU patients. In contrast, the relative abundance of Megamonas, Megasphaera, and Dialister (all p < 0.05) in these patients significantly decreased compared with healthy controls. The different microbiological compositions impacted normal gastrointestinal functions based on function prediction, resulting in abnormal pathways, including transport and metabolism. We found CSU patients exhibited gut microbiota dysbiosis compared with healthy controls. Our results indicated CSU is associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis and pointed out that the bacterial taxa increased in CSU patients, which might be involved in the pathogenesis of CSU. These results provided clues for future microbial-based therapies on CSU.