Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cotton Wastes Functionalized Biomaterials from Micro to Nano: A Cleaner Approach for a Sustainable Environmental Application

The exponential increase in textile cotton wastes generation and the ineffective processing mechanism to mitigate its environmental impact by developing functional materials with unique properties for geotechnical applications, wastewater, packaging, and biomedical engineering have become emerging global concerns among researchers. A comprehensive study of a processed cotton fibres isolation technique and their applications are highlighted in this review. Surface modification of cotton wastes fibre increases the adsorption of dyes and heavy metals removal from wastewater. Cotton wastes fibres have demonstrated high adsorption capacity for the removal of recalcitrant pollutants in wastewater. Cotton wastes fibres have found remarkable application in slope amendments, reinforcement of expansive soils and building materials, and a proven source for isolation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Several research work on the use of cotton waste for functional application rather than disposal has been done. However, no review study has discussed the potentials of cotton wastes from source (Micro-Nano) to application. This review critically analyses novel isolation techniques of CNC from cotton wastes with an in-depth study of a parameter variation effect on their yield. Different pretreatment techniques and efficiency were discussed. From the analysis, chemical pretreatment is considered the most efficient extraction of CNCs from cotton wastes. The pretreatment strategies can suffer variation in process conditions, resulting in distortion in the extracted cellulose’s crystallinity. Acid hydrolysis using sulfuric acid is the most used extraction process for cotton wastes-based CNC. A combined pretreatment process, such as sonication and hydrolysis, increases the crystallinity of cotton-based CNCs. The improvement of the reinforced matrix interface of textile fibres is required for improved packaging and biomedical applications for the sustainability of cotton-based CNCs.
Reverse genetics systems for contemporary isolates of respiratory syncytial virus enable rapid evaluation of antibody escape mutants

Significance Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a major cause of severe respiratory disease worldwide in children, older individuals, and immunosuppressed patients. An increasing understanding of this disease burden together with the absence of an effective vaccine and limited therapeutic options has resulted in many new preclinical and clinical studies into novel vaccines, antibodies, and antivirals. This requires complementary expansion of the RSV molecular toolkit to encompass reverse genetics systems based on contemporary strains. We show that full-length cDNA clones of recent strains are most stable when a bacterial artificial chromosome is used as the vector backbone. This enabled recombinant viruses encoding antibody escape mutations to be generated and assessed with respect to antibody escape and capacity to induce cell-to-cell fusion. Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infection in children under 5 y of age. In the absence of a safe and effective vaccine and with limited options for therapeutic interventions, uncontrolled epidemics of RSV occur annually worldwide. Existing RSV reverse genetics systems have been predominantly based on older laboratory-adapted strains such as A2 or Long. These strains are not representative of currently circulating genotypes and have a convoluted passage history, complicating their use in studies on molecular determinants of viral pathogenesis and intervention strategies. In this study, we have generated reverse genetics systems for clinical isolates of RSV-A (ON1, 0594 strain) and RSV-B (BA9, 9671 strain) in which the full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) copy of the viral antigenome is cloned into a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). Additional recombinant (r) RSVs were rescued expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), mScarlet, or NanoLuc luciferase from an additional transcription unit inserted between the P and M genes. Mutations in antigenic site II of the F protein conferring escape from palivizumab neutralization (K272E, K272Q, S275L) were investigated using quantitative cell-fusion assays and rRSVs via the use of BAC recombineering protocols. These mutations enabled RSV-A and -B to escape palivizumab neutralization but had differential impacts on cell-to-cell fusion, as the S275L mutation resulted in an almost-complete ablation of syncytium formation. These reverse genetics systems will facilitate future cross-validation efficacy studies of novel RSV therapeutic intervention strategies and investigations into viral and host factors necessary for virus entry and cell-to-cell spread.
Rapid activation of esophageal mechanoreceptors alters the pharyngeal phase of swallow: Evidence for inspiratory activity during swallow

Swallow is a complex behavior that consists of three coordinated phases: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal. Esophageal distension (EDist) has been shown to elicit pharyngeal swallow, but the physiologic characteristics of EDist-induced pharyngeal swallow have not been specifically described. We examined the effect of rapid EDist on oropharyngeal swallow, with and without an oral water stimulus, in spontaneously breathing, sodium pentobarbital anesthetized cats (n = 5). Electromyograms (EMGs) of activity of 8 muscles were used to evaluate swallow: mylohyoid (MyHy), geniohyoid (GeHy), thyrohyoid (ThHy), thyropharyngeus (ThPh), thyroarytenoid (ThAr), cricopharyngeus (upper esophageal sphincter: UES), parasternal (PS), and costal diaphragm (Dia). Swallow was defined as quiescence of the UES with overlapping upper airway activity, and it was analyzed across three stimulus conditions: 1) oropharyngeal water infusion only, 2) rapid esophageal distension (EDist) only, and 3) combined stimuli. Results show a significant effect of stimulus condition on swallow EMG amplitude of the mylohyoid, geniohyoid, thyroarytenoid, diaphragm, and UES muscles. Collectively, we found that, compared to rapid cervical esophageal distension alone, the stimulus condition of rapid distension combined with water infusion is correlated with increased laryngeal adductor and diaphragm swallow-related EMG activity (schluckatmung), and post-swallow UES recruitment. We hypothesize that these effects of upper esophageal distension activate the brainstem swallow network, and function to protect the airway through initiation and/or modulation of a pharyngeal swallow response.
Mixture-Based Probabilistic Graphical Models for the Label Ranking Problem †

The goal of the Label Ranking (LR) problem is to learn preference models that predict the preferred ranking of class labels for a given unlabeled instance. Different well-known machine learning algorithms have been adapted to deal with the LR problem. In particular, fine-tuned instance-based algorithms (e.g., k-nearest neighbors) and model-based algorithms (e.g., decision trees) have performed remarkably well in tackling the LR problem. Probabilistic Graphical Models (PGMs, e.g., Bayesian networks) have not been considered to deal with this problem because of the difficulty of modeling permutations in that framework. In this paper, we propose a Hidden Naive Bayes classifier (HNB) to cope with the LR problem. By introducing a hidden variable, we can design a hybrid Bayesian network in which several types of distributions can be combined: multinomial for discrete variables, Gaussian for numerical variables, and Mallows for permutations. We consider two kinds of probabilistic models: one based on a Naive Bayes graphical structure (where only univariate probability distributions are estimated for each state of the hidden variable) and another where we allow interactions among the predictive attributes (using a multivariate Gaussian distribution for the parameter estimation). The experimental evaluation shows that our proposals are competitive with the start-of-the-art algorithms in both accuracy and in CPU time requirements.
Quetiapine for Bipolar Depressive Episode in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Patients Maintained on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Treatment

Objectives A meaningful proportion of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) develop symptoms of bipolar depression (BP-D). In the present investigation, we aimed to determine whether quetiapine is efficacious in OCD patients who despite continuous treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor developed an acute episode of BP-D. Methods We analyzed 68 charts of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition OCD patients from our outpatient clinic and identified 15 patients who in addition met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition criteria for bipolar II disorder, depressive episode. Eleven (7 men and 4 women, aged 24–54 years) patients for whom quetiapine was added to treat the index episode of BP-D were included. Treatment response was assessed retrospectively and defined as a score of “much improved” or “very much improved” on the Clinical Global Impression—Improvement scale. Results Quetiapine was added for treatment of BP-D in a dose range of 150 to 400 mg (mean, 273 mg). Eight (73%) of the 11 study patients fulfilled the criterion of response, that is a score of “much improve” (4 patients) and “very much improved” (4 patients) on the Clinical Global Impression—Improvement scale. Notably, quetiapine was associated with additional improvement of OCD symptoms in 6 of 8 study responders. Quetiapine was well tolerated. The most frequently detected side effects were drowsiness (5 patients), constipation (4 patients), and orthostatic hypotension (2 patients). Conclusions The revealed beneficial effect of quetiapine addition for acute episode of BP-D in OCD patients maintained on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment merits further controlled investigation.
Clinical Update of the Latest Evidence for CardioMEMS Pulmonary Artery Pressure Monitoring in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: A Promising System for Remote Heart Failure Care

The CardioMEMS pulmonary artery (PA) monitoring system placed in the left lower lobe pulmonary artery is capable of measuring pulmonary artery pressure remotely as a surrogate of intracardiac filling pressures and volume status. The technique is safe and reliable. By using remote PA monitoring for proactive medical interventions, there is a growing body of clinical evidence for a substantial, robust reduction in HF hospitalizations in various populations (clinical trial setting, post-marketing studies and real-world experiences). This review summarizes the clinical evidence, outlines future perspectives, and aims for remote patient care in heart failure using CardioMEMS.
Minimization of Immunosuppressive Therapy Is Associated with Improved Survival of Liver Transplant Patients with Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Simple Summary Liver transplantation is a curative treatment option for a subset of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, about twenty percent of patients develop recurrence in the graft or at extrahepatic sites, which is associated with limited therapeutic options and poor survival. To date, management of the immunosuppressive regimen after recurrence and its impact on survival are unknown. In this retrospective study, we analyzed a cohort of liver recipients with HCC recurrence. Our findings indicate that reduction of immunosuppressive therapy after diagnosis of recurrence has a beneficial impact on patient survival. Therefore, we propose further investigation into the management of immunosuppressive therapy following recurrence. Abstract Introduction: Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC) after liver transplantation (LT) is associated with limited survival. Therefore, identification of factors that prolong survival in these patients is of great interest. Surgical resection, radiotherapy, and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) are established interventions to improve outcomes in these patients; however, the impact of immunosuppression is unknown. Methods: All patients diagnosed with rHCC in the follow-up after LT were identified from a database of liver recipients transplanted between 1988 and 2019 at our institution (Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany). Based on the immunosuppressive regimen following diagnosis of rHCC and the oncological treatment approach, survival analysis was performed. Results: Among 484 patients transplanted for HCC, 112 (23.1%) developed rHCC in the follow-up. Recurrent HCC was diagnosed at a median interval of 16.0 months (range 1.0–203.0), with the majority presenting early after transplantation (63.0%, <2 years). Median survival after rHCC diagnosis was 10.6 months (0.3–228.7). Reduction of immunosuppression was associated with improved survival, particularly in patients with palliative treatment (8.4 versus 3.0 months). In addition, greater reduction of immunosuppression seemed to be associated with greater prolongation of survival. Graft rejection after reduction was uncommon (n = 7, 6.8%) and did not result in any graft loss. Patients that underwent surgical resection showed improved survival rates (median 19.5 vs. 8.7 months). Conclusion: Reduction of immunosuppressive therapy after rHCC diagnosis is associated with prolonged survival in LT patients. Therefore, reduction of immunosuppression should be an early intervention following diagnosis. In addition, surgical resection should be attempted, if technically feasible and oncologically meaningful.
Assessment of In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Polyphenols from Annurca, Limoncella, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious Apples Using a Sequential Enzymatic Digestion Model

Four different varieties of apples have been considered (Limoncella, Annurca, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious) to estimate the extent of colon polyphenolics release after in vitro sequential enzyme digestion. Since several studies report a positive effect of apple polyphenols in colonic damage, we found of interest to investigate the colon release of polyphenols in different varieties of apples in order to assess their prevention of colonic damage. UHPLC-HRMS analysis and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays) were carried out on the apple extracts (peel, flesh, and whole fruit) obtained from not digested samples and on bioaccessible fractions (duodenal and colon bioaccessible fractions) after in vitro digestion. Polyphenolic content and antioxidant activities were found to vary significantly among the tested cultivars with Limoncella showing the highest polyphenol content accompanied by an excellent antioxidant activity in both flesh and whole fruit. The overall trend of soluble antioxidant capacity from the soluble duodenal phase (SDP) and soluble colonic phase (SCP) followed the concentrations of flavanols, procyandinis, and hydroxycinnamic acids under the same digestive steps. Our results highlighted that on average 64.2% of the total soluble antioxidant activity was released in the SCP with Limoncella exhibiting the highest values (82.31, 70.05, and 65.5%, respectively for whole fruit, flesh, and peel). This result suggested that enzymatic treatment with pronase E and viscozyme L, to reproduce biochemical conditions occurring in the colon, is effective for breaking the dietary fiber-polyphenols interactions and for the release of polyphenols which can exercise their beneficial effects in the colon. The beneficial effects related to the Limoncella consumption could thus be of potential great relevance to counteract the adverse effects of pro-oxidant and inflammatory processes on intestinal cells.
The effect of salinity on the maximum thermal gradient of a hydrothermal system at hydrostatic pressure

The effect of salinity on the temperature-depth relations of a brine of constant composition, enclosed in a vein system, but freely connected to the surface, and everywhere at the boiling point for the hydrostatic head, was calculated by using a mathematical model. The Na-Ca-K-Cl brines which are found in thermal springs and in fluid inclusions in ore minerals were approximated by the available data for vapor-saturated NaCl-H 2 O solutions. In general, the results are similar to those calculated by D. E. White in 1968 for H 2 O, except that the gradients are steeper because of the increase in density and the decrease in vapor pressure caused by the dissolved salt. As a practical rule, the depth to an isotherm in a 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt percent NaCl brine system is, respectively, 92, 84, 77, 70, and 63 percent (+ or -2 percent) of the depth to the same isotherm in an H 2 O system. From the data presented, the minimum depth to the growth site of crystals containing fluid inclusions which indicate boiling of the brine can be estimated. Among other applications, these results are useful toward the understanding of the behavior of brines in geothermal areas which may or may not contain compositional stratification.
Screening of Natural Compounds as P-Glycoprotein Inhibitors against Multidrug Resistance

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a common problem when fighting cancer with chemotherapy. P-glycoprotein (P-gp, or MDR1) is an active pump responsible for the efflux of xenobiotics out of the cell, including anti-cancer drugs. It is a validated target against MDR. No crystal structure of the human P-gp is available to date, and only recently several cryo-EM structures have been solved. In this paper, we present a comprehensive computational approach that includes constructing the full-length three-dimensional structure of the human P-gp and its refinement using molecular dynamics. We assessed its flexibility and conformational diversity, compiling a dynamical ensemble that was used to dock a set of lignan compounds, previously reported as active P-gp inhibitors, and disclose their binding modes. Based on the statistical analysis of the docking results, we selected a system for performing the structure-based virtual screening of new potential P-gp inhibitors. We tested the method on a library of 87 natural flavonoids described in the literature, and 10 of those were experimentally assayed. The results reproduced the theoretical predictions only partially due to various possible factors. However, at least two of the predicted natural flavonoids were demonstrated to be effective P-gp inhibitors. They were able to increase the accumulation of doxorubicin inside the human promyelocytic leukemia HL60/MDR cells overexpressing P-gp and potentiate the antiproliferative activity of this anti-cancer drug.
Glycolipid-Containing Nanoparticle Vaccine Engages Invariant NKT Cells to Enhance Humoral Protection against Systemic Bacterial Infection but Abrogates T-Independent Vaccine Responses

Key Points Glycolipid-adjuvanted vaccine activates iNKT cells to support humoral immunity. Nanoparticle delivery of glycolipids avoids iNKT anergy and allows adjuvant dose sparing. iNKT cells can either support or suppress vaccine responses, depending on context. CD4+ T cells enable the critical B cell humoral immune protection afforded by most effective vaccines. We and others have recently identified an alternative source of help for B cells in mice, invariant NK T (iNKT) cells. iNKT cells are innate glycolipid-specific T cells restricted to the nonpolymorphic Ag-presenting molecule CD1d. As such, iNKT cells respond to glycolipids equally well in all people, making them an appealing adjuvant for universal vaccines. We tested the potential for the iNKT glycolipid agonist, α-galactosylceramide (αGC), to serve as an adjuvant for a known human protective epitope by creating a nanoparticle that delivers αGC plus antigenic polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae. αGC-embedded nanoparticles activate murine iNKT cells and B cells in vitro and in vivo, facilitate significant dose sparing, and avoid iNKT anergy. Nanoparticles containing αGC plus S. pneumoniae polysaccharides elicits robust IgM and IgG in vivo and protect mice against lethal systemic S. pneumoniae. However, codelivery of αGC via nanoparticles actually eliminated Ab protection elicited by a T-independent S. pneumoniae vaccine. This is consistent with previous studies demonstrating iNKT cell help for B cells following acute activation, but negative regulation of B cells during chronic inflammation. αGC-containing nanoparticles represent a viable platform for broadly efficacious vaccines against deadly human pathogens, but their potential for eliminating B cells under certain conditions suggests further clarity on iNKT cell interactions with B cells is warranted.
The Role of Circulating Biomarkers in Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the lower extremities is a chronic illness predominantly of atherosclerotic aetiology, associated to traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. It is one of the most prevalent CV conditions worldwide in subjects >65 years, estimated to increase greatly with the aging of the population, becoming a severe socioeconomic problem in the future. The narrowing and thrombotic occlusion of the lower limb arteries impairs the walking function as the disease progresses, increasing the risk of CV events (myocardial infarction and stroke), amputation and death. Despite its poor prognosis, PAD patients are scarcely identified until the disease is advanced, highlighting the need for reliable biomarkers for PAD patient stratification, that might also contribute to define more personalized medical treatments. In this review, we will discuss the usefulness of inflammatory molecules, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and cardiac damage markers, as well as novel components of the liquid biopsy, extracellular vesicles (EVs), and non-coding RNAs for lower limb PAD identification, stratification, and outcome assessment. We will also explore the potential of machine learning methods to build prediction models to refine PAD assessment. In this line, the usefulness of multimarker approaches to evaluate this complex multifactorial disease will be also discussed.
Evaluation of Service-Learning in Project WeCan under COVID-19 in a Chinese Context

Service-learning is a widely adopted educational pedagogy and philosophy. With the support from the Wharf (Holdings) Limited (Group), service-learning was conducted in the “Project WeCan” in Hong Kong. Prior to COVID-19, traditional service-learning was implemented with students learning in the classroom and applying their knowledge and skills to the community through providing direct face-to-face service. With the COVID-19 outbreak in the 2019–20 academic year, school lockdown measures appeared. Students had to learn online and to design and implement service offsite. As the impacts of this rapid shift in paradigm remain unknown, this study examined changes in university students using a pretest–posttest design (n = 124) and perceptions of service-learning experience via the subjective outcome evaluation design (n = 192) under COVID-19. The authors also investigated service recipients’ (n = 56) satisfaction with service activities they participated in during the pandemic. Both objective outcome evaluation and subjective outcome evaluation findings revealed that service providers (university students) and recipients (secondary school students) experienced benefits from the Project. Findings support the benefits of online service-learning in “Project WeCan” even during unprecedented times such as COVID-19.