Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Various Parameters Over the Adsorption of Polyvinylpyrrolidone onto Kaolin

The adsorption of water-soluble polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone having molecular mass 9.1 ± 1.43 × 103Kg mole−1 on kaolin has been investigated. The effect of different parameters like pH, molecular mass of polymer and pre-heat treatment on the adsorption of PVP has been deliberated. The 20.7% decrease in adsorption in pH ranging from 2–10 have been found, which was an indication of the fact that with the increase in pH the kaolin surfaces sites charge amount and ultimately sign changes. Maximum adsorption was observed at pH 5.6 that was also molecular mass dependent. By increasing the pretreatment temperature, the amount of polymer adsorbed was also increased. However, above the specific temperature adsorption of PVP was decreased and attributed to decrease in specific surface area of kaolin.
Synthesis of Spherical Nano-Hydroxyapatite by Hydrothermal Method with L-Lysine Template

In this paper, spherical nanohydroxyapatite was synthesized by hydrothermal method. During the synthesizing process, different amount of L-lysine template was added with the hydrothermal temperature 185 °C and the time 25 h. The products were characterized by using FTIR, XRD and TEM. Results showed that the rod-like nanohydroxyapatite changed its granule morphology into spherical obviously after adding L-lysine. Spherical nanohydroxyapatite was synthesized with mean particle size about 25 nm.
Relationship between Muscle Mass and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Simple Summary Sarcopenia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease share common pathological and physiological mechanisms that can co-occur with aging. Low skeletal muscle mass index and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were related, regardless of abdominal obesity. Maintenance of muscle mass should be emphasized for prevention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Management of fatty liver also could be an important strategy to preserve muscle mass. Abstract Although sarcopenia is known to be a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), whether NAFLD is a risk factor for the development of sarcopenia is not clear. We investigated relationships between NAFLD and low skeletal muscle mass index (LSMI) using three different datasets. Participants were classified into LSMI and normal groups. LSMI was defined as a body mass index (BMI)-adjusted appendicular skeletal muscle mass <0.789 in men and <0.512 in women or as the sex-specific lowest quintile of BMI-adjusted total skeletal muscle mass. NAFLD was determined according to NAFLD liver fat score or abdominal ultrasonography. The NAFLD groups showed a higher hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for LSMI than the normal groups (HRs = 1.21, 95% CIs = 1.05–1.40). The LSMI groups also showed a higher HRs with 95% CIs for NAFLD than normal groups (HRs = 1.56, 95% CIs = 1.38–1.78). Participants with NAFLD had consistently less skeletal muscle mass over 12 years of follow-up. In conclusion, LSMI and NAFLD showed a relationship. Maintaining muscle mass should be emphasized in the management of NAFLD.
Gait Phase Detection Based on Muscle Deformation with Static Standing-Based Calibration

Gait phase detection, which detects foot-contact and foot-off states during walking, is important for various applications, such as synchronous robotic assistance and health monitoring. Gait phase detection systems have been proposed with various wearable devices, sensing inertial, electromyography, or force myography information. In this paper, we present a novel gait phase detection system with static standing-based calibration using muscle deformation information. The gait phase detection algorithm can be calibrated within a short time using muscle deformation data by standing in several postures; it is not necessary to collect data while walking for calibration. A logistic regression algorithm is used as the machine learning algorithm, and the probability output is adjusted based on the angular velocity of the sensor. An experiment is performed with 10 subjects, and the detection accuracy of foot-contact and foot-off states is evaluated using video data for each subject. The median accuracy is approximately 90% during walking based on calibration for 60 s, which shows the feasibility of the static standing-based calibration method using muscle deformation information for foot-contact and foot-off state detection.
Improving team coordination in primary-care settings via multifaceted team-based feedback: a non-randomised controlled trial study

Background Coordination is critical to successful team-based health care. Most clinicians, however, are not trained in effective coordination or teamwork. Audit and feedback (A&F) could improve team coordination, if designed with teams in mind. Aim The effectiveness of a multifaceted, A&F-plus-debrief intervention was tested to establish whether it improved coordination in primary care teams compared with controls. Design & setting Case-control trial within US Veterans Health Administration medical centres. Method Thirty-four primary care teams selected from four geographically distinct hospitals were compared with 34 administratively matched control teams. Intervention-arm teams received monthly A&F reports about key coordination behaviours and structured debriefings over 7 months. Control teams were followed exclusively via their clinical records. Outcome measures included a coordination composite and its component indicators (appointments starting on time, timely recall scheduling, emergency department utilisation, and electronic patient portal enrolment). Predictors included intervention arm, extent of exposure to intervention, and degree of multiple team membership (MTM). Results Intervention teams did not significantly improve over control teams, even after adjusting for MTM. Follow-up analyses indicated cross-team variability in intervention fidelity; although all intervention teams received feedback reports, not all teams attended all debriefings. Compared with their respective baselines, teams with high debriefing exposure improved significantly. Teams with high debriefing exposure improved significantly more than teams with low exposure. Low exposure teams significantly increased patient portal enrolment. Conclusion Team-based A&F, including adequate reflection time, can improve coordination; however, the effect is dose dependent. Consistency of debriefing appears more critical than proportion of team members attending a debriefing for ensuring implementation fidelity and effectiveness.
REST Protects Dopaminergic Neurons from Mitochondrial and α-Synuclein Oligomer Pathology in an Alpha Synuclein Overexpressing BAC-Transgenic Mouse Model

Alpha-synuclein pathology is associated with dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra (SN) of Parkinson's patients. Working across human and mouse models, we investigated mechanisms by which the accumulation of soluble α-synuclein oligomers leads to neurodegeneration. Biochemical analysis of the midbrain of α-synuclein overexpressing BAC-transgenic male and female mice revealed age- and region-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction and accumulation of damaged proteins downstream of the RE1 Silencing Transcription Factor (REST). Vulnerable SN dopaminergic neurons displayed low REST levels compared with neighboring protected SN GABAergic neurons, which correlated with the accumulation of α-synuclein oligomers and disrupted mitochondrial morphology. Consistent with a protective role, REST levels were reduced in patient induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons carrying the SNCA-Triplication mutation, which accumulated α-synuclein oligomers and mitochondrial damage, and displayed REST target gene dysregulation. Furthermore, CRISPR-mediated REST KO induced mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired mitophagy in vitro. Conversely, REST overexpression attenuated mitochondrial toxicity and mitochondrial morphology disruption through the transcription factor PGC-1α. Finally, decreased α-synuclein oligomer accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction in mice correlated with nuclear REST and PGC-1α in protected SN GABAergic neurons compared with vulnerable dopaminergic neurons. Our findings show that increased levels of α-synuclein oligomers cause dopaminergic neuronal-specific dysfunction through mitochondrial toxicity, which can be attenuated by REST in an early model of Parkinsonian pathology. These findings highlight REST as a mediator of dopaminergic vulnerability in PD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Understanding early Parkinsonian pathophysiology through studies of advanced preclinical models is fundamental to the translation of disease-modifying therapies. Here we show disease-relevant levels of α-synuclein expression in mice leads to accumulation of α-synuclein oligomers in the absence of overt aggregation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in dopaminergic neurons lacking the RE1 Silencing Transcription Factor. Our findings identify the mechanism of action of RE1 Silencing Transcription Factor and PGC-1α as mediators of dopaminergic vulnerability in α-synuclein BAC-transgenic mice and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic cultures, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets.
Robust Cobalt Catalyst for Nitrile/Alkyne [2+2+2] Cycloaddition: Synthesis of Polyarylpyridines and Their Mechanochemical Cyclodehydrogenation to Nitrogen-Containing Polyaromatics.

Transition metal-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of nitriles and alkynes has been extensively developed as a straightforward and atom-economical synthetic approach to pyridines over the last several decades using various transition metal catalysts, both precious and non-precious. Despite this long history, cycloadditions of this type have often relied on the use of tethered diyne or cyanoalkyne as one of the reactants. Thus, examples of efficient, fully intermolecular catalytic [2+2+2] pyridine synthesis, especially those employing unactivated nitriles and internal alkynes leading to pentasubstituted pyridines, remain scarce. Herein, we report on simple and inexpensive catalytic systems based on cobalt(II) iodide, 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane, and Zn that promote [2+2+2] cycloaddition of various nitriles and diarylacetylenes without using a large excess of the nitrile. The present systems allow for the synthesis of broad range of polyarylated pyridines, many of which have not been previously accessed by the [2+2+2] manifold. Computational studies have supported a reaction pathway involving oxidative coupling of two alkynes, insertion of the nitrile into cobaltacyclopentadiene, and C-N reductive elimination. We also demonstrate that tetra- and pentaarylpyridines can serve as precursors to hitherto unprecedented nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons via mechanochemically assisted multifold reductive cyclodehydrogenation.
Depletion of Cholesteryl Esters Causes Meibomian Gland Dysfunction-Like Symptoms in a Soat1-Null Mouse Model

Previous studies on ablation of several key genes of meibogenesis related to fatty acid elongation, omega oxidation, and esterification into wax esters have demonstrated that inactivation of any of them led to predicted changes in the meibum lipid profiles and caused severe abnormalities in the ocular surface and Meibomian gland (MG) physiology and morphology. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Soat1 ablation that were expected to cause depletion of the second largest class of Meibomian lipids (ML)—cholesteryl esters (CE)—in a mouse model. ML of the Soat1-null mice were examined using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry and compared with those of Soat1+/− and wild-type mice. Complete suppression of CE biosynthesis and simultaneous accumulation of free cholesterol (Chl) were observed in Soat1-null mice, while Soat1+/− mutants had normal Chl and CE profiles. The total arrest of the CE biosynthesis in response to Soat1 ablation transformed Chl into the dominant lipid in meibum accounting for at least 30% of all ML. The Soat1-null mice had clear manifestations of dry eye and MG dysfunction. Enrichment of meibum with Chl and depletion of CE caused plugging of MG orifices, increased meibum rigidity and melting temperature, and led to a massive accumulation of lipid deposits around the eyes of Soat1-null mice. These findings illustrate the role of Soat1/SOAT1 in the lipid homeostasis and pathophysiology of MG.
Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements Do Not Affect Plasma or Milk Retinol Concentrations Among Malawian Mothers, or Plasma Retinol Concentrations among Young Malawian or Ghanaian Children in Two Randomized Trials

ABSTRACT Background Vitamin A (VA) deficiency is prevalent in preschool-aged children in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives We assessed the effect of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) given to women during pregnancy and lactation and their children from 6 to 18 mo of age on women's plasma and milk retinol concentrations in Malawi, and children's plasma retinol concentration in Malawi and Ghana. Methods Pregnant women (≤20 wk of gestation) were randomized to receive daily: 1) iron and folic acid (IFA) during pregnancy only; 2) multiple micronutrients (MMN; 800 μg retinol equivalent (RE)/capsule), or 3) SQ-LNS (800 μg RE/20g) during pregnancy and the first 6 mo postpartum. Children of mothers in the SQ-LNS group received SQ-LNS (400 μg RE/20 g) from 6 to 18 mo of age; children of mothers in the IFA and MMN groups received no supplement. Plasma retinol was measured in mothers at ≤20 and 36 wk of gestation and 6 mo postpartum, and in children at 6 and 18 mo of age. Milk retinol was measured at 6 mo postpartum. VA status indicators were compared by group. Results Among Malawian mothers, geometric mean (95% CI) plasma retinol concentrations at 36 wk of gestation and 6 mo postpartum were 0.97 μmol/L (0.94, 1.01 μmol/L) and 1.35 μmol/L (1.31, 1.39 μmol/L), respectively; geometric mean (95% CI) milk retinol concentration at 6 mo postpartum was 1.04 μmol/L (0.97, 1.13 μmol/L); results did not differ by intervention group. Geometric mean (95% CI) plasma retinol concentrations for Malawian children at 6 and 18 mo of age were 0.78 μmol/L (0.75, 0.81 μmol/L) and 0.81 μmol/L (0.78, 0.85 μmol/L), respectively, and for Ghanaian children they were 0.85 μmol/L (0.82, 0.88 μmol/L) and 0.88 μmol/L (0.85, 0.91 μmol/L), respectively; results did not differ by intervention group in either setting. Conclusions SQ-LNS had no effect on VA status of mothers or children, possibly because of low responsiveness of the VA status indicators.
Effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation on lipid profile in polycystic ovary syndrome women: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is prevalent in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the relationship between dyslipidemia and vitamin D status is close. This meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D (alone or with co-supplementation) on lipid profile in PCOS patients. METHODS Medline, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published prior to January, 2020 were identified. The pooled estimates of standardized mean deviation (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a fixed effect model or random effect model. RESULTS A total of 954 identified studies were retrieved, and 11 RCTs involving 677 participants were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results suggested an association between vitamin D supplementation and a reduction in total cholesterol (TC) concentrations (SMD: -0.36 mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.18 mg/dL, P<0.0001), triglycerides (TG) (SMD: -0.50 mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.68 to -0.32 mg/dL, P<0.00001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (SMD: -0.28 mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.45 to -0.11 mg/dL, P=0.001), and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) (SMD: -0.54 mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.74 to -0.35 mg/dL, P<0.00001), but no effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (SMD: 0.01 mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.16 to 0.18 mg/dL, P=0.89) was found. Subgroup analyses showed that the dosage of vitamin D used, the duration of intervention and the type of vitamin D supplementation (alone or with co-supplementation) might influence the effect of vitamin D on the lipid profile. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis demonstrated that PCOS patients with the therapy of vitamin D had a statistical improvement in TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C, but did not affect HDL-C concentrations.
The Prognostic Value of the De Ritis Ratio for Progression-Free Survival in Patients with NET Undergoing [177Lu]Lu-DOTATOC-PRRT: A Retrospective Analysis

Simple Summary Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) has shown variable response rates between 9% and 39%. Therefore, better criteria are needed that help doctors to identify patients who will show a favorable outcome to PRRT, and which patients may not. The so-called De Ritis ratio, which is calculated using two basic laboratory parameters of liver function, has shown that it can help to predict the patient outcome in various tumor types. This retrospective study included 125 patients with NET who were treated with PRRT. We demonstrated that a high De Ritis ratio and high levels of the tumor marker Chromogranin A (CgA) each improved the prediction of the progression-free survival after treatment. A consequence for clinical care might be that patients with both high De Ritis ratio and high CgA levels may benefit from intensified follow-up imaging after PRRT because they have a higher risk of early progression. Abstract Background: The De Ritis ratio (aspartate aminotransferase [AST]/alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) has demonstrated prognostic value in various cancer entities. We evaluated the prognostic capability of the De Ritis ratio in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET) undergoing peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Methods: Unicentric, retrospective analysis of 125 patients with NET undergoing PRRT with [177Lu]Lu-DOTATOC (female: 37%; median age: 66 years; G1+G2 NET: 95%). The prognostic value regarding progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed with univariable and multivariable Cox regression. Prognostic accuracy was determined with Harrell’s C index and a likelihood ratio test. Results: Progression, relapse, or death after PRRT was observed in 102/125 patients. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 15.8 months. Pancreatic or pulmonary origin, high De Ritis ratio, and high Chromogranin A (CgA) significantly predicted shorter PFS in univariable Cox. In multivariable Cox regression, only high De Ritis ratio >0.927 (HR: 1.7; p = 0.047) and high CgA >twice the upper normal limit (HR: 2.1; p = 0.005) remained independent predictors of shorter PFS. Adding the De Ritis ratio to the multivariable Cox model (age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, primary origin, CgA) significantly improved prognostic accuracy (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The De Ritis ratio is simple to obtain in clinical routine and can provide independent prognostic value for PFS in patients with NET undergoing PRRT.
Evaluation of a quick one-step sample preparation method for the determination of the isotopic fingerprint of rapeseeds (Brassica napus) - Investigation of the influence of the use of 2,2-Dimethoxypropane (DMP) on C- and H-CSIA by GC/C/Py-IRMS.

RATIONALE Gas-chromatographic analyses for vegetable oils require transesterification, which generally involves multiple steps, mainly to generate fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). A quick method based on acid-catalyzed transesterification using 2,2-dimethoxypropane (DMP), enables the conversion in one-step, in a single reactor. For compound-specific stable carbon and hydrogen isotope analyses (C- and H-CSIA) of individual fatty acids (FAs) in oil, the verification of this one-step method has not yet been reported. METHODS In this study, we have evaluated the feasibility of the one-step method for C- and H-CSIA of individual FAMEs in rapeseed samples. The focus was on the investigation of the influence of methanol, which was produced from the reactions of DMP with glycerol and water during transesterification, on the accuracy of isotope composition of FAMEs, consequently of the FAs. The reproducibility of the one-step method was assessed by the measurement of the FAMEs from the rapeseed and rapeseed oil. For the C- and H-CSIA of individual FAMEs, a Gas Chromatography-Combustion/Pyrolysis-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC/C/Py-IRMS) system was used. RESULTS Our results showed that no significant differences arise in the carbon and hydrogen isotope compositions of the selected main FAMEs produced with and without DMP except for the H-CSIA value of C18:3. The reproducibility of the one-step method for the rapeseeds was in the range of ± 0.1 mUr to ± 0.3 mUr for C-CSIA and ± 1 mUr to ± 3 mUr for H-CSIA of the main FAMEs. CONCLUSIONS DMP improves the transesterification efficiency without influencing the accuracy of the C- and H-CSIA of FAMEs. The performance of the one-step method for rapeseed samples for the determination of C- and H-CSIA values of FAMEs is satisfactory. Thus, the applicability of the one-step method for isotopic fingerprint analyses of FAs in oilseeds is reported for the first time.
Using a Low-Power Spiking Continuous Time Neuron (SCTN) for Sound Signal Processing

This work presents a new approach based on a spiking neural network for sound preprocessing and classification. The proposed approach is biologically inspired by the biological neuron’s characteristic using spiking neurons, and Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity (STDP)-based learning rule. We propose a biologically plausible sound classification framework that uses a Spiking Neural Network (SNN) for detecting the embedded frequencies contained within an acoustic signal. This work also demonstrates an efficient hardware implementation of the SNN network based on the low-power Spike Continuous Time Neuron (SCTN). The proposed sound classification framework suggests direct Pulse Density Modulation (PDM) interfacing of the acoustic sensor with the SCTN-based network avoiding the usage of costly digital-to-analog conversions. This paper presents a new connectivity approach applied to Spiking Neuron (SN)-based neural networks. We suggest considering the SCTN neuron as a basic building block in the design of programmable analog electronics circuits. Usually, a neuron is used as a repeated modular element in any neural network structure, and the connectivity between the neurons located at different layers is well defined. Thus, generating a modular Neural Network structure composed of several layers with full or partial connectivity. The proposed approach suggests controlling the behavior of the spiking neurons, and applying smart connectivity to enable the design of simple analog circuits based on SNN. Unlike existing NN-based solutions for which the preprocessing phase is carried out using analog circuits and analog-to-digital conversion, we suggest integrating the preprocessing phase into the network. This approach allows referring to the basic SCTN as an analog module enabling the design of simple analog circuits based on SNN with unique inter-connections between the neurons. The efficiency of the proposed approach is demonstrated by implementing SCTN-based resonators for sound feature extraction and classification. The proposed SCTN-based sound classification approach demonstrates a classification accuracy of 98.73% using the Real-World Computing Partnership (RWCP) database.